Civic Engagement Artists
An initiative that empowers Charlotte Creatives to build and apply civic engagement skills as they lead community co-creation that helps individuals, communities, and organizations reach their goals.
This artist development and community focused initiative provides discovery and application of artistic skills that can be transferred from the stage and studio to community-focused work. Through a two-year contract position, CEAs listen, learn, and lead community activation through the arts.
Leaning on the inherent power of the arts to create a safe space and shared experiences, CEAs establish relationships and create programming that is responsive to the needs and goals of partners and communities – all activated by opera.
Our CEAs
Reina McKeel (pronouns: she/they) holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Wingate University and a Master of Education (M.Ed.) from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Reina currently works for a diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting firm, creating digital learning content related to social justice education and LGBTQ+ allyship. Previously, she worked at various institutions across the University of North Carolina system, most recently in the Office of Identity, Equity, and Engagement at UNC Charlotte.
Outside of the arts and equity + inclusion work, Reina can be making coffee, enjoying the Charlotte sun, reading, and thinking of her next big idea.
Patrice N. Wilson (she/her/they/them/he/him) is an educator, language enthusiast, spoken word artist and creative, from Charlotte, N.C. Patrice received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Through her educational and creative pursuits, Patrice champions diversity, intersectionality, equity, communal connection and understanding. Patrice believes that education and action, if used correctly, can be vehicles for sustainable growth and change within society. Patrice loves to write and create. Patrice believes the power of creativity and expression of it is underrated and desires to use their power of creativity and expression to foster community, growth and understanding.