Corey Boatner and Caeli Blake
Photo Credit: Martha Wirth
Dear Supporters, Letter from the Board Chair
What a remarkable year it has been for Cleo Parker Robinson Dance (CPRD)! I’m thrilled to share the highlights of our 2024 journey, made possible by the dedication of our incredible community.
This year, we celebrated a milestone with the groundbreaking of a 25,000-square-foot addition to our headquarters in Denver’s historic Five Points Cultural District. This expansion reflects our vision for growth, sustainability, and stronger community connections.
Our Ensemble continues to shine nationally and internationally, embodying the powerful artistry that defines CPRD. Through our Arts-in-Education programs, we’ve reached over 25,000 students in 96 metro-area schools, with a focus on underserved communities.
Our Arts-in-Wellbeing program, developed with the Farley Health Policy Center, is helping students manage stress and express themselves through the arts. Additionally, the Mental Health is Wealth internship program offers paid development opportunities for youth aged 14–25, blending job skills with mental health education and artistic therapies.
We also raised $110,000 through the 14th Annual Dancing with the Denver Stars to support our Arts-inEducation and Arts-in-Wellbeing programs.
None of this would be possible without the dedication of our Board, staff, Ensemble, Cleo II, and supporters like you. Thank you for believing in our mission and helping us build a world where art, movement, and community thrive.
With deep gratitude,
Gwen Brewer Chair, Board of Directors
Michael Battle
Photo Credit: Martha Wirth
“For me, the most potent part of the program was not having to work some impersonal job this summer. I am so thankful to have had this opportunity to be around these amazing people, and to be compensated for a joyful job being myself.”
- Arts-in-Wellbeing Student
Feelings
Chloé Abel, “Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum” School Outreach
Photo Credit: Amelia Dietz
“I remember taking Cleo’s classes in the early 1970s. I remain an admirer. Her success & achievements are spectacular - and she has created space for so many talented dancers & choreographers. She is a true Denver treasure. Thank you, Cleo Parker Robinson!”
- Former Studemt
Ensemble, Dancing in the Streets, Vail Dance Festival
Photo Credit: Ken Dig
Warmest greetings to you all,
This has been an incredible year in which we’ve made some major advancements towards our goal of expanding our existing facilities and strengthening our vision of an ever more vital community energized and uplifted through the arts.
For me, a major source of inspiration comes from our President and CEO, my son, Malik Robinson, along with our entire Administrative and Technical Staff, our Academy Faculty, our Board of Directors, and the brilliant artists of the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble (CPRDE), Cleo II, and our Youth Ensembles. The entire Cleo Village continues to demonstrate outstanding dedication and commitment to our mission, and the highest level of excellence within the local, national, and international communities that we serve.
I was honored to be named as this year’s Rachel B. Noel Distinguished Visiting Professor at MSU Denver and had the privilege of teaching a series of master classes, culminating with a performance that saw both CPRDE and the student dancers of the MSU Dance program on stage. I was also moved to be part of the panel for the new book “Swans of Harlem”, co-authored by our dear friend and colleague Karlya Shelton-Benjamin, former member of Dance Theatre of Harlem.
Our Spring 2024 concert “Legacy: Opening the Way”, presented here in our own theatre, was a celebration of the path that has led to the expansion of our existing facilities. We welcomed poet and CPRD co-founder, Schyleen Qualls, along with performances of works by David Rouseve, Winifred R. Harris (CPRD Associate Artistic Director) and two of my own works including “Spiritual Suite”.
Our Fall 2024 concert, “Black Orpheus” saw the reprise of two iconic works from our 54-year repertoire. We presented “Divinities” by choreographer Carlos dos Santos (a former CPRDE member), delving into the nuances of the Brazilian deities, the Orixas. We also re-staged the work of Jelon Vieria, entitled “Orfeu Negro”, telling the classic story of Orpheus and Euridyce, but with a uniquely Afro-Brazilian perspective. We were also delighted to bring musicians from Bale’ Folclorico da Bahia to Denver, adding their incredible percussion and vocals to the concert.
