An Inspired Chat with Destin Henderson of Dothan

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Destin Henderson . Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Destin, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
Gracefully said, I believe I’m being called to be still in the spirit. While planning The Mirage Fashion Show, I found myself wandering out of the will of God—making decisions, plans, and moves without first sending my requests back to my Provider. I became lost in the Mirage, which led to inner frustration that I ended up projecting onto God. I allowed my flesh to become at odds with His divine timing, power, and will.

It wasn’t until I got into a minor car accident—immediately after saying, “God, forgive me… I surrender myself back to you”—that I realized I had been disobedient to His simple command: Be still. Be still so I can know who the true Master of all plans is.

I believed that being still meant locking yourself in a room, journaling, or being socially distant. But I’ve come to understand that the stillness I feared was the stillness of the spirit—the kind that gives you space to be truly present with yourself. Too often, I was present in the world for others but not truly present with myself.

This stillness is necessary. And now that I’m confronting the fear of looking in the mirror, I can finally see the true vision of His will. Many of us are living in a mirage, but we must hydrate ourselves with the Source in order to see clearly. Faint not in your good doing.

I’ve been hydrating myself with Habakkuk 2:3, which says:
“This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.”

The Mirage Fashion Show isn’t just a fashion show, yet it’s a spiritually aligned assignment that is testing, molding, and focusing me as I help open the eyes of others who may also be lost in the mirage.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
CEO of the Model Resurge Movement. Creative. Visionary. Process-driven. Authentic. These are just a few words that describe Destin Benai.

A proud native of Dothan, Alabama, I founded the Model Resurge Movement with one goal: to bring the fashion and modeling industry to underserved areas often overlooked by mainstream platforms. My mission is to provide exposure and opportunity for models, creatives, photographers, and visual artists who may not have access to the traditional fashion capitals—but who have just as much talent, passion, and purpose.

What makes the Model Resurge Movement special is that it’s more than a modeling agency—it’s a ministry. It’s about restoring identity, igniting dreams, and empowering individuals to see themselves beyond their current circumstances. We’re not just walking runways—we’re walking in purpose.

This fall, we’ll host our debut event, The Mirage Fashion Show, on September 20, 2025, at 908 Columbia Highway in Dothan, Alabama. The theme? Western glam—so boots are mandatory. Come with your giddy-up, and let’s ride out into something extraordinary.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
When I read this question, I had to pause and truly reflect. I find myself seeking what must be released—in real time. And as this interview unfolds, I’m learning that the purpose of my stillness is becoming clearer.

There’s a concept often referred to as “man vs. man”—a conflict between the self and the self. For years, I allowed myself to believe I was unsupported, undervalued, unworthy. I felt overwhelmed and overstimulated. No matter how many accomplishments I achieved, I carried that energy within me—so I was never fully able to cherish the victories, the good deeds, or the successful assignments. That part of me has served its purpose. No longer.

I had to release a version of myself I no longer recognize. For too long, I was raising myself to be a man based on the lives of other men—modeling their values, their choices, their image of what manhood should be. But even in that pursuit, I was still battling self-sabotage.

Now, I’ve entered what I call the Age of Man—a journey where I define manhood on my own terms. It’s about becoming the man I am to myself, not the man others expect me to be. This release is both necessary and freeing. I’m not evolving to impress the world. I’m evolving to be in alignment with the man I was always meant to become.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
After being homeless for a year and nine months, I realized that my suffering had created a deeper hunger—a starvation—for desires that once felt completely out of reach. I often visualized myself in a deep hole, looking up toward the sky as if the skies were my dreams. I rarely looked down to acknowledge my circumstances, because faith was all I had.

Now that I’m above ground, I find myself exploring a new land—one of promise and abundance—yet everything feels unfamiliar, almost surreal.

So after you have suffered a while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. ( 1 Peter 5:10)

To answer the question simply:
Suffering taught me how to recognize when I’m living in answered prayers.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
After anxiously waiting for my best friend’s response, he reminded me of something I know to be true—but rarely spotlight: my reverence for God’s presence and love. Not out of shame, but out of humility. I often allow my spirit to take the lead, letting God’s words and confirmation flow through me—not to prove a point, but to reflect that He exists in every face and space.

A close second? He commends me for my intentionality. My friend often tells me he admires how I approach everything with purpose, mission, and deep connection. To me, true art has to reach beneath the surface—it has to mean something.

I’ve become known for the detail and depth I bring to my work. Take The Mirage Fashion Show, for example. It’s Western-themed, and every aspect—from the photoshoots to the set design, styling, and soundtrack—reflects that vision. I don’t just plan events; I build immersive worlds.

There are many creatives who produce for money, power, or recognition. But I create out of love—for the art, for the message, for the moment. Whether I’m riding high or low, it’s my intentionality that keeps me in motion. It’s what thrusts me back onto the horse, ready for the next scene.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
Destin Benai was a fierce, motivational, and process-driven entrepreneur—passionate about his gifts, grounded in his purpose.
Some called him a jack of all trades, but Benai preferred to be known as a simple vessel—maximizing his calling for the greater good of his family, his community, and the legacy he hoped to leave behind.

The world’s perceptions, opinions, and words did wound him at times. But instead of hiding behind a mask of strength, he chose vulnerability. He leaned into self-reflection—not to feed ego, but to reclaim power from within.

Every time you encountered him, it felt as if he had known you your entire life. He never meet a stranger—always carrying an uplifting word, always redirecting your gaze back to hope and purpose.

Led by spirit, not spectacle, he poured his energy into purpose. And from his pain, he produced art. Leaving evidence across many creative forms that a small, country-raised, Black gay boy could dream boldly, move intentionally, and live fully—without applause or validation from anyone but the Lord and the vessels assigned to walk alongside him.

In the words of Destin Benai, “You will always remember me.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.modelresurgemovement.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modelresurge?igsh=MTVyc2E5cDZ0ZmN4Mg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575218729578

Image Credits
Horace Freeman of Wildebrand Scott Photography
Agency: Model Resurge Movement