We recently had the chance to connect with Donovan Davis and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Donovan, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
having a dance session with myself or good friends
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Donovan “SILQ” Davis, and at my core, I’m a storyteller — I just happen to use movement, music, and connection as my language. My journey started in street dance, freestyling in cyphers, battling in parking lots, and living for those late-night sessions where time didn’t exist. Back then, dance was my escape — a place where I could process life, express my story, and build brotherhood through movement.
Everything changed the first time I experienced partner dance. I still remember it vividly — realizing in that moment that dance wasn’t just about moves, but about connection: to yourself, to the music, to the ground beneath you, and to the person sharing that moment with you. That one experience became the seed of everything I do today.
Through my brand, SILQ, I’ve built a platform that fuses freestyle and partner dance to help dancers unlock their freedom, find their flow, and lead with confidence. But S.I.L.Q. isn’t just a name; it stands for Supply Influential Lifetime Quality — my mission to create experiences, communities, and systems that leave a lasting impact long after the music stops.
Right now, I’m working on two projects that represent this vision. One is Street Meets Partner, a nonprofit bringing free cultural dance programs and social-emotional learning to schools and underserved communities. The other is SILQ Marketing, where I help creators, brands, and businesses grow through authentic storytelling and strategic content. Both projects are rooted in the same belief: when you empower people to connect — to themselves, their craft, and each other — you change lives.
Dance, to me, has never been just movement. It’s a mirror that reflects who we are, a language that speaks when words fall short, and a bridge that brings people together. My purpose is to inspire others to move, connect, and lead in ways that ripple far beyond the dance floor
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that has shaped how I see myself the most is the one I have with my firstborn son. Becoming a father shifted everything for me. Growing up without my dad’s presence, there were parts of myself I hadn’t fully seen or understood. But the moment I held my son for the first time, something changed — I saw myself through his eyes, and I made him a promise right then: that I would do everything I can to be the best man, leader, role model, and father for him.
Being an only child, I was used to living for myself, but fatherhood taught me quickly that it could no longer just be about me. I couldn’t make excuses anymore; I had to grow, lead, and show up differently. My son gave me a deeper sense of purpose and responsibility. He became my mirror and my motivation, reminding me every day that the decisions I make now ripple into the man he’ll one day become.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell my younger self: ‘It’s okay to be you. You don’t have to shrink or second-guess yourself to fit in. Be courageous, be confident, and trust the decisions you’re making. Every step, every choice, even the mistakes — they’re all shaping you into exactly who you’re meant to become. Keep showing up, keep believing in yourself, and know that you are enough, exactly as you are.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
A cultural value I protect at all costs is authenticity over appropriation. For me, dance and movement are rooted in culture, history, and lived experiences, and I believe it’s important to honor where these forms come from. Too often, we see pieces of culture taken, repackaged, and stripped of their meaning, and I can’t stand by and let that happen.
I’ve built my work around respecting the roots while creating space for innovation. Whether I’m teaching, performing, or curating experiences, I aim to give credit, tell the stories behind the movement, and make sure people understand the ‘why’ — not just the ‘how.’ Protecting authenticity means protecting people, communities, and the legacies they’ve built.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
If I laid down my name, my role, and everything I own, what would remain is my spirit, my soul, and my energy. Those are the parts of me that can’t be stripped away — the essence of who I am beyond titles, possessions, or achievements. My energy carries my purpose, my soul carries my faith, and my spirit carries the light and love I’m meant to give to others. That’s the version of me that will always exist, no matter where life takes me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/asilqmoment
- Instagram: @donsilq
- Linkedin: @donsilq
- Twitter: @don_silq
- Facebook: @donovansilq
- Youtube: @DonSILQ
- Soundcloud: SILQ
