Today we’d like to introduce you to Marjani Kilson.
Marjani, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I became a mother during the pandemic—young, determined, and carrying the weight of everything I had already survived. I was raised in a harsh, abusive, and cult-like religious household where fear was used to control and love was conditional. I was labeled autistic early on, but no one ever gave me the language or tools to understand what that meant. It wasn’t until adulthood that I finally saw myself clearly—and realized my difference was never a flaw, it was a gift.
I graduated high school at 17 and immediately moved to Hollywood, California to pursue professional dance. That experience opened my eyes to the intensity of the entertainment world. Eventually, I relocated to Orlando, where I performed as an artist alongside my dance collective, Janis Angels—a group of powerhouse women dancers in the city. My real start came when Jennifer Desire, the founder of Fusion & Co—a highly respected brand in Orlando—took a chance on me. That opportunity catapulted my belief in what was possible for me as a Black woman in entertainment, and as a young woman who had faced so much adversity. It reminded me that purpose will always find you.
Since then, I’ve grown into so much more than just a performer. I’ve studied Music Business and now Sports Broadcasting, and I’ve turned my lived experience into platforms that serve others. That’s how Daku Verse was born—my creative universe. It holds all of who I am: director, designer, writer, performer, producer, visionary. Under Daku Verse is my luxury fashion line Dakueregansu, our cultural event Daku Fest, original films, curated wellness and nightlife experiences, and safe, high-end creative spaces that center people who are often overlooked.
Through it all, my faith grounds me. I don’t believe God wrote struggle as my ending—I believe He’s using it to build something greater through me.
And most of all, I do this for my daughters. So they can see what it looks like to rewrite a story. I’m still healing, still learning, still pushing—but every step forward is a choice to break cycles, live boldly, and show others what it looks like to create a future bigger than your past.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all. My road has been layered with trauma, survival, and deep internal battles—but also transformation.
I was raised in a harsh, abusive, cult-like religious household where control was masked as love, and silence was enforced. From early on, I was misunderstood, bullied, and forced to suppress my truth. I later found out I was autistic—something that had been observed but never explained to me growing up. That revelation in adulthood helped me make sense of years of emotional confusion, masking, and feeling “too much” for the world around me.
Mental health has been a central part of my story. I’ve faced depression, anxiety, and the kind of soul-deep exhaustion that comes from constantly fighting to be seen. I’ve survived assault. I’ve endured emotionally abusive relationships. One in particular, around the time of my second pregnancy, was breaking me apart completely—while I tried to hold myself together for the sake of my children.
After my first child, I experienced some mild symptoms of postpartum, but it wasn’t until my second child that I went through postpartum psychosis—a rare and terrifying experience. I had just given birth, my hormones were in chaos, and I was navigating a relationship that was damaging me mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. To make it worse, I had no support. My family, instead of offering safety, often seemed more invested in my pain than in my healing. It felt like they found more value in my struggle than in my success or joy.
I was alone in every sense.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
People know me as Jani—short for Marjani. But beyond the name, I’ve become known for the world I’m building: Daku Verse. It’s more than a brand or a project—it’s an evolving universe. It fuses fashion, film, art, performance, healing, culture, and storytelling into something bold, sensory, and unforgettable.
I specialize in creating experiences that speak to the misunderstood, the misrepresented, and the multidimensional. Whether I’m directing a short film, curating a runway, styling a scene, or telling a story—I make things that feel like something. I create full-body moments, where elegance meets edge, and Blackness is honored as both a color and a culture.
Visually, I’m known for my use of the color black—not just as a palette, but as a language. I blend it with chrome, nudes, and subtle textures that speak to power, softness, rebellion, and royalty all at once. My aesthetic is highly stimming—intentional in how it moves you emotionally, visually, and spiritually. Every frame, every design, every beat has a purpose.
I’m proud of what I’ve built from the ground up. Dakueregansu, my luxury fashion line, was born out of survival and turned into a statement of power and precision. Daku Fest, my creative event experience, brings together underrepresented artists in film, music, and fashion, and gives them a platform to shine in high-level spaces. But more than anything, I’m proud of the impact. Of how people feel when they step into something I’ve touched. Like they belong. Like they’re royalty. Like they’ve been seen.
What sets me apart is that I’m not just creating for the moment—I’m creating a world. One rooted in truth, luxury, and healing. One that reflects the beauty of being complex, neurodivergent, Black, and brilliant.
What matters most to you? Why?
God comes first. I wouldn’t be here without His presence, His protection, or His purpose. Even when I didn’t understand everything I was going through, I always felt Him near. There’s a certain kind of love and compassion that was imparted to me young—something spiritual, something that stayed with me when nothing else did. My name literally means gift from God, and that’s always resonated with me deeply.
My daughters matter next. They are the ones who truly opened my eyes. Through them, I saw everything I didn’t receive growing up—the empathy, the patience, the real kind of parenting that listens, learns, and loves a child for who they are. My daughters made me realize what I could never do to another human being, especially my own. They’re already brilliant and powerful in their own right, and I will always make sure they are protected, supported, and free to thrive.
My husband is my best friend and one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever received. He has fought for me, stood beside me while I healed, and gave me the safety to face things I once ran from. When I suffered a heat stroke and we weren’t sure I’d make it, he spoke life back into me—literally. He has loved me through the darkest moments and reminded me that love isn’t earned by perfection, but received through presence, grace, and truth.
And lastly, my God-gifted family—the people I’ve met along the way. Growing up, I was alienated and taught to believe that certain people were “family” when, in truth, they weren’t safe. I had siblings, but a tumultuous relationship with our parent left me feeling alone, with no one to call on. So I had to learn—sometimes painfully—how to gauge what’s real. Over time, God placed people in my life who truly see me. Who believe in me, trust me, and speak life into me the way I always needed. They’re talented, honest, hardworking, and full of love, and part of my drive is fueled by knowing how much they deserve to win too.
I want to create a life where I can give back—not just by giving opportunities, but by making sure the people around me eat. Because I know what it feels like to starve—for love, for support, for truth.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrsmarjani?igsh=MWludjh3amllbGp5cw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1YjXLt2QLJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/mrsmarjani
