Guests will have an exclusive opportunity to win two tickets to see the incomparable Ledisi perform live at the Paramount Theatre at 8 PM, immediately following our Meet & Greet celebration.
Meet and Greet with Robert Walker- Smith
Digital Revenue Director, Knight x LMA BloomLab Robert Walker-Smith is an accomplished sales executive with a strong background in audio, digital and print solutions.
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025
5 to 7 PM
Spangalang Brewery 2736 Welton St. Denver, CO 80205
Live entertainment, complimentary food, cash bar For more information or to RSVP: 303-292-6446
PUBLISHER
Rosalind J. Harris
MANAGING EDITOR
Karen Davis
COPY EDITOR
Tanya Ishikawa
COLUMNISTS
Barry Overton
Dr. Dedrick Sims
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
LaTerrell Bradford
Karen Davis
Wayne Trujillo
Gabrielle West
ART DIRECTOR Bee Harris
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Jody Gilbert - Kolorgraphix
Marion Boston
Sekar Uthayasuriyan
DISTRIBUTION
Lawrence A. James
Denver Urban Spectrum is a monthly publication dedicated to spreading the news about people of color. Contents of Denver Urban Spectrum are copyright 2024 by Bizzy Bee Enterprise. No portion may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.
Denver Urban Spectrum circulates 10,000 copies throughout Colorado. Denver Urban Spectrum welcomes all letters, but reserves the right to edit for space, libelous material, grammar, and length. All letters must include name, address, and phone number. We will withhold author's name on request. Unsolicited articles are accepted without guarantee of publication or payment.
Write to Denver Urban Spectrum at P.O. Box 31001, Aurora, CO 80041. For advertising, subscriptions, or other information, call 303-292-6446, email publisher@urbanspectrum or visit the Website at www. denverurbanspectrum.com.
A SEASON of Gratitude and Grace
By Rosalind “Bee” Harris, Publisher
As we enter this season of gratitude and Thanksgiving, I find myself reflecting deeply on the journey of Denver Urban Spectrum. For 38 years, this publication has been a labor of love — one that has brought meaning, purpose, and opportunity not only to me and my family, but to our community at large. Through every challenge and triumph, I have remained thankful for the privilege of sharing our collective stories — stories of resilience, brilliance, and truth.
Owning and operating a small, family-run business — particularly as an African-American woman in media — has not been without its tests. But the blessings have always outweighed the burdens. The people, the partnerships, and the purpose have been my reward.
Recently, however, I was faced with a challenge I never expected — one that touched both my professional
and personal spirit. As journalists, we understand that words matter. They can heal or harm, build or break. Sadly, I experienced words used in ways that were hurtful and untrue, coming from someone I once held in high regard. It is, in every sense, a personal and a business betrayal.
Yet even in that pain, I find gratitude. I am grateful for what every person who has ever walked through the doors of Denver Urban Spectrum has contributed — their energy, creativity, and time — to the legacy of this publication. I am especially thankful for those who continue to stand with me today and for those newly joining our mission to uplift, inform, and inspire.
As this season of thanksgiving unfolds, I choose to embrace forgiveness. Not because it erases the wrong, but because it allows the heart to heal. We all face moments shaped
by “mind-altering circumstances,” and I am reminded that grace is a gift we can give ourselves and others.
To my readers, supporters, and friends: thank you for walking this journey with me. Your continued faith in Denver Urban Spectrum keeps our light shining bright. May this season bring you peace, gratitude, and the wisdom to let go of what no longer serves you — so that together, we can continue spreading the news about people of color and the power of community.
With heartfelt thanks, Rosalind
“Bee”
Harris Publisher, Denver Urban Spectrum
MAKING VIOLENT revolution inevitable
By Jon Hochschartner
As President Donald Trump’s fascist aspirations become impossible to deny, I’ve been thinking about a quote from one of his predecessors. President John Kennedy said, “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.”
The point is that when authoritarians cut off avenues of peaceful change, which Trump seeks to do, violence becomes the only option remaining. It’s unavoidable, given our irrepressible desire for freedom.
Trump has created a vast secret police force that kidnaps people off the street, without due process, and sends them to foreign and domestic concentration camps. He’s ordering the military to occupy cities controlled by his political opponents. Comedians who mildly criticize him are pulled from the air through government coercion. Trump’s September 30 speech to a gathering of admirals
and generals was just one of his latest authoritarian escalations.
“We have many cities in great shape,” the president told the assembled leaders of the Pentagon at Marine Corps Base Quantico. “But it seems that the ones that are run by the radical-left Democrats — what they’ve done to San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles — they’re very unsafe places, and we’re going to straighten them out one by one. And this is going to be a major part for some of the people in this room. That’s a war, too. It’s a war from within.”
Americans need to understand Trump’s authoritarian threat clearly. He is in the process of consolidating a totalitarian regime which seeks to end democracy in this country as we know it. As a socialist, I’m well aware of leftwing criticisms of capitalist democracy. However, the system Trump is trying to replace it with, which takes inspiration from present-day autocracies in Russia and Hungary, would be infinitely worse. We cannot be sanguine about this possibility.
Anyone with any kind of public platform at all — even if it’s as small as a few hundred social media followers — must do their part to raise the alarm about the looming authoritarian threat. The goal here, of course, isn’t to scare people into inaction. Rather, it’s to shake people out of their complacent stupor. At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, we must stoke a revolutionary frenzy, because that might be what is required to dislodge Trump and his cronies from power.
The anti-fascist coalition has a wide range of policy goals. For instance, above all else, I’m an animal activist. My priority is reducing nonhuman suffering and premature death. I believe the most promising way of achieving this is through a massive infusion of state and federal funding into cultivated-meat research. The new protein is grown from livestock cells, without slaughter. However, none of
Continued on Page 6
The Million Dollar Smile Returns To Inspire A New Generation Farrah Gray
By Wayne Trujillo
It’s been 14 years since Denver Urban Spectrum covered Dr. Farrah Gray.
Or, to be more precise, it’s been that distance since the renowned entrepreneur covered the magazine, his prime-time grin beaming beneath the October 2011 publication masthead with a simple but stunning statement introducing that month’s cover subject – “The Million Dollar Smile.”
The article explained the title’s double entendre, describing how Gray, the 27-year-old owner of that substantial smile, had netted his first million shortly after puberty.
If the eyes are the windows to the soul, the smile is the gateway to the heart, communicating passion, ambition and empathy. Much is made about Gray’s business acumen and successes, but after reviewing his oeuvre beyond a relaxed glance, it’s abundantly clear that he doesn’t consider that true wealth can be reflected within statements and portfolios. “True greatness is not measured by what you accumulate, but by how much you empower those who come after you,” he asserted in an email exchange last month with Denver Urban Spectrum.
It’s that gateway to Gray’s passion and empathy that brings the now-41year-old back to both the Mile High City and the Denver Urban Spectrum’s cover. His first cover was even earlier, when at 20, he appeared on the front of the July 2005 edition with the heading: Reallionaire Inspires Future Millionaires.
In 2011, the young wunderkind spoke at the M.O.D.E.L. (Men of Distinction Excellence and Leadership) Awards Luncheon. He returned to Denver in April 2012 as part of Denver Urban Spectrum’s 25th Anniversary Celebration, and as a special guest at the Educational and Youth Rally at Montbello High School.
