Darlinda Russell was born and raised in Chicago on December 2, 1959. She was raised on the westside of Chicago and attended Austin High School in 1977. After receiving her GED diploma, she enrolled at Malcolm X College for business courses and later graduated from Marion Business College in 1980 as a clerk typist. Darlinda Russell is the founder of Darlinda Russell Designs and the producer of Darlinda Russell Productions.

Darlinda comes from a family of fifteen sisters and brothers. Her natural dancing ability comes from her sibling who was known for boppin/steppin &  slow dance and  skip walkers at the quarter party and skating. She first became a bopper/ stepper in 1968 at age 8, and a seamstress/ fashion designer at the age of 16. Being a single mother of three children, and grandparents of 4, Darlinda feels she has achieved the accomplishments as an African American woman. She eventually became a full-time designer after having the enlightening experiences of working for the Cook County Department of Public Health Epidemiologist/Vital Statistics Dept. along with Cook County Comptroller Dept. as a Clerk Typist, and Public Building Commission of Chicago as an Administrative Assistant.

In 1980, Darlinda became Ms. Fashion Chicago, and worked as a Chicago Bulls Cheerleader Luv-A-Bull from 1983-1986. She was honor sideline choreographer and Cheerleader of the year 1984-85. Darlinda was awarded certificate of achievement and performance. This dedicated and talented individual will also be warmly appreciated and remembered as the Fashion designer and "hot" dancer with a "unique flare." As a full-time designer, Darlinda's creativity comes from her vision, her experiences and her own style and originality. She feels it is very important to keep up with today's trends. Darlinda has spent several years as a fashion designer, modeling instructor and show coordinator and some of her experiences include; Fashion Designer to Casper of Chicago V103, Over 30 Years of Modeling Training Instructor-Fashion Show Productions, Coordinator & Dance Instructor Video Production, Manager on set of video -Chicago Own's Do or Die, Several Appearances on Steppin at Club 7 - June Moon Productions and Many Years as participant in Bud Billiken Day Parade. Darlinda was also honored in grateful appreciation for outstanding services to the blind and mentally retarded children of little city.

After those experiences, she went to Cabrini Green and worked as a dance choreographer for State's Representative Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White from 1986-1988 and is also the V103' three time winner of the

 World Largest Steppers Contest and is the only 10,000.00 winner. 

The Damita Collins Award 2019 - Word Of Month Stepaganza 

Her Experiences: An experienced Skater for over 45 years Skate Guard /Albany Skating Rink-Purcell Hall Skating Rink Dancer Production Choreographer Male & Female Super Model Competitions 1996 -Dance Choreographer

Little Ms. Pretty -N-Pink Beauty Pageant 2001 Dance Choreographer / Steppin Choreographer- Instructor

Steppin Instructor- In Los Angeles, CA- Lana Reid Productions Stepping Instructor and Demonstrator of Chicago Style Steppin - Oakland, California - Demone Productions Steppin in Shades of Brown Movies-

Appearances in the movie Red Heat with Lawrence Fishburne, Love Jones- Back Ground Steppin Dancer On Stage with Tony Dow -Boppin/Steppin in the Stage Play The Life of Herb Kent - at Chicago State College On Stage with The Dells- Back Ground Steppin Dancer at McCormick Place

Certificate of Appreciation Award- Thank You For Your Labor of Love and Continued Contribution to Promote & Develop the Art of Chicago Stepping, it's History, Events, Music, and Style -

MHK & Dance Club -Dave Max Executive Director

Awards -Crown one of Chicago's  Best Legendary Female Steppers-Lady Margaret Productions Awards-You Are Exemplified as a Legendary Stepper- 4th Annual Legendary Chicago's Largest Steppers Contest October 2011- Luther Productions

Her Keymen's Club & Dunegon  Era has won many contest-giving thanks to some of Chicago’s  baddest DJ's, Sam Chatman & Tyrone, Ray Heard, Terrible Ted, William Barnett, Kousin Danny, Al McCormick and Kenny B. Thompson. Some of the Clubs- Keyman' Club, Palladium West, String Ray, Fifth City, Hamlin House, Daniel Hall, Dungeon and so many others. Giving thanks to some of my Dance Partners Vernon Russell , John Stocks, Calvin Tyboo Jarrett, Chase Day,- 2 time winner with Tony Dow, one time winner with Pete Frazier of Majestic Gents , and so many others in the my early years- My brother Nut & Snooky T,  Lil Alfred, Lil Mik, Black Skip,  Puncho, Wahoo, Divertis, Lil Ty, George Marconi, Larry Joe, Michael Wentwork,  Tyboo, John Starks, Damita, Jannice, Lil Denise, Lil Pat, Beverly , Regina Randell, Lisa Holden Hale

Rochelle Campbell , Robin Russell , and so many others.