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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Thank You News & Notes!!!!

Today NPR's News & Notes shut off the mic for the last time. News & Notes was my first job out of j-school. I first worked as an intern and was later hired to be a producer. The show explores various news stories through the multiple lens of the black diaspora. I say multiple because all black people don't think alike. The staff was small and worked hard to deliver a show to their audience everyday. I listened to the show before and after I was an NPR employee. I'm sad to see them go.
I enjoyed working with the staff. Our schedule was hectic but many times we laughed. The cool part about working at NPR West was you never knew who would walk through the door: Natalie Cole, Nancy Wilson, Russell Simmons, Kirk Franklin, Smokey Robinson, then-Sen. Joe Biden, Kelly Rowland from Destiny's Child, Ben Affleck, Diane Lane, Angela Bassett, Cornell West, Tom Petty...I could go on.

Black news shows that are intellectually engaging like N&N are missing in broadcast journalism. That's unfortunate.

Well, I wish everyone at "News and Notes" the best. As a former-producer I thank them for teaching me the ropes in radio. As a listener I thank them for keeping me informed.

Comments

  1. AnonymousMarch 20, 2009 at 6:10 PM

    I listened to the show, and I'm also sad to see it go. We don't have many avenues where we can express our opinions freely, and one more option was taken away. Best wishes to the crew of News and Notes.

    ReplyDelete

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