His 2025 encore is serving as the highlight of the Brunch of Champions, an inspirational powwow sponsored by both the Colorado Beautillion-Cotillian, Inc. and Denver Urban Spectrum this month. Touting “legacy, leadership and the power of perseverance,” and described by host Beautillion-Cotillian as “more than an event – it’s an experience of purpose and connection. It’s a reminder that success isn’t just about reaching the top; it’s about bringing others with you.” Gray is the incarnation of the event’s vision.
He relayed the spirit of both his presence at the event and the overarching purpose of his life’s endeavors to Denver Urban Spectrum via email in anticipation of his appearance at the Brunch of Champions. While business and finance are certainly integral to his identity, his life’s mission seems more aligned to the Farrah Gray Foundation, a nonprofit designed to uplift at-risk youth, than that of the business wunderkind who transformed dreams, gumption and ingenuity into a million bucks at an age when his mainstream contemporaries were setting sights no higher than the latest iPhone iteration or movie franchise release. However, upon closer inspection of his example and experiences, it’s obvious business and philanthropy are inseparable rather than exclusive.
“I stand as living proof that circumstances do not define destiny,” Gray responded when asked how his example could assist youth in overcoming obstacles and challenges. “I grew up on the South Side of Chicago in an environment where opportunity was scarce. Yet by 14, I became a selfmade millionaire.”
“My journey shows that your past does not predict your future,” he further explained. “When youth see someone who looks like them, who came from where they came from, and still rose to success, it removes excuses and ignites belief,” he continued.
Example and inspiration aren’t the only guidance he offers succeeding generations. Early on, he realized that youth need a map and means to arrive at their destination. “My role is to not just inspire but to equip them with the mindset, tools, and strategies to
turn adversity into advantage and to see obstacles as stepping stones to greatness,” he pointed out.
Speaking engagements and bestsellers can assist, but they aren’t the complete means and method to accomplish those goals. Youth need more than an occasional reminder of their potential; from an early age, Gray realized the value of having an everyday presence and assistance on the ground and in the neighborhood. What began in an earlier iteration as a communitybased organization to assist youth in Chicago has broadened its reach and scope as the Farrah Gray Foundation.
According to his bio on the American Program Bureau (APB) website, an organization that represents speakers, Gray’s sense of social responsibility motivated him to create the foundation. The bio pinpoints a primary purpose: “Among other programs and initiatives, his foundation focuses on inner-city community-based entrepreneurship education and provided scholarship and grant assistance for students from ‘at-risk’ backgrounds to attend HBCU’s (Historically Black Colleges and Universities).”
While he considers altruism, philanthropy and inspiration core benchmarks of any measurement of success, it’s impossible to ignore the man’s business coups. The prepubescent Gray sidestepped the pitfalls common in Chicago’s South Side, that not only sidetracked, but derailed many Black youth traveling the same streets. Rather than to prison or death, his journey through the South Side streets ended up on Wall Street at the improbable age of 13 as a venture capitalist.
Setting an Example of Dreaming Bigger, Acting Bolder
His initial forays into business were plebeian but still surprising for a child barely past preschool. According to the APB, Gray initiated his career at the age of six vending “homemade body lotion and his own hand-painted rocks as bookends door-to door,” and a year later at age 7, sporting business cards announcing the bearer as “21st Century CEO.” He graduated to providing customers with everything from pre-paid phone cards to mailboxes, strawberry-vanilla syrup and laughs as executive producer of a Las Vegasbased comedy production.
“As a pre-teen, Gray reached 12 million listeners and viewers
every Saturday night as co-host of ‘Backstage Live,’ a syndicated television and radio simulcast in Las Vegas,” noted the APB. Audacious activities and accomplishments for a kid just out of single-digits age and from Chicago’s South Side. While he hit the jackpot in Vegas, he didn’t limit his travels to merely one direction. His trek went east, as well. Upon his arrival in New York City, as Denver Urban Spectrum reported in 2011, the 13-year-old “expanded to another level by developing a venture capital fund headquartered on Wall Street.”
However, it wasn’t with a traditional business venture that he nailed a financial milestone. According to the APB bio, his philanthropic venture became a Wall Street first. “Gray is the youngest person to have an office on Wall Street,” the APB stated.
He occupied that office as steward of an organization that morphed from an earlier incarnation he co-founded earlier in Chicago. He had helped launch a Chicago organization at the age of 8, the Urban Neighborhood Enterprise Economic Club (U.N.E.E.C) that served as early inspiration for the Wall Street-based New Early Entrepreneur Wonders (NE2W). “NE2W enlisted, educated, and engaged ‘atrisk’ youth by creating and developing legal ways for them to acquire additional income,” APB further reported.
Today, book author and publisher, speaker, media personality and consultant to corporate and government entities are just some of the entries on Gray’s resume.
Continued on Page 6
Continued from Page 5
He’s a millionaire, steered myriad business ventures to staggering success, and published bestselling books like “Reallionaire” and “The Truth Shall Make You Rich.” As Denver Urban Spectrum noted in 2011, he even placed on a list of the nation’s sexiest Black men.
However, it’s the philanthropic entries that seem to command his attention and affection. “My greatest accomplishment is not the money
I have made or the awards I have received,” Gray relayed. “It is the lives I have touched. Whether it is the young person who tells me my book was the first they ever read, the entrepreneur who launches a business because of my mentorship, or the community member who gains hope after hearing my story, those moments are priceless.”
The Brunch of Champions allows a moment in time and place where the ideals and goals of both Gray and Beautillion-Cotillian, Inc. come together to steer the upcoming generation
through guidance and example. When asked what he hopes attendees will come away from the event, his response is direct. He wants youth to disregard the naysayers, those who discourage and doubt. “I want attendees to walk away knowing that they must never let anyone tell them they are too young, unqualified, or incapable,” he explained.
As an answer to the Doubting Thomas, Gray’s presence provides the proof. “My story is proof that if I could overcome the odds and achieve
success at a young age, then they too can seize their moment right now. I want them to claim their rightful place as leaders, innovators, and builders of solutions that will transform our communities, cities, and ultimately the nation.”
He realizes the challenges. As he noted, many of those seeking inspiration and guidance will be struggling to break free from “poverty,” “generational cycles” and “broken family structures,” among other “systemic barriers.” He offers answers and guidance. While the audience and specific goals may vary, it’s not unlike the service he provides to Fortune 500 companies and government entities when called upon for his expertise. He is a man who offers solutions. What distinguishes audiences like those at the Brunch of Champions is that they are close to his heart and home.
“Success to me has always been about significance,” Gray explained. “If my journey can continue to inspire others to dream bigger, act bolder, and achieve more, then that will be my greatest achievement. I call it success to significance. My life’s work is not just to achieve for myself, but to make a lasting contribution to my people. I always say no matter what you do, always be a revolutionary. Whether you are a school teacher, an entertainer, an entrepreneur, a doctor, a lawyer, or a community leader, your work should advance and uplift Black people.”
Continued From Page 3 our policy goals can be achieved under a right-wing dictatorship.
I pray violence isn’t necessary to overthrow the current regime, but with each passing day it becomes harder and harder to imagine Trump and his fascist cronies leaving office voluntarily. We’ve already seen these gangsters launch a mob attack on the United States Capitol to halt the transfer of power on January 6, 2021. We must assume they will be far more organized, with much greater institutional support on their next attempt to end our fragile democratic experiment. ♦
Editor’s note: Jon Hochschartner lives in Connecticut. He is the author of a number of books, including The Animals’ Freedom Fighter: A Biography of Ronnie Lee, Founder of the Animal Liberation Front.
