Meet Desi D’Amani

We were lucky to catch up with Desi D’Amani recently and have shared our conversation below.

Desi, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?

I think I’ve always been a person who has worn rose colored glasses. It’s my nature—However, as a young adult, my optimistic nature faced a reality check when I walked through the healing process of a concussion. When I began to struggle with basic motor skills, cognitive ability, and performing “normal” functions, I began to see the mask of “optimism” crumble. I simply did not know how to pretend to be happy any more, and my false identity disintegrated. I spent about four years navigating, deep immense pain—migraines, insomnia, emotional confusion, depression anxiety…and was desperate for something tangible, that would bring me out of my darkness. I desired to be happy, whole, and free of pain. I began to ask questions, specifically to God, to show me what was real, and to speak to who I am. I proverbially threw all of my life, religion, belief systems, identity onto the table and chose to let go of my preconceived ideas, no matter what it cost—even relationally—I just wanted to be whole and free. When I did that, I wish I could say things got easier, however things got darker as the years of shallow happiness and joy and all of my “supposed to” ways of being continued to be stripped from me, until one day…lets call it a divine encounter and heart shock, like an AED woke me up, and my joy and hope returned. I might have been at the end of myself, but somehow this Divine met me where I was and in an instant—a speaker was speaking, I don’t know what he said, but like a burning arrow shot to my heart, I heard/felt these two truths, “God is Real. And God loves me.” And suddenly something changed, my heart lit up like a fire and the “rose colored glasses” I had always worn turned into a brighter shade of living…instantly anxiety lifted, and slowly the depression dissipated like a cloud, when the sun comes out, and eventually the migraines went away for good. After that moment though, I felt like blinders fell off my eyes and I saw myself whole and knew myself differently, not as what I was supposed to be, but in who I am. To this day, I am still on the journey of discovery and finding authentic joy, and remain optimistic because I know the two truths that healed my heart—God IS real and I am immensely loved…

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am Desi d’Amani. I sing professionally in multiple bands: Gilligan’s Island the Band—pays tribute to the 1960s show about getting stranded on an island and we play hits spanning generations that have to do with islands, beaches, getting stranded etc. Kenny Metcalf as Elton and the Early Years Band—a tribute to Elton John, and a duo I am building called Bandmates, we play everything from 90s ladies like Sheryl Crow to Fleetwood Mac, Heart and beyond. In my other time, I am a freelance illustrator and artist for hire through DunamisDesiDesigns with a specialty in fine arts and digital design such as children’s books which can be found on Amazon and in some bookstores.

I love being creative and I love how opportunities to express creativity have literally fallen into my lap either through word of mouth and or just through social media connections. I am excited to be finishing up my fourth round of illustrations for an author and hope to create the illustrations for three of my own children’s books in 2026. I am always looking to help others find their vision and identity in creativity, whether its on a canvas, in pages of a book, or digitally for social media projects.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Take the classes, spend the money and make an investment in your skill…what others who “are doing it” have to offer can be beneficial and priceless for your future growth. Not every teacher is the best, so find the one that will give you what YOU need and leave room for growth. Eat the meat, spit out the other stuff and take what you need from it.

Patience…patience for yourself and others on your journey…we are all having an earthly experience and figuring it out…give yourself and others grace. You’ll get there.

Have fun. Don’t spend so much time being serious that you miss out on all the fun that life and living has to offer

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

Goodness, I love my parents. They have ALWAYS been my biggest advocates, cheerleaders, and critics (when needed) in support of 98.7 percent of my dreams! My dad was the first to buy me a guitar as soon as I said I was interested in music. My parents taught me to love my sister and be her best friend, they taught me to love strangers, and they taught me to be an extension of the Divine to the world by walking free of judgment and walking in love to all.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @dunamisdesi @gilligansisladtheband @eltontheearlyyears @bandmatesband
• Facebook: @dunamisdesi
• Twitter: @dunamisdesi

Image Credits

Steve Crothers