Rashid Darden

Old Gold Soul Press

Main navigation

Alpha Phi Omega

Where in the World is Rashid Darden?

by

Pictured above:  Me and my buddy Doug in Philadelphia.

A lot has happened since I last wrote.

But first of all, hey!  How y’all doing?  That’s good.

My life has been busy, eventful, and largely fulfilled.

In January, I made my first vision board.  We actually did them as part of the rush activities for my chapter of Gamma Xi Phi Professional Arts Fraternity – both members and prospective members did them.  On my board was several things, and I’m happy to say that by the mid-point of 2015, many of the things on my vision board have manifest.

First and foremost, I have broken through much of my depression and anxiety.  Not cured–never cured, perhaps–but less sad and less anxious.  Definitely grateful for that.

I got two part-time jobs.  One is as Outreach Manager for the DC Recovery Community Alliance, where I am doing communications and development work like I am accustomed to.  The other is a temporary assignment at the Life Skills Center of DC, where I will be doing operations and other things over the next few months.

I’m also still doing photography!  I had a gig a few weekends ago and another in a few weeks.

I have some much-needed leisure travel planned for the fall!  In fact, counting some fraternal travel, I may very well be in three different states in less than seven days!  More on that in a future entry.

Speaking of fraternalism, I got a national committee appointment in Alpha Phi Omega.  I am the Alumni Relations Chairman, which means I help Alumni Associations in the fraternity, among other policy issues.

And perhaps most excitingly I was elected National President of Gamma Xi Phi!  Our National Convention was in Philadelphia in mid-June and although it was a lot of work, it was also very fun.

I’m not dating anyone, but I’m committing myself to going out more so that I can actually meet new people in the flesh from time to time.  We’ll see how that works.

And as far as the writing goes, I suppose it’s official — I’m on hiatus.  I would surely like to continue work on Blood of a Dark Nation or Yours in the Bond, but the truth is a lot of other things are more important than that to me right now, not the least of which is living life and pursuing happiness.  I am always going to be a writer and I will complete my projects.  But perhaps not in 2015.  Maybe when I get more settled into my new positions.

I do appreciate all of your support and your patience!  Please stay in touch with me via social media–I’d love to hear from you.

Sneak Peek: BLOOD OF A DARK NATION by Rashid Darden

by

BloodoaDN036

Here is an exclusive excerpt from Blood of a Dark Nation, Rashid Darden’s sequel to the vampire novel Birth of a Dark Nation.

Basildon Park

Micah Leung was in his fifth year as the Butcher’s faithful executive assistant.  He was faithful to his employer in every way, from grocery shopping for the household to making sure all the bills were paid on time.  The Butcher loved being tuned in to every possible news outlet to stay on top of the goings-on of the world, so the cable and internet needed to be operational at all times.

[Read more…] about Sneak Peek: BLOOD OF A DARK NATION by Rashid Darden

Sneak Peak: YOURS IN THE BOND by Rashid Darden

by

Yours in the Bond teaserYours in the Bond is a novel in progress from Rashid Darden.   Here is an excerpt.

 

“You’re in a really good mood.”

JJ carefully put my camera on the table near the big comfy chair.  He stood up, walked over to the lamp, and turned it off.  In the dark, I saw him slide out of his suit pants and carelessly leave them in a clump on the floor.

“Good mood is an understatement,” he announced.  In an instant, he climbed onto the bed and crawled next to me.  He laid on his stomach, looking up at me while he rested his chin on his folded arms.

“This just might be the most fun I’ve ever had,” he said.

“Me too.”

JJ sniffed the air, his nose scrunching into a little wrinkled brown dot.

[Read more…] about Sneak Peak: YOURS IN THE BOND by Rashid Darden

Read THE LIFE AND DEATH OF SAVION CORTEZ by Rashid Darden

by

LaDoSC Cover draft

 

i
am
crazy

i was born in diana’s tide
with a caul over my third eye
and my umbilical cord around my neck
i was wet
like the forests of the hesperides
i inhaled and swallowed neptune’s froth
drunk with his children, i envisioned our love
underwater
an octopus crowning your head
we became one

[Read more…] about Read THE LIFE AND DEATH OF SAVION CORTEZ by Rashid Darden

Happy New Year!

by

Hey everyone!  Just a brief note to let you know I am still alive and rejuvenated for 2011!

As many of you know, I ran for a national position in Alpha Phi Omega last week and I did not win.  It was a pretty tough loss.  Even though I’m still sort of young in APO years, I definitely felt as though I was ready for the challenge and had proved it in my experience.  Unfortunately, the Nominating Committee didn’t agree.  I was encouraged to run from the floor (which I initially said I didn’t want to do), but I lost anyway.

I’m definitely not a sore loser.  At the same time, I’ve literally spent years of my life trying to convince more members of color to remain engaged in the work of the fraternity.  To lose to a slate which doesn’t look like me or the many brothers I’ve tried to inspire over the years honestly hurts.

I still love APO, of course, but this one is going to take some time to heal from.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed the convention overall, in spite of the downright disrespectful amounts of construction at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta.  One of the hotel restaurants was closed the whole time we were there, as was the convenient indoor walkway to the food court across the street.  My undergrads had a good time, though, and they won several awards.

The next convention will be in Anaheim in 2012.  I reckon I’ll be there!