Face to face with a lack of representation, being the only Black woman in the room, Dana Graham felt determined to turn her frustration into something meaningful for the Dayton region.
In 2021, Graham jump started her repurposed brand, Scripted in Black, to build a community that would craft a space for local Black and Brown creatives through various events and discussions.
“I felt like there have always been sparks of Black and Brown ingenuity and creativity when it comes to arts and culture, but not something that has ever been consistent,” Graham said.
The modern socially-forward alternative to the culture scene aims to provide a welcoming, affordable experience for Black and Brown artists to feel included in the landscape in the Dayton region.
“Scripted in Black is definitely a collective that empowers and to let them know that first and foremost, they’re always supported here,” Graham said. “You're always important in the community that you choose to be a part of. That leverages you to break down those barriers to believe the impossible.”
Graham said the brand held its first batch of events last year and plans to hold 12 events in 2022 with a mixture of in-person and virtual offerings.
Scripted in Black currently reaches an intimate audience age 22 to 45 with an average of 25 participants per gathering through the following events:
- Bosses Who Brew, a community conversation series exploring thoughts and experiences of Black creatives, entrepreneurs and professionals.
- FemmeDomHood, a space exclusively for Black and Brown women to celebrate their identities and embrace diversity through connection, acknowledgment and acceptance.
- Movie nights centered around Black classics, including a pre-event black business mixer.
- Live Lyrics, to dissect and discuss an album of choice.
- Virtual recap events for relevant Black shows and series.
Event tickets range from $15 to $60 and can be purchased through Eventbrite or at the door.
The brand not only provides connective opportunities, but encourages Black and Brown men and women to gain the confidence to step into non-diverse spaces, take their seat at the table and share their voice.
“We want to allow Black and Brown individuals to see their space in Black creativity and to see what that looks like in the current state of arts and cultural entities and creative fields,” Graham said. “We want them to be able to see themselves in the whole diverse light of that.”
As Scripted in Black grows, Graham said she will create similar opportunities and experiences for those in the Cincinnati and Columbus markets, eventually branching to New York where Graham felt most frustrated by lack of representation.
In 2022, Graham is exploring the next steps for the brand including ramping up their online store with additional collections in collaboration with local artists, eventually seeking to pivot the space for the region’s creatives to sell their items.
Looking toward 2023, Graham has her eyes on a permanent space to host events, further the brand’s community building and open the door for more expansive organic connection between Black and Brown identities.
Scripted in Black
Founded: 2018, rebranded in 2021
Owner: Dana Graham
Employees: 1
Website: https://www.scriptedinblack.com/
Service: Community brand for local Black and Brown creatives
