Story & Lesson Highlights with D’Ante Wilson of Decatur

D’Ante Wilson shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

D’Ante, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
My film program at Dutchtown High School. The kids and hopefully future filmmakers that come out of the program will be accomplishing great and amazing things. I think since I took over my students have made maybe more than 40 short films. I have three students who are doing broadcasting or film production at three different universities!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi everyone, my name is D’Ante, though I also go by Darion. I wear quite a few hats, but my primary role is serving as the Audio Video Technology and Film teacher at Dutchtown High School. Beyond the classroom, I advise the Yearbook, SkillsUSA, and the Dutchtown Elite Modeling Troupe. Creativity is at the heart of everything I do, whether it’s teaching, mentoring, or building projects with my students.

Outside of school, I run a photography page, a filmography page, and a growing Instagram project called The Nerd Library. I’ve always been fascinated by storytelling across media, and I consume a lot of it. For example, this year I challenged myself to watch and read as much as possible, including starting One Piece from the very first episode—I caught up from East Blue all the way to Egghead Island in just six months. My best friend often says I “consume media at a crazy rate,” and that passion has inspired me to become a content creator myself, especially in the anime space.

I’m also preparing for a film project this November called Bleeding Heart, where I’ll be bringing in students to learn firsthand on set. That collaboration between my professional work and student opportunities is something I’m proud of.

Lastly, I’d like to share something unique about me—my brand name, Darion. It’s a combination of the first two letters of my first name, the second two of my middle name, and the last two of my last name: D’Ante Christopher Wilson—DA-RI-ON. It represents the way I bring all parts of my identity together into one creative vision.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
During my freshman year at the illustrious North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, I interned with the Student Government Association. One of my first major responsibilities was assisting with the “Greatest Homecoming on Earth” coronation ceremony. I was tasked with organizing the campus kings and queens on stage, but at the time, I wasn’t speaking up or asserting myself.

That’s when Alexis Cash, who was part of SGA, said something that has stayed with me ever since: “If we didn’t trust you with this task, we wouldn’t have given it to you. Be confident and speak up.” That moment was a turning point for me. It was the first time I truly felt powerful and confident in my ability to lead.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I really connect with this question because it reminds me of something that shaped my entire journey. Growing up, one of my biggest fears was being in the spotlight. I didn’t want attention—I would cry, run, and hide from cameras. Then one day, instead of pushing me to be in the picture, a family member handed me the camera and said, “If you don’t want to be in the photo, why don’t you take it?” That moment changed everything for me.

From then on, I started capturing moments however I could—whether it was with a phone, a Kodak disposable, or anything available. In 2015, I asked my mom for my first DSLR, and that’s when photography truly became my passion. Since then, I’ve photographed weddings, birthdays, sports, modeling events, behind-the-scenes shoots, and portraits. Over time, that passion naturally expanded into filmmaking and editing.

So what started as a fear of being in front of the camera grew into a lifelong love of being behind it, telling stories and capturing moments for others.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely. The cosplay me, the teacher me, and even the board game me are all the same person. Of course, I may adjust how I present myself depending on the audience—you could call it code-switching—but the core of who I am doesn’t change. I might not bring my DragonCon self into the classroom, but the passion and the drive are the same. At the heart of it, everything I do—whether it’s teaching, creating, or being part of a community—is about empowering others to live their best lives.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
Conventions are really special to me—when I’m cosplaying and surrounded by my community, I feel at home. Growing up, anime, movies, books, and television were my escape from problems I didn’t want to face. But I didn’t discover cosplay and conventions until college, and that changed everything.

There’s something powerful about being around people who love the same things you do. We inspire each other, we create together, and in a way, we heal our inner child. I often think about how I’m working to become the adult I needed when I was younger.

For example, when the Demon Slayer movie came out, I saw it three times in theaters and cosplayed each time. More recently, I went to DragonCon over Labor Day weekend, and later this month I’m looking forward to an anime pool party before it gets too cold. These experiences remind me how much joy and connection this community brings, and why I stay so deeply invested in it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://darionstudios.wixsite.com/perfectshot
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_nerd_library/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-ante-wilson-9260756a/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DarionStudios/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DarionStudios
• Other: https://darionstudios.wixsite.com/darionstudios
  https://www.threads.com/@perfectshot_pictures