Dana N. Graham

Founder + Creative Director

Dana Graham is a multidisciplinary storyteller and social curator from and currently based in Dayton, OH. She attended Stivers School for the Arts and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Studies with a concentration in Directing from Wright State University in 2015. Upon graduation she completed a season-long artistic administration fellowship at Kitchen Theatre Company in Ithaca, NY under the direction of Rachel Lampert and Stephen Nunley. After completion of her fellowship at KTC, Dana returned back to her hometown and in 2018 founded Scripted in Black (SIB).

Nina Simone, one of her dearest inspirations, describes the duty of an artist in this way: “How can you be an artist and NOT reflect the times? That to me is the definition of an artist.” This quote has heavily shaped her evolution as a creative. The birth of Scripted in Black meant that Dana can live out her wildest, unconventional dreams in creating powerful spaces that truthfully illuminate the stories of underrepresented groups, lifestyles, ideals, and traditions of Black and Brown culture. She believes the intertwining of different art forms allows Scripted in Black to bring important layers to narratives that reflect how vibrant and multidimensional Black + Brown culture, perspective, and experiences are. These human processes move us to create work that challenges: our reimagination of how art reflects life and what a true holistic arts home for Black + Brown communities looks like.

Outside of pursuing her career as a creative, Dana is a lover of all things God, family and friends, and Black culture.

Product and believer of Black Girl Magic.

An avid music, tv, and film connoisseur.

Good food + the natural way of life-- from hair to wellness, authentic vibes, organic conversations, and eclectic experiences are keys to her heart.