Conversations with Dasia Dionne

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dasia Dionne.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Dasia Dionne and I am from the best city in Ohio; Cleveland. Being born n’ raised in a small city, from a small family has undoubtedly shaped who I am today.

I am a Creator, Writer, and soon to be published Author. But how did we get here? Telling it is my favorite part.

I come from a family full of women – amazing women at that. The majority of men either married in or were born after me. This shaped my love for being a woman. Before I am anything else, I am a woman first. I was raised by a young mom and my grandmother. I had a front-row ticket to seeing women get up and get things done. In my household, we handled business, and we didn’t talk about it either; it just got done. I think that’s why, now at 25, a lot of what I do, how I do it, and why I do it gets done so confidently, gracefully, and without a huge announcement.

Though Cleveland made me fearless, strong, and contributed to my internal and external swag, my family sent me on my way with an amazing foundation, and it was Cincinnati, Ohio, that made me press Go. After graduating high school in 2019, I went four hours away to embark on a journey that would essentially lead me to where I am today. Opportunities like this one are reminders of what I am about to say:

College saved my life. College allowed me to dream. If it had not been for Cincinnati, UC, and the community God and I built, I would not be here telling my story. I believe that God is hands down the best author, writer, and creator because I have experienced only what He can do. I have a biblical philosophy that explains how God will give the assignment before He reveals the environment.

Provision, Proximity, and Production.

Provision is what God has already placed inside you. From birth until I was 18 years old, living in Cleveland, who I am and what I do were already in me. I was always writing short stories. I loved English and literature, and I had thoughts of writing books, but I always got caught up in the how or my lack of self-confidence. I did the announcements in high school because I always knew I wanted to be heard, well-known, and essentially had something to say. But for some reason, I couldn’t find the one thing that made me say, “Okay, not only am I good at it, but I am passionate about it.”

It was proximity (college and Cincinnati for me) that cultivated all of this and woke it up. Building a community in college, navigating relationships and campus life, and networking led me to a random day in 2021 when I filmed and uploaded my very first YouTube video. Heck, I KNEW I had a life worth watching and things worth listening to. I just didn’t understand the full picture until now.

Production is what faithful stewardship creates, and what you see from me online and in the real world is just that: my faithful stewardship over what God had placed in me from the start. Not only am I on YouTube, but I am also on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, sharing my life, wisdom, and journey in this world as a girl in her twenties from the Midwest. I pride myself on authenticity. I knew that I wanted to show up as me and me only, and that someone would love it. I still have yet to figure out why. Knowing I could have promoted products to gain a following, I used myself as the product. I used my situations and God’s favor over my life as the content. And I mean, here we are. I love what I create. I love the way my mind allows me to interpret things so that they’re fitting and digestible for my community. We don’t see that often.

Having lived in Cincinnati for almost five years, I recognize that everything I endured from birth until now led me to where I am today. People know me for me. It’s my personality that draws people in and keeps them around. I wouldn’t have it any other way, either.

As for what’s next, Provision, Proximity, and Production will take me somewhere like New York City or Chicago. My personality calls for it. But for now, adding to the start means giving back what Cincinnati gave to me.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Smooth road? Ah, yes and no. My life isn’t a cakewalk. I don’t come from money, and though I wish, I am not a nepo baby. However, none of these things would’ve stopped struggles anyway. Sooner or later, people will understand that I am big on perspective. I like to understand the meaning of things, not just experience them.

Why yes?

I had a solid foundation. I was raised in the suburbs, went to good schools, and was told to get good grades and go to college. I believe it starts at home, and with two degrees in Communication, having studied such a broad subject, I can confirm it does. Having family who were on me, putting me in extracurriculars and in the right rooms, really set me up for success.

Why no?

Mental health. Having to deal with depression and an absent father made things a bit hard for me. I used to allow these things to wear me down or “stop my motion,” which made the road hard in some ways. Missing opportunities because I’m in a funk, not putting my best foot forward, people pleasing – I mean, I could go on and on. There were times I wouldn’t take care of myself because I was always in my head, allowing what was hard to easily fail me.

My mom would always say not to use something as a crutch, and her reasoning for that was because every time I failed, I’d blame “struggles.” Though she’s right, at the age of 21, I realized that, hey, let’s break this down. Crutches are a tool used for support, and if we talk perspective, using something as a crutch isn’t always negative. So, yes, the broken me might’ve let it crumble me. Me now? No. I use it to my advantage, acknowledging what I missed out on while creating space for better. And to that, God made what was hard easy.

Which is why I am built for any struggle. Understanding that I am not built to suffer and that I can make it through anything keeps me going. I give myself a day to sulk when things aren’t easy, but at 25, I always come back to the fact that I live a beautiful life, I am me, and I show up as such. I’m able, and I am always thinking about my trajectory: where I started, where I’ve been, and where I’m headed. All of that keeps me going.

Hardships are a part of life, but when it’s all said and done, I am always put in better positions and outcomes, which is a testament to God’s favor over my life.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a creative, writer, and storyteller passionate about documenting the process of becoming. My work lives at the intersection of personal growth, fashion, beauty, lifestyle, faith, and culture. I use my platforms to share my perspective on life, the lessons I’m learning, the places I go, and the woman I’m becoming along the way.

I specialize in creating lifestyle driven content that feels personal, intentional, and rooted in my real experiences. Whether I’m writing an essay for Substack, creating a video, sharing a look, or documenting a new season of life, I want my work to make people think, feel, and see things a little differently.

I’m most proud of the fact that I’m building something that genuinely reflects who I am. I’m not interested in creating just to keep up with trends. I want to build a body of work that tells a story, creates connection, and stands the test of time. I’m especially excited about expanding my writing into a published collection of essays and developing my YouTube platform into a more immersive look into my life, mind, and creative process.

What sets me apart is my perspective. I pay attention to the details, find meaning in everyday experiences, and know how to turn personal observations into something other people can connect with. I can appreciate the beauty in a well curated outfit just as much as I can appreciate the lesson in a difficult season. I’m equally interested in how things look, what they mean, and how they make people feel.

Ultimately, I want my work to reflect a woman who is intentional about how she lives, what she creates, and what she leaves behind. I’m building a personal brand, but more importantly, I’m documenting my own becoming and inviting people to find pieces of themselves in the process.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
It’s so funny because I have always been me. If you were to ask my family they’d tell you I talk too much, I love to laugh, I have a deep thought about almost everything, and that I think I am the Beyoncé of the family. To which, I can confirm. In all seriousness,

Growing up I was an outgoing kid, I made friends with everyone. I always loved humans, I don’t know what it is but the feeling I get surrounding human connection is something I have felt for a very long time. I pride myself on this here but just like now, I was always a sweet heart. I didn’t’t like seeing people hurt or embarrassed. On the flip side, I was also a kid who stood their ground. I bullied my bullies back. I never played then and I do not play know. I loved to dance, I loved to right. I was also in sports heavily, good at it too.

Once I got to high school I became a little more reserved due to mental health struggles but it was like day and night. At home I was quiet and in school I was still outgoing with a lil cap on it though because I started to feel like I didn’t really fit in. I didn’t have a solid friend group, no connection felt like “ok, you get me, you can relate.”

Fastfoward to now, at 25, everything people see online is what they get from me in person. I am the girl who is really just herself. You’ve got to tune in, to know and what’s you’re there ya can’t miss it!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://open.substack.com/pub/missdasiadionnelb
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dasiadionne
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dasia-burks-a866b9242
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@dasiadionne
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dasiadionnee