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 answer that. It’s exactly the same way you said everything can’t be put in the bio. Whenever people introduce me on stage, and they want to deliver my whole bio, I ask them not to because it’s embarrassing. I ask them to maybe say one or two things and just invite me on stage where I can interact. To hear all that I’ve done, it embarrasses me sometimes. I think it’s for other people to read. It’s not for me to stand in and swim in it like a pool. Have I done it? Yes. Did I want to do it? Yes. Do I hope it inspires other people? Absolutely, that’s what it’s there for. I try to stay in my now: my new opportunity window. My now! Everything from my new opportunity window is bright. It’s about discovery, planning, vision, learning, and unfolding. If we look back at all the things we did or mistakes we made, we could feel bad about it. What good is that? It’s not useful now. We must learn from our mistakes, fail forward, and keep moving.
U.G. Digital Mag: Most definitely. Your name came up in a conversation with another actor I recently interviewed. That was Sir Brodie from Survivor’s Remorse. In connecting with him, we spoke about his projects, and he brought up “The Products of the American Ghetto”. With the success of the recent screening, I think it will do very well. I’d love for you to speak on your role in the film and what you feel it will bring back to the community?
Darrin Dewitt Henson: First of all, I was very thankful to be called in for that movie. I play a character named Easy who is a street pharmacist and a leader, so, in comparison to Denzel in “American Gangster”, that’s who Easy would be. In that film, I’m not the director, but it tells a great story. I don’t know what it will do for the community, meaning I’m not involved in editing and writing. I think the material is there. If edited well, I believe it could speak volumes. If not, it’s a great work in progress.
U.G. Digital Mag: I know you’re careful and meticulous in the roles you agree to. Talk about the importance of the role, and the film.
Darrin Dewitt Henson: I’ve never played this type of role before, and it’s strong, charismatic, and that of a leader. it was important for me to articulate from his perspective why we do what we do in life. It’s easy to point the finger and call somebody bad, but is taking care of their family, extended family, teaching a person how to be a thinker and chess player a bad thing? Not at all. 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 didn’t work out for Martin Luther King. It didn’t work out the same way for Malcolm X, nor Marcus Garvey, or Sojourner Truth. These people took the weight on their shoulders and took a stand. That’s what the character Easy did. He gives his life for what he believes in.
U.G. Digital Mag: I feel it’s going to be an amazing project and I’m eager to see it. Looking at your career overall, it has grown tremendously. Talking about actors in general, and black actors at that, I believe things have grown so much over the years and there’s so much that we now have an opportunity to do. What’s the biggest change you have witnessed throughout your career?
Darrin Dewitt Henson: I see a lot more people of color moving into powerful positions, and they’re directing as well as producing. I think that is the biggest difference. There is an influx of colorful faces on television and in film, whether independent or mainstream. We see more people work and be creative. Oprah Winfrey and the creators of Being Mary Jane. The Akils did a deal, and 50 did a deal with BET. We’re seeing entrepreneurs rise, and people of color move into powerful positions of ownership, and more faces like those on Insecure on television. We see the likes of basketball players really take a precedent instead of popping bottles and spending hundred of thousands of dollars on alcohol, and moving into film and television like Lebron James. Hopefully, other basketball players take that as a note of prosperity and longevity.
U.G. Digital Mag: In terms of executive producing and directing, do you see yourself doing that more regularly?
Darrin Dewitt Henson: Absolutely. I own ten intellectual properties right now, and we’re discovering which networks we want to partner with, as well as distribution companies.
U.G. Digital Mag: It’ll be amazing, and wonderful to see in terms of growth, maturity, and your career as a whole. What’s been your biggest lesson?
Darrin Dewitt Henson: Patience, and don’t stop growing. Ask questions.
U.G. Digital Mag: Flipping things around before we head out, you’ve done so many things to inspire people in your life, and the people you’re surrounded by. What type of things have you been able to do to inspire your kids and prepare them for the world and the things they aspire for?
Darrin Dewitt Henson: The biggest thing I can do is live my life by example. They are individuals with their own desires and goals. My specific job is to lead by example. Children watch what you do, and listen less to what you say. Actions speak louder than words. They listen, but they watch. The history I have created for myself through dance, choreography, acting, producing, and directing, it speaks for me because it shows my interest, my levels of focus and commitment, and it says that Darrin Dewitt Henson believes in this and this is why. For them or everyone else watching that, it is a platform that can be inspiring or one that says that’s what he did but this is what I want to do. In any way, shape, or form, it’s inspiration that can be taken from this. That’s what I do. I just have to be true to me.
U.G. Digital Mag: I’m grateful to you. Thank you so much for today, the past, and everything that is to come.
Darrin Dewitt Henson: I’m humbled for you giving me another platform to be heard.