We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Darcel White Moreno a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Darcel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I’ve known since I could remember that I desired to be a creative. Debra ( my mother, I call her Debra depending on my mood) told me she always knew I wouldn’t work a nine to five. She tells the story of her taking me to a football game as a child and my face lighting up when I saw the shiny pom poms the dance line carried. There were and are so many sides of me. I fell in love with opera and ballet as a child. My parents had a Grand Piano and I would play and sing religiously. My father, Lee, would make me go outside to play. “Darcel, please. Can you just go outside and play? Go outside and sing. ” When I did, he would just make me come back inside. I guess he was embarrassed.
When I spent time in front of the television, I noticed there weren’t many girls that looked like me. I was mesmerized with a particular actress, Jasmine Guy. I always wanted to be like the character she portrayed, Whitley Gilbert ( A Different World). I found myself wearing my mother’s pearls and walking around with scarves on my neck. I have a vivid memory of me wearing my mothers neon pink high heels and changing my voice to mock Whitley.
Fast forward twenty years or so, I walked into an agency to audition for their roster. Once the owner saw my runway walk she hired me on the spot to be a Runway Coach. After life happened, I decided acting was my thing. My first acting audition set the tone for my acting career… a booking opposite Jessica Simpson.
The rest is history.
Darcel, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Many people know of me but don’t really know me. I was 16 and pregnant. When I tell that story people just stare in disbelief. I’m proud of who I am and what I’ve become. Being a black woman from the south and a statistic, the world already labeled me and counted me out. I knew the day I decided to have my Son God D’Kameron, I was going to change what life looks like for people that share my story. I knew that being a pregnant teen wasn’t unique. I knew that life wasn’t going to hand me anything, so I was going to rise to the occasion, whatever occasion it was, with baby in tow. Anything I desired to do, I knew I had to be the best at it. I’ve worked with Angela Basset, Tom Cruise, Nicolas Cage, Denzel Washington, Vince Vaughn, Curtis 50 Cent Jackson, Jessica Lange, Vivica Fox, Miley Cyrus and a host of others. I’ve earned the title of Casting Director which produced a Grammy Nomination for Best Music Video. I’ve had proud titles such as producer, director, casting director, jeweler, stunt performer, actress, business owner and much more.
I’m not the typical interview. I’m not going to tell people to never give up or to keep going. I’m going to say what I wish someone would’ve told me.
We decide everyday if we want to make our goals happen or not. We deserve to quit. Quit when you’ve had enough. Fire your job when you feel like its not serving your purpose. Learn the business of everything you give your energy to. Learn to take a break. Its always ok to relax. refresh and recharge. This world has taught us to be on go every single day 24/7.
You deserve breaks, peace and solitude. But know when to get back after it and when to try something knew. Charge what you’re worth. People will always pay for what they want. Work on your terms.
After taking one of my many breaks from the entertainment business, I birthed Altar and Ashes.
My business, Altar & Ashes, is centered around building and spending time with your Altar. Whether its a physical or mental altar, we provide tools to aid in that spiritual journey.
We offer traditional herbal teas, African Imphepho, sage, sweet grass, as well as home cleansing kits.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding thing for me is to be contacted by strangers and/or peers for guidance. Whether its for acting or things in the spiritual realm, it feels great that people trust me to assist in their next level journey.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
What illustrates my resilience? Being a mother to a black male at 17 years old. Then having that child, D’Kameron, to receive awards after awards, earn college scholarships, make the Deans List and continue his journey as an Astro Physicists. My resilience is being married for 17 beautiful years to my balance Fabian and us creating the most perfect being Jullian. Jullian is our activist who earned his way into a collegiate high school and is number one in the district for Track & Field.
My resilience looks like dedication, sacrifice and a tribe of people who believed in me. It looks like the first black woman in the city of Shreveport to become a Talent Agent. It looks like being the vessel to employ hundreds of talented people within my community and city.
Being resilient is in my bloodline. I pull from what I am and I am the thousands of ancestors that were here before me that paved the way.
Contact information:
Facebook: Altar & Ashes
Instagram: Altar & Ashes
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/ie/shop/AltarandAshes