U.G. Digital Mag: I have to immediately thank you for today. We’ve talked a few different times now, and I thank you each time. First time, I was a PR escort at the Soul Train Awards back in 2013. Coming into that experience, and being my first with BET, it was an amazing experience to see your professionalism, and to see the authenticity you represent in your life. I then talked to you for Sons 2 The Grave. You also did a workshop here in Cleveland at Karamu House. With this upcoming issue, it’s all about the powerful. I look at you and see someone who exhibits power in and outside of their career. I’ve watched you meticulously work in a way that has garnered you a massive amount of respect amongst your peers.
Darrin Dewitt Henson: I don’t take that lightly, and I’m very humbled by that. There seems to be a momentum of opinion going in that direction. I, like many other people who want to see a change in the world, know that it has to start with myself. When you have the opportunity to meet someone, greet someone, and say a kind word that is encouraging, I do so. I want to be of those people of that fraternity; of that mindset which helps to add value to this experience we call life.
U.G. Digital Mag: I feel like you have the work of ten actors on your shoulders. Of course, there’s family, children, and life happening every day. How do you balance in times like this week for example, where we’ve tried to connect a few times, and we struggled a bit with that? How do you maintain the sanity?
Darrin Dewitt Henson: You know, it’s a very thin line, and sometimes I teeter on both sides. The schedule as we planned didn’t happen. Life happens, and it’s important to just be the best that we can be, moving without excuses and complaints. You’ll see that you’ll arrive where you want to be, or very close to it. No one is perfect, but if you strive to be the best you can be, chances are you’ll always pull yourself up over the mountain. When you get there, you’ll slide down and then have to pull yourself up over another mountain. It takes a great deal of focus, effort, follow-through, communication, and vision. When you follow your vision by action, then you can manifest that as what you say you desire.
U.G. Digital Mag: We connect today for a couple of reasons. I frankly don’t see why you don’t have more covers. You represent what so many actors strive for, whereas you’ve mastered the stage, television, the silver screen, choreography, and you’ve become a successful author. You have so much going on, and when I look at your bio, you could never forget it all there. Of course, you have your workshops, and you’ve been nominated four times for the NAACP awards which is amazing in itself, and again, it’s all to say that you represent what so many strive for.
Darrin Dewitt Henson: Thank you. Denzel Washington said that people give awards, and God gives them rewards. What I’ve found in my career is anytime I looked at someone’s career and wished for the same thing, God always blessed me. It’s very interesting because when I think I should get something, God says hold on, I’ve got something better for you. And very soon, or even one or two years later, it comes. I’ve learned to be patient in my life, and I’m very serious when I say that. Other people ask why I’m not on television shows, and I can't
DARRIN DEWITT HENSON
“ If you can be a mentor to someone in a good way and help change their life in the future while working with them now, then that’s important. It doesn’t always work out for the people who make those choices..”
It’s always an awesome experience connecting with Mr. Darrin Dewitt Henson. Early on in his career, we watched the impact he made as Lem Van Adams on the Showtime hit series, Soul Food. Since then, we’ve witness him conquer the entertainment industry like no other. Not only has he acted in film after film; he’s also built a successful career as both an author and a choreographer. Henson has amassed an enormous amount of respect, but more importantly, the amount of power he has in this industry has risen tremendously. This article is two fold, as we’re not only aiming to honor Mr. Henson for his talent and hard work; we’re also connecting to discuss the role he plays in the upcoming film, The Products of The American Ghetto. The story revolves around a young boy determined to keep both his mother and sister away from prostitution by dealing drugs. Much like his past works, this films finds Henson in yet another groundbreaking role that sets the pace for an amazing storyline. In this feature, we talk about the film and his involvement. Finally, we discuss the balance of it all and how he makes it all come together. One of the many things you gain here is a sense of how humble he’s remained through the years, and how that ultimately has allowed many of his blessings to flourish. We’re thrilled to present to you, Mr. Darrin Dewitt Henson!
THE PRODUCTS oF THE AMERICAN GHETTO