Inviting In

Darnell passionately affirms, "My own context, however, serves as the foundation of my writing, thinking, and activism. Growing up as a gay/black/working-class/Christian man in the city of Camden has provided me with a particular understanding of struggle; therefore, I choose to fight beside those who are fighting for equality as well. "

His writing addresses racist, sexist, classist and gendered practices that restrict the freedom of people. Darnell has explored the notions of society and religion through his appointments as Research Assistant at Princeton Theological Seminary, Research Assistant at The Center for Public Justice, Visiting Fellow at Yale Divinity School and Part-time Lecturer in the Women and Gender Studies Department at Rutgers-New Brunswick. Darnell sees his writing and thinking as critical interventions in the quest towards social justice. He holds a BA in Social & Behavioral Sciences (Seton Hall University), MA in Counseling (Eastern University), and MA in Theological Studies (Princeton Theological Seminary). For him, the pen and the brain are to be used to bring about justice.

Darnell also commits time to community organizing in the city of Newark. He is an active member of the Newark Pride Alliance, where he serves as Chair of the Education Committee. During his tenure, he co-chaired the organizations first two Creating Safe Spaces Conference Series at Rutgers Newark and facilitated the partnership effort with The Hetrick-Martin Institute to develop an afterschool program for LGBTQ youth in the city of Newark. Darnell is also an active member of the Newark-Essex Pride Coalition. He is an active board member for Stop Shootin, Inc., New Jersey Women and AIDS Network, Governing Institute of New Jersey, Newark Legacy Charter School, and the Newark Youth Policy Board. Mayor Cory Booker recently appointed Darnell as Chairman of the city's first Advisory Commission on LGBTQ Concerns.