YEAR-OLD
By Karen Davis
One of Denver’s oldest historically Black congregations, Macedonia Baptist Church, is ushering in a new chapter of leadership with the arrival of the Rev. Patrick L. Turner, whose first Sunday in the pulpit is scheduled for November 2.
The 108-year-old church has long been a center of faith and civic life, known for its deep roots in Denver’s Black community and its record of social engagement. The call to Turner follows months of search and discernment led by Macedonia’s pastoral search committee, which reported a 97 percent affirmative vote from members on July 13.
“What I see with Reverend Turner is a new dawning,” said longtime member
MACEDONIA BAPTIST
Welcomes Rev. Turner as New Pastor
and trustee chair Bert Weston, who has worshiped at Macedonia for six decades. “We’re going to look at the present as we build for the future—a church without walls.”
Founded in 1917, Macedonia Baptist Church has welcomed an array of national leaders through the years, including Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott King, Ralph Abernathy, Shirley Chisholm, and Jesse Jackson. The late Rev. Dr. Paul Martin—whom members recall as a community “giant”—served as pastor until 2007 and later became the first Black president of the Berkeley School of Theology in California.
The church holds a unique place in Colorado history: Denver’s first “Marade,” the Martin Luther King Jr. march and parade, began on Macedonia’s front steps years before the holiday became official. Former Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock was
SEE YOURSELF ON STAGE
ordained there, and Terrance Carroll, former Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives, served as interim pastor during the church’s leadership transition.
Carroll is credited by members with providing steady guidance throughout the search process and keeping the congregation engaged and unified. Weston called his service “a bridge of wisdom and stability that allowed Macedonia to move confidently into its next era.”
Turner arrives from Mount Moriah Church in Fort Worth, Texas, where he served for nearly three decades—20 years as senior pastor. “I really wasn’t thinking about leaving,” he said, “but the Lord spoke to me clearly and said, ‘I have work for you to do in Denver.’ You have to follow the voice of the Lord.”
Under Turner’s leadership, Mount Moriah grew from about 75 to 400 worshipers and relocated from a 6,000-square-foot facility to a 24,000-square-foot campus. He says he hopes to bring similar momentum and energy to Macedonia, with an emphasis on outreach and youth engagement.
“I want to bring in some new energy,” he said. “We definitely want an infusion of youth at Macedonia. And I know that if you do what God says, He’ll do the rest.”
Turner’s first year will involve both transition and travel while his family relocates. He and his wife are preparing to move their household to Denver while supporting a daughter completing her senior year of high school in Texas.
Both Turner and Weston describe a shared vision for community-based ministry. Weston sees Turner as “a bridge builder—concerned about people, community, and collaborative partnership.” Turner emphasizes that effective ministry extends outside the sanctuary.
“One of the failures of the church— especially the Black church—is outreach,” he said. “Too many of us are satisfied with showing up on Sunday morning and staying within four walls. Jesus said, ‘Go into the highways and byways and compel them to come in.’ We plan outdoor services, prayer stations, and other efforts to let people know we’re here for them.”
He added that his philosophy of leadership is rooted in accessibility and shared work. “I never elevate myself above the members—we’re all servants of the same God. My door is always open, and I never ask anyone to do what I’m not willing to do myself. If there’s a project, I’m right there getting my hands dirty.”
As churches nationwide adjust to post-pandemic realities, Turner hopes to reignite in-person connection. “Streaming has its place, especially for the sick and shut-in, but it isn’t a substitute for fellowship,” he said. “There’s something you get by being in the Lord’s house. I want people to leave worship saying, ‘I’ve been in the presence of the Lord, and my soul has been revived.’”
A lifelong preacher and singer, Turner said he hopes his ministry will restore not only numbers but spirit. “I’m not asking God to make Macedonia what it was,” he said. “I’m asking God to make Macedonia better—whatever He wants it to be. It’s not how many are in the seats but what’s in their hearts.”
Weston believes the congregation is ready. “There’s a new fire,” she said. “Everyone wants to know what they can do.”
NO ONE is Coming to Save Us
Reflections
By Gabrielle West
Won the 2025 Colorado Black Women for Political Action Luncheon
hen it comes to societal movements, beauty trends, politics, education, entertainment, sports — and the list goes on — Black women are indeed the blueprint. And while this may be a badge of honor for some, as it pulls back the veil on the “strong Black woman” stereotype, it also speaks to a larger responsibility and call to action.
Because Black women so often lead in our homes, industries, and places of worship, we inadvertently position ourselves as targets — often left to fend for ourselves. Malcolm X spoke to this truth when he famously said, “The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman.”
This isn’t merely a quote — it’s rooted in fact and reflected in the everyday experiences of countless Black women we know, love, and see walking out this reality. As keynote speaker Symone Sanders-Townsend stated at the 47th Annual Colorado Black Women for Political Action (CBWPA) Luncheon, “No one is coming to save us. We have to save ourselves.”
That’s why when Bianka Emerson, president of CBWPA, stood before hundreds of community leaders, young people, politicians, and allies at the luncheon and revealed that — due to lack of funding and external pressures — she had considered pulling the
plug on this historic event and even changing the organization’s name to appease funders, I was caught off guard, but not surprised.
As that popular social media sound says, “The pressure is getting worser.”
Thankfully, Emerson found the inner strength to move forward and was met with applause when she shared her story. Her transparency mirrored the resilience that defines so many Black women — the same strength that has sustained our communities for generations.
We are living in times that demand urgency: blatant attacks on our identity, mass firings of Black women from positions of power, defunding of essential benefit programs, the silencing of our voices in education and the workplace, and threats of redistricting and voter suppression. And this is only the beginning of what’s to come.
Retrospectively, Vice President Kamala Harris’s loss in the 2024 presidential election feels like an omen — a signal of what many Black women and other women of color may face at an even greater magnitude. We are often the most qualified, the most connected, and the most poised for leadership — yet there always seems to be something greater at play. An undercurrent. A resistance that our “Black Girl Magic” alone can’t overcome.
It’s time to open our eyes and accept that we are no longer living in the era where our voices are automatically the loudest in the room or our perspectives are celebrated and elevated. We must once again fight for those freedoms.
Our children, communities, friends, partners, and mentees are waiting for us to step up. And while we should celebrate women like Tamika Mallory, Angela Rye, and Rep. Jasmine Crockett for their national leadership and truthtelling, there is no single leader who can pull us out of this moment.
If you’re reading this — it’s time to learn your role in the fight.
Maybe you’re not the one at the podium. Maybe you’re the one passing out flyers, funding the movement, providing the meeting space, serving the food, or praying for those on the front lines. Whatever your role is — it’s time to play your position.
We can’t afford to wait any longer. No one is coming to save us. ♦
CBWPA President Bianka Emerson; special guest speaker - MSNBC’s The Weeknight host Symone Sanders-Townsend; Denver Urban Spectrum Publisher Rosalind “Bee” Harris; DUS contributor Gabrielle West
Colorado’s 1st Congressional District has been represented by Democrat Diana DeGette for 30 years
Editor’s note: This story was produced as part of the Colorado Capitol News Alliance. It first appeared at cpr.org.
By Caitlyn Kim
University of Colorado Regent Wanda James is running to represent Colorado’s 1st Congressional District, which covers Denver. To make that bid, she intends to primary longtime Democratic U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette.
“It’s time, right? We’ve seen Democrats nationwide asking for people who are going to fight for democracy, fight for our brand,” James told CPR News about why she’s jumping in now. “This is not a time for us just to have somebody that votes well as a Democrat. It’s time for us to change this brand, to get people excited again about what it is that Democrats do.”
