The Delaware Arts Alliance collaborates with Community Engagement Captains to lead outreach for the Creative Economy Advancement & Tourism Expansion (CREATE) Plan. These Captains, acting as ambassadors, will gather input from diverse stakeholders such as artists, creative business owners, and patrons through focus groups, surveys, and network communication. The Captains have strong ties to the Delaware community, expertise in listening to various groups, and firsthand experience as artists, business owners, entrepreneurs, and patrons. They represent both long-time residents and recent transplants, with statewide and county-wide networks. Their experiences range from starting businesses in Delaware, working as artists, using arts for economic development, engaging in art education, and supporting art organizations, both nonprofit and for-profit.
Community Engagement Captain | New Castle County
A seasoned audio engineer and production manager originally from Brooklyn, Stephen Manocchio has been based in Wilmington, DE since 2000. With over 30 years of experience in live music concerts, theater production, and sound design, I have been actively involved in Delaware’s vibrant music and performing arts community. Notably, I’ve worked as an audio engineer at The Grand Opera House for 21 years and as a production manager for the Delaware Symphony Orchestra for 10 years. I’ve toured internationally with renowned groups such as The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The Acting Company, and The Juilliard School. Additionally, I’ve collaborated with artists like De La Soul and EPMD as an assistant recording engineer and designed sound and music for theaters including The Paper Mill Playhouse, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, and The New York Public Theater. As a Community Engagement Captain for the Delaware Arts Alliance, I’m dedicated to fortifying artists and organizations and fostering pride and financial opportunities for the state.
Community Engagement Captain | New Castle County
Michelle Peebles is a versatile artist with 10 years of experience as a Playwright, Director, and Narrator. She has a special focus on acting and singing. In 2019, Michelle founded MP+Sisters Productions, a women-owned business dedicated to stage plays, open mics, and musical concerts. She has written and directed numerous plays performed in theaters, churches, and schools across New York City, Chester, PA, and Wilmington, DE. One of her recent successful projects was the acclaimed stage play, Hope’s Alley, showcased at Theater N in Wilmington, Delaware. Driven by her passion for community outreach, fostering connections, and making a positive impact through the arts and her personal journey, Michell’s ultimate goal is to inspire, motivate, and empower others to persevere and embrace their unique gifts. She encourages everyone she encounters to embrace a mindset of greatness and allow their God-given talents to flourish, leading them towards their destined path.
IN THIS VIDEO, MICHELLE DISCUSSES WITH A FELLOW ARTIST FRIEND WHY THEY FEEL THE ARTS ARE IMPORTANT.
Community Engagement Captain | Kent County
Sadé Truiett’s career in education and civic engagement has focused on the development and connection of people throughout Delaware. As a Public Relations Specialist she developed long-range strategic plans and community narratives. In 2014, Sadé launched a mentoring organization for teen girls called G.I.R.L talk (Gifted, Intelligent, and Royal Leader) with six girls, now serving over 200. Sade’ has run political campaigns, taught middle school English, and researched and presented data-based analyses on “Achievement Gaps in Secondary Education.
Community Engagement Captain | New Castle County
Gayle Dillman founded Gable Music Ventures in 2011 to provide a platform for emerging artists to showcase their original music. Her work has revitalized Wilmington, Delaware’s music scene. Notable events she’s created include the Ladybug Music Festival, Fortify Festival, and Smyrna at Night. She offers her clients creative solutions to highlight their unique musical styles. Accolades Gayle has received for her accomplishments, including Delaware Today’s Women in Business (2015), the Women Who Rock Award (2019), and the University of Delaware’s We Hatch Honor Circle Award (2021). The Ladybug Festival, launched in 2012, is Gable Music Ventures’ flagship event celebrating women in the music industry. Starting as a live music block party, Ladybug has grown exponentially and is now the largest celebration of women in music in the United States, expanding to Milford, DE, in 2018. Gable Music Ventures is committed to supporting female talent and staff in all positions within the festival.
