About Donald Sanusi
Donald Sanusi, known professionally as ileadbydesign, is a creative pluralist, artist, designer, and creative entrepreneur from Freetown, Sierra Leone, in West Africa. His work, characterized by rich earth tones and dynamic textures, explores the complexities of the African diaspora experience, bridging the cultural and emotional landscapes of Africa and America. Through his art, Donald also known as Ebony addresses social justice issues, celebrates African heritage, and invites viewers to engage in meaningful dialogue about identity, resilience, and transformation.
Specializing in oil pastels, Ebony whose birthed name is Donald Sanusi has developed a unique technique that incorporates solvents to enhance the fluidity and depth of his medium. His innovative approach often blends oil pastels, oil paint sticks, acrylics, and paint pencils on canvas, creating visually arresting and thought-provoking pieces. A signature element of his work is the interplay of light and shadow, symbolizing the journey from darkness into illumination—a theme many interpret as a reflection of his personal journey between Freetown and the United States.
As ileadbydesign , Ebony has expanded his creative vision beyond traditional art forms. He is the visionary behind a line of reversible, functional Afrocentric masks during the COVID epidemic, sculptures that function as hand bags and socially conscious apparel, including his popular Social Justice Tee Shirts, available through his online store. These designs merge art with activism, offering wearable statements that celebrate African culture and advocate for equity and justice.
Ebony is also deeply committed to empowering fellow artists. Through his platform, he provides resources and services to help emerging creatives bring their visions to life, including printing and stretching artwork onto canvas. His dedication to fostering artistic growth and community collaboration has made him a respected figure in the creative industry.
His work has been exhibited in galleries across Brooklyn, New York City libraries, and prestigious events such as the Contemporary Art Fair at the Jacob Javits Center, Huntington Art council, Adelphi University and Columbia University. Beyond exhibitions, Donald’s art and designs have garnered a growing online following, where he shares his creative process, inspirations, and insights under the moniker ileadbydesign.
Donald Sanusi continues to inspire through his art, designs, and advocacy, using his platform to amplify the voices of the African diaspora and create meaningful connections across cultures.
