André L. Wright Jr. connects community through cultural storytelling

Photographer, filmmaker, director and multifaceted artist André L. Wright Jr. continues to build on his Delaware roots through creative projects that connect culture, community and storytelling. He strives to create visually compelling, culturally resonant brand experiences that connect authentically with diverse audiences across the state and beyond.

Wright has a deep family connection to southern Delaware. His mother, Sharon Wright, was a member of the Nanticoke Tribe based in Sussex County. Growing up in a military family, Wright traveled with his parents and gained experiences that sparked his early interest in photography and exposed him to different cultures at a young age.

“I got my start traveling the world with my parents,” said Wright. “I was able to use disposable cameras, and that basically gave me insight on culture, getting to meet different people, exploring the world and just giving me that creative spark at a young age.” 

After graduating from Delcastle Technical High School, he attended the Brooks Institute of Photography in California, where he developed his technical foundation in filmmaking and still photography. He later gained experience in New York, and his work has appeared in national and global outlets including VIBE Magazine, Hypebeast, New Balance, Nike and XXL. Wright’s portfolio also includes collaborations with notable figures across music, film and culture, including Common, Brett Ratner, G-Unit, Kanye West and Alicia Keys. His creative style blends narrative-driven storytelling with elements of adventure and travel, polished with culture, spanning lifestyle, hospitality, tourism and adventure, with select work in the health and wellness space.

Wright is the founder of Color of Life Branding, which was officially launched in 2004. The agency was created with the goal of telling authentic, visually compelling stories that reflect the diversity of people and communities. Today, Color of Life Branding operates as a creative agency offering photography, videography and branding services. The goal of the organization is to turn brands into champions. The company works with businesses, artists and organizations to develop strong visual identities, produce marketing campaigns and create content that connects with audiences in a meaningful way.

“We all come from different backgrounds,” said Wright. “We all come from different colors. That’s what Color of Life is all about. It’s all about resonating and showcasing different cultures, different people’s backgrounds, and making it look super clean in a visual way.”

Throughout his success, Wright has remained committed to documenting cultural stories within Delaware. In 2022, the Delaware Art Museum commissioned his exhibition, Indigenous Faces of Wilmington, which highlighted members of local Indigenous tribes, including the Nanticoke community. The exhibit honored his parents and was extended beyond its original six-month run due to strong public interest. It is now part of the museum’s permanent collection and made a recent return to display. 

“It was a beautiful exhibit,” said Wright. “I got to not only tell the story and honor Indigenous people in Delaware, but I also got to honor my parents. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be doing all this beautiful work.”

In 2025, Wright produced a short documentary titled “Black AF,” profiling a Delaware artist. The film was screened at the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival this past year, and has earned recognition and support along the way.

Most recently, Wright received a 2026 Fellowship Grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts. The grant will help him further develop and express narratives through his craft. He plans to use the funding to support a project centered on his Nanticoke Tribe heritage, culminating in a public photo exhibition.

“This is my first grant,” said Wright. “I am really super pleased and blessed to have received that, because it basically helps me be able to tell better stories with my discipline.”

As he continues developing new creative projects, Wright remains focused on telling meaningful stories and strengthening connections within communities in Sussex County and across the entire state.

“It’s definitely important to recognize the continued presence of Black and Indigenous families in Sussex County,” said Wright. “It’s definitely important to understand where you come from. It’s an honor that I get to let people know that we’re here to stay, we have great history and great stories to talk about.”