FROM BROKE TO BLESSED on EasyLiving Front Range Colorado

" My dad was the lead singer in a gospel band," says Dirrty Records Founder/CEO Lunden De'Leon. " The first time I saw him on stage, I knew I wanted to be a part of the music industry." Lunden is a true rags to riches story. Born in Barbados, Lunden's family moved to South Carolina at an early age. While still in high school, she found a fry flipping gig at Burger King and when the time was right, she hitched a ride to Hollywood with only $200 in her pocket. "I was homeless for a short period of time in Los Angeles," says De'Leon. " I did not know what20the future held but I was determined to turn my stumbling blocks into stepping stones." With Lunden's hard work and determination, she quickly found a Hollywood agent that signed her to a modeling and acting contract. Modeling gigs led to starring roles in the hit television series "Vital Sign," the action movie Fury, Crytpz and Surviving Paradise . Soon, Lunden was voted by The Ave Magazine as "One of the Most Significant Women In Entertainment" alongside Oprah, Halle Berry, Beyonce, and many more. Featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, Business Week and Black Enterprise,=2 0in fall 2003 Lunden opened the doors to her Los Angeles based record label Dirrty Records, and made headlines around the world for releasing a punk remake of Jimi Hendrix's classic Purple Haze. In May 2004, Lunden was inducted into the Caribbean Hall of Fame alongside such legends as Bob Marley and Sidney Poitier. Known for her compassion, confidence and inspirational achievements, former Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn issued a special proclamation declaring February 7th as Lunden De'Leon Day in the City of Los Angeles. Lunden recently returned home to South Carolina and started a south eastern division of Dirrty Records giving kids in the area a chance to express themselves. In 2008, Lunden ran for Councilwoman and is the President of the Democratic Women’s Council in her county. "I grew up poor in the South", says Lunden. "Most people ask me why did I return home and my answer is very simple 'I did not forget where I came from'."