Happenings in and around Historic 5 Points, Northeast Denver and Aurora August 2018
Education Activists Issue Manifesto to DPS
5 POINTS NEWS
Proud Recipient of the Dr. Syl Morgan Smith Excellence in Media Award, the Colorado Black Roundtable Commitment to Service Award and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Colorado Media Award
Denver Public Schools Superintendent Tom Boasberg will step down after 10 years of leading the district. Boasberg has been faced with mounting internal and external pressure from those less than satisfied with the “reform” direction he represents. Our Voices Our Schools is among the most vocal groups demanding community participation at all levels of the new superintendent search. A coalition of individuals and organizations gathered outside DPS headquarters and issued their Manifesto prior to the School Board’s initial meeting to discuss the new-hire protocol. Read more on page 7.
Another Black Owned Restaurant Leaving Welton
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Randall James Borne pictured with customers and staff Nneka McPhee, Star, MiMi Brown, April Denmon and Tanaka Shipp
Kapri Chicken, Ethel’s House of Soul, Brown Sugar’s Burgers and Bones, Sadie’s, Wings and Things, Mona’s Tamales aka The Pig Ear Stand, Nate’s Sandwich Shop, A Taste of Detroit and All World Seafood are among Black owned restaurants that no longer call Historic Five Points home. This month, add Randall’s at the Climax to the list. Why? Some call it gentrification, others cite change and market forces. Whatever the reason, the result is the whitening of Five Points, communities of color and Denver overall. Randall James Borne has been riding Denver’s wave of change for over twenty-years. His namesake business moniker is constant but the location fluctuates. Randall’s at Pierres’ was a continuation of the world-famous Pierre’s Supper Club. Borne purchased the Downing street home of deep-fried catfish, strong drinks and Wellington Webb’s political hub from aging fellow Louisianian Lawrence Pierre. At the height of Borne’s success a decision was made convert the east Denver landmark into townhouses. Randall’s moved to Five Points. Borne settled at 2217 Welton, another Black historic location, and Randall’s at the New Climax was born. Gentrification has forced another move. “Friends and customers support me, “ Borne told 5 POINTS NEWS. “When I was between locations I would cook and we would meet at my home.” Borne is busy moving to his new location near Daddy Bruce Randolph Ave. and York Street and loyal customers are preparing to settle into a new location with the proven name–Randall’s. –brother jeff
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Randall’s loyal customers Cheryl and Michael Simmons, Renee Mallory, Brenda McMillian, Dorean Watkins and Rotunda Hardin
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DPS Deserves Education Over Politics and Money
Denver Police Chief Robert C. White Retires
brother jeff 5 POINTS NEWS Founder and Editor
Superintendant Tom Boasberg abruptly announced he will “step down” from Denver Public Schools after being a champion of national reform for the past ten years. Boasberg is among a trend of educational leaders that have no educational background and come from business or government. They view success from a profit and loss lens with a focus on the bottom line. Boasberg and the reform heavy board believe in school closures, color-coded school ratings, turn-around discipline models, co-locating several schools into one building and, of course, charter schools. The success or failure of Boasberg’s tenure can be measured by race, zip-code and income. Those similar to his race, class and privileged status of have benefited from his leadership. Sadly, too many on the other side of Boasberg’s world received nothing but promises of reform and are illprepared to compete in a modern world after leaving DPS. Nearly every northeast Denver school serving Black and Brown students has been closed, reopened, giving national charter status or is languishing with interim leadership. Some schools in Montbello were allowed to function with mold, disrepair and no libraries. According to the Bailey Report, “African Americans in DPS are invisible, silenced and dehumanized...It feels a lot like being on a plantaition...” I hope the board will set aside personal loyalties and national interests when selecting the next leader. DPS students deserves education over politics and money. –brother jeff
Kathy Bancroft Promoted to District 2 Commander
District 2 Commander Kathy Bancroft
Paul Pazen is the second Latino Police Chief in Denver’s history. He has completed his second round of leadership appointments and selected Kathy Bancroft to serve as District 2 Commander.
5 POINTS NEWS Monthly Publication August 2018
Publisher brother jeff Editor brother jeff
Layout & Design Cynthia R. Martin Photography A-Team Photography brother jeff Kenneth Drew Lens of Ansar
“With these latest promotions, I am confident that our department is best equipped to further prevent crime and address social harms,” Chief Pazen wrote. District Two Commander Kathy Bancroft has served with the Denver Police Department for 30 years and will continue working with the community she previously served as a lieutenant. Her assignments in North/Northeast Denver date back to 1988 when she patrolled the Five Points neighborhood as a new officer, and this is where she learned the value of community policing and the benefits of working with residents to have the greatest impact on crime prevention. Other promotions include: District One Commander Jeff Martinez; District Three Commander Rick Kyle; District Four Commander Mark Fleecs; District Five Commander Marcus Fountain; District Six Commander Aaron Sanchez; Major Crimes Division Commander Mark Chuck; Airport Police Division Commander Michael Calo was assigned to this position earlier this year and will continue serving in this role.
Former Denver Police Chief Robert White enjoying his retirement party with wife, Valerie.
Robert C. White and his wife, Valerie, were surrounded by colleagues, friends and well-wishers at his July retirement party at the Curtis Hotel. White was the 69th Chief of Police for the Denver Police Department and was appointed by Mayor Michael Hancock in December 2012. Hancock and White implemented critical changes to ensure the people of Denver had a police department committed to longlasting reforms and 21st Century policing. Through the leadership of Chief White, the department made community-centered changes focusing not just on fighting crime but preventing crime from occurring by working with neighborhoods and neighbors. White’s law enforcement career began in May 1972 when he was appointed as an officer with the Metropolitan Police Depart-
ment in Washington, D.C. During his tenure, he worked in every bureau within the department and attained the rank of Assistant Chief. After 23 years of service, he retired and was appointed the first Director of Public Safety for the District of Columbia Housing Authority. In 1997, Chief White was asked to return to the Metropolitan Police Department as the Assistant Chief over all patrol operations to help revitalize the department. As assistant chief in our nation’s capital, he oversaw one of the largest reductions in crime of any major city. In June of 1998, Chief White accepted the position of Chief of Police for the Greensboro, North Carolina Police Department. He served in this position for over four years until taking over as the head of the Louisville Metro Police Department. –5 POINTS NEWS
Contributing Writers & Researchers brother jeff Aliyah Fard Jim “Dr. Daddio” Walker Jon Bowman Distribution Gerald Borden 5 Points News is a publication of brotherjeff.com 2836 Welton Street Denver, CO 80205 303.297.0823 5pointsnews@brotherjeff.com
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In Loving Memory ~ Archie Jones Jr. Rudolph McClinon, Jr. ~
July 6, 1943 - July 10, 2018
Greetings 5 POINTS NEWS, I’m ever so grateful for all the time Archie Jones Jr. and I spent together. Archie and my mother, the late Emma Jean Roberts (buried June 22, 2009) would sit, watch western movies and talk family. He stayed with me through my mother’s death. Afterwards, he started sharing with me more about himself. I’m so pleased I had the sense to record a few of our conversations. Helen Sewell was Archie’s mother’s maiden name. She was born in Galveston, Texas. Archie Jones Sr. was born in Bryant Texas. His mother was a Blackfoot Indian from Oklahoma who came to Texas with her brothers and sisters.
