By Tammy Reese | August 5, 2023 | 2:09 PM ET
Dana Hicks-Hungerford
By incorporating themes of mental health into her writing, Dana Hicks-Hungerford sparks conversations and promotes understanding in the business community. Dana’s handbag line, YOU MAKE THE BAG, serves as a metaphor for empowering individuals to take control of their own success.
Through her stage play “A Woman’s Love,” Dana explores how powerful women can become when dealing with their mental health, trying to balance work and marriage, and overcoming obstacles.
Dana Hicks-Hungerford uses her experience as a playwright and author to craft compelling narratives that resonate with readers around the world. Dana joins us today to share her career journey with our readers.
From a stroke survivor to becoming an entrepreneur, actress, playwright, producer, casting director, and best-selling international author, how has your creative journey been?
Dana: It’s been full of ups and downs. In my 20’s & 30’s I made a ton of bad personal decisions along my journey. I decided to totally change my life around. At 50 years old I truly feel like my best days are still in front of me. I thank GOD for his Grace & Mercy because without him I wouldn’t be here now.
Congratulations on the milestone accomplishment of your handbag line” YOU MAKE THE BAG” being seen on BET. Please tell us all about this epic moment. It was an amazing sight to see!
Dana: Celebrity stylist Kenny Kas is a good friend of mine. One day he called and said, “I want to help you with getting your handbag line out to my network.” I gave him several bags to use for TV and movies. He would just out of the blue send me a photo and it would be one of my bags on a movie or TV set! I’m so appreciative of him, and I know that he truly wants to see me win.
In what ways do you hope to change the narrative surrounding mental health through your writing?
Dana: I say it all the time that I won’t water down my stories. My goal is for the story to always be impactful so that it makes people truly think about their actions. A lot of people suffer from mental health issues, because of the stress that they take on from other individuals. Some people suffer from mental health issues and don’t get any professional help. I was one of those people. I just happen to finally pull myself out of a very dark place. I would not recommend that anyone should do what I did. I was one of the blessed ones that pulled through. Not getting help can in turn become extremely toxic for everyone around you. Through my writing, I will always write the raw truth.
What would you like to say to the cast and crew that share the success of the stage play “A Woman’s Love”?
Dana: Thank you for riding with me from the ground up and our best has yet to come! GOD pulled me through and kept me here for a reason.
What would you say is your vision and purpose for the rest of the year?
Dana: To assist the deserving underdogs, and show people that you can always turn nothing into something if you don’t give up on yourself!
Follow on Social Media @onlydanadayne
Owner of Visionary Minds Public Relations and Media, Tammy Reese is an award-winning writer and journalist best known for landing major interviews with Angela Bassett, Sharon Stone, Sigourney Weaver, Laurence Fishburne, Geena Davis, Billy Porter, Morris Chestnut, Nelly, Mona Scott Young, Giancarlo Esposito, Luke Evans, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jennifer Connelly, Joseph Sikora, Meagan Good, Leon, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Phylicia Rashad, Omar Epps, Courtney Kemp, Vivica A Fox, Ryan Coogler, and so many more.
She is a proud member of ForbesBLK as well as New York Women in Film and Television.
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