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Jenee Darden    

Award-Winning Journalist, CocoaFly.com Host, & Daughter of O.J. Simpson Prosecutor Christopher Darden

“The greatest gift I’ve ever received was a journal my mother made for me when I was seven,” says award-winning journalist and CocoaFly.com host Jeneé Darden. The Oakland, Calif. native hasn’t stopped writing since. Jeneé has reported for such outlets as National Public Radio, Time magazine, Los Angeles Times, Ebony and Marketplace. She has interviewed celebrities and leaders, and covered major events. In 2005, she contributed reporting on the London 7/7 transit bombings for Time magazine’s Europe edition.

Jeneé is passionate about African-American erotic art and women's sexual empowerment. Her thesis on black erotic literature is called “Under the Covers: The Popularity and Debate Over Black Erotic Literature.” Jenee interviewed New York Times best selling author Zane and editors of the groundbreaking anthology Erotique Noire. In “Under the Covers” Jeneé explores black erotica and the impact of race on black sexuality. She also looks into the genre’s impact on black authors and the publishing industry.

Another passion of hers is mental health awareness. She is the former host of the podcast Mental Health and Wellness Radio which earned her a New America Media Award for Outstanding Community Reporting-Radio.

Jeneé blends her passion for journalism and hip voice on her website Cocoa Fly —a new flavor in news for women. Jeneé launched the site after becoming frustrated with the lack of diverse stories on women and people of color. She covers, women, race, sexuality, wellness and much more.

Jeneé has been interviewed/featured by BBC, Access Hollywood, Inside Edition, NPR, Marie Claire, Daily Mail, Daily Beast, KTVU, BlackGirlNerd.com, BeyondBlackWhite.com and the book Swirling. She was mentioned in the hit FX miniseries The People v. O.J. Simpson.

The daughter of former O.J. Simpson prosecutor Christopher Darden, Jeneé holds a BA in ethnic studies from UC San Diego and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Southern California. Jeneé loves creative writing as well. The National Book Foundation awarded her a summer writing fellowship in 2003. Jeneé Darden is available for interviews and speaking engagements.

Speech Topics


Speech Topics

  • Life Lessons After the O.J. Simpson Trial and Overcoming Challenges
  • Women's Empowerment
  • Race and Diversity
  • Black Sexuality and Erotica
  • Women and sexuality
  • African-American Women
  • Mental Health Empowerment and Awareness
  • Journalism/Media
  • Writing

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