We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Roondunnii Marshall. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Roondunnii below.
Roondunnii, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
I get my work ethic from the women who came before me — my foremothers, my mother Denise, and my grandmother Rosemary. They worked, went to school, and raised families with no excuses. They did what needed to be done, even when the odds weren’t in their favor— and they did it with pride. That kind of consistency gets passed down whether you realize it or not.
I’ve also been shaped by my godmother and family friend, Capt. Audrey Alexander, who served in the military, then went back to her alma mater, Florida A&M University, to pour into young people. She now serves as Chief of Police there. Watching her lead with purpose and strength taught me that service isn’t about titles — it’s about showing up.
And along the way, mentors and coaches like Jessie Horne, Corla Washington, and Jeff Martin, who have poured into me — reminding me that perseverance isn’t about perfection, it’s about commitment.
I come from people who didn’t wait for opportunity; they built it and that’s the foundation of how I move.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m the founder and curator of The Darkroom Chicago, a creative space and analog photography lab that centers community, storytelling, and accessibility. What started as a small film development workshop has grown into a movement — one focused on teaching, creating, and reconnecting people with the process of slowing down and seeing differently.
My background as a marriage and family therapist, professor, and community worker all show up in this space. I approach The Darkroom as more than just a place to develop film — it’s a space to develop people. We use photography as a bridge for reflection, dialogue, and healing across generations.
What excites me most is seeing people — from elders to teenagers — find themselves in the process. There’s something powerful about watching someone experience their first print appear in developer or hearing the stories that surface in the darkroom. It’s art, but it’s also restoration.
Right now, we’re celebrating our first year in operation and preparing for our inaugural exhibition and cocktail hour, held in partnership with Rivian. It’s a major milestone where we’ll uplift the work of emerging and established artists, debut our new in-house printing and framing services, and celebrate the community that’s made this all possible.
The Darkroom Chicago is still growing — from pop-up labs and workshops across neighborhoods to a long-term vision of building a mobile darkroom, bringing analog photography directly into communities that have historically been left out of the arts. At its core, our work is about access, creativity, and belonging — and making sure everyone, regardless of background, can see themselves in the frame.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Perseverance has been about being willing to stay the course — even when I didn’t fully know what the final destination looked like. There have been plenty of moments where I had to build while learning, create without certainty, and trust that the steps would make sense later. I’ve learned to see things through, to trust the process, and to keep showing up when most people would stop. That’s what growth has looked like for me — steady, sometimes quiet, some days chaotic, and always forward.
Building relationships has been just as vital. I’ve learned that nothing meaningful happens in isolation. Every opportunity, collaboration, and lesson I’ve experienced has come through community — through people who believed, challenged, and held space along the way. Relationships require time, honesty, and reciprocity, and I take that seriously. The real proof of the work is whether it holds up when I’m no longer the one holding it.
And integrity — that’s what keeps everything aligned. It’s about making choices that still feel right when I look back over my life. It means protecting the spirit of the work and the people involved, even when no one’s keeping score. Integrity is how I make sure that what I’m building stays rooted in intention and purpose, not ego.
My advice: don’t rush clarity — sometimes you only understand the purpose once the assignment is complete. Build relationships rooted in respect, not transaction. Move in a way that your name, your word, and your work all mean the same thing. How you move matters just as much as where you’re going.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Absolutely. Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do at The Darkroom Chicago. I’m always open to working with individuals and organizations who believe in community-centered creativity — people who see art, education, and storytelling as tools for connection, healing, and change.
I’m especially interested in partnering with artists, educators, cultural institutions, brands, and supporters of the arts — including owners of spaces who value accessibility, representation, and process, not just product. Whether it’s curating exhibitions, hosting workshops, or expanding our mobile darkroom initiative, I’m drawn to collaborations that build something lasting and intentional, not just momentary.
If someone’s reading this and it resonates, I’d love to connect. The best way to reach out is through The Darkroom Chicago’s website or Instagram (@thedarkroomchicago) — or by email at [email protected]. Send a message, share an idea, or simply introduce yourself. Real collaboration starts with conversation, and I’m always open to that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thedarkroomchicago.com
- Instagram: @thedarkroomchicago
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/thedarkroominchicago
- Linkedin: Rosondunnii Marshall
Image Credits
Clara Modrego, Genesis Falls, Rosondunnii Marshall
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