Creating Your Own Lane, No Apologies
- Maize Amoah
- May 1
- 8 min read
KINGDOM CREATIVES SPOTLIGHT FEATURE - DAMIA GORDON
Some people follow paths.
Others build them.
Damia is building hers with intention, boldness, and a clear sense of purpose.
Hailing from California, her story goes deeper than surface level representation. This Diversity Month, her journey reminds us that diversity isn’t just what people see, it’s what people have lived through, overcome, and become.
As a curve model, Damia is already making her mark in spaces that haven’t always been the most inclusive. She has been featured on platforms like Red Table Talk with Jada Pinkett Smith and most recently landed the cover of LA Elites Magazine. Moments like these reflect not only her presence, but the impact of showing up fully in who she is.
Damia’s identity wasn’t shaped by one thing. It was shaped by her experiences, her challenges, her growth, and her faith. The moments that could have broken her instead refined her.
Recently, she showed up with that same level of dedication during her portfolio development shoot with our team. She put in the work, stayed present, and gave her all on set. That commitment is already paying off, with two agency offers now on the table. It’s a reflection of what happens when preparation meets purpose.
She speaks openly about turning pain into purpose, and you can feel that in everything she does. There’s depth to her. A sense that she understands her gifts were placed within her intentionally.
Whether she’s modeling, designing, cooking, speaking, or building something from the ground up, Damia brings her full self into every space. She doesn’t separate who she is from what she does. But her journey hasn’t been without resistance.
She’s been overlooked, underestimated, and judged based on standards that never truly defined her. Her height, her look, her size, her skin, all things that the industry can use to limit people. Instead of shrinking, she made a decision to stop trying to fit into spaces that were never designed for her.
And everything changed from there.
Now, the same things that once made her feel overlooked are the very things that set her apart. She shows up fully, authentically, and without apology.
Her confidence is rooted in faith.
For Damia, faith is not just something she leans on occasionally. It is the foundation of how she moves. It shapes her decisions, her direction, and the spaces she chooses to step into. She is not chasing every opportunity. She is choosing alignment.
When she speaks on diversity, she brings it back to something deeper. True representation is not just about being seen, it is about being understood. It is about showing up with your full story, your growth, your truth, and allowing that to exist without being filtered.
Her perspective reminds us that diversity is layered. It lives in experience, in mindset, in how we carry ourselves and how we overcome.
For the next generation, her message is clear.
You do not need to fit into a mold to succeed. You can build your own.
Stay disciplined. Stay committed to your craft. Stay grounded in your faith. And trust that your journey is unfolding the way it is meant to.
Because the goal is not just to find your place.
It is to create space.
And Damia is already doing exactly that.
“I had the ability to keep going, faith, and a deep inner knowing that I was meant for more.”
Q&A Segment with DAMIA
1. Identity & Foundation
How has your cultural background and personal journey shaped the way you show up as a creative today? My identity as a creative wasn’t shaped by cultural background alone, it was shaped by my upbringing, my life experiences, and the moments that tested and transformed me. Both my traumas and my victories played a role in building the person I am today. I’ve learned how to turn pain into purpose and uncertainty into creativity. Growing up, my mom always encouraged or guided me based on the skills she saw inside of me. I didn’t always see a clear path laid out for me, but I had something even more powerful. I had the ability to keep going, faith, and a deep inner knowing that I was meant for more. Over time, I realized that God had placed multiple gifts and talents within me, not by accident, but with intention. This realization shifted everything in my life. It gave me the confidence to stop shrinking and start showing up fully.
Faith & Purpose
In what ways does your faith influence your confidence, self-worth, and the work you pursue in this industry? My faith is the foundation of everything I am and everything I do. My relationship with God is not just a part of my life, it is my life. It grounds me, guides me, and reminds me daily of who I am, especially in an industry that can sometimes try to define your worth for you.
My confidence doesn’t come from external validation; it comes from knowing that I was created with intention and purpose. When I understand that God is the reason for my existence, it shifts how I see myself. It builds my self-worth from the inside out. Even in moments of doubt or uncertainty, my faith reminds me that I am equipped, capable, and called to walk in the gifts He’s given me.
Faith also plays a major role in the decisions I make in my career. I don’t just chase opportunities; I seek alignment with my brand. I’m intentional about the spaces I enter and the work I take on because I want everything I do to reflect purpose, integrity, and impact. I trust that what is meant for me will never miss me, and that allows me to move with both confidence and peace.
At the end of the day, my work is bigger than me, it’s about using my gifts to inspire, uplift, and create something meaningful. And I know I wouldn’t be able to do that without God leading the way.
