Meet the board
Darlene j. mcclinton
Watricia Shuler is an educator, creative, and third-generation entrepreneur. Guided from an early age, her initial business ventures included running a concession stand during her father’s basketball games to selling candy in high school and airbrushed t-shirts in college. That knowledge and experience fully manifested in 2014 when she co-founded The Artist Bloc, an event venue located in Greensboro, North Carolina. Since its inception, Watricia has served as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Within those positions her responsibilities include, but are not limited to, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the business, providing training and support to staff, and overseeing the finances.
Additionally, since 2011, Watricia has served as a professor and mentor to students and members of the community alike. During this time, she has facilitated courses, trainings, seminars, and workshops. Conversely, Shuler has developed programs through partnerships with organizations in Guilford County. Each program required the creation of a proposal containing curriculums, lesson plans, and budgets. A natural creative, Watricia is proficient in video production, content creation and graphic design. She uses her artistic talents to aid in creating materials for her business as well as others. Furthermore, she approaches entrepreneurship as a ‘creative endeavor’, allowing innovation and experimentation to guide her journey in business.
Watricia holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Mass Communications with a concentration in Broadcast Production from North Carolina A&T State University and a Masters of Fine Arts in Film from Howard University.
As a community leader in the Triad, Darlene J. McClinton wears several creative hats. Darlene is a muralist and international artist, an arts educator at NC A&T State University, former Creative Community Officer and Grants Program Manager at ArtsGreensboro, the C.E.O., and co-founder of The Artist Bloc L.L.C., and Founder of T.A.B. Arts Center Non-profit, Inc. She joined ArtsGreensboro to utilize her experience and expertise to help grow ArtsGreensboro grant programs to become more diverse, equitable, and inclusive. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She develops collaborations and community engagement through advocacy and public art that fosters research and strategic partnerships between communities and students.
Darlene is an "emerging star" in the state of North Carolina. She received her undergraduate degree in Visual Arts & Design from NC A&T University and a Master of Fine Arts from Howard University. Darlene's works are designed to bridge G.A.P.'s through education, reminding and influencing generations to understand the past, present, and future. Darlene is best known for her leadership, vision, and philanthropy.
WATRICIA SHULER
CARA WALTON
Cara Walton is a singer, songwriter, facilitator, entrepreneur, and the Founder of Out Loud Productions GSO (OLP GSO). Born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in the Triad since the age of 10, Cara grew up as a humble artist who found healing and purpose through music. She began producing music at sixteen for herself and other local creatives, earning recognition such as the 102 Jamz Local Artist Spotlight and being named a Triad Idol Finalist.
Shortly after Cara came up with the concept for OLP GSO, the owners of The Artist Bloc invited her to host an open mic series at their venue. That moment of divine alignment gave OLP GSO a home and brought her vision to life. Together, they launched Thinking Out Loud, a monthly open mic that has become a beloved community event over the past decade. Artists return each month to share their growth, receive supportive feedback, and connect with a platform that truly believes in them.
Cara’s journey as a young artist came with real challenges. There were times she lacked transportation, financial support, or access to the tools needed to chase her dreams. These obstacles inspired her to create something different for others. Feeling called to do more, she returned to school and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2022. That step, she often reflects, saved her life and gave her the foundation to build something greater.
Following graduation, OLP GSO received its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and was awarded its first major grant, formally launching programs like Voices Unbound. Today, Cara leads a team of eight dedicated volunteers alongside co-founder Sirrell James. Together, they offer mentorship, mental wellness tools, and creative opportunities that meet youth where they are and help them find healing, purpose, and community through the arts.
Sirrell James
Sirrell James is the Co-Founder and Operations Manager for the OLP-GSO organization. Since 2014 she has been honored to collaborate with other community organizations, leaders, and volunteers to work toward cultivating change for community members representing the arts within the community she once grew up in.
Being in the Operations Manager role has helped Sirrell to stretch her professional and personal leadership skills within the nonprofit sector. In this position her responsibilities include, but are not limited to, overseeing day of operations for programs hosted by the organization and problems solving ways to increase efficiency of programs for volunteers and guests. She too provides onsite training to volunteers along with assisting Creative Associate in planning themes and budgets for supplies for programs.
Outside of OLP-GSO Sirrell works in behavioral health. In studying human behavior, she values the positive influence that the arts have had on the human experience historically. The arts have also been an ongoing outlet of expression for herself and finds it inevitable to merge the two worlds respectfully. Sirrell helped founded OLP- GSO organization to help bridge the gap in connecting artists to more educational tools to support personal growth. In addition to connecting to appropriate resources to aid in both communal and individual healing within their community.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends. Also going to concerts, traveling, writing, watching sports and playing guitar when she can. Sirrell has a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and History from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a Master of Social Work from North Carolina A&T State University.
Denzel Fleming, known by his stage name "nonotwashington," is an accomplished artist and marketing professional whose work spans several creative disciplines, including spoken word poetry, photography, and creative services. He is now based in Charlotte, North Carolina after stimulating growth in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he has made a significant impact in both the local arts and business communities. He currently holds the titles of Manager at Pixel Pushas LLC and Web Master/ Board Member at NARIOP.
Fleming pursued higher education at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T), where he earned a degree in marketing. During his time at the university, he began to gain recognition for his artistic talent in photography and poetry. His involvement in the local arts scene in Greensboro grew significantly, and he became a regular performer at venues such as the Artist Bloc, a creative hub for artists. This venue played an essential role in his development as an artist and a community leader.
At NC A&T, Fleming was able to blend his artistic passions with his business skills, which allowed him to explore how marketing and creative work intersect. His exposure to both the creative and business sides of the industry helped him shape his approach to the arts, balancing artistic freedom with strategic marketing techniques.
Education, Entertainment, and Entrepreneurship are Fleming’s three key pillars. He believes continuing education throughout life is essential for development of self and Communities-at-large. He also believes entertainment has the ability to heal, help, and host opportunities for growth. Lastly, Fleming believes entrepreneurship early in life can lead to healthy psychological development in one’s later years.