James said Denver has changed over the last 30 years that DeGette has been representing it.
“We have a 35-year-old average age. We are entrepreneurial. We are diverse. And I’m an entrepreneur,” she said. “I’m bringing lived experience to this seat. I’m bringing different ideas, motivation. I’m changing the brand that is Democrat.”
For her, changing the brand means stressing her background: raised by a single father who was in the military; first-generation graduate from the University of Colorado; commissioned through the Naval ROTC in college; small business experience as the
founder and CEO of Simply Pure Dispensary, a marijuana shop; and a range of community involvement.
But while those are the details she’s pitching to voters, the biggest thing James may bring to the race to help with her bid is her extensive political rolodex.
Deep political roots in Colorado
James has been involved in state politics for almost two decades.
She managed Gov. Jared Polis’ first campaign for Congress in 2008 and was later part of his gubernatorial transition team. Then-Gov. John Hickenlooper named her to the Amendment 64 Task Force, which came up with recommendations on how to regulate recreational cannabis in the state.
And she knows how to raise money.
She was part of former President Barack Obama’s National Finance Committee in 2008, and a top bundler, someone who organizes and collects campaign contributions from others, for him in Colorado. She was also appointed to the National Finance Committee for former Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden in 2020.
For the past two years, James has represented the 1st Congressional District on the CU Board of Regents, easily winning the general election in the heavily Democratic district after coming out on top in a close primary.
A DeGette campaign spokesperson said the congresswoman is “steadfast” in her commitment to serve her district, citing her efforts to fight cuts to Medicaid, support reproductive freedom, and boost medical research.
University of Colorado Regent Wanda James speaks during an election watch party Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in downtown Denver. (AP
“In these uncertain times when extreme MAGA Republicans control the White House and Congress, we need Congresswoman DeGette’s proven leadership to hold the Trump administration accountable and continue delivering for Denverites,” spokesperson Jennie Peek-Dunstone said in an emailed statement. “No matter which party holds the majority,
Congresswoman DeGette remains laser-focused on doing the job she was elected to do.”
It’s been over 50 years since the district last sent a Republican to Congress.
Except for her first race, DeGette has won her seat with at least 65% of the
Photo/David Zalubowski)
Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., center, chair of the House Pro-Choice Caucus, is joined by House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass., far right, and members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus at an event calling for access to abortion medication, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, April 19, 2023. The Supreme Court is deciding whether women will face restrictions in getting a drug, mifepristone, that is the most common method of abortion in the United States. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
vote each time. In 2024, she took more than 76% of the vote.
The real race in the district is in the Democratic primary and it’s been years since DeGette, the dean of Colorado’s delegation, has had a primary challenge that gained traction.
“I am already an elected official in the district,” said James, explaining why she believes she will give DeGette a real challenge. “So name recognition, political know-how — I’m not a political newbie. … And also Diana has never had a race with anybody that has the ability to raise money. So, I’m raising money. I’ve got name recognition. I have political acumen. Yeah, this is a first for her.”
As a longtime House member, DeGette will have backing from the House Democratic campaign arm, but James didn’t seem concerned.
She said her time in the military, “removed the word ‘can’t’ from my vocabulary.”
For Democratic voters looking for change, James may be offering that more in attitude and background rather than actual age, since she and DeGette are less than a decade apart.
Potentially complicating the picture, James doesn’t have the challenger field all to herself. Two young political newcomers have also filed to run: 28-year-old Melat Kiros and 28-year-old Carter Hanson.
To make the primary ballot, candidates will either need to collect signatures or win enough support at the district caucuses and assembly. A crowded field would be a hurdle for all the challengers, because it divides up the voters who are seeking change and helps the incumbent.
James’ opposition to racial depictions in public health materials provoked recent censure
James comes to the congressional race after enduring controversy this year in her role as a regent.
In July, she was censured 7-1 around comments she made over a public health campaign on the risks of marijuana use that she said included racist tropes.
The materials featured images of Black and dark-skinned males alongside descriptions of the potential harms from early exposure to THC, such as delayed mental development and poor school performance.
“I mean, it was horrible. It was embarrassingly horrible,” she said.
The CU Board of Regents said the censure stemmed not from the content of her critique, but from her conflict of interest as both a regent and the owner of a cannabis dispensary.
“I wasn’t just censured, I was sanctioned,” James noted, maintaining she did nothing wrong.
While she’s allowed to go to regents’ meetings and vote, she was removed from committees and is not allowed to participate in university events that regents usually attend for the rest of her term, which is up in 2029. (If James loses her bid to unseat DeGette, she will still be a regent.)
James was accused of improperly urging the governor to cut funding for the public health campaign.
However, she said that she didn’t even see the images until months after Polis first proposed zeroing out funding
as part of a larger package of costsaving measures.
The day James was censured, the governor’s office said Polis had no recollection of speaking to her about the 2025-26 budget submission, but that he was made aware of the “deeply insensitive images” and didn’t support the funding. The office added that, given the “difficult budget environment,” the governor and his budget team made the decision for additional cuts.
“To be quite frank with you, I was told by the former general counsel that the regents were just upset because I kept speaking about the fact that the University of Colorado was not upholding its responsibility to communities of color, and they got tired of me bringing that up,” James said.
Still, if she’s successful in her bid to unseat DeGette, James said she will “remove myself entirely from the cannabis business” and give up her ownership role in Simply Pure, the dispensary and delivery business she and her husband founded in Denver’s Highlands neighborhood.
Despite the pain of the censure, James said that in some ways the Board of Regents “handed me a gift by
keeping my name in the newspapers all summer long.” And she said it brought her support from other Democrats and her community.
“Every Black elected official has signed off on letters to the regents saying that this is ridiculous. Morgan Carroll, the past chair of the party and the past Senate president, wrote letters and op-eds,” she said. “I mean, the amount of support that I have from the Democrats in Colorado is over the top.”
But as someone who has worked on campaigns in the past, James also knows not all publicity is good publicity, and that negative name recognition is something politicians have to be wary of.
Still, she thinks voters will give her a chance despite the censure. She noted that she was elected by people in the 1st District — more than 211,000 people voted for her for regent in 2022. But in that same election, almost 227,000 also voted to send DeGette back to Congress. ♦
Editor’s note: Caitlyn has been with Colorado Public Radio since 2019. Her work is provided to The Colorado Sun through the Colorado Capitol News Alliance.
The University of Colorado Boulder campus in Boulder. (Olivia Sun, The Colorado Sun)
ALL THINGS
Boys Strong Enough to Say Thank You: How Gratitude Shapes Boyhood and Manhood
By Dr. Dedrick Sims, CEO, Sims-Fayola Foundation
November is the season of gratitude, a time when we’re encouraged to pause and say thank you. But for many boys, gratitude isn’t a natural language. They’re taught to achieve, to compete, to protect, to win, but not always to appreciate. And yet, gratitude may be one of the most important emotional muscles a boy can build on his journey to becoming a man.
I’ve spent years working with boys of all ages, from middle school to college, and I’ve learned something powerful: the most grounded, confident young men I know are not the loudest or the toughest, they’re the most grateful.
Gratitude gives boys a sense of stability when life feels chaotic. It reminds them that even in struggle, there’s something good, something worth holding on to.
The Science Behind Gratitude
Research shows that gratitude improves mental health, boosts resilience, and strengthens relationships. But for boys, it does something even more critical: it slows them down. Gratitude interrupts the constant race to prove themselves. It shifts their focus from what they don’t have to what they do have, mentors, opportunities, second chances, even the breath in their lungs.