“They lived across town from us,” recalled Archie. “I never got to know them really, but it was a bunch of them.” Archie was watching westerns on television and saw the gambler, sheriff and gunfighter Bat Masterson sitting with the Rocky Mountains behind him. “That picture was so beautiful, I made up my mind and knew I was going to Colorado,” Archie said. He moved to Denver September 6, 1969. His mom left Houston and headed to California leaving Archie with his dad who promised that he would see that his son finish school. “I stayed in college at least 40 years. My dad was so happy when I graduated. He was happier than I was. He got him a flight from Houston to come witness my graduation,” Archie recalled. “Johnnie Jordan, my friend from Houston, flew in for my graduation. My friend who is now deceased, Clarence Calloway, also flew in to witness my graduation. My partner Preston (from Omaha) was my personal photographer.” Archie Jones Jr. leaves behind his son Corey Bernard Jones and a host of friends and organizations including Music Spectrum, African American Leadership Institute, Black Transplant Action Committee, Denver Kwanzaa Committee and the Black American West Museum to cherish his memory. –Catherine Whitworth, The Cottage of Care and Knowledge
Mark “Old Head Poet” Hocker
January 14, 1960 - August 8, 2018
Mark Hocker was a central figure in Denver’s art community. He was a member of Joe Bunton-Keel’s Dance Ensemble and known as the Old Head Poet in the spoken-word community. He was a central performer at brother jeff’s Cultural Center and the bard called upon to write about the passing of artistic greats. His series Dateline Promise Land
chronicled the conversations Michael Jackson, Amiri Baraka, Gil Scott Heron and other notables would have with their creator as they strolled through “the pearly gates.” Hocker was born into a military family in Anchorage, Alaska. They moved to Denver when he was an infant. Mark was a product of Denver Public Schools and attended Park Hill Elementary, Gove Middle and East High. His moniker ‘Old Head’ was a testament to his vast knowledge of Denver people, places and things. Mark was a community volunteer and could be counted on to make sure venues, festivals and events ran smoothly. He was often called upon to be the greeter because of his infectious personality and million-dollar smile. Mark believed in the power of good health and was employed for many years with Denver Health and the Center for African American Heath. At the time of his passing he was employed with Denver Rescue Mission. Hocker will be remembered for his kindness and giving spirit.
To Place an Obituary, In Memoriam or Death Notice in 5 POINTS NEWS Send it to 5PointsNews@brotherjeff.com I feel your wings brush against my face wiping away the tears I shed since I can no longer hold you in my arms but in my heart. –Author Unknown
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September 21, 1952 - March 20, 2018
Rudolph McClinon Jr. affectionately called “Rudy” by family and friends was born on September 21, 1952 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to his parents Rudolph Sr. and Beulah M. Martin McClinon. He was raised surrounded by his pictured in her with late Sara Foster brother CharlesCharlene and his Jordan sisters(1924-2016) Ruby, Jewell, Roberta andthe Bernadette. Rudy received his formal education in Cincinnati, Ohio where he graduated in 1970 from Withrow High School. He furthered his education by attending Xavier University in Cincinnati earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in physical education and health science. Rudy attended Xavier University on an academic scholarship, but was determined to play football. Following graduation, he was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals and ultimately played three seasons in the Canadian Football League. Rudy moved to Denver in 1979 and began a 20-year career as a successful agent with Allstate Insurance Company. He lost his job in 2001 due to corporate cutbacks. Unable to find suitable employment, a bout with alcohol followed. “I went into a deep depression and asked God to reach out and help me,” he said. “I had a great education and a great work ethic and had to find something else to do.” Falling back on his Xavier education, Rudy became a professional fitness trainer working with individual clients and creating programs for businesses, nonprofits and senior citizen organizations. He was also a motivational speaker and visited hospitals to talk about alcohol and drug recovery. He had both hips replaced and suffered from arthritis. “The secret is to figure out what you can do and stop talking about what you can’t do,” he said. “The key is to be in the best possible shape and appreciate yourself. We have all these different body types; let me feel good about who I am.” Rudy created two exercise videos–Let’s Get Moving, a low-impact workout for those just starting to exercise, and the R-U-A Pro Fitness Arthritis and Hip Replacement Exercise Program, for those who have has joints replaced. Rudy united in holy matrimony to Elissa Diaz on July 17, 2010 and they shared many happy and precious moments together. Rudy was the proud father of four beautiful children–Marland, Mira, Rudolph III, and Leyna. He was a loving and devoted father who took great pride in the care of his family. Rudy was blessed with four grandchildren–Marissa, Moira, Jordan and Jakoby. They fondly called him Grandpa and remember all the precious moments they shared together. Rudy will be remembered for his kind and giving spirit, wonderful sense of humor, a mentor to young and old all over the country. He never met a stranger.
