Clinnesha D. Sibley is a humanities scholar, playwright, educator, and arts advocate dedicated to using storytelling, theatre, and community engagement to foster dialogue, social change, and cultural preservation. With a background in playwriting, mediation, and arts leadership, Sibley’s work explores the intersections of history, identity, and the human experience—particularly in the American South.
As a speaker, facilitator, and educator, she brings a wealth of experience in arts-infused education, nonprofit leadership, and creative placemaking. She has worked extensively in community-building efforts, using the humanities as a tool for reconciliation, literacy development, and social-emotional learning. Her expertise includes narrative mediation, oral history preservation, African American literature, and the role of theatre in activism and education.
Sibley is the co-founder and Executive-Artistic Director of the Southwest Mississippi Multiplex for Early Innovative Intervention Studies (SMMEIIS), a nonprofit that integrates arts, culture, and education to uplift marginalized communities. She has served as Fine Arts Coordinator for the McComb School District, where she developed programs to enrich K-12 arts education. Additionally, her leadership extends to directing award-winning theatre productions, spearheading literacy initiatives, and curating community-centered arts festivals. You can learn more about Clinnesha Sibley’s work at smmeiis.org.
