About

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.