Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Diana Lee Santamaria of Staten Island

We recently had the chance to connect with Diana Lee Santamaria and have shared our conversation below.

Diana Lee, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Day to day, I don’t usually lead with ‘I host a storytime show’—I usually just say, ‘I’m a teacher.’ But recently at my son’s school, a parent came up to me and mentioned they had seen me on YouTube. It made me laugh because I wasn’t expecting it, and it also made me feel proud to know that the work I’m creating is reaching families in my own community.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Diana Lee Santamaria, but of course you can call me DLee! I’m the host of Storytime with DLee, a children’s literacy show airing on community media stations across New York City as well as YouTube and other social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. In each episode, I bring stories to life through fun, engaging read-alouds and songs. Some episodes feature bilingual books in English and Spanish, which makes the show accessible to more families and reflects the diversity of the communities I serve.

Alongside the show, I’m also an early childhood educator and award-winning children’s author of the DLee’s World series, a bilingual picture book collection that inspired much of this work. My newest book, DLee’s Costume Extravaganza, released on October 6. The first book I remember truly struggling with as a child was Arthur’s Halloween Costume. Looking back, it’s funny that a book about costumes became so tied to my own reading struggles — and now I’ve written DLee’s Costume Extravaganza as an ode to that memory.

Thanks to a Staten Island Arts grant, I’ve been able to take Storytime with DLee beyond the screen through free pop-up storytimes and book giveaways, building stronger literacy connections in local communities. At the heart of it all, my mission is to make literacy joyful, musical, inclusive, and available to every child, no matter where they are. As I grow and learn, the show grows stronger with me.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I was very shy. I lacked confidence and didn’t believe in myself. I often felt like I wasn’t good enough, and I think a lot of that stemmed from my struggles with reading and sometimes even learning. But as I’ve grown and continue to grow, I work on putting those feelings aside. And when doubt creeps in, like the imposter syndrome so many creatives experience, I’ve learned how to cope with it, shut it down, and keep moving forward. What once felt like my biggest struggle, reading, has become my greatest gift to share with others.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be: I am who I am, and that is enough. The struggles you face with shyness, reading, and confidence will one day become the strengths that guide your purpose. DLee, the character I created, represents that younger version of me. I built this whole series from the little girl I once was, and who knew she would one day step into the spotlight.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say that what really matters to me is spreading love and positivity. It shows up in the way I care for the people closest to me, and it also shapes the way I approach my work. Whether it’s through Storytime with DLee, my books, or community events, I want children and families to feel joy, hope, and connection.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
For the first time in my life, I’m not doing what I was told to do. I’m doing what feels natural. Writing books when I’m inspired and creating a storytime show for kids feels right to me. It’s fun and allows me to express my true inner child. It’s how I get to share my creativity and spread joy in a way that makes sense for who I am. Now my focus is on letting Storytime with DLee grow so it can spread more joy and confidence to kids anywhere and everywhere.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
What would your closest friends say really matters to you?

If you asked your best friends what really drives you—what they think matters most in

Highlighter Series
When do you feel most at peace?

In a culture that often celebrates hustle and noise, peace can feel rare. Yet, peace

Highlighter Series
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?

Almost everything is multisided – including the occurrences that give us pain. So, we asked