As I reflect on this incredible season, I am continually uplifted by a renewed determination to continue to give voice to our young people, our families, our elders - to elevate each of us through the power, passion, and beauty of the arts. It is my hope that each of you will remain strong in mind, body, and spirit as we advance with a heightened sense of purpose - sharing peace, love, and respect within our communities and around the world.
In the spirit of dance,
Cleo Parker Robinson Founder and Artistic Director
Cleo’s Corner —
a note from our founder
By the Numbers
Increase in scholarship funding for our summer camps
Increase in Academy scholarships awarded
Caeli Blake
Photo Credit: Martha Wirth
1,569 unduplicated Academy students served
96 Schools Served
2023-2024 FINANCIALS
15 Paid Interns
ANNUAL BUDGET GROWTH
18 Cities Toured
Jasmine Francisco
Photo Credit: Martha Wirth
A Year Creating a Sense of Belonging and Sparking Inspiration
a letter from the President and CEO
Seasons Greetings, Cleo’s Village!
This time of year is well known for its layers. Yes, the ritual dusting off of the fall wardrobe to work that favorite sweater and vest into rotation, and I am also calling to mind the volume of activities that are layered onto our daily calendars. At CPRD, the Fall season ushers in a full array of Ensemble performances and tours along with school residencies for the Education Team in addition to 60+ weekly Academy classes that stretch into the evenings. This layering is characteristic of the season, and yet, this year is distinctly different. After several years of quietly building our campaign, the capital expansion project is underway, and we are working adjacent to a very active construction site! It makes for an electric atmosphere inside and outside the building.
For this review, I am excited to share that this Fall marks my 10th anniversary in an executive leadership role with the organization. When I took the helm, the organization was already doing extraordinary work, but the question of sustainability loomed over our heads. At the time, this exceptional work rested on the talent, grit, and dedication of three full-time administrative personnel. A decade ago, the team with support from the board and advisory members, set out in earnest to strengthen infrastructure, develop systems, and add depth to departments. A few highlights over the past ten years include establishing the Bachelor in Dance degree program in partnership with Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2015; operationalizing our technical theatre internships into the award-winning STREAM program in 2017; and forming the Arts Alliance for Health Equity – a statewide advocacy program – in partnership with the Farley Health Policy Center in 2020. Over this period of growth, CPRD expanded its administrative personnel by 200%, the budget increased from $1.4M to $2.5M, and programmatically, we scaled Arts-in-Education programs from serving 40 to 96 unduplicated schools along with thousands more students!
A few weeks ago, our capital project partners, Mortenson Construction, coordinated volunteers to reorganize our archives. Amidst mining material, we unearthed a vintage 1976 brochure describing philosophies, aspirations, weekly classes, and respective collaborations with the Denver Symphony, Ballet Folklorico Netzahualcoyotl, and Donald Byrd. The brochure also announced the debut international tour to Lagos, Nigeria for Festac 1977. Fast forward 48 years, in 2024 we collaborated with Balé Folklorico da Bahia in Black Orpheus, and our partnership with the Colorado Symphony continues to this day. The Ensemble toured in Mexico this November and we resume touring Sacred Spaces with the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra in the new year! We cannot wait to see what the next 50+ years bring, with all of the growth and artistry on tap.
With excitement and gratitude,
Malik Robinson President & CEO
Photo Credit: Christopher Duggan
Groundbreaking & Capital Campaign Updates
A new 25,000-square-foot wing will connect to our protected historic landmark building and solidify CRPD’s presence in historic Five Points.
Featuring:
• New Theatre
• New Reception Area
• Full ADA Access
• New Rehearsal Classroom and Office Space
“We are so happy to see your success translate into the ability to expand into a new facility and we would like to participate in a small way by donating to your capital campaign.”
- Robin N.
Construction Costs Raised to Date
CPRD Groundbreaking Ceremony 2024
Photo Credit: Kollin Payne
Gwen Brewer
President Retired Educator
Debbie Herrera
Vice President
Director of Human Resources, Colorado Housing and Finance Authority
Dr Shale Wong
Vice President
Director, Eugene S Farley, Jr. Health Policy Center at CU Anshutz Medical Campus
Tyrone Gant, CTP
Treasurer
SVP, Dir.,Treasury Mgt, Vectra Bank
Cleo Parker Robinson
Founder/Artistic Director, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance
Malik Robinson
President and CEO, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance
Alfred Walker
Retail Manager, Kroger Inc.
