Delanee-Alexis Coley

Delanee-Alexis (professionally known as D.A.) is a performer, actress, vocalist, model, storyteller, and public speaker whose love for the arts spans theater, music, broadcast media, and live events. With a natural gift for connecting with audiences, D.A. brings warmth, authenticity, and versatility to every performance. Her stage credits include Belle in Beauty and the Beast (2012) and Timon in The Lion King in local productions. In 2024, she was invited to join Ursula V. Battle’s musical production as an alto vocalist. Throughout her life, she has performed numerous vocal solos, including at her 5th-grade graduation, 8th-grade graduation, and 12th-grade Christmas performance. She has also served on choirs and worship teams for many years, most recently with Union Church’s worship team (featured on YouTube as Union Sound), singing soprano, alto, and tenor. D.A. began developing her performance presence at an early age through modeling, working with companies such as GAP and Jimmie Jazz. During her time at North Carolina A&T State University, she continued exploring fashion and performance as a member of the university’s modeling troupe, Couture Productions. Beyond the stage, D.A. is a two-time full academic scholarship recipient, graduating from North Carolina A&T State University and later earning her Master’s degree in Human Capital Management from Columbia University. She made history as the inaugural North Carolina A&T Fellow and the inaugural Human Capital Management Fellow in the history of Columbia University’s HBCU Fellowship Program. Her background in journalism, public speaking, and storytelling allows her to bring depth, preparation, and authenticity to every role. D.A. earned her Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism from North Carolina A&T State University, where she also studied drama. Her media experience includes serving as an on-air anchor for her high school’s news program and completing an internship with NPR and The Washington Post in 2012. Beyond performing, D.A. has served as a public speaker, presenter, emcee, and invited guest for federal, national, regional, and local events and initiatives. She has earned recognition for her award-winning essay writing and dynamic public speaking, with experience introducing speakers, presenting, and participating in programs featuring distinguished leaders and changemakers such as Nikki Giovanni, Sabrina Fulton, Gwen Carr, Major General Linda Singh, Wes Moore, and others. While it has been a few years since her last theatrical production, D.A. believes acting is like muscle memory and is excited to bring that same passion and authenticity back to the stage and screen. Although she has an extensive vocal background and is happy to sing when a role calls for it, her true passion is acting. She especially enjoys bringing characters to life through authentic, emotionally grounded performances. Offstage, D.A. is known for her bubbly personality, quick wit, and appreciation for life’s simple joys—especially the feeling of the sun on her skin. She loves animals, music, nature, and technology, and is always inspired by opportunities to learn, create, and connect with others. A hopeful romantic at heart, she would love the opportunity to portray a tasteful romantic role, whether as a lead, supporting actor, or featured background performer.