Chicago, IL — The Black Arts & Culture Alliance of Chicago (BACA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Darion "Doc" Wheeler as Executive Director. Previously serving as BACA’s PR, Media, Marketing, and Design Director, Wheeler took the Executive Chair on February 2, 2026.
"Stepping into this role is about honoring a legacy while building what's next,” said Wheeler. “Chicago's Black arts community has always been a force—from storefronts to stages, from emerging voices to icons—but for too long, we've operated without a unified home base. BACA is that home. We're not just celebrating Black excellence; we're creating the infrastructure for it to grow, connect, and sustain itself.”
Wheeler continued, “This year, you'll see us deepening that work through our Town Halls,
Summer Cookouts, expanding the newly named Chicago Black Excellence Awards, and
strengthening our digital presence through automation and ancestral intelligence. We're making sure every arts organization—whether you've been in Chicago for 50 years or 5 months—has the visibility, resources, and community needed to thrive. My ultimate goal is to grow nationwide and establish chapters in major regions in the U.S. and abroad, with Chicago being the epicenter."
Wheeler succeeds Luther Goins, who will continue to support the organization as a
Management Consultant.
Goins states, “Doc is full of energy, creativity, determination, and focus. Aside from his design,
marketing, and PR experience, he spent many years in the corporate world, and he is quite
savvy when it comes to fundraising and creating fundraising strategies. His love for Chicago's
Black Arts Communities is unchallenged. I look forward to continuing the work of BACA as a
consultant to support the important work of the organization. We are lucky to have Doc as the
new Executive Director.”
Darion "Doc" Wheeler is the founder of Mediacovenant LLC, where they specialize in
graphic/web design and digital product strategy. His career spans roles from Art Director at a
leading advertising agency to UX designer in health and retail to product manager in fintech and agriculture, successfully leading off-shore and near-shore teams delivering enterprise-scale solutions. A Detroit native and alumnus of the Illinois Institute of Design, Doc has collaborated with Chicago's premier advertising agencies and designed for the city's most prestigious theaters. His work bridges traditional design craftsmanship with emerging technology to amplify creative voices without compromising their authenticity.
At BACA, Doc leads efforts to centralize and strengthen Chicago's Black arts ecosystem
through strategic digital infrastructure, governance innovation, and community engagement.
Whether through product strategy, organizational leadership, or mentorship, he remains
committed to building platforms where Black art and culture can unapologetically flourish.