IN THIS VIDEO, GAYLE SHARES WHAT SHE LOVES ABOUT DELAWARE’S ARTS COMMUNITY:
Community Engagement Captain | Sussex County
Jordyn Gum is an independent filmmaker and a member of the creator economy. In 2020, she founded Nantico Studios, a next-generation production company fusing art, community, and technology to amplify the voices of independent artists everywhere. From Sussex County, Delaware, she’s passionate about helping independent artists gain power in the media ecosystem so that every independent artist can make a living doing what they love no matter where they are.
Community Engagement Captain | New Castle County
Chantal Whitehead-Scott is a Program Manager for Leadership Edge at JPMorgan Chase (JPMC) within the Learning & Development area. Chantal manages pre and post program logistics for management programs and partners to drive enrollment in the Delaware region. Before JPMC, Chantal worked in higher education for over 8 years in alumni relations and student affairs at the University of Delaware, West Chester University of Pennsylvania, Delaware Technical Community College and the Community College of Philadelphia. Chantal also has professional experience working in non-profit leadership and fundraising at local non-profits and schools. She recently completed her term on the Board of Directors at the Choir School of Delaware, the “Community Center that sings”, where she found her passion for supporting youth in relation to accessibility to the arts. Chantal enjoys baking, traveling, and spending time with her two sons, Sammy and Cannon, and husband, Sam..
Community Engagement Captain | New Castle County
Angela Wagner is an entertainment attorney and talent agent who not only identifies as a creative herself, but has dedicated her career to representing the creative industries’ innovators and boundary-pushers. Most recently, Angela launched her full-service creative agency: The Creative Esquires Agency (“CEA”), where her team represents nationally-recognized talent in film, music, mixed-media art, fashion, and more. CEA also offers legal and creative services such as trademark filings, brand development, marketing, consulting, and more. In 2022, Angela and her colleagues at the Delaware Collective for the Creative Economy were honored with the prestigious Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation’s Reinventing Delaware Award for their efforts to bolster the creative economy in Delaware, with an initial focus on developing film tax incentives. A pilot program for those tax incentives will be rolled out soon.
Community Engagement Captain | Kent County
Akima A. Brown is an international speaker, award-winning filmmaking, a family advocate, and an equity specialist. She is helmed as a care infrastructure expert in non-traditional work structures. As the founder of Reel Families for Change, a nationally serving not-for-profit, Akima and her team strive to tip the scales in the screen industry toward equity, inclusion, and work-life integration. The organization oversees a local initiative, known as the Delaware Collective for Creative Economy, which has been instrumental in the campaign for statewide film production incentives. Their work in Delaware has centered on building a highly effective, equitable, and lucrative creative economy with media production at its epicenter.
Community Engagement Captain | Kent County
Mike is a co-owner of Painted Stave Distilling and Taco Jardin in Downtown Smyrna. He is actively involved in the community as a member of the Smyrna Town Council and the Kent County Tourism Board. Over the past decade, Mike has dedicated himself to community and economic development in Smyrna and Kent County. He advocates for the integration and promotion of arts to drive both economic growth and community engagement. At Painted Stave Distilling, he established a gallery showcasing contemporary artists from diverse backgrounds, while also working to enhance the role of arts in the town’s revitalization efforts. Mike holds a MA degree in Public Policy from the University of Delaware, as well as BS degrees in Political Science and Secondary Education from SUNY Geneseo. He resides in Downtown Smyrna with his supportive wife and two children. In his free time, Mike enjoys riding his scooter and indulging in cocktails or coffee, depending on the time of day.
Community Engagement Captain | New Castle County
Nicodemus is a Singer/Songwriter, Actor and Behavior Interventionist at Kuumba Academy Charter School. A proud graduate of The Biden School of Public Policy and Administration at University of Delaware School, he was inspired to pursue a career in Music and education after years of singing professionally and working with students. NICODEMUS WILLIAMS also is an independent artist who goes by “Nic Snow” Nic Snow is a product of Delaware’s most prestigious music institutions – Christina Cultural Arts Center and Cab Calloway School of the Arts. Best known for his energetic live shows and pink wardrobe. With lush soundscapes and electronic futuristic R&B his music draws influences from Michael Jackson, Childish Gambino, Chance the Rapper, and Stevie Wonder. In Nic’s free time he likes to travel, photography, and spending time with his family.