Who we are

At Fifth Element Arts, we believe every young person deserves the chance to thrive—body, mind, and spirit. We bridge the gaps in traditional education by integrating arts, sports, and academics into transformative programs that empower youth across the Caribbean and U.S.

Why We Exist

Too often, young people are forced to choose between passion and practicality—between the basketball court and the classroom, or the stage and the textbook. Systemic underfunding, especially in marginalized communities, leaves schools struggling to provide holistic development.

The result? Untapped potential, disengagement, and missed opportunities.

We’re changing that.

Our mission

To empower the next generation of leaders by integrating arts, sports, and education—unlocking creativity, discipline, and opportunity for youth across the Caribbean and beyond.

Founded in 2023 , Fifth Element Arts exists to break down the false choice between passion and practicality. Through innovative programs that fuse performing arts, athletic training, and academic enrichment, we equip young people with the skills, confidence, and connections to thrive—on stage, on the court, and in life.

Our Vision

We envision a world where every artist, regardless of ability, background, or discipline, has the opportunity to create, perform, and share their work without limitations.

Group of people in a dance or exercise class in a studio with wooden floors and large windows.

Our Approach

Our "Fifth Element" model—named for the unifying force beyond earth, air, fire, and water—combines:

  1. Arts for Expression (Acting, Music, Dance, Film, and Theater)

  2. Sports for Discipline (Basketball, and Teamwork-driven Athletics)

  3. Education for Opportunity (Tutoring, Life Skills, and Career Readiness)

By fusing these elements, we don’t just create better athletes or artists, we build resilient leaders equipped for life.

Browse Our Programs

Sports Camps
Theater & Film

Our Board of Directors

  • A smiling woman with long, wavy brown hair wearing a black blazer with a decorative pin, posing with arms crossed against a plain white background.

    C. Susan Wright

    Founder/Executive Director

    Susan provides overall leadership and management, working closely with the Board of Directors to achieve its mission and strategic goals.Susan Briggs is a visionary entrepreneur and creative force whose multicultural journey across Grenada, London, and the U.S. has shaped a lifelong passion for film, television, and talent development. From launching the successful Discovery Childcare Learning Center in New Jersey to founding Apollo Talent Management. Susan has consistently broken new ground in business and entertainment.

  • A young woman with braided hair styled in a bun, wearing a white shirt, gold hoop earrings, and carrying a black bag, standing against a textured wall and looking over her shoulder.

    Brittney Briggs

    CoFounder/Sports Coordinator

    Brittney is responsible for planning, organizing, and overseeing various sports programs and events, ensuring they align with the organization's mission and goals. Her role involves program development, volunteer recruitment, budget management, and communication with participants and stakeholders. Brittney is a Creative Consultant, filmmaker and sports enthusiast. She graduated from Montclair State University with a BFA in Filmmaking.

  • A woman with dark skin, long dreadlocks, wearing a black pinstripe blazer and a pearl necklace, taking a selfie indoors in front of a plain wall.

    Mellany Paynter

    Director of Operations

    Mellany oversees the organization's daily operations, strategic planning, project management, program oversight. Mellany Paynter is a Media Entrepreneur who fuses digital and print storytelling with strategic project curation. As a Managing Editor with a Howard University Civil Engineering background, she builds comprehensive content ecosystems—from website development to editorial strategy. She transforms creative visions into executed projects for brands across Media, Film/TV, and Publishing.

  • A young woman with long, wavy brown hair, wearing a maroon sweater, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression.

    Samantha Mirabal

    Theater/Film/TV Director

    Coordinates activities across Fifth Element’s Theater industry programs

  • Portrait of a woman with dark hair styled in an updo, wearing hoop earrings and smiling.

    Debra Simon

    Program Coordinator (Grenada)

    Manages the logistical, operational, and community-facing aspects of local events

  • A smiling woman with short black hair, wearing a red collared shirt with gold hoop earrings, standing against a white background.

    Jouann Bailey

    Program Liaison (Grenada)

    Point of contact for external partners and stakeholders.

Reach out to fifth element Arts

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