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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Why Is the Media Calling Prince a Drug Addict?

No doubt about it, Prince was mysterious. Unique is not even the word to describe his out-of-the-box persona. Prince was a brotha like not other. Still, during his lifetime, he rarely made the tabloids. Rarely. The most drama I can recall being covered about Prince was when he changed his name to a symbol and was referred to as "The Artist" or "The artist formerly known as Prince."

Since his death, so much dirt is coming out about him. I don't know if the dirt is true or not, but I have chosen to ignore it. I have never seen Prince in the tabloids this much. Ever. He is rumored to have had an addiction to prescription pills. I've seen headlines refer to him as a "drug addict."

Since when are celebrities addicted to prescription pills now called "drug addicts"? I don't recall the media every calling Farrah Fawcett or Ryan O'Neal drug addicts? What about Charlie Sheen? Usually they're labeled as being "plagued with addiction" or "fighting addiction." We know the image that comes to mind when we think of a drug addict. Prince was a musical genius and deserves better. He also deserves a better tribute than that mess Billboard threw together with Madonna. I've been listening to Madonna for years, but she she should've sat in the audience that night.

After days of watching my timeline flood with rumors about Prince not having a will, family issues with the money, grown ass people popping up saying Prince is their daddy, confusion over which memorial service was official--I decided not to click on that stuff anymore. It's too much. Prince left us way too soon and I would rather pay my respects by celebrating all of the good music, funny stories and infamous side-eyes he gave people who displeased His Royal Purpleness. Below are a few photos from the Cat Club in San Francisco. They hosted a tribute night to Prince. I put on my only purple dress, a pair of fishnets and turned out "Let's Go Crazy" on the dance floor.

Dance to Prince. Make love to Prince's music. Wear purple. Be yourself. Own your art. Enjoy your life. That's how we should honor Prince's journey into the Afterworld.


An altar for people to write notes about Prince

A picture someone left at the Prince memorial altar. 

My purple dress and fishnets were only for Prince. 

My friend and fellow journalist Millie celebrated Prince's
life with me. We danced ALL night and enjoyed cheap drinks. 


I went to the record store the other day. Yes I went to an actual
record store. Prince's music was there. 




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