Robert De Sena was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. During his youth, he was involved with several street gangs—experiences that proved invaluable in his later work with at risk youth. He escaped the world of the streets and obtained his B.A in liberal arts from St. John’s University, his Master’s in literature from NYU and a second Masters in Administration and Supervision from Queens College.
Mr. De Sena became an English teacher in 1965. When recruited to John Dewey High School, he was thrown into the midst of a violent racial conflict and drawing from the experiences of his past, he was able to transform rival gang leaders into a band of brothers, which ended the violence infecting the school.
Out of this turmoil he created the Council for Unity. This outcome led to the Council becoming vetted in school systems, communities, law enforcement agencies and correctional facilities.
Mr. De Sena’s immersion into world mythology led to his awareness of the universal search for meaning and gave him a world view of the commonality of human experience. He drew on these sources in creating two of his published works, The Dragon Slayer and Chrysallia: The Princess of Possibility. Both publications are used in school systems and correctional facilities, the perusal of which has led to a spiritual awakening in participants and a shift from an egocentric, material life into one of service and an awareness that tolerance ensures safety and acceptance.
Today, Mr. De Sena serves as the Founder & President of the Council for Unity and has been the subject of many articles and media coverage for his service to education and the community. A screen play on his life is being considered for a movie.