Biography
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful
beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness,
that most frightens us... Your playing small does
not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened
about shrinking so other people won’t feel
insecure around you. We are all meant to shine
as children do…. It’s not just in some of us;
it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine,
we unconsciously give other people permission
to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.
- Marianne Williamson
Dana Rondel, Founder and President of Metaphors 4 Life, is an extraordinary and magical writer, speaker, artist, choreographer and author of the semi-autobiographical novel, "A Flower: It Has Its Own Song." In 2007, her book was nominated in two categories by the annual African American Literary Awards. She is also author of the novel, Death Has Wings, the children's book, The Sunflower and Rose and the newsletter, The Sunshine Letter.
Currently, Dana spends much of her time writing inspirational articles, essays, stories and performance pieces, capturing through her camera’s eye, powerful and vibrant images, sharing readings from her work while accompanied by a live jazz band and lecturing around the country.
Her talks focus on what it takes for individuals to build and empower their own lives and communities. She says, “It is very easy for many of us to focus on the negative conditions and circumstances of our lives, but what if we change our perspectives by simply replacing the narrow glass lens of the mind with a new one, allowing us to see our lives and the world from a more positive view? Would it still seem impossible to live life beautifully?”
Dana speaks before small and large groups and is known to teach and deeply inspire her audience. She has created written works: Book of Metaphhors, RVoices NMotion, Seeds of Lotus Rising and HueManiTeam, which can be viewed under her "My Thoughts," page, to guide and empower others toward positively changing our world. Her newsletter is entitled: The Sunshine Letter. It is written to inform, empower and uplift humanity.
Dana received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Eastern Connecticut State University and a Master of Arts degree in Liberal Studies and Humanities from Wesleyan University. Upon graduating from college, she was hired by a Fortune 500 company where she spent thirteen years working in the field of Information Technology. Subsequent to completing her first novel, she left her corporate position so she could fully experience, for the rest of her life, the Creative World.
Dana has been recognized by Who’s Who of Professional Women, Black Collegian Magazine, The Hartford Courant and INROADS. She has received the Leadership For The 21st Century Award, Operating Values Award for community service and the People’s Choice Award for community service. She is also affiliated with several organizations, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Phenomenal Women Empowerment Organization, New York Women In Communication, Inc., Women N Power, The Black Doll Affair and Woman of Hope.To invite Dana to share her thoughts and creations, please call (860) 817.2990 or email: writeme@danarondel.com.
Testimonial:
Ms. Rondel has spoken here at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) on two separate occasions (2004 and 2007). In both instances she was well received by those in attendance, which included faculty, staff and students.
Ms. Rondel’s message blends both a spirit of inspiration and cultural identity through her story telling, poetry and historical insight into the African/African American experience.
Ms. Rondel’s passion, energy and love for what she does is contagious. Her new book, A Flower: It Has Its Own Song, speaks of beauty, struggle and the search for humanity in an ever-changing world. As Ms. Rondel leads you through a few passages, you will be spiritually moved and motivated to change the world yourself. Ms. Rondel serves as an inspiration for women and persons of color who have a vision of “healing” the world by sharing their talents.
When I think of Ms. Rondel, the following Zora Neale Hurston quote comes to mind, “If you haven’t got it, you can’t show it. If you have got it, you can’t hide it.” Dana Rondel can’t hide it.
Calvin R. Hill, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean & Director of Diversity Programs
WPI
Dana Rondel
Metaphors 4 Life
www.metaphors4life.org
www.danarondel.com
P.O. Box 270812
West Hartford, CT 06127
writeme@danarondel.com
860.817.2990God manifests miracles through man,
so let us all recognize our power to transform lives.