A twenty-first century girl coming of age in a twentieth-century world was challenging for Dana. The labels were many, and none of them quite fit. Growing up in a multicultural, interreligious family gave her a kaleidoscope view of the world—one that awakened her to a world between the lines-that is when she thought, “What if a world like this exists?” This question lingered as she shape shifted through adolescence thinking she was just a girl assembled from too many pieces to form one cohesive whole.

After a coming of age journey that took her across the globe, Dana realized that she fit in everywhere with everyone, with a deep knowing- we all can! What once felt like fragmentation was actually wholeness held together by our common thread: humanity. "I am the product of a multiethnic, interreligious and international family," she reflects. "Fitting in sometimes made me feel like an imposter.” But now I realize my identity story wasn't meant to fit—it was meant to be shared, to help children discover themselves in the face of each other." Dana’s life’s revelation didn't just change her perspective; it illuminated her divine purpose.

Raised in Mt. Vernon, New York, Dana graduated from Hofstra University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and worked as a marketing and advertising executive before following her true calling: writing children's books that unify and celebrate the beauty of America’s diverse cultures. Apricot Brown: Miss Undefinable, a hard cover poetic comic-esque graphic novel inspired by a small moment in her identity journey.

After being rejected by several children’s publishing houses deeming America wasn’t ready for a character like Apricot Brown, Dana hired her cousin- a talented 3D artist and self-published Apricot Brown: Miss Undefinable in 2011- literally coming to life in a live multi-media performance in New York City!

Dana continued to pave her own path finding homes for Apricot Brown at the Children's Museum of Manhattan, the Japanese American National Museum, Empire Camp, Girl’s Prep, Corporate Social Impact programs, the NYC Public Library and schools across the city. She hosted author visits and custom workshops centered around the themes in the book.

In 2018, nearly a decade after her hardcover debut, Dana read Apricot Brown: Miss Undefinable via a Live moms' Facebook group. As the view count soared past ten thousand that day, something sparked- again. The response wasn't just validation—it was confirmation, Apricot Brown’s story was not over. Re-energized and resolute, Dana embraced her calling to expand the Apricot Brown universe, knowing her tapestry of identity was a bridge meant to connect- not sure what her next move was, Dana began substitute teaching during COVID.

While working in elementary and middle schools across NYC, she witnessed a painful irony: America's most diverse city had some of its most segregated schools, where messages of diversity and inclusion were shrinking right before her eyes-defunded by the Department of Education, largely being replaced by divided schools and classrooms. She began reading her book in classrooms citywide to gauge their response. Children clamored for copies. She gave them away until she ran out—sparking her next chapter-to reimagine Apricot Brown for a new generation.

Dana currently lives in the ultimate melting pot, Manhattan, with her two sons. She believes that diversity is America's greatest strength and the world's brightest future.

Apricot Brown, LLC. is an edu-tainment company publishing content and creating empowerment workshops inspired by Dana's own identity journey. She continues to dream of a world where everyone is celebrated- from Apricot to Brown!