Your Landlord is Now Required to Give You a Receipt
Senator Angela Williams
Denver’s growth brings problems for seniors, and problems attract predators. When staying in your home is difficult and finding a new one impossible, a dishonest landlord has the leverage to exploit the vulnerable. On August 8th, a new law will come into effect that keeps fraud away with a simple common sense protection: when you pay your rent, you can ask for a receipt. Once I learned that receipts weren’t readily available, I set out to fix it. While running a bill, I met “M” who testified in favor of my solution. “M” lives in Denver. She speaks Spanish, and a little English. After 15 years of being a good tenant her landlord threatened to kick her out for not paying rent. The staff at The Gathering Place, a drop in shelter for homeless women in City Park West, knew for a fact that it just wasn’t true. They approached her landlord and he abruptly changed his story. He now claimed she paid every month, but not the full amount. The transactions were all in cash, and if it went to court it would be his
word against hers. The Gathering Place saw his pattern of bullying her into paying more, but there was no paper trail that could prove that she was being shaken down. Even after she took refuge with them, the landlord pursued and harassed her. When he started harassing the staff, they banned him from the building. Still threatened with an eviction that would crush her ability to find housing, The Gathering Place paid a $400 eviction fee to clear her debt, and she agreed to find a new place to live. But that didn’t happen. Unable to find another place, the landlord pulled her aside and said she could stay in the rental. It wasn’t long before he filed another eviction, kicked her to the streets, and she has been homeless in Denver ever since. It was one case of many, where proper documentation would straighten everything out. I was surprised that a tenant could be refused a receipt for cash rent paid, or even a copy of the lease itself. As a business professional, I know that good records protect both sides in an honest transaction, and with this new law in place that protection will finally be available. Runaway rents make it hard enough for our elders to stay in their homes, connected to the churches and neighborhoods that support them. As the State Senator representing “M.” and the Gathering Place, I was happy to address this issue and make it a little easier for everyone. It might not be a big change in the law, but it is the sort of change that makes a big difference to the people in North East Denver, and the many people across Colorado who are struggling but doing the right thing. –Angela Williams is a Colorado State Senator and currently represents Senate District 33
AG Candidate Weiser Featured at Aurora Freedom Stop
Panelists Benzel Jimmerson, Senator Rhonda Fields, Bishop Jerry Demmer, Phil Weiser and Hashim Coates
In November Colorado voters will elect the next attorney general. Phil Weiser and George Brauchler are vying to replace Cynthia Coffman. The Attorney General of Colorado is elected statewide and defends the legal interests of the people of the State and its sovereignty. Senator Rhonda Fields and the African American Initiative of Colorado Democrats (AAICD) hosted a Freedom Stop in July at the Dayton Street Opportunity Center in Aurora. Fields began the discussion stressing the importance of the next AG. “We have work to do. We should be working upstream and we must do everything we can to dismantle the preschool to prison pipeline,” Senator Fields said. “We need to make sure bullying comes to an end and that our seniors are not being prayed upon online or by those who want to take away their services.” Weiser listened and responded to concerns voiced by the community regarding the prison industrial complex and how it
sustains some rural economies but not all, drug and mental health convictions and how he will defend Colorado from federal infringement on state rights. “As your next Attorney General, it will be my job to advance the principles of justice, freedom, equality, and fairness for all. I take this commitment very seriously,” Weiser said. “Our nation’s vision of equal opportunities for all is a core part of my life’s work. I am running for Attorney General to defend the rights of Coloradans and stand up for civil rights.” The next AAICD Freedom Stop is scheduled for August 18th in Colorado Springs. They will be canvasing for Stephany Rose Spaulding and Tony Exum Sr. followed by a fundraiser for Spaulding at English Dockside. Freedom Stops are critical for establishing community connection and serve as the foundation for sustained community outreach, open communication, and transparency. –5 POINTS NEWS
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Nonprofit Helps Lower Preschool Costs
Denver Preschool Program children | photo credit: Carol MacKay
Soon more than 5,000 4-year-olds will walk into their first brightly-colored classrooms with the help of a small, yet mighty nonprofit that is addressing Denver’s need for more accessible and affordable early child care options. It’s called the Denver Preschool Program (DPP) and, since 2006, it has helped make high quality preschool possible for every Denver 4-year-old—regardless of the neighborhood in which they live or their parents’ income— through a dedicated sales tax. Their approach is twofold: 1) give parents the financial support they need to enroll their child in a program that best prepares them for kindergarten and 2) give preschools the resources and professional development they need to increase their quality. Within the past decade, DPP has distributed nearly $106 million in financial aid to local families to help send more than 50,000 4-year-olds to preschool, and $15.1
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million to participating preschool programs to help them improve their quality ratings. DPP partners with more than 250 licensed, quality-rated preschool providers, including child care homes, communitybased centers and Denver Public Schools classrooms. And should a child move to another program, their tuition credits will follow so long as they remain living within the City and County of Denver. If you’re a Denver resident and have a 4-year-old registered in a DPP-participating preschool this fall and wish to sign up for tuition support, please visit DPP’s website (dpp.org) or ask your preschool for details.
Dr. Sampson Convenes Conference Dedicated to Unity
Dr. Darlene Sampson
Dr. Darlene Sampson grew up in the Church of God in Christ where community service was instilled in her. It was in that spirit that Sampson convened the 2nd an-
nual Unity is Our Strength Conference in August at the Evie Dennis Campus. The conference day was dedicated to Black children, youth, families and community. “We have a lot of work to do and that work must include our elders, young people and everything between,” Dr. Sampson said. “We must all come together and talk about what we are going to do.” “Students need to know someone fought for them way before they were born and that’s why we are here today,” she added. “We need students to step forward and take on the same level of responsibility.” The Association of Black Social Workers, the National Black Child Institute, The Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice worked with Dr. Sampson to plan sessions and presenters. Volunteers and vendors were also responsible for making the conference an overwhelming success.
“The drums of Africa still beat in my heart. They will not let me rest while there is a single Negro boy or girl without a chance to prove his worth.” – Mary McLeod Bethune
Nick Dawkins set the conference tone, with incredible energy, wisdom and practical advise
DPS Board Scrambles to Hire Superintendent
Angela Cobián, Allegra “Happy” Haynes, Anne Rowe, Carrie A. Olson, Lisa Flores, Jennifer Bacon
The DPS Board is publicly touting transparency and community engagement as they scramble to replace outgoing superintendent Tom Boasberg, but if the start of their process is any indication, they are doing the total opposite. The women-led seven member board must be using alternative definitions. For example, their initial meetings allowed no public comment as the board spent considerable time discussing the importance of public input. Also, the public is hard pressed to find details on how Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates was hired to conduct the superintendent search. A simple Google search revealed Palo Alto schools superintendent Glenn ‘Max’ McGee recently resigned his position amidst scandal and controversy. A Mercury News headline reveals McGee’s tenure was, “Dogged by budgetary blunders and federal probes in handling of sexual assault cases.” McGee is leading the DPS superintendent search leading many to conclude politics are driving the process and the fix is in. Our Voice, Our Schools issued the following Manifesto: On July 27, Our Voice, Our Schools (OVOS) partnered with City Councilwoman Deborah Ortega to facilitate a coalition of community members to engage in dialogue about the selection of the next Superintendent of Denver Public Schools (DPS). All five DPS school districts were represented in this diverse group of individuals comprised of parents, students, educators, community leaders, and local legislators representing communities of color in Denver. As community organizers, we are committed to modeling the collaboration and transparency we seek in our DPS schools leadership: the School Board and Superintendent. OVOS is presenting the input gathered in regards to desired qualifications in the next Superintendent, and demands to be part of the process in selecting the candidates and eventual Superintendent. We seek an individual who embodies the following qualifications: • First and foremost, an educator. • The Superintendent must live in Denver and their school-aged children must attend Denver Public schools. • We want a “Transformer” not a reformer. This is an individual with demonstrated success in transforming schools in a similar district. Also, a school leader who will phase out choice to ensure high quality schools are realized in every neighborhood. • The next DPS Superintendent must have NO conflict of interest with charter school funders, Democrats For Education Reform (DFER), or any DFER affiliates. • The Superintendent must commit to full financial transparency: meaning an external, line by line audit of DPS financials. • The new Superintendent must have a “Restorative Justice” approach to discipline. This includes: removing Student Resource Officers, ending to zero tolerance policies, addressing the school to prison pipeline,
and providing wraparound services, including: appropriate Special Education services, mental health services, and counselors. Our new Superintendent must respect all our teachers. We need a Superintendent who, as a leader: • Is committed to having qualified, censed teachers in the classroom. • Is committed to positive engagement to the collective bargaining process with the local teachers’ union. • Has demonstrated success in diversifying the staff in their school district through the recruitment, hiring and retention of teachers and school leaders of color. • Has a proven track record in increasing cultural competency in their faculty and staff, and in their own pedagogy. • Has previously led with a commitment to collaborative practice and power sharing. • Will work to minimize or end high stakes testing of which negatively weighs on the evaluation of students, teachers and schools; hence allowing teachers and staff more time to teach to content and not the test. • The Superintendent must prioritize communication as a leadership strategy to improve transparency, community engagement, and coordination across all the stakeholders to whom they are accountable. The Superintendent should have an Open Door policy, and be an inclusive leader who walks the halls of the schools and connects with students, teachers and parents. In addition to the qualifications desired in our next Superintendent, OVOS brings the following demands regarding community input in the Superintendent search and selection process: • We expect transparency and disclosure of the HR search firm and the selection process. • OVOS, in partnership with a coalition of diverse community members, will submit our own candidates for consideration. • The process for Community input must be outlined from beginning to end, in its entirety. • OVOS, in collaboration with other community groups, will develop a Community Rubric to submit to DPS and the search firm, for use in assessing candidates. • It is imperative to have community representation on the selection committee comprised of: students, parents, teachers, union representatives, community organizers, a representative from each of the 5 districts, and a higher education representative. • Candidates must go on a listening tour to each of the 5 Denver districts and engage in real dialogue with the community. OVOS stands with other defenders of public neighborhood schools including: Our Denver Our Schools, Public Education Advocacy Team, Caucus of Today’s Teachers, Denver Classroom Teacher Association, Colorado Education Association, the Network for Public Education, and many others.
