Debut memoir Available for Purchase now
A Black rose in
Russia
Born in the frozen heart of Russia, Diana entered a world that rejected her before she could speak. Abandoned as an infant and left to grow up in a bleak orphanage, she was marked by the color of her skin—a constant reminder that she did not belong. Too dark to be Russian, too different to be accepted, she became an outcast in the very place meant to protect her. Cruel whispers, sharp stares, and daily battles for food and dignity were her childhood companions. Yet through every act of cruelty, Diana learned resilience—turning silence into her shield and scraps of hope into her survival.
This powerful memoir captures Diana’s life from ages seven to nine, when she faced isolation, racism, and neglect with a spirit that refused to be broken. Each insult became fuel, every scar proof of her will to endure. Beneath the cold, dirty walls of the orphanage burned a fierce longing—for love, for freedom, for a family to call her own. But will resilience be enough to carry her toward the belonging she so desperately seeks, or will she remain fighting for a love the world seemed unwilling to give?
(Prior to her being 7-,9, Diana has no memories of her life; all she wishes is that she was treated with some decency)
“learning about the black experience in Russia from an adoptee is very eye-opening.”
— Karlos Dillard, best-selling author/ Adoptee Educator
“Riveting. This book was impossible to put down, and impossible to forget.”
— Brandi Ortiz, award-winning writer
Meet Diana
Diana is a devoted wife and a loving mom to her two children. Her daughter is 6 years old, and her son is 4. She is a passionate artist. Her life has been shaped by resilience and faith, carrying her through challenges that once seemed impossible to overcome. Beyond her art, Diana is passionate about empowering others, especially the next generation. She has participated in public speaking at high schools and colleges, encouraging students to never give up on themselves and reminding them of the life-changing power of education. Through her authenticity and rawness, she connects with young people who feel unseen. Giving them hope that their circumstances do not define their future. Today, as an artist, she shares her story to shed light on the hidden struggles of children and even adults. Diana has high hopes for humanity, and she shows that through her art. She wants to remind the world that beauty can blossom from brokenness.