Chris Cardenas
SVP, Customer Services & Experience, Avangrid
Robert Thompson
VP, Mountain West Region, Comcast Business
2024 Marketing Committee
Demesha Hill, Co-Chair
Andrea Kalivas Fulton, Co-Chair
FloraJane DiRienzo
Kelli Hawthorne Smith
Kelli Kelly
Lexi Mueller
Jennifer Riley-Chetwynd
Jennifer Wozniak
J. Matt Thornton
Capital Campaign Cabinet
Lisa Hogan, Co-Chair
Dwinita Mosby Tyler, Ph.D., Co-Chair
Jane and Skip Netzorg
Gwen and Moses Brewer
Kelli Hawthorne Smith
Maude Lofton
Hal Logan
Chris Ross
Lisa Levin Appel Retired
Lisa Hogan, Esq., Retired
Tim Davis Retired
Toni Baruti CIO & CTO, AllHealth Network
Demesha Hill Head of Diversity and Community Relations, Janus Henderson Investors President, Janus Henderson Foundation
Eric Itambo Chief Banking Officer, CoBank
J. Matt Thornton, Esq. Attorney, Ballard Spahr
Kelli Kelly Vice President, Business Development & StrategyEconomic Inclusion, Kiewit
Darryl Collier
Managing Director, Relationship Management Government Markets, Empower
Robert Kenney President, Xcel Energy
Business Advisory
Debbie Herrera, Chair
Gratitude to our Supporters
Aya Supporters $100K+
Ann and Hal Logan Anonymous
Boettcher Foundation
Bonfils-Stanton Foundation*
Black Resiliency in Colorado (BRIC)
Chambers Initiative*
City of Denver
Cleo and Tom Robinson
Colorado Health Foundation*
Colorado Trust
Community Project Funding*
CPRD Board of Directors
Curt Fentress and Fentress Architects
Daniel Ritchie
Denver Housing Authority*
Dr. Dwinita and Tim Tyler
El Pomar Foundation
Gates Family Foundation
Jane and Skip Netzorg
Judith Wagner
Kathyrn and James Kaiser
Lisa Hogan
Lisa Levin Appel
Maude Lofton
Mellon Foundation
Mile High United Way
Mortenson Construction
Paula and William Bernstein Family Foundation
State of Colorado Revitalization Fund*
Tina Walls
*These sponsors have generously contributed transformational gifts to the capital project
Sankofa Supporters $50K+
Amy Harmon
Audra and Sean McNicholas
Celia Dietrich CoBank
Dr. Brenda Allen
Dr. Jandell Allen Davis
Dr. Renee Cousins King
Ellen Bruss and Mark Falcone
Gary Community Ventures
Grace Family Foundation
Judi and Robert Newman
Lloyd Lewis
Marie Logsden, Matthew Buckstein & Cooper Krapfl
Nina Sohn
Pam and Duke Hartman
Rose Community Foundation
Shirley Harrison
Toni and Abasi Baruti
US Bank
Vectra Bank
Anonymous x 2
Gabriela Maduro Photo Credit: Martha Wirth
Thank you to the many individuals, companies, and organizations who supported Cleo Parker Robinson Dance from November 1, 2023 to October 31, 2024.
2024 Dancing with the Denver Stars
Dave Aguilera • Partner: Gabriela Maduro
Michelle Barnes • Partner: Adrian Dominguez
Makisha Boothe • Partner: Devrae Jefferson
Brian Fitzpatrick • Partner: Caeli Blake
Jocelyn Hittle, MBA • Partner: Corey Boatner
Robert Kenney • Partner: Samiyah Lynnice
LaTonya Lacy • Partner: Lamar Rogers
Andrea Miller, MPA • Partner: Michael Battle
Mahes Prasad • Partner: Lauren Slaughter
Dr. Derek Sims • Partner: Jasmine Francisco
Samantha Unell • Partner: Melvin Sutton
We regret any mistakes in names and affiliations. Please contact us with corrections for digital edition updates.
2023-2024 Sponsors
Topaz Von Wood, Michael Battle, Jasmine Francisco
Photo Credit: Martha Wirth
