Daniel Cole Blog

Introduction

I was a victim of domestic abuse for years. I went through all possible kinds of domestic abuse for almost eight years. The cruelty I went through was not limited to the traditional physical abuse; I experienced sexual, emotional, verbal, psychological, and even spiritual abuse. My Abuser, Daniel Huston Cole, a current Senior Portafolio manager at Columbia Management ( 2022) an executive I helped to form and create that  did not even know how to use silverware correctly at the time I met him .

Like many women in the USA, I kept it quiet and repeatedly hid the marks of my nightmare. One day, I was brave enough to kick the monster out of my apartment and life for good. For over a decade, I thought, "the nightmare is over; I should be happy and forget about it," but I was wrong. Not long ago, I realized that I had made the biggest mistake of my life, keeping this part of my past in the shadows because I let a monster run free, and this individual attacked again. 

A few months ago, I got contacted through Social Media by one of Daniel's  "ex-girlfriend," who had lived by his side for years and was is a serious relationship with him longer than I was. For months, we have exchanged long talks and chats about what we went through and the parallels and similarities of our adventures living by the side of an aggressive narcissist. 

This man sent me to the hospital several times, receiving brain CT scans for brain injuries before I dared to call the police and get him arrested. He got on his knees and in tears for me not to continue the case and not go to court or contact any advocacy, defense group, or institution. His lawyer also talked to me and mentioned that my actions would destroy his career in the financial world if I decided to continue pressing charges. I was stupid enough to believe him, and he made sure that I would not attend the day of court.  

At his  court hearing after his arrest, where I was present and the State prosecutor checked the forensic examination and marks in my body, took more pictures which I have saved for a long time and shall share within my private blog. The case was investigated as attempt of homicide. I was a petite 110 pounds woman against a former College football player named Guilford's 1987 NAIA Academics All - American, 1988 NAIA All-American, and 1989 Nereus C. English Athletic Leadership Award recipient. Additionally, Daniel had a title as the strongest college player by a Bigger Faster Stronger. "His body was weapon" as he always remind me and "his guns," showing me his arms, were lethal. 

The prosecution took several pictures of the incident. My neck showed Daniel's fingers stamped blue-purple on my skin as a sign of his brutality. He wanted to kill me when he pressed my neck against a wall and punched me in the eye and mouth so I would stop screaming. Undoubtedly, his bragging about taking horse steroids and cheating his way to becoming the strongest player at Guilford caused repercussions on my ears, punch after punch creating the hearing damage I have to deal with today. 

This initial introduction is just a glimpse of my calvary, and I am glad that I have finally found the courage and inner strength to write about it so no other woman can be a victim of his aggressions. Frequently, I will post my story so it can inspire women to speak up and have the courage to move away before it is too late. I will also post pictures of his brutality and other documents to validate my claims. I have saved for years all emails, texts, pictures, recordings of his verbal aggression when he was intoxicated which was a frequent event between vodka, wine , porn, a cold chair and a blanket over his lap week after week.

About me.

Do you think domestic violence is for the poor, uneducated, fickle or minority groups?  You're mistaken. Domestic violence does not look at your skin color, your gender, religion, education, background, bank account, crypto wallet, or age. It is blind. Next time, it can be your mother, your dearest friend, your daughter, your brother, your classmate or you. 

I am part of the Harvard alumni, an exclusive group on the eyes of many. I am two classes away from completing my third degree at Harvard University, and at the same time, I am working on my Harvard Kennedy School Public Leadership Credentials and my certification in Social Justice. Furthermore, I have accomplished four certifications at Harvard besides my graduate degrees, two of them at Harvard Kennedy School. I am part of the Harvard Kennedy School Women and Power Alumnae group. 

Besides my Harvard trajectory, which has lasted almost a decade and a half of education at this institution, I hold an MBA and MS in Industrial, health and environmental control, and also education and certifications from Oxford University. The decades of academia did not prepare me to avoid domestic violence, but they helped me see the light outside the cave and away from shadows. My latest engagement in Social Justice at Harvard has given me the courage to write my story. 

If I can help just one person in this world with my words, what I am doing is worth my time, patience, and opening the box of horrors I have kept hidden from my past.