WS Chronicle

BUSTA’S  PERSON OF THE WEEK

By Busta Brown

The Chronicle

“My vision is that, my story will inspire someone else to achieve their dreams as well.”

These are the words of 22-year-old Deandre Kellyman.  Kellyman is visually impaired. He can see around him, but not far away, and sometimes his eyes will move rapidly. 

The confident and humble young man said, “My parents refused to allow my impairment to be an excuse for failure. I’ve never been raised to focus it.” Asked about his dating life, and he responded with a slight chuckle, “Talking to females was never a problem.” 

It seems there’s nothing Kellyman can’t do. He was one of Blind Idol’s 2017 five finalists. Blind Idol is a nationwide singing competition organized by IFB Solutions, formerly known as Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind. More than 300 people attended the competition held at The Arts Council Theater in Winston-Salem.

For his performances, Kellyman sang “People Get Ready” by Curtis Mayfield and “Shape You” by Ed Sheeran, and brought the crowd to their feet. 

He plays any instrument you put in his hand; he’s the minister of music at Church of God of the First Born Seventh Day, and the guitarist for Big Shots Band and Industry for the Blind Choir. Kellyman also rides motor bikes, skateboards and was on the wrestling team at North Forsyth High School in Winston-Salem. 

Deandre Kellyman is a Winston-Salem native who is attending Forsyth Technical Community College, majoring in music education, production and performance.

“I want to use my music to change the world, like Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles did,” he said. Asked what advice he would give to others with impairments, he said, “Don’t be afraid to push the bar. Go for your dreams, because they can happen.”

To contact Deandre Kellyman, call IFB Solutions at 336-759-0551. IFB Solutions is at 7730 North Point Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC 27106.