The Importance of Teaching Black Culture
brother jeff’s college intern SiMya Jackson
Denver is changing everyday as families with faces who don’t look like mine continue to move into the Five Points communities. brother jeff’s Cultural Center has truly changed my life and personal outlook on the world as a young Black woman. My name is SiMya Jackson, and I currently attend Langston University. I recently returned to my university as a college sophomore majoring in business management and administration. I was born and raised in Denver and every time I return it seems less and less like my home. Over the summer, I worked with brother jeff thanks to donations from his supporters. The financial support will help me to be academically successful as I move to pursue my degree. I have been blessed to meet diverse groups of highly influential people with very different world views on society. The things I learned while at the Cultural Center have inspired me in my goals at Langston. I know I will be successful in my ca-
reer and I hope to influence my peers to do the same. The people that I have met thus far will make great connections to build not only my career but my sense of self as well. The person that made the strongest impression on me was Danielle Kombo who is running for a seat as a state representative. She is a wonderful woman with a truly genuine personality. “How can I create economic opportunity for everyone? Why do we have to leave one or the other out? And why can’t we just all work together? There is enough for everybody, there really is,” Kombo commented in a interview with brother jeff that I produced. “I think that is a common misconception amongst the conservative crowd, that somehow we are trying to take something away from them when we are really trying to make it happen for everybody.” Kombo is a Black woman who has become very successful in her field and has an amazing outlook on life that will help us create a more humane society. As a broke college student I was grateful to even have a job and money in my pocket before I went back to school. Working with brother jeff has proven to be so much more than just a job it has been an experience of a lifetime. There is not a monetary value that could come close to the wisdom I have gained from being at brother jeff’s Cultural Center. In a society that does not foster success for male and female people of color, it is important for all of us to learn about the truth of our history and how we can do better in the world. This is why brother jeff’s Cultural Center and historically black colleges and universities are vitally important. –SiMya Jackson
DPS Search to be Informed by Community Input
The Board of Education met in a special meeting to further discuss the process to hire a new superintendent of Denver Public Schools as Tom Boasberg steps down after a decade in the role. The board acknowledged that this is the most important decision it will undertake, and stressed the importance of community voice in the selection process. To that end, the board committed itself to communicating clear expectations about the process, including publicly establishing the goals of the search process as required by state law and outlined in this document from the Colorado Association of School Boards. The board underscored the importance of the community engagement process it will establish for the search process. “How can we meaningfully engage the community in a way you know we’re listening?” asked Board Secretary Carrie A. Olson. “Angela [Cobian] and I kept using classroom analogies: every voice is important for the school to move forward – all students in the classroom, the paraprofessionals the custodians – everybody has a voice.” Board members said they will engage closely with the community during the selection process and seek out community input on the experiences, qualities and qualifications the next superintendent should have. Board member Jennifer Bacon said, “we commit to pushing ourselves to think outside the box for how we engage.” Board member Happy Haynes echoed the sentiment, adding that the board wants to be “intentional in capturing voices that might otherwise be missed.” The board agreed to conduct a nationwide search, open to both internal and external candidates. Haynes said, “While there are local candidates, it serves our district, students and process well to cast the net as wide as possible, even if the person is
right here under our roof.” Board Member Angela Cobian added, “I’m excited to see what talent we’re able to attract from across the country.” The board is being intentional in setting a time limit on its search. It intends to name the finalist(s) by Oct. 15, and at least 14 days prior to making the official appointment of the new superintendent as required by state law. In order to meet this timeline, the deadline for submitting an application is Sept. 14, 2018. Board President Anne Rowe said, “Having a time frame that is defined will give us the highest degree of success to find a wonderful leader to take this district forward.” Board Treasurer Lisa Flores said it was important for the board to consider what it wants its own role to be in the search process: “It helped us to develop a set of competencies and characteristics we are looking for, and thinking about what we want to do as a board, what we want the DPS staff to do, and what we want to hand off...” Board Member Bacon said that the board is hoping to have a third party to help facilitate the human resources function and support with deliberation. As a result, the board has decided to engage a third party consultant with expertise in executive searches to support in the process. The third party will be expected to possibly facilitate or, at minimum, be involved in the community engagement to inform the search process. The board passed a resolution outlining its priorities for the search, which is available here. All information regarding application for the position and details regarding the search will be publicly available in multiple languages at supersearch.dpsk12.org . –DPS Communications Office August 2018 8
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Aurora Officer Kills Two in One Month
5 POINTS NEWS Journalist Jon Bowman
I attended the Aurora press briefing following the fatal police-involved shooting of 73-year-old Richard Black. After presenting my press credentials, an officer escorted me through the police administration building where media colleagues and I were having conversations as we awaited the briefing to begin. A lady officer approached me and asked to see my credentials. This was a little strange since I had already presented them to the officer downstairs. No worries, I showed them again. The conversations resumed until the same officer interrupted again saying, “I did not look at that properly. Who are you with?” Her question was bizarre since my credentials clearly state 5 POINTS NEWS. I tell her and she says, “Okay.” This is the first time I’ve presented identification threetimes at one press briefing. I can’t make this stuff up. And I certainly can’t make up the story that followed. The officer, whose name still hasn’t
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been released, who had fatally shot Black is the same officer that fatally shot Joey Bronson a month ago. This is the same officer. I wonder if the words on the police cars should be updated from “To Serve and Protect” to “Heart Breaking and Tragi.” These are the words that are shared by the police following these shootings. Some kids are across the street partying and Dajon Harper crosses the street, kicks in the door and grabs an 11-year-old boy that’s in the house. Harper is naked and takes the boy into the bathroom and is trying to drown or assault him. A lady from across the street runs into the house and wakes up the grandparents who live there. The grandfather, Richard Black, is a Vietnam veteran with a hearing disability and the grandmother makes quilts for the Aurora Police Department. When Mr. Black is told that someone is in the bathroom with your grandson, he grabs his gun, runs in there and pow, pow pow! The butt-naked attacker who was trying to bite off the kids ear is dead. By this time, everyone from the party has rushed into the house with the police. None of the officer’s bodycam footage has been released but we are told that as the cops are making their way into the house, they don’t know what is going on. There is all kinds of screaming and yelling. As they are entering, somehow the unnamed cop shoots over his fellow officers that are ahead of him and kills Black. I don’t even know how that is possible. All I know is a white man named Mr. Black shot and killed a young black man, and the same officer who killed another Black man 30 days ago killed the white man named Mr. Black. Heartbreaking and tragic. You can’t make this stuff up! –Jon Bowman
Bloody Sunday, Voting Rights and Social Justice
On February 17, 1965 activist Jimmy Lee Jackson was beaten and fatally shot by an Alabama state trooper. In response, a protest march was organized from Selma to Montgomery. Troopers brutally attacked 600 protestors on the Edmund Pettus Bridge on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. The incident is known as Bloody Sunday.