Breaking Barriers Have you ever felt overlooked or underestimated in your field? How did you navigate that, and what did it teach you? I’ve absolutely felt overlooked and underestimated more times than I can count. In an industry where standards can feel rigid and traditional, I’ve been judged based on my height (4'11), my unique look, the color of my skin (Black ethnicity), and my size. There were moments when doors didn’t open for me, and rejection felt constant and defeating. But instead of letting that define me, I chose to let it develop me.
Those experiences taught me to never give up and keep going. They forced me to look inward and truly understand who I am beyond other people’s opinions. It showed me my true value. I made a decision to stop trying to fit into boxes that were never designed for me, and instead, I focused on changing the narrative. I didn’t just want people to see me. I wanted them to feel who I am.
I began showing up fully, authentically, and unapologetically. I leaned into my uniqueness and led with my heart in everything I did and do. Over time, that shift changed everything. The same qualities that once made me feel overlooked became the very things that set me apart.
Now, I’m in a space where I’m not just seen, I’m valued. And what I’ve learned is this: rejection isn’t the end, it’s redirection. Being underestimated doesn’t diminish your worth, it reveals your strength. When you believe in who you are, even when others don’t yet, you create your own opportunities, and eventually, the world will finally catch up.
Representation with Intention
What does true diversity and representation mean to you beyond what we typically see on the surface? I have to say, this is such a powerful question, and honestly it really made me pause and reflect. For me, true diversity and representation goes far beyond what we see on the surface. It’s not just about appearance, background, or checking a box, it starts within. It begins with my mindset, with how I was raised, and with the life experiences that shape how I see myself and others.
True representation is about authenticity. It’s about people showing up as their full, unapologetic selves; carrying their stories, their struggles, their growth, and their truth into every space they enter. It’s about being seen for who you are, not just what you look like.
My upbringing and personal journey taught me that diversity isn’t one-dimensional. It’s layered. It’s in how we think, how we love, how we lead, and how we overcome. When we embrace that, we move beyond surface-level representation and step into something much more meaningful; connection, understanding, and impact.
To me, intentional representation means creating space for people to be fully themselves, while also doing the inner work to understand your own identity. My goal is to reflect depth, purpose, and truth in a way that gives others permission to do the same. It’s about leading with purpose, leading with heart, and recognizing that everyone’s story deserves to be seen, heard, and valued, not just visually, but deep within.
Message to the Next Generation
What would you say to young creatives who feel like they don’t “fit the mold” but know they’re called for more? To every creative who feels like they don’t “fit the mold,” I want you to understand, maybe you were never meant to. Sometimes what feels like a limitation is actually the very thing that sets you apart. Don’t get caught up comparing your journey to someone else’s. It’s easy to look at other creatives and want what they have, but you don’t know what it took for them to get there. And not everything you see on social media is real, sometimes it’s smoke and mirrors, a highlight reel that doesn’t show the hard work, the setbacks, or the sacrifices behind the scenes.
Instead, focus on you. Focus on the work. Be disciplined about developing your craft and becoming a student of your industry. Study it, learn it, respect it. Surround yourself with people who are aligned with your vision, or even ahead of you, so you can grow, be challenged, and stay inspired.
Equip yourself with the tools and resources you need to elevate/level-up. Learn from your mistakes instead of being discouraged by them. Stay open to growth, even when it’s uncomfortable. That’s where real transformation happens.
Most importantly, trust that what’s in your life’s journey is yours for a reason. You don’t have to fit into anyone else’s mold to succeed, you can build your own. And when you do it with consistency, faith, and intention, you won’t just find your place, you’ll create space for others to follow, live on purpose, and live their dream.
Inspiration & Future Goals
Damia's future goals include expanding her brand, growing her social media presence, and building connections within the fashion and business industries. With her faith and purpose guiding her, there’s no doubt that Damia's is poised for success.
Damia's story is a powerful reminder that when faith and passion unite, the possibilities are limitless. NA Management is proud to have her as part of the #NASquad, a true representation of beauty, talent, and the light of the Kingdom in every endeavor.
Have a Story to Share?
Are you a Kingdom Creative with a story that showcases your faith, passion, and entrepreneurial spirit? We’d love to hear from you! Apply for a feature in the next Kingdom Creatives Magazine and share your journey with the world.
Email us to PR@namanagement.co This is your opportunity to inspire and uplift others while spreading the light of Christ through your work. Apply today to be a part of the Kingdom Creatives movement!
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