Darkesia Amira Gunter-Baldwin

Darkesia Amira Gunter- Baldwin was born on Saturday, September 6, 1980 in Brooklyn, NY. She entered this world as audacious as only she could be. "Spicy" has been her secret ingredient all of her life. In 1983, her mother Charity Gunter relocated her then family of 3 to Newark, NJ as a way to be closer to their extended family. This decision was one of many that helped cultivate the value that Darkesia placed on family.
As a child you could find her alongside her siblings and cousins either cracking jokes, fiercely protecting them, or simply loving the gift of their presence. Especially once her family of three evolved into a family of 11. She gained 4 sisters; Alichia Gunter, Yamile Gunter, Samantha Gunter, and Positive Gunter. In addition to 5 brothers; Jesse Gunter, Darrell Gunter, Iroquois Gunter, Branson Gunter, and Sidney Gunter. As if that wasn't enough, many of her cousins grew to become her sisters, such as Khaliyha Gunter, Haneefah Brockington, Danelle and Chanelle Pullin. She even regarded her cousin Dawn Hill with such high esteem that she considered her to be a second mother. One thing you could never doubt was that Darkesia loved her family.
If her mother was "Big Dog" then it was only right that Darkesia was "Big Gunt" because nothing about her was little for too long lol. She became the millennial version of a big mama. Mothering her siblings, cousins, friends, godchildren, partners, and strangers all alike.
It is why she adopted a family in every space that she encountered. Her school community was one of those areas where she emulated this. Being a former student of both the Elizabeth and Newark Public School Systems she had the range and personality to win many people over. Administrators and friends alike both sang her praises, but not without acknowledging the "extra spice" that she came with lol. To love Darkesia is to love an attitude because you better believe she was going to give you some. What kind of attitude depended on YOU! This never deterred her from being academically and athletically competitive. She achieved high honors and made big buckets all throughout her school career. She graduated from Camden St. School (Class of 94) while also attending The Leaguers and The Boys and Girls Club after school programs. In 1998 she graduated from Central High School in Newark, NJ. During this time, she was published in the Star Ledger for being the winner of a writing competition, spelling bee, and landing high scores during basketball season. These achievements paved the way for her to receive a full college basketball scholarship from Kean University in Union, New Jersey.
Despite a successful first year in college, she made the executive decision to shift gears and embarked on a career in the Department of Corrections. She got her start at Passaic County Juvenile Detention Center. By the third month she was well acclimated and confident with her decision. Unfortunately, that location closed but opened the door for her to relocate to Essex County Juvenile Detention Center located in Newark, NJ. Her inspiration for this career change was the goal of financial security for her new addition to the family. At this time Darkesia got swept off her feet by an unsuspecting light skin brother named Taka. To know Darkesia is to know that she had a thang for dark chocolate. Thankfully that did not discourage Taka. Being the smart man that he is (Dar would say that's debatable) he seized the opportunity to secure his dream girl. Leaving no room for error he changed her mind, her last name, and her life.
In 2005, they welcomed a precious baby girl named Caylen Sanai Baldwin, and shortly after they both took on the full responsibility of raising their daughter Tarika Jordan. Then in July of 2009 they eagerly welcomed the arrival of their long-awaited son Ta'Kai Baldwin. Making their final wish on growing their family complete. She made it her life's mission to show her family what the world was made of, in both little and big ways, while simultaneously raising them to be secure, competent, and authentic individuals. She encouraged them to face their fears head on and taught them how to invest in themselves emotionally, physically, creatively, and spiritually. Her most prized possession is HER FAMILY and she would not have it any other way.
Unless someone offered her the opportunity to do comedy for a living. Darkesia loved hard but she laughed even harder. There was absolutely nothing that could make her surrender her joy; not even death. Rumor has it she gave God cramps from all the jokes she cracked by his right side. Quiet as it kept she's probably laughing at our sad butts now alongside her Mother-in-law Jane Baldwin, her Aunts Hattie Brockington and Annie Gunter. While her cousin Haneef Brockington gasses her up to tell another one lol. We can't forget one of her road dog's Candace McLean, who was also known as Candi. They will be hanging out again together.
She left the responsibility to keep her memory alive to her husband Taka Baldwin, children Tarika Jordan and partner Christian, Caylen Baldwin, and Ta'kai Baldwin, granddaughter Ny'lah Figueroa, (bonus daughter) Shanniyah Jackson, mother Charity Gunter, siblings- Jesse, Alichia, Owen, Yamile, Iroquois, Samantha, Branson, Positive, and Sidney Gunter. Her sisters-in-law Charlonda "Nette" Baldwin- Roberts, Keasha Baldwin (Kofi), and Jameen Baldwin-Iman (Karsene). With a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
This Online Memorial has been created to commemorate the life of Darkesia Amira Gunter-Baldwin. Leave a message on the Tribute Wall to share your favorite memories and offer words of sympathy and comfort.