R&B artist Kendra DeAnna is showing the world she isn’t letting single sided deafness keep her from following her dreams. Born and raised in Sacramento, California Kendra discovered her love for singing at just 3 years old. This was also the time when her parents learned of her disability. But, the singer and activist refused to let being deaf in her right ear define her or hold her back.
Recently, Kendra released the music video for her single “Right Side”, which was filmed entirely in her home town. The song encompasses her journey from being bullied as child to facing her fears head on and being true to herself. Learning to overcome her disability and embrace her gifts pushed Kendra to be a voice for others in the form of speaking engagements, writing and singing, even as an emcee at local events. “Right Side” is just the beginning of a life long project for Kendra called The Right Side Web Series, and found the video release timed coincidentally with what the world is currently facing.
“I thought this to be the perfect time to release this video due to the fact that the deaf and hard of hearing community is having a rough time communicating during this pandemic.” says Kendra. “Most of us rely on reading lips to communicate effectively, and the fact that most people are masked to protect from Covid-19, makes it extremely difficult to communicate. Especially if you do not use ASL (American Sign Language).”
Kendra has worked with well-known artists like Tyrese, Kandi Buruss from Xscape, The Real Housewives of Atlanta, The Kandi Factory, Eric Roberson, Johnny Gill, and nine time GRAMMY-winning producer Bryan Michael Cox. She has also sang background for major Indie artists like Mylah & Mouthpeace, and won the Northern California Music Entertainers 2018 Best Female R&B Artist of the Year award. Currently, Kendra is an active member of the International Arts Organization, RAW where she has performed and currently hosts for the Sacramento showcases at the Ace of Spades. As a public speaker, she shares her stories of adversity in the music industry being a woman, her struggle with mental health, her miscarriage from her first pregnancy, and living with single sided deafness.
Most recently, she and her husband are expecting their first child together in June of 2020 which will direct Kendra on yet another life journey – motherhood! To follow her journey and receive updates on her new album (tentatively in 2021) follower her on Instagram at @iamkendradeanna.