When boys practice gratitude, they begin to see life through a lens of abundance rather than lack. That
shift changes behavior. It reduces aggression, fosters empathy, and builds hope. Gratitude is not weakness; it’s emotional intelligence in action.
Why Gratitude Feels Uncomfortable for Boys
Let’s be honest, gratitude requires vulnerability. Saying thank you is an admission that we needed something or someone. And for boys, especially boys of color who are often told to be self-reliant and tough, that can feel risky. Many of them are navigating environments where showing emotion could be misunderstood as weakness or immaturity.
So, they hide it. They replace thank you with silence. They nod instead of expressing what they feel. But gratitude isn’t about softening manhood, it’s about expanding it. Teaching boys to express thanks is really teaching them to recognize connection, to understand that nobody makes it alone.
Teaching Gratitude in Real Life
Parents and mentors can help boys cultivate gratitude without making it feel forced or corny.
• Start with reflection, not recitation. Instead of “say three things you’re grateful for,” ask, “Who helped you today?” or “What moment made you smile?”
• Model it. Let them see you thank a cashier, compliment a teacher, or acknowledge a co-worker. Boys mirror what they see.
• Connect gratitude to growth. When a boy overcomes a challenge, help him see the lessons and people that supported him along the way. Gratitude turns setbacks into fuel.
• Use movement and action. Gratitude doesn’t have to be quiet. Have boys write a thank-you note, volunteer, or call a mentor. Gratitude grows when it’s practiced, not just spoken.
Gratitude and Identity
For boys of color, gratitude also becomes an act of defiance against narratives that focus only on pain or deficit. Gratitude doesn’t ignore injustice; it reminds them that joy and beauty exist alongside it. It says, “I see what’s broken, but I also see what’s possible.”
When boys learn to balance awareness of struggle with appreciation for progress, they become more centered, more hopeful, and more likely to lead with empathy.
Final Thought
Gratitude is strength. It’s not about denying pain or pretending everything’s fine. It’s about choosing to recognize the good, the mentors, mothers, teachers, coaches, and friends who keep showing up.
This month, as we head into a season of thanksgiving, I challenge you to model gratitude with the boys in your life. Help them see that thank you is not just good manners, it’s good manhood. Because the boys who learn to say thank you grow into men who know how to give back. ♦
Editor’s note: The Sims-Fayola Foundation is a Denver-based nonprofit dedicated to improving the life outcomes of young men of color through direct programming and systems change. We envision a world where every boy is affirmed, challenged, and equipped to fulfill his potential. Learn more at www.sffoundation.org or contact us at 720-557-8443 or dedrick@ sffoundation.org.
7 COMMON MYTHS About Homeownership — and the Truth Behind Them
By Barry Overton
For generations, owning a home has been considered a cornerstone of the American dream. Yet, despite the dream’s enduring appeal, countless potential homeowners hold onto misconceptions that delay or derail their path to ownership. Whether it’s fear of the financial commitment or misunderstanding the process, misinformation can cost people the opportunity to build long-term stability and wealth.
Below are seven of the most common myths about homeownership — and the realities that set the record straight.
Myth 1: You Need a 20% Down Payment to Buy a Home
Reality: This is perhaps the biggest misconception in real estate. While a 20% down payment can help you avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI), it is not a requirement. Many conventional loans allow as little as 3–5% down, and government-backed programs such as FHA, VA, and USDA offer options that require little or no down payment at all. For many buyers, it’s not about waiting to save 20%, but about exploring the right loan program for their circumstances.
Myth 2: Renting Is Always Cheaper Than Owning
Reality: Renting may seem less expensive in the short term, but it’s often the costlier option over time.
Homeownership allows you to build equity and protect yourself from rising rents. While landlords increase rent year after year, a fixed-rate mortgage keeps your housing costs stable. More importantly, every mortgage payment contributes to your net worth — not your landlord’s.
Myth 3: You Need Perfect Credit to Qualify
Reality: Many people assume that homeownership is only for those with spotless credit histories, but that’s far from true. FHA loans accept credit scores as low as 580, and some conventional lenders work with buyers in the low 600s. The key is consistency — paying bills on time, reducing debt, and showing stable income. A few smart steps can quickly improve your score and open the door to financing options you didn’t think were possible.
Myth 4: You Should Wait for Lower Interest Rates
Reality: Trying to “time the market” rarely works. Interest rates fluctuate, and while a lower rate may save you money monthly, waiting often means
paying more later if home prices continue to rise. You can always refinance when rates drop, but you can’t go back and purchase at yesterday’s prices. For many buyers, the right time to buy is when they are financially and emotionally ready — not when the market looks perfect.
Myth 5: Homeownership Is Only for Married or “Settled” People
Reality: Single professionals, entrepreneurs, and even young adults are buying homes as a way to start building wealth early. Ownership doesn’t have to mean settling down forever; it can be a strategic move. Many first-time buyers use their homes as investment properties later — renting them out or leveraging the equity for future purchases. Real estate isn’t just about where you live; it’s about creating options for your financial future.
Myth 6: The Only Cost of Owning a Home Is the Mortgage
Reality: A mortgage payment is just one part of the equation. Property taxes, insurance, utilities, HOA fees, and maintenance all play a role in true
affordability. Savvy homeowners budget 1–2% of the home’s value annually for maintenance and unexpected repairs. Planning ahead for these costs keeps ownership stress-free and sustainable.
Myth 7: Buying a Home Is Too Complicated to Do Alone
Reality: The process can feel overwhelming, but you’re not expected to navigate it by yourself. Real estate agents, lenders, and homeownership counselors exist to guide you through every step — from pre-approval to closing day. Having an experienced professional in your corner not only makes the process smoother but also helps you avoid costly mistakes. The right team turns what feels complicated into a clear and achievable plan.
Pro Tip: Don’t Wait for Perfect Conditions
There will never be a “perfect” time to buy. The smartest buyers focus on preparation, not perfection. Get your finances in order, connect with a trusted lender, and learn about your options. The market rewards those who act from knowledge and confidence — not hesitation. Homeownership isn’t just a financial milestone — it’s a foundation for long-term stability, community, and generational wealth. The myths surrounding it often stem from fear or outdated information. Once you replace those myths with facts, the path forward becomes much clearer. The truth is simple: you don’t need to be rich, married, or perfect to buy a home — just informed and prepared. ♦
Editor’s note: Barry Overton is a Denverbased real estate advisor, veteran, and mentor. He helps investors, homeowners, and agents unlock wealth-building opportunities across the country. Follow him for more insights on market trends, AI in real estate, and personal development for entrepreneurs. Contact him at 303-668-5433.
HATS off to
Roz Duman Recognized as The 2025 Margaret “Molly” Brown Award Recipient
Historic Denver recognized Roz Duman for her fearless, compassionate, and deeply commitment to justice, with the Margaret “Molly” Brown award on October 16. Historic Denver’s 55th Annual Awards Gala celebrated Duman and other people and projects shaping Denver’s story at the Brown Palace Hotel.
Duman is a lifelong advocate for civil rights and humanitarian causes and has spent her career uplifting others and standing up for what’s right. From her early work with Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder and Mayor Wellington E. Webb to her leadership as the founder and executive director of the Coalition Against Global Genocide (COAGG), she has continually found ways to turn conviction into meaningful change.
