Today we’d like to introduce you to Dalyla Nicole
Hi Dalyla, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Before I had the words for it, I was a storyteller. Now, the word is Griot.
Born and raised in Metro Atlanta, I grew up making up elaborate stories in the cul-de-sac and along the creek in my backyard. My first stage wasn’t a theater—it was the neighborhood, the Boys & Girls Club, the living room—anywhere I could bring a story to life. I still hold onto the brag that I became president of my high school’s theater department, but my love for storytelling started long before that.
In middle school, I wasn’t just reading Twilight—I was expanding it. I started two Twilight fan fictions that gained a hungry following, feeding my love for world-building and proving, even then, that storytelling wasn’t just a hobby—it was a calling.
I come from a lineage of Griots, culture bearers who keep history alive through story, rhythm, and song. My roots stretch deep—Southern and Indigenous, Gullah-Geechee and Midwest warmth, Black and femme and queer, full of spirit and spice. Every part of me is layered in the stories I tell.
That passion led me to study Anthropology and Human Biology at Emory University, blending my love for culture with my love for theater. It’s taken me across the globe, working with theaters like Alliance Theatre, Théâtre du Rêve, Essential Theatre, and Horizon Theatre. But no matter where I go, I carry Atlanta with me—its rhythms, its slang, its unapologetic truth-telling.
I wear many hats—artist, consultant, producer, cultural strategist. My company, HTD & Company, is the home for it all. HTD Productions creates and produces work that reflects our world. HTD Consulting Group helps artists and organizations grow with strategy and sustainability. HTD Member Company resources a network of creatives, ensuring we don’t just survive, but thrive. And launching in 2025, Ebony Taylor Theatre Company will center Black women’s stories, fostering legacy through theater.
At the heart of it all, I love people. I love the messy, beautiful ways we exist. Whether it’s on a stage, a screen, a page, or a front porch with good food and laughter, I am here to tell stories that matter.
That’s me.
Dalyla.
Not Delilah—though it rolls off the tongue with the same melody.
A Griot. A culture bearer. A southern gentlewoman. A lover of words and worlds.
And I’m just getting started.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has been anything but smooth, but every challenge has shaped my voice as an artist and the work I create.
One of the biggest struggles has been the lack of representation—both in the stories we see and in the opportunities available to artists like me. I’ve often found myself taking on stories and roles where I had never seen someone like me before. It takes courage to step into spaces that weren’t designed with you in mind, but that’s exactly why I do it. My work is about telling stories that make room for all of who we are.
That journey came full circle with Peps! Cola B*tch—the first time I truly wrote from the age-old advice, write what you know. I told a story rooted in my own intersections: Atlanta-born and raised, femme, queer, neurodivergent, and deeply connected to culture. It’s accessible for neurodivergent audiences, celebratory of different identities, and even explores my own personal conflicts—like loving Pepsi in a Coca-Cola city or navigating my queerness in a heteronormative world. And the gift? I’m now providing the representation I was hungry for. Through PCB and all my work, I’m building the communities I once wished for.
Representation, or the lack thereof, has guided much of my work as an artist. I remember attending an Artistic Director panel in Atlanta where the conversation turned to diversity. The panelists spoke of the rich tapestry of our city, but as I looked at the stage, I saw a room that still felt homogenous. That moment stuck with me. If I didn’t see the change I wanted, I had to be a part of creating it.
That same erasure showed up in my education. I had to build my own curriculum, crafting assignments that taught me about Indigenous communities because my formal studies treated their history as an afterthought. When systems fail to provide the full picture, we have to seek knowledge on our own terms.
Lack of representation also meant a hunger for mentorship. I’ve longed for guides who understood my intersections, but when they weren’t readily available, I leaned into community. Atlanta has a wealth of artist-leaders, and I’ve been lucky to learn from so many who have shaped my path.
More recently, I’ve faced the challenge of balancing my identities with my growing roles: mom, soon-to-be wife, business owner, and arts administrator. Carrying these intersections while navigating an arts landscape that is constantly under threat—from government policies to economic shifts—has been no easy task. The fight for diversity, for the arts, for small businesses, and for the communities we serve is more urgent than ever.
But despite the struggles, I remain committed. I tell stories that matter. I build the spaces I longed for. I create in the face of systems that would rather erase us. And that is what makes the journey worth it.
As you know, we’re big fans of HTD & Company. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
HTD & Company is a home for creatives—a one-stop shop for artists, storytellers, and visionaries looking for opportunities, resources, and support to thrive. Whether you’re an emerging artist or an established creative, HTD & Company equips, connects, and uplifts through our three core pillars of service:
HTD Productions
HTD Productions develops bold, intersectional, and innovative multimedia projects that push storytelling beyond traditional formats. Our current flagship project, Peps! Cola B*tch, is a multi-platform experience spanning stage, screen, game, and audio, offering an immersive take on identity, culture, and belonging. Through our productions, we create opportunities for artists to work, collaborate, and tell stories that reflect the full depth of our lived experiences.
HTD Consulting Group
HTD Consulting Group provides the tools and strategies artists and organizations need to build sustainable creative careers. From grant writing and fundraising strategies to arts administration and production consulting, we help creatives and cultural organizations grow with intention. Whether you need one-on-one guidance or organizational development, our consulting services equip artists and arts leaders with the skills to turn vision into reality.
HTD Member Company
A creative career shouldn’t be built in isolation. The HTD Member Company is a resource network designed to support artists through shared opportunities, accessible tools, and community-driven collaboration. Members gain access to affinity groups, professional development, and a growing library of resources—including equipment rentals and workspaces—to ensure creatives have what they need to thrive.
Together, these three pillars make HTD & Company a unique hub for artists. We’re not just another arts organization; we’re a community-driven ecosystem designed to support creatives at every stage of their journey.
And we’re growing! In 2025, we’re proud to launch Ebony Taylor Theatre Company (ETTC)—our nonprofit arm, which is 100% Black woman-led and dedicated to serving Black women’s stories, artistry, and leadership. ETTC exists to foster legacy, build community, and create space where Black women’s narratives are not just told, but centered and celebrated.
At HTD & Company, we believe in building the world we want to see—one where creatives are resourced, supported, and empowered. Whether you’re looking for artistic opportunities, strategic guidance, or a creative community to call home, we’re here to make sure you don’t have to do it alone.
Stay connected! Follow us on Instagram @htdandcompany and sign up for our newsletter at HTDandCompany.com for updates, opportunities, and ways to get involved.
What matters most to you? Why?
Integrity.
I don’t care to be nice or famous, but I want to be known as someone who moved through this world with integrity. No matter how art, work, or identity trends shift—no matter what cultural tides try to rewrite the rules—I am committed to staying loyal to myself, my ancestors, and the communities I represent.
When it’s my time to go, I hope I’ve added a story worth telling to the global history. One that reflects truth, that uplifts, that holds space for those who have long been overlooked.
And as corny as it sounds, it all comes back to love—love of self, love of people, and love of God.
It’s easy to “sell out” to get by in the creative industries, to dilute your voice for the sake of opportunity. But I refuse. I want to offer something real—representation that is sincere, authentic, and shines evergreen.
Pricing:
- All HTD and Company services are committed to reducing any financial barriers, so honestly just reach out and we will work within your means
Contact Info:
- Website: https://HTDandCompany.com
- Instagram: @heytheresdalyla
Image Credits
Casey Gardner
Jessica Goode
Camilo Diaz
