Starting Your Dreams Later In Life and Embracing the Detour

Jenee Darden speaking at Creative Mornings I know it's been a while since I've posted anything but that's because of my job. I'm working as a reporter covering Oakland and I host an arts segment on the radio where I get to interview amazing artists from around the Bay Area. Plus I'm publicizing my book  and building my speaking career!  You know what's funny? I thought this would all happen by the time I was 27-30.  Nope. That wasn't God's plan for me. I'm finally beginning to do the things I've wanted to do and I'm almost 40 years old. Some people reading this who are 40 will say 40 is still young. But some younger people reading may think 40 is nearly ancient. But I'm writing this post for those who like me, thought their career and personal dreams would come true much early in life. I'm here to tell you not to give up.  You know, death inspires life. A number of my relatives and friends have passed away, ranging in
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Happy (Belated) King Day


I know I'm on CP time with this post but I hope you had a nice Martin Luther King Jr. Day. And I hope you're enjoying this 4-day weekend because a lot of people are taking off for the Inauguration. I'm sure some of you are going to come down with the mid-winter bug that's been going around (wink, wink) and call in sick Tuesday. I celebrated the day with friends and sorors on Crenshaw Blvd. at the annual MLK parade (see photos below). But it felt more like a MLK celebration/Obama Inauguration pre-party. I can't even tell you how many people were wearing Obama shirts, buying Obama shirts and selling Obama shirts. I had a great time at the parade. The temperature hit 80 and people were just enjoying the moment. And my day was even more enjoyable, thanks to the brotha who offered me his outdoor chair so I wouldn't have to stand.


Tomorrow is THE big day. It's the day people have been hoping
for years would come. To be honest, it's a day I thought I'd never live to see. I'm thankful for activists like Dr. King who fought and died so days like January 20, 2009 could exist. But I'm also thankful for the everyday freedoms we sometimes take for granted. Freedoms I have in 2009, but would not have had 50, 60 years ago. My grandfather recently recorded an audio bio for the family. He told the story of an aunt who was either working or eating in a restaurant in Biloxi, Mississippi. She had to go to the restroom. She couldn't use the restaurant's bathroom because it was for whites only. Her only option was to go to a secluded area on the beach and relieve herself in the ocean. The cops caught her but they didn't arrest her. I know that seems unbelievable today but could you imagine?

We've come a long way but we still have a long way to go. Can you say BART Police? In the meantime honor Dr. King's dream and hope our next U.S. President will bring about the change this country needs.













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