Duman’s work to preserve Jewish history and heritage is especially impactful. Her efforts were instrumental in saving and relocating the Golda Meir House – the only
known U.S. residence of Israel’s first female prime minister – ensuring that Denver’s connection to this global figure endures. Through her activism and community engagement, Duman continues to inspire a more compassionate and equitable world.
The Coalition Against Global Genocide was founded in 2008. Its mission is to educate, motivate and
WARM UP WITH FALL FLAVORS
empower individuals and communities to oppose Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity. COAGG has a speaker’s bureau of individuals who will go into classrooms to speak of their experiences.
For more information, to schedule a speaker, or to support the Coalition Against Global Genocide, visit www.coagg.org ♦
Roz Duman with award recipient Alan Gass and Dr. Josh Furman, director of the Rocky Mountain Jewish Historical Society Roz Duman and husband Joel Odonkor
Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra Presents Desert Island Discs:
Nancy Wilson/Cannonball Adderley & Bill Evans with Tatiana LadyMay Mayfield
The Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra’s small band celebrates three legendary artists who helped define the sound of modern jazz. Desert Island Discs pays tribute to the timeless music of Nancy Wilson, Cannonball Adderley, and Bill Evans— each a master in their own right. This concert is a must-hear celebration of artistry, influence, and the enduring brilliance of jazz’s golden era. The series features many popular CJRO musicians including Drew Zaremba (Saxophone and Piano on 11/1), Gabriel Mervine (Trumpet), Art Bouton (Saxophone 11/1 & 11/9), Eric Gunnison (Piano), Eric Hitt (Bass), and Mike Marlier (Drums).
Nancy Wilson was a Grammywinning vocalist whose elegant phrasing and emotional storytelling spanned jazz, soul, and pop across more than 70 albums. Saxophonist Cannonball Adderley, known for his exuberant tone and blues-inflected style, rose to fame with Miles Davis on Kind of Blue and led his own soulful, genre-blending ensembles, producing hits like “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy.” Pianist Bill Evans reshaped jazz piano with his introspective touch, most famously contributing to Kind of Blue and pioneering the conversational trio format in albums like Waltz for Debby. Together, their artistry helped define the sound and spirit of modern jazz.
Vocalist Tatiana “LadyMay” Mayfield brings warmth, style, and soul to the stage, capturing the elegance of Wilson’s iconic voice. The concert also
Desert Island Discs: Nancy Wilson/ Cannonball Adderley & Bill Evans
With vocalist Tatiana LadyMay Mayfield
Saturday, November 1 at 3 p.m.
Aurora Fox Arts Center, 9900 East Colfax Ave., Aurora 80010.
Desert Island Discs: Nancy Wilson/ Cannonball Adderley & Bill Evans
With vocalist Tatiana LadyMay Mayfield
Friday, November 21at 7:30 p.m.
showcases the joyful, blues-inflected fire of Adderley’s alto saxophone and the introspective beauty of Evans’ harmonically rich piano stylings. From swinging grooves to haunting ballads, this program is a lush journey through some of the most beloved recordings in jazz history. Mayfield is featured on the CJRO’s latest album “Golden Lady” and performs regularly with the band.
Vocalist Hannah Rodgriguez is the featured artist at the Muse on November 9. She is an award-winning vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and teacher based in Northern Colorado. Influenced heavily by jazz, rock, and pop, Hannah has a passion for writing songs and
The Schoolhouse Theater, 19650 E Mainstreet, Parker 80138
Desert Island Discs: Nancy Wilson/ Cannonball Adderley & Bill Evans
*With vocalist Hannah Rodgriguez*
Sunday, November 9 at 7 p.m.
The Muse Performance Space, 200 E South Boulder Rd, Lafayette, CO 80026
Tickets $25 www.coloradojazz.org
experimenting with blending styles. Her variety of talents have been recognized by Downbeat Magazine in 2018 and 2022, and by the 2021 Sonic Spotlight competition put on by Fort
Experience the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra!
Prepare to be blown away by the CJRO—a powerhouse ensemble known for pushing the boundaries of traditional big and small band jazz. The CJRO brings a bold new sound to the stage, blending classic, soul, and Latin jazz along with their signature energy, all under the visionary leadership of Artistic Director, Drew Zaremba and Founding Executive Director, Art Bouton.
With a thirteen-year history of delivering exceptional performances featuring Colorado’s finest musicians and guest artists, the CJRO continues to redefine the jazz experience. The CJRO is more than a traditional jazz orchestra; it’s an exploration of music, creativity, and artistry at the highest level. ♦
Editor’s note: For more information visit ColoradoJazz.org
WORLD AIDS DAY
Celebrating the Resilience of Those Living with HIV
By Niambi Nicholes
Memorial Candlelight Walk and Program
The Denver metro area comes together to commemorate World AIDS Day on Monday, Dec. 1 at Park Hill United Methodist Church (PHUMC), 5209 Montview Blvd. in Denver. Registration for this free community event can be found on Eventbrite.
Since 1988, communities across the globe have stood together on World AIDS Day to show strength and solidarity. World AIDS Day exists to shine a light on the real experiences of people living with HIV today, while celebrating the strength, resilience, and diversity of the communities most affected.
“On December 1, we will celebrate the resilience of people living with HIV and remember those we have lost. 2025
marks the 10th anniversary of a World AIDS Day observance taking place at PHUMC. The gathering has provided a meaningful space to honor the lives we have lost and to celebrate all who are living with HIV in our community and around the world,” shared Jess Wiederholdt, Founder and Executive Director of Crazy Love Africa, one of the sponsors of the event.
The evening begins with a memorial candlelight walk at 6 p.m. to remember those who have died from HIV and AIDS related illnesses. Participants are invited to share the names or photos of loved ones lost to HIV and AIDS in advance of the event by sharing with crazyloveafrica@gmail.com.
These tributes will become a part of a permanent memorial banner that will be carried in the World AIDS Day memorial
After the program at 7:30 p.m., there will be refreshments and a resource fair, with tables from multiple organizations working in or supportive of HIV resources, the LGBTQ+ community, and more.
walk each year – a way to remember loved ones together, celebrating their lives and keeping their memories alive in our community.
The evening’s program at 6:30 p.m. will include music by the World AIDS Day Ensemble, led by Daryl J. Walker, Minister of Worship & Arts with Park Hill United Methodist Church, as well as Jerome Síbulo, Director of Music & Arts Ministry with Trinity United Methodist Church. With roots in the indigenous cultures of North America, Grupo Huitzilopochtli will perform a traditional Aztec dance and land acknowledgement. A keynote address will be made by Barb Cardell, a Colorado resident who is the training director of the Positive Women’s Network, a national organization dedicated to empowering women living with HIV through advocacy, support, and community engagement. She is also the Governor’s appointed member of the statewide Colorado Alliance for HIV Care, Prevention, and Treatment.
“The community is really coming together to make this year’s World AIDS Day observance a meaningful celebration,” shared Justin Levy, Executive Director of the Center for Health and Hope, a sponsor of the event. “I’m proud that so many of our community organizations and congregations are coming together in this time when we need collaboration more than ever.”