Fifty-three years ago, on Aug. 6, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the landmark Voting Rights Act, the crown jewel of the civil rights movement. But just nine months earlier, as Congressman John Lewis explains in Walking with the Wind, President Johnson told Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that passage of such a bill would be impossible. As the president explained, he had recently signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the country, he said, was experiencing civil rights fatigue. President Johnson was not sure when a federal voting rights bill would get traction. Perhaps in late 1965 or 1966. But, as the president made clear, he would certainly not be signing another civil rights bill that year. King told Johnson that the movement could not wait, and he focused on Selma, Alabama to make him do it. Alabama’s relentless efforts to block the black vote over time rendered black voter registration exceedingly rare. In 1965 -- of the over 15,000 voting-age black people in Dallas County, which encompasses Selma -- a mere 335 were registered. In neighboring Lowndes County, Alabama, which was eighty percent black, not a single black person was registered to vote. But that would change. On what would become known as “Bloody Sunday,” March 7, 1965, 600 protestors -- of every race, color, and creed -- peacefully set out to march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge from Selma to Montgomery to dramatize to the nation their desire to participate in the political process. As they crossed the bridge, the marchers stopped to kneel and pray. But before they could get to their knees, Alabama state troopers attacked with tear gas and clubs, spitting on and trampling the marchers with their horses. That night, the vicious attacks captured the attention of the country as they were broadcast on national television. In direct response to Bloody Sunday, Johnson addressed a special session of Congress, and signed the very legislation that he said would be impossible to pass nine months earlier. They made him do it. The Voting Rights Act (VRA) was a watershed moment for America’s democracy. Within one generation of its passage, the VRA led to the election of 10,000 black people to political office, including the first black president. And President Barack Obama’s election led directly to the appointment of both the first black attorney general and the first black female attorney general. But democracy in this country has always been contested, including right now, characterized by periods of expansion followed by fierce efforts to constrict access to the franchise. In 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down preclearance -- the heart of the VRA -- the very piece
of legislation that made it possible to elect a black person to the highest office in our country. States swiftly launched an historic and intense assault on democracy that paved the way for the Nov. 8, 2016 election, and white supremacy in the White House. On the other side of a period of democracy expansion that led to the election of our first black president, it follows that the pendulum would swing back seeking to undermine all progress that has been made. The moment is certainly no more difficult than when King set his sights on Selma and built a movement, from the ground up, that made President Johnson sign the VRA. And so this is our Selma moment. In this difficult national moment, change will occur, as it did in Selma, from the ground up in our communities, despite the racist, xenophobic, and dangerous policies being promoted by national leaders, including President Donald Trump. If there is a lesson for progressive people to learn from the past 53 years and today, it is that people who care about social justice cannot afford to be timid. It is clear that realization of our true equality and democracy will come from people organizing at the local level to force those in power to act. For there would be no VRA without the sustained, generations-long on-theground organizing; advocacy; resistance; meetings in hush harbors, places of worship, and on college campuses; the risk to body, comfort, and spirit, even sacrificing life; and the Bloody Sunday that preceded it. We would not have made the progress we have made in the last 53 years without courageous people putting themselves in harm’s way to force this country closer to its high ideals and away from its low practices. And so it is with us in our Selma moment. We will not realize a more progressive federal, state, or local government without first organizing ourselves locally across the country around the most pressing racial and social justice issues of our time. All across the country, people who care about social justice and our collective humanity are lifting their voices to demand what is perceived as the impossible, just as MLK did in his meeting with President Johnson more than fifty years ago. And, as did Martin Luther King, we know what must be done today in our Selma moment. Now we just have to make them do it. – Ryan P. Haygood President and CEO of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, a Denver native and proud graduate of Manual High School
Fairfax Land Swap Raises Neighborhood Concern
Black Dollar Saturdays
Buy • Sell • Connect (FREE Vending Space)
The eastern block of 28th and Fairifax has been purchased, cleared and ready for new development
In December of 2015, the City purchased 2 parcels from Xcel Energy for $50,000 with the intent of turning them into parks. Planning for the Westwood park began shortly afterwards by way of a grant from the Urban Land Conservancy. Within 6 months a developer identified the Park Hill parcel as beneficial for his development plans and inquired with the City and Councilman Herndon to do a land swap. The park would then be built out on the east side, embedded on 3 sides by a development of office space, retail and slot homes. No one from the community or the neighborhood board was informed and the developer continued to purchased the entire east side of the 2800 block of Fairfax Street. When the community began questioning the deal and plans they were excluded from any conversations and told to be thankful. Two resident organizations, the Greater Park Hill Community board and the InterNeighborhood Cooperation, both opposed the land swap. The Park Hill residents decided to proceed with an engagement process at 4 community gatherings which produced a design
that was agreeable to all residents, they also explored funding options. The city then replicated the design process via third parties and did not produce a final design but spent $30,000 in the process. The city has refused the residents time to speak at the city council committee meetings in June and tomorrow, August 7th. This deal is giving the developer a plaza that is clearly an amenity for his tenants in exchange for less than the actual cost of the park build-out at $650,000. Demonstrating that the new residents of Park Hill are valued more and further encouraging gentrification and damaging this community which is historically African American. The city has made no attempt to reimburse the community with Good Neighbor Agreements, affordable housing leases, minority preference in the retail spaces, or contracting minority builders. The city has completely disregarded the residents, Park Hill’s history and culture, in favor of a developer who is only focused on his bottom line. – Blair Taylor Hardy
