About
Donna Davis Sadler Author
Author, designer, performer, and creator of Indigenously Black, a book and brand dedicated to uncovering and celebrating her unknown history.
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, multi-talented creative, Donna Davis Sadler began her journey in modeling and music. As a print and runway model, she strutted the catwalk and developed an eye for style that later influenced her career as a designer.
Simultaneously, her passion for singing led her to become a sought-after studio vocalist. With her vocal group, Brandye, Donna recorded over 4,000 records and commercials, earned sixteen gold and platinum albums, and performed on some of the most iconic stages across the United States, with legends like Aretha Franklin, Bob Hope, Peabo Bryson, The Funkadelics, James Brown and more.
Donna’s introduction to jewelry design began unexpectedly when she crafted her first piece of jewelry from the rolled-up pages of a fashion magazine in 1972. The unique, handmade pieces quickly gained attention, igniting a passion that fueled her business for over four decades. Donna evolved from paper jewelry to working with Swarovski crystals, freshwater pearls, sterling silver, semi-precious stones, and other rare finds to create her signature accessory brand, Donna D Designs. Her one-of-a-kind and limited-edition designs have graced high-end retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, appeared on classic television shows such as Days of Our Lives and Living Single, and adorned couture collections, including B Michael’s runway show at New York Fashion Week 2001.
From 1998 to 2008, she owned and operated two retail stores in Detroit, Michigan —Donna D – The Gallery on The River and Donna D – A Jewelry Bar—before relocating to Las Vegas, where MGM sold her line at The Bellagio. With more than 40 years of experience in designing, manufacturing, wholesaling, and retailing, Donna D built a loyal clientele and a reputation for her bold, elegant, and conversation-worthy creations.
In 2017, Donna reunited with the original members of her vocal group Brandye for an incredible performance in Las Vegas at the South Point Casino. Look for more from Brandye as these ladies continue to wow audiences when they take the stage.
Today, Donna has embarked on a new creative journey as an author. Her passion and quest for truth led her to an inspired awakening of consciousness, and Donna has spent the last eight years studying, reading, researching, and remembering. The times we live in have exposed the untruths of the history we were taught, and having two beautiful, young, Black grandchildren, who deserve to know the truth, Donna was motivated to make her contribution to correcting the record and giving honor to her culture and to her Ancestors.
Donna Davis Sadler’s legacy as a designer, singer, creative, and now author, will continue to inspire and captivate.
Ashley Joi Boyd Publisher
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Ashley Joi comes from a deeply musical family. Her mother, Donna Davis Sadler, a member of the legendary group Brandye, performed on over 4,000 records and earned 16 gold and platinum albums, while her father managed the group. From an early age, Ashley was captivated not only by the music but also by the business behind it.
Following in her family’s footsteps, Ashley became a songwriter and landed a record deal, collaborating with major artists. Her career led her to meet her husband, music icon PooBear, with whom she co-wrote several songs, including Justin Bieber’s hit “Yummy,” earning her first Grammy nomination. She now owns a thriving music publishing company and holds multiple platinum records of her own.
Beyond music, Ashley is a passionate entrepreneur, real estate investor, and business strategist. As an author and publisher, Ashley Joi has created powerful tools for empowerment and expansion. She is the author of Financially Fly: Mastering Money & Wealth for Women, a bestselling guide to financial confidence and independence, and the publisher of the striking coffee table book Indigenously Black, a visual and literary celebration of heritage, identity, and reclamation. She also created the Deck of Gems Affirmation Cards, a transformative collection designed to help individuals align their mindset, manifest abundance, and live intentionally.
Now based in Miami, Ashley is a devoted mother to two beautiful children. When she’s not immersed in her creative ventures, she can be found practicing yoga, playing tennis, or cooking with love. She knows that if you can envision it, you can achieve it—and through her work, she continues to inspire others to live in purpose, prosperity, and power.