“On this World AIDS Day, let us renew our commitment to united action. Let us honor the lives lost, celebrate the progress made, and work tirelessly to ensure a future free from HIV. Together, we are stronger and, together, we will succeed. We know that only by working collaboratively with communities most affected, researchers, healthcare providers, and other partners can our government be successful in ending the pandemic and ensuring a sustained response to HIV.” – HIV.gov ♦
Editor’s note: Event sponsors (as of October 9) include Center for Health and Hope, Colorado Health Network, Crazy Love Africa, Dr. Sue Hamm, Denver Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Gateaux Bakery, Gilead, It Takes a Village, Mountain Sky Conference of The United Methodist Church, Park Hill United Methodist Church, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, Trinity United Methodist Church, United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy, ViiV Healthcare, Vivent Health and Walker Music Academy. Community Partners (as of October 9) include Denver Islamic Society, First Baptist Church of Denver, Global Livingston Institute, Iliff School of Theology, Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church, Mountain View United Church, One Colorado, Rocky Mountain Equality, Saint John’s Cathedral, Servicios de La Raza, St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Temple Emanuel, Temple Micah and The Center on Colfax.
Editor’s note: Registration for this free community event can be found on Eventbrite here.
ANNUAL DENVER FILM FESTIVAL
Denver Film announced its program lineup for the 48th annual Denver Film Festival (DFF48), taking place Oct. 31 - Nov. 9. This year’s Festival lineup delivers 136 featurelength films, documentaries and shorts from across the globe.
The DFF48 curtain rises Oct. 31 with two Opening Night presentations including the Opening Night Red Carpet presentation of Netflix’s Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Writer/Director Rian Johnson’s third installment in the Knives Out series features southern detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) chasing clues in the latest mystifying case and featuring a star-studded ensemble including Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner and Kerry Washington.
The Halloween celebrations will continue later that evening with the Late Night Showcase Opening Night presentation of Paramount’s Primate, the American horror film directed and co-written by Johannes Roberts and starring Johnny Sequoyah, Jessica Alexander and Troy Kotsur.
The festival continues with Searchlight’s Is This Thing On? as its Centerpiece presentation on Nov. 3 at the MCA Denver at the Holiday Theater. Directed by Bradley Cooper and featuring Cooper alongside writer/ actor Will Arnett and Laura Dern.
The festival will close with the World Premiere of Elway, a Netflix and Omaha Productions produced documentary on legendary Broncos quarterback John Elway.
The film chronicles his early collegiate career at Stanford through
his 16 seasons as the Denver Broncos starting quarterback. Elway will join codirectors Ken Rodgers and Chris Weaver to present the film at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House on Saturday, Nov. 8.
Denver Film will welcome and honor several guests, spotlighting their work through Special Presentations.
• Delroy Lindo (Sinners, Malcolm X, Get Shorty, Da 5 Bloods) will receive Denver Film’s Next50 Career Achievement Award following a special screening of Sinners at the Sie FilmCenter on Nov. 1.
• Niecy Nash-Betts (All’s Fair, Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, Reno: 911!, Claws) will receive the fourth CinemaQ LaBahn Ikon Award presented annually to an entertainment contributor from the LGBTQIA+ community whose work has made a lasting cultural impact and inspired meaningful representation on screen and beyond. Past honorees include: Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Colman Domingo, and Andrew Haigh. Nash-Betts will be honored Nov. 2 at Denver Botanic Gardens.
• Gus Van Sant (My Own Private Idaho, Good Will Hunting, Milk, To Die For) will receive the Excellence in Directing Award for his work on Dead Man’s Wire screening Nov. 4 at the MCA Denver at the Holiday Theater presented by Amazon.
• Lucy Liu (Rosemead, Presence, Kill Bill, Charlie’s Angels) will receive the John Cassavetes Award at a screening of Rosemead, Nov. 8 at the MCA Denver at the Holiday Theater presented by Amazon.
Announces Program Lineup, Honorees and Tickets on Sale
Portrait of a Postman Screens at the Denver Film
Acclaimed documentary A Portrait of a Postman, will screen at the Denver Film Festival on Nov. 4 and 9 at the Denver Art Museum. The film will be followed by a discussion with filmmaker Christopher Charles Scott and Floyd & Stephanie Rance, founders of the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival.
Kermit Oliver was a mail sorter in Waco, Texas—and the only American ever commissioned by Hermès. For decades, he worked the graveyard shift while creating scarf designs treasured worldwide. This documentary reveals Oliver’s astonishing dual life, a story of genius hidden in plain sight. But just as his art reaches its zenith, an unfathomable murder pushes Kermit into the darkness. Would he ever paint again?
Winner of multiple honors, including three Dallas International Film Festival
The Denver Film Festival serves as the first opportunity for most audience members to see some of the most-talked about films of the year. This year’s lineup includes Sentimental Value, winner of the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival and starring Stellan Skarsgard as a film director trying to reconnect with his daughters; Hamnet, directed by Oscar-winner Chloe Zhao and featuring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal in a story about the real-life tragedy that influenced William Shakespeare’s greatest work; The Testament of Ann Lee, award winning writer-director Mona Fastvold’s (The World to Come, The Brutalist) speculative retelling of the extraordinary story of Ann Lee, founder of the religious sect known as the Shakers; Jay Kelly, a Noah Baumbachdirected dramedy with George Clooney as a movie star reflecting on his life choices and Adam Sandler as his manager; No Other Choice, the latest twisty thriller by South Korean auteur Park Chan-wook; Rental Family, a crowdpleaser featuring Brendan Fraser as an actor who stumbles into an unusual job playing stand-in roles for strangers; Christy, with Sydney Sweeney in a knockout performance as boxer Christy Martin; Nuremberg, starring Rami Malek
awards and “Best of the Best” at Martha’s Vineyard, A Portrait of a Postman explores the razor’s edge between brilliance and isolation, and the life of a genius living in shadows. Filmmaker Christopher Charles Scott vividly chronicles Oliver’s journey, featuring commentary from his family; art collector Tina Knowles; and colleagues such as art historian Alvia J. Wardlaw and artist Earlie Hudnall Jr.
The film will have two showings: on Tuesday, Nov. 4, at 6 p.m. and on Sunday, Nov 9, at 2 p.m.
This program is presented in collaboration with the Black Arts Collective and a portion of proceeds will be directed toward this meaningful Collectors’ Group supporting new acquisitions of work by Black artists.
and Russell Crowe in a psychological drama about one of the most important trials of the 20th century; Man on the Run, Morgan Neville’s documentary on Paul McCartney; and The Secret Agent, with Wagner Moura in a performance that took home the Best Actor prize at Cannes.
“Selecting from so many accomplished works was an incredibly difficult process,” said Denver Film Festival Artistic Director Matthew Campbell. “But we’ve curated a lineup that reflects both the diversity and
strength of contemporary storytelling with a remarkable selection of films, storylines and performances. Eclectic and thought-provoking, these films ask urgent questions about our past, present, and future, alongside deeply personal stories of resilience and triumph. It’s a program rich with human connection and empathy and our audiences will have the opportunity to come together in a communal experience and discover both big-name titles and hidden gems that shine just as brightly. That’s what makes the Denver Film Festival such a special experience.”
Completing the 10-day Festival programming, DFF48 will deliver a robust lineup of general screenings including feature length films, documentaries, and shorts. In addition, the Festival will bring filmmaker conversations, events, panels, parties, industry guests, awards and tributes that will be shared in venues across the city including the Sie FilmCenter, Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver Botanic Gardens and the MCA Denver at the Holiday Theater presented by Amazon.
“The Denver Film Festival has always been about bringing people together
through the transformative power of film,” said Denver Film CEO Kevin Smith. “As we celebrate our 48th year, we’re excited to bring bold new voices and world-class filmmakers to Denver and to create experiences that inspire, challenge and connect us. There is a clear and noticeable momentum coming from Colorado’s film industry, including the most recent addition of Sundance to our ecosystem, and original and independent voices are driving it. This festival is as much about our incredible community as the films themselves.”