Denver Parks and Recreation Discusses Fairfax In 2015, Denver Parks and Recreation (DPR) purchased the plot of land from Xcel Energy on the west side of Fairfax, located between 28th and 29th Ave., which presented an opportunity for a pocket park in a community in need of additional open space. It was always the intention to convert the empty lot into a Denver park. However, due to the long list of capital improvement needs throughout the city, funds were not immediately available to start design or construction of this park. In 2016, DPR was approached by HM Capital who proposed exchanging our parcel for their lot across the street (on the east side of Fairfax) and to provide $650,000 towards the design and construction of the DPR park. The east parcel is comparable in size, location and zoning to the former Xcel Energy parcel. This would not only accelerate the design and construction of a park in a neighborhood that is currently a park desert (over a 10-minute walk to the nearest park) but would also provide a unique opportunity to leverage financial resources to build a public park, something that HM Capital would otherwise not be required to provide. Early community conversations that DPR was engaged in appeared to show general support of the concept so DPR began moving forward to evaluate and outline the terms of this option. Once it became apparent that there were concerns and misinformation on the proposal, the process was halted to allow DPR to lead more extensive community engagement efforts and to address community concerns. DPR then organized a series of four meetings to discuss park concepts, park needs, and community interests (as is done with any new park design). The process also allowed DPR to clarify the following facts:
• This will be a public park that will be owned, designed, constructed and maintained by DPR. • The park will be designated “parkland” following construction to ensure it is protected as a park. • DPR will procure and complete the design and construction of the park. • The size of the park will be the same on the east side as contemplated on the west side property. In a survey with over 170 respondents, we gained a better understanding of the type of activities and amenities that residents favored. Through the outreach process we also came to understand that although there continued to be concerns on the proposal, there was strong support for the opportunity to expediate the creation of a local park in the neighborhood and to leverage a donation of $650,000. Input received at meetings hosted by DPR and those hosted by Greater Park Hill Community will continue to inform the next stages of the park design. Continued community engagement will be vital throughout the process. Denver Parks and Recreation is looking forward to working with the Park Hill neighborhood to design and create a park that meets the unique needs of the local community. We realize that neighborhoods need to work together to protect their history and culture and believe that this park can be a tool to do just that. We will continue to work together towards this shared goal. –Denver Parks & Recreation City Council’s Land Use, Transportation & Infrastructure Committee approved Parks & Recreation’s plan. A full City Council vote is expected August 20, 2018. City Council meetings are open to the public.
brother jeff’s Cultural Center 2836 Welton Street, Denver CO 80205 11-6 pm For more information email - brotherjeff1@earthlink.net
Grandmother, Hair and Race
The Kitchen by Chelsea Harris is about an African-American girl, her grandmother, hairstyles and race. The story of Savanah is a story that many AfricanAmerican girls can relate to.
Curious about wearing her natural hair, Savanah is nervous that her traditional grandmother GG won’t approve. The Kitchen brings to life the complex history of African-American hair in American hair in America and celebrates the unique diversity of Black hair. The Kitchen is a story not only for little girls with kinky hair, but all girls who just want to be themselves, want to explore their feminine beauty, and try new things with their hair. The Kitchen isn’t about putting down natural hair or weaves; it’s just saying that all hair is good hair! And black women should feel empowered to wear their hair how they want. Chelsea Harris grew up in the Park Hill neighborhood of Denver, Colorado and attended Graland Country Day School. A former classroom teacher, Ms. Harris has a B.A. and M.A. from the University of Denver. The book can be purchased at www.chelseamharris.com.
A Home, A dream, An Adventure! With its traits of Rhyme, Rhythm and Repetition, along with a fun Visual Literacy application, In My Pod and its language counterpart book, En Mi Capullo are very handy short “story poems” for all children, along with those that are challenged in the areas of; stroke, speech, occupational, and respiratory convalescence. The “story poem” fits very comfortably among the warm family of books that are fashioned toward early literacy building of our young children. One of our primary goals at StoryPoemTime Books, is confident learning with a smile, through literary and artistic imagination! Purchase at: www.storypoemtime.com, www.amazon. com and various book center locations. August 2018 8
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Your Real Estate Best Friend Offers Buyers Tips The current real estate market headlines are jarring: “Denver’s market is the hottest, the fastest-selling.” “Inventory is at an extreme low.” “Prices are up 10%.” “Interest rates are climbing.” Buyers can easily feel hopeless with the odds stacked against them. It is especially challenging when the unicorn – also known as an all-cash offer – keeps the average buyer at bay from their perfect home (or their fifth perfect home, as it may be). But fear not. In a seller’s market, your real estate agent will be your best friend. We, after all, have lots of tools in our bag to help give your offer a competitive edge. I have helped many buyers with what seemed like the impossible at times. And, like a true BFF, I share a few of those tips here with you. 1. STAY READY – Don’t even bother starting the housing search without a preapproval in hand. A seller won’t even consider your offer without knowing you’ve got your financial ducks in a row. In a hot market, you have to give the upmost confidence to a seller that you are qualified and motivated to complete the transaction. A preapproval letter (different than a prequalification letter) also gives the buyer peace of mind knowing they can finish the deal. Sidenote: The vast marketplace of loans is a herculean task onto itself to understand. Make sure your agent helps you understand the sea of possibilities. 2. GIVE A LITTLE – When the inventory is this tight – about a one month supply currently – buyers must be ready to compromise. Determine ahead of time what is negotiable in the home you purchase: For example, can you commute and extra 5 minutes to work or live with a onecar garage? Don’t forget some compromises don’t have to be permanent. Maybe you can upgrade those kitchen cabinets down
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Real Estate Agent Millete Birhanemaskel
the road? 3. START WITH YOUR BEST OFFER – A seller’s market is not the right time to negotiate for a steal. Pull out your bargaining chips like escalation clauses, inspection concessions or appraisal cushions. Give incentives for early offer acceptance. Prepare for a bidding war and empower your agent to lead the offensive with a plan. 4. BE NIMBLE, BE QUICK – A 2017 study reported that the average buyer spent 10 weeks and looked at at least 10 homes before they bought one. It is very rarely love at first sight with the first house on the list (though this fairy tale can happen, too). At the same time, a house listed today could vanish tomorrow. So be available for the earliest showing and be ready to write an offer on the spot. –Millete Birhanemaskel is a trusted real estate agent. Call 720-276-7703 for your real estate needs.
Colorado Black Arts Festival Continues to Amaze
More Athletes Should Be Like LeBron James
James “Dr. Daddio” Walker
Dr. Yaz Nkurmah performing with IWADDE at the Joda Village Stage and Compound
Colorado Black Arts Festival proudly presented its 32nd annual celebration of African American art and culture in July. This year’s theme was The Art of Knowing. The festival had its humble beginnings
in 1986 when a small contingent of artist and art lovers felt the lack of opportunities for Black visual and performing artists in the Denver Metro area was detrimental to the survival of the artists.
