About Me
The namesake of DMD²: I’m Davis Mendoza Darusman (he/him), nice to e-meet you!
I’m currently the Digital Media Manager for Houston in Action, a coalition of over 70 organizations working to remove systemic barriers to civic participation and drive change in Houston. My day-to-day work includes supporting member organizations with:
videography/photography for events, social media, grants & more
graphic design for flyers, social media, merchandise & more
social media/website creation, management & strategy
event organizing & emceeing
With over a decade of experience in multimedia production, public relations, event planning, and advertising, I’ve been excited to support organizations throughout my time at Houston in Action ranging from large national nonprofits like League of Women Voters to local teams of just one executive director and their dedication to serving their community. I also have a strong commitment to language justice, especially in a city as diverse as Houston, and offer bilingual captions and translations for every video and graphic I create.
As a University of Houston graduate, I was honored to received the 2019 Legacy Award for my leadership roles, including Student Body Vice President and Station Director for Coog Radio.
After graduating, I founded Houston Unscripted Productions, where I created the first-of-its-kind LGBTQ+ reality dating show, Panning for Love. I’m also the President of the UH LGBTQ+ Alumni Network, advocating for the rights and representation of queer individuals at the University of Houston and beyond. Additionally, I contribute to Queer Voices on KPFT 90.1 FM, the longest-running LGBTQ+ radio show in America!
Portfolio
About The Mahogany Project (2024)
Creating this info video about Houston-based, trans-led-and-serving organization, The Mahogany Project, has honestly been the highlight of my career so far. I loved interviewing seven inspiring leaders in Houston’s LGBTQ+, namely TGNC, community and learning about their decades of organizing & community-building work. Uplifting their stories and powerful community stories like theirs is why I do what I do!
Voter Education Videos (2022-24)
Through my work with Houston in Action, I’ve supported non-profits with their non-partisan voter education videos from scriptwriting to filming & editing (including captioning, graphics & effects). Organizations include The Links, Incorporated, Latinos for Education, Bridges to Empowerment, and more.
Panning for Love (2022)
Panning for Love is the first-of-its-kind LGBTQ+ reality dating show (unaired tv pilot) featuring 4 queer contestants (men, women, gender non-conforming folks), who embark on a series of blind speed dates with each other, all in the hopes of finding love at first date. Filmed in-front of a live studio audience, hosted by yours truly - this one was a dream come true!
Disaster Relief Info Videos (2024)
Many of Houston’s neighborhoods were devastated following this year’s derecho in May and Hurricane Beryl in July, but thankfully, organizations in our community came together to provide relief & recovery. My work was to uplift their work and the resources available to community members in-need.
Pro Bono Wedding Day Photography (2024)
Through my production company, Houston Unscripted, I’ve been able to work on so many projects that center around my love of love! From the reality dating show, Panning for Love, to hosting queer-inclusive speed dating & friending (that you’ll see to my right), and now pro bono wedding day photography. I’m going to be honest - I never noticed the love/romance trend until writing this. Chalk it up to me being a Cancer (I hope that’s not a dealbreaker!)
GOTV Rap Music Video (2024)
In collaboration with local non-profit, Bridges to Empowerment, and hip-hop artists Klondike Kat and Icey Hott, I directed, filmed and edited the music video for this get out the vote rap in Settegast Park. This was then turned into ads & boosted posts across Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
Houston Unscripted Event Commercials (2023)
In addition to creating videos for events, I also organize & host events like this one! Barbenheimer Speed Dating & Friending was inspired by my desire to bring the spirit of Panning for Love to a live event & experience. I’ve also been able to bring queer-inclusive speed-dating and friending to Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival for the past two years.
Contact Me
Interested in working together? Fill out some info and I’ll be in touch shortly. Can’t wait to hear from you!