Paid for by Naquetta Ricks for City Council
Back To School is the No. 1 priority as we begin to close out a summer that was full of great festivals -- Juneteenth, Black Arts, Five Points Jazz and others. Now we refocus on students heading back into the classroom. I am very impressed by LeBron James and what he is doing to educate children in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. He opened the ‘I Promise’ School in his hometown and continues to raise the bar for athletes and celebrities with his commitment to others. I’m disappointed that some criticise what he is doing and make every excuse to attack this Black man who is using his talent and example to instill pride and possibilities in young people that rarely have superstars worth looking up to. Donald Trump was among those taking cheap shots at James who during a CNN interview criticized the president saying he was using sports to divide the country. Trump replied by tweeting: “LeBron James was just interviewed
by the dumbest man on television, Don Lemon. He made LeBron look smart, which isn’t easy to do. I like Mike!” For the president to use his office as a platform to attack law-abiding U.S. citizens is ridiculous. LeBron never went to college. He graduated high school and went straight to the NBA. He went on to become successful and is making sure other young people have an opportunity to become successful also. That’s intelligence! In fact, what if those so-called highly educated critics, including the president, used their talent to do like LeBron? The world would be a much better place. I’m proud of LeBron. Look at all these other professional athletes and stars, some of them are doing great things but most are not. I’m also proud of Randy Moss, Ray Lewis and Terrell Owens for being inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. They used their celebrity to bring attention to relevant issues. In Colorado, we had one of the strongest efforts going with Black Men in Support of Education. We may not have big money like some of these athletes but we have time and our examples. This year Black men will be returning to the schools and making a difference in the lives of students, teachers, and administrators. Black Men in Support of Education will be our focus and we are going to make it happen and I am excited about everyone heading Back To School. In closing I want to congratulate and offer my support to Omar Montgomery. He announced that he is running for mayor of Aurora. Montgomery has been a champion for young people and community and I know he will make an excellent mayor. Let’s get behind him and make it happen. –James “Dr. Daddio” Walker
5 Points News Photo Gallery Colorado Black Arts Festival - The Art of Knowing
7th Annual Destination Health Walk/Run/Learn
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Artist Represents Manual Legacy
To list an event in 5 POINTS NEWS send us an email: 5pointsnews@brotherjeff.com 4th Annual Marcus Garvey Day
City of Axum Park | MLK & Cherry Street, Denver, CO 80207 Saturday, August 18, 2018 | 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Come celebrate African and Black awareness with a day filled with music, poetry, speakers, performances, BBQ and more. For those interested in vending or performing email sankofahkp@gmail.com or larhondapmd@gmail.com.
An Evening With Dr. Runoko Rashidi brother jeff’s Cultural Center| 2836 Welton Street, Denver, CO 80205 Saturday, August 25, 2018 | 7 p.m. Runoko Rashidi is an anthropologist and historian with a major focus on what he calls the Global African Presence. Ticket $20 available by call 303.946.1141
Women’s Day “Breaking Every Chain” Rachel B. Noel Campus | 5290 Kittredge Street, Denver, CO 80239 Sunday, August 26, 2018 | 9:30 am Worship Service Now Faith Church Women of Righteous Distinction (WORD) guest speaker Glenda Williams from Tampa, FL. 7:00 pm Worship Service | Now Faith Chapel 4840 Chambers Rd. Denver, CO 80239. Tribute will be paid to the life of Pastor Yvonne Emerson.
Summer Maintenance Yard Service and Interior Painting
Gerald Borden Manager 608 26th St., 2nd Floor Denver, CO 80207 720.628.4449 justg1@comcast.net
QUALITY AFFORDABLE SERVICE
Jack Price is a premier artist whose work is sought after throughout Colorado
Manual High School is known for producing Black mayors and political leaders but politics is only a fraction of Thunderbolt greatness. In this edition of 5 POINTS NEWS, we focus on Manual’s great visual arts tradition and the brilliance of Jack Price. Price is well known for his charcoal portraits and Jazz imagery. Summer art festivals throughout Colorado feature his art. His paintings are popular and he rarely brings inventory home. Price was raised in the Curtis Park Projects and educated at neighborhood schools, including Gilpin, Crofton, Cole and Manual. His playgrounds were Downtown Denver, YMCA, Mestizo Curtis Park, Larimer Street, as well as area warehouses and factories. Throughout his childhood, Price was drawn to drawing, colors and art. He was influenced by the Black self-discovery movement of the Sixties and Seventies and looked up to artists such as Oya and Bob Raglin. “I was always active in art at school, “ Price recalls. “I dislocated my hip running track at Cole. It kept me out of school for six months, so I kept up with my drawing, my art appetite and won competitions.” “My art holds lots of memories for me. It touches on how I grew up and what I can look back on,” Price said. “I can actually think about a situation and illustrate typical scenes I have seen.” Price has the same phone number he has had since 1977 and can be reached at 303.388.8816 –brother jeff
BBQ Order Labeled “Black Negro Corn Bread”
Sr. Pastor Arthur Porter
New Nation Church of God in Christ was ready to celebrate their annual Father’s Day dinner and placed a catering order with Famous Dave’s BBQ. The church was a regular customer and had never had service problems. To their disappointment their order was labeled “black negro corn bread.” “This is not an issue of us not understanding Famous Dave’s labeling process. That’s what they are trying to make it,” Sr. Pastor Arthur Porter told 5 POINTS NEWS. “The issue is African American customers expressed our concern and let it be known that we took offense.” Porter said the church talked to four different managers and each one made the situation worse. One upset manager explained their labeling process and then blamed the church because an employee was so upset by the situation that she went home crying. Rather than taking responsibility and simply apologizing, the situation escalated. Superintendent Porter called and another manager said she was too busy to talk but would return his call the following Monday. “I called back Monday and the manager spent 20-25 minutes explaining to me
how she was not racist and could not be racist because she has a Black boyfriend and likes greens and corn bread too,” Porter explained. “I could not believe it. It was hard to stay on the line.” Famous Dave’s issued a statement indicating the restaurant ran out of black stickers so the word black was written on the pan of food that was intended for All Nation’s catering. A Spanish speaking kitchen employee, then translated the English work black into the Spanish word “negro,” meaning black. “There was no malice or bad intentions meant by any of the team members involved,” the statement read. Representatives from Famous Dave’s BBQ have been in communication with Superintendent Porter, members of the Church and their attorney, Amos Jones, since the June 17 event. “Famous Dave’s BBQ has offered to meet with the Church and the community to discuss the misunderstanding privately, and most recently publicly. As of July 15, 2018, the Church and its representatives have not accepted our request for a meeting,” the statement continues. Porter said he received a call from someone stating they were connected to Famous Dave’s but who would not identify who he was. “We asked him six times for his name and his title and eventually received it,” Porter said. “I was grateful for the call but don’t believe they are sincere. We are seeing a pattern of lies and deception and are dealing with retaliation.” New Nation Church has filed a civilrights claim against Famous Dave’s BBQ and it appears this matter may be settled in court. –5 POINTS NEWS August 2018 8
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How Much for the Church on the Corner
Park Hill Presbyterian Church sits on a vast corner lot at Daddy Bruce Randolph and Albion Street. The church has been part of the northeast Denver fabric longer than most can remember. It is a landmark. “Go up the street and turn left at that church,” Old Timers would say when giving strangers directions. As Denver real estate values continue to soar and property taxes escalate, the appeal to cash-bearing developers becomes alluring. Many perspective buyers have learned that For Sale signs are often marketing tools for companies that have already
sold properties. Oftentimes, properties never make it to public market. 5 POINTS NEWS was told the developers that purchased and built the multi family units on the north end of the block are the ones who purchased the church touted to be for sale. However, zoning may be an issue. It may turn out to be a challenge demolishing the church building to create the density seen sprawling throughout the city. Neighbors may have a say in the development of the community and perhaps many may simply want a place of worship instead.
Tate, Calderon Eyeing Bids to Oust Hancock Michael Hancock will seek a third term as Denver’s mayor next year. But growing misgivings about his leadership have prompted a prominent lawyer and former state lawmaker and a high-profile community activist to consider challenging him for the office. In addition to five others who’ve already filed paperwork to run for mayor, Penfield Tate III and Lisa Calderon both say they’re very seriously eyeing bids of their own for the May 2019 election. Tate, 62, is an attorney and a former Democratic state lawmaker who ran for mayor in 2003. His father, Penfield Tate II, was Boulder’s first and still only black mayor, serving in the 1970s. “Over the past several weeks, I’ve received calls and emails from a pretty broad cross section of Denver citizens, a number of whom have asked me to consider running for mayor,” Tate said, adding that he’ll likely hold an event in the near future to announce whether or not he’ll run for mayor. Calderon, 50, is a longtime educator — her subject areas include women’s studies and gender studies, and she has a doctorate in education — who’s soon to join the sociology and criminal justice faculty at Regis University. She also co-founded and for eight years ran Denver’s Community Reentry Project, which helped Denverites transition out of prison or jail back into the community. Half black and half Latina, she also serves as executive director of the Colorado Latino Forum, a group that often has criticized Hancock. She believes he has failed in his representation of communities increasingly displaced or thinned out by the city’s rising cost of living. As she tells it, Hancock is less interested in eas14 8 5 Points News
ing some of Denver’s growing pains than in promoting what she calls “development on steroids.” Though some voter confidence in Hancock was waning because of growthrelated problems and a long string of controversies in the city’s Safety Department, his reputation took some abrupt hits over the past year. He’s been criticized for taking expensive international trips, including a Paris junket for which he and other city officials enjoyed freebie $16,000 airline seats. In February, news broke that Hancock had sent sexually suggestive text messages to a woman in his security detail who said his advances were unwanted. Hancock admitted to sending the texts and faced no official repercussions. The City Council declined to launch an investigation. Prior to Wellington Webb in 1991, Denver had never elected a black mayor. It’s elected just one Latino — Federico Peña — and zero women to the position. Hancock himself hasn’t even filed yet, even though he’s been organizing fundraisers. He’ll file in the coming weeks, said his campaign manager, Jake Martin. “No reason why he hasn’t filed yet,” Martin emailed. “He’s focused on governing and addressing Denver’s biggest challenges, like affordable housing and traffic congestion. Filing the candidate affidavit is a necessary but small step toward running.” –Alex Burness Colorado Independent Read the complete story at www. coloradoindependent.com/171498/ hancock-mayor-challenge-2019-tate-
Pipkin Braswell Host National Funeral Association
Top: Alvin L. Braswell and Mark Pipkin pictured with Frankie Washington and Raymond Giddens Jr.
Pipkin Braswell Funerals, Cremation and Receptions hosted a reception with the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association Inc. (NFD&MA) in July. Joining Pipkin at the event were Caldwell Kirk Funeral and Cremation Services, Taylor Funeral Home, Shannon and Malone Funeral Services, Ballard Family Mortuary, Preston Funeral Home, Giddens Memorial Chapel, and Memorial Funeral Home. “We are here to promote the growth and health of the funeral industry as a whole to help improve the standards of funeral homes within the African American communities,” NFD&MA President Frankie Washington said. The organization is a membership association of professional funeral directors and morticians and embalmers, whose members and members-at-large are also members of state associations of funeral directors, mor-
ticians and embalmers dedicated to promoting the common professional and business interests of its members. “It was a beautiful gathering and I am thankful to God for the fellowship and the possibility of uniting with this respected national organization,” Minister George Roberts said. Roberts serves as chaplain and provides services for most of the Colorado funeral homes represented. NFD&MA was organized under the name of the Independent National Funeral Directors Association in 1924 under the leadership of R.R. Reed. It was organized by a group of licensed funeral directors seeking to maintain high professional standards for the benefit of the public and their own business community. –5 POINTS NEWS
Jehn-ai Jackson Serves as CFDA President
Jehn-ai Jackson
Jehn-ai Jackson was elected to the Colorado Funeral Directors Association board as President. Jackson is a Denver native. She has been a funeral professional in this community for over twentyfive years with Caldwell-Kirk Mortuary. After heading the call to serve in funeral service, she attended and graduated with a degree from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Decatur, GA. Currently, she is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Colorado Funeral Directors Association (CFDA) where she is President Elect for 2018. Jackson is the first Black female to serve as President in the organizations history. She is following in the footsteps of William H. Kirk and Elvin R. Caldwell, Jr. who both served on the board of the Colorado Funeral Directors Association,
Mr. Caldwell as a Past President. “I have a desire to serve families during a time when things seem dark and profound. The feeling I get when I’m able to help them get from beginning to end, is incredible, “ Jackson said. “As President of CFDA my goal is to follow the BluePrint 2020 Initiative; to continue to work with Department of Reglatory Agencies (DORA) and the Colorado State Legislature to assist Funeral Professional in Colorado.” When Jehn-ai is not working, she enjoys traveling (visiting local cemeteries and funeral homes during the trip is a treat), spending time with family and friends, catching up on the latest movies, and most recently Ballroom Dancing lessons. 2018 CFDA Board of Directors: Stacey Kleinman, CMSP; Jessica Moratto, CMSP; Edward Halouska, CMSP; Jehnai Jackson; Ronna Adams, CFD. (Not shown: Adam Findley, CFD-CET; Ervin Maltbie, CFD; Denver Metro Community. Additionally, he served two terms as President of the Greater Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance. The Colorado Funeral Directors Association is a strong advocate for standards of practice and ethics for funeral establishments and crematories and strives to preserve the dignity, respect and integrity of the hundreds of honorable funeral professionals who practice in the State of Colorado. It is the mission of the Colorado Funeral Directors Association to advance the economic and professional interests of Colorado’s funeral directors and the service they represent.
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TWO FREE PHONES WHEN YOU SWITCH Real Service • Real Prices • Real People
303.295.1788
610 26th St. Denver, CO 80205 August 2018 8
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