The complete schedule of films, screening times and locations, as well as tickets to individual screenings, Special Presentations, Red Carpets and events is available at https://www. denverfilm.org/denverfilmfestival/. Tickets are on sale at: www.denverfilm. org/. ♦
About Denver Film
Denver Film has been transforming and entertaining the Colorado community through the power of diverse voices in film since 1978. Operating as the region’s only membership-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit film institution, Denver Film has grown into a signature cultural organization in the West, screening international and independent movies found nowhere else in the region.
Serving more than 160,000 patrons annually through 600-plus screenings that include year-round programming at Denver Film’s flagship home the Sie (pronounced SEE) FilmCenter, the annual Denver Film Festival celebration, the iconic Film on the Rocks program at Red Rocks Amphitheater, and Spotlight Festivals including CinemaQ, Women+Film, and the Colorado Dragon Boat Film Festival. Spotlights highlight underrepresented communities and foster inclusivity. Denver Film works to build resilience across all of its programming and events by amplifying diverse voices, promoting equity, and fostering community connections.
For more information or to explore the full suite of Denver Film programming, events, and ticketing visit: denverfilm.org.
SCAN NOW
VIEW JOBS
of the Cherokee Nation Beloved Woman
A historic message of peace, love, and tolerance for all people
Debra S. Yates, Author of the novel Woman of Many Names
Ihave the honor of being the seventh greatgranddaughter of the legendary Nancy Ward, the last Beloved Woman of the Cherokee Nation before the Trail of Tears. Known to the Cherokee as Nanyehi—meaning “one who walks with the spirits”—she held as many as fifteen names and titles throughout her lifetime.
Nanyehi was born in the village of Chota, not far from her grandfather Moytoy’s village. There had long been a prophecy that a girl child would be born among the Wolf Clan who would one day lead her people to greatness. This child was my grandmother, Nancy Ward. Soon after birth, Cherokee babies were traditionally bathed in a river or creek, even on the coldest winter days. When Nanyehi’s grandmother rose from the water with the infant in her arms, a white wolf appeared above them. Realizing the significance of this moment, she knew the prophecy of the Wolf Clan’s chosen child was being fulfilled.
When Nanyehi was born, she entered a family deeply involved in the governing of the Cherokee people. They called themselves Aniuwea, meaning “the Water People.” Her uncles became father
figures after her own father, Fivekiller, died before her birth while protecting Moytoy. Her mother, Catherine Fivekiller (Tame Doe), was the sister of Chiefs Attakullakulla and Oconostota.
From a young age, Nanyehi was schooled in many disciplines and excelled in them all. She was a skilled huntress and a gifted maker of medicines. She mastered multiple languages—Cherokee high and low dialects, the ancient tongue, the trade language, and English.
Continued on Page 20
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Nanyehi was also a cousin to the infamous Dragging Canoe, a fierce and mighty leader and the son of Chief Oconostota.
She became a Beloved Woman after the Battle of Taliwa—known today as Ball Ground, Georgia. During that battle, her husband, Kingfisher (my seventh great-grandfather), was killed by a Creek warrior. Nanyehi seized Kingfisher’s war lance, shouted the battle cry, and led the retreating Cherokee back into the fight, avenging her husband’s death. It was then that she became known as Ghigau, or “Beloved Woman.”
Her path was ordained by the Creator—a path that began in red, the path of war, and ended in white, the path of peace. The knowledge and wisdom of a lifetime were embodied in one woman destined to lead her people to greatness.
Her life was dedicated to peace. She walked the red path of war in order to better understand the white path to peace. Over her more than eighty years, her mission was to ensure that her family and the Cherokee people would have a place in the rapidly changing new world.
Wise beyond reason, Nancy Ward negotiated numerous treaties that allowed George Washington to traverse the eastern lands. In later years, she came to know Thomas Jefferson, who, recognizing the significance of the young chieftainess, befriended her and maintained a relationship that would later prove invaluable to the Americans.
At one point, General Sevier captured and detained Nancy Ward from her village of Chota. He wrote to President Thomas Jefferson, asking what should be done with the female captive.
Jefferson replied that Sevier should ask Nancy herself what to do with her—and then follow her orders. Upon her release, she settled near Benton, Tennessee, where she opened a mill and established Woman Killer Ford.
My seventh great-grandmother remains as controversial today as she was in the eighteenth century. Her words carried weight then, just as they do now. Her message—peace, love, and tolerance for all people—became her battle cry. One of her most famous speeches was delivered in Kingsport, Tennessee, along the Holston River.
Nanyehi’s final resting place is just south of Benton, Tennessee, on a hill overlooking the Ocoee River at the Nancy Ward Park and Boat Ramp. She now rests beside her brother, Longfellow, and her son, Fivekiller. The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Nancy Ward Chapter, have lovingly and fiercely protected this sacred site for more than a century, and it is maintained by the Tennessee Parks Department.
According to David Hampton, President of the Association of Descendants of Nancy Ward, there are an estimated forty thousand registered living descendants today. ♦
CELEBRATE COMMUNITY, CULTURE, AND CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP at the 2025 Black Business Holiday Marketplace
Black Friday has long been associated with consumerism. However, this year, the Black Business Holiday Marketplace, hosted by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated - Mu Omega Omega Chapter, and sponsored by The Colorado Health Foundation, will redefine it as a day to shop with purpose—to invest in the community, celebrate culture, promote entrepreneurship, and support the creativity that enriches Denver’s economy. The one-day event will take place on Friday, Nov. 28, at the Central Park Gallery in Northfield, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
More than just a shopping event, the Black Business Holiday Marketplace showcases innovative products and services from Black entrepreneurs. This year, the marketplace will feature beauty, health, and wellness experiences, along with a Taste of Cuisine cooking demonstration by celebrity Chef Kamal Howard, which
As the nation’s first Black Greeklettered sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. has long empowered and worked to uplift Black communities through social advocacy, education, community service, and economic advancement programs. Through initiatives like the marketplace, the Mu Omega Omega Chapter continues to honor that legacy by creating opportunities for Black-owned businesses to grow and build economic wealth.
“The Black Business Holiday Marketplace is about more than transactions—it’s about transformation,” said Kathy Nesbitt, President of Mu Omega Omega Chapter. “By supporting Black-owned businesses, we strengthen families, build community resilience, and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.”
The marketplace will bring together both emerging and established business owners offering a variety of unique
home goods, natural beauty products, and tasty treats. Families can enjoy interactive experiences, connect with local creators, and find one-ofa-kind holiday gifts while supporting the entrepreneurial spirit that keeps Colorado’s Black business community thriving.
Some of the Featured Businesses
• Cemjo Beauty Co.
• Cherry’s Cheesecakes
• Everlasting Engravings
• Herbal Honey
• Kamal’s Kuisine
• Kinley’s K-9 Kraveables
• Let Me Show You Different
• Trivia For Us
• Valley Girl
Mu Omega Omega Chapter is proud to have The Colorado Health Foundation as the Presenting Sponsor of this year’s Black Business Holiday Marketplace. Together, they share a focus and commitment to programs that address systemic economic barriers and promote health equity by advancing economic opportunities for Black entrepreneurs – strengthening the overall health and wellness of Colorado communities.
So, as the holidays draw near, you are invited to celebrate the season not just with gifts, but with intention. Shop, socialize, and support the Black Business Holiday Marketplace, where every purchase tells a story of resilience, creativity, and community. The event is free and open to the public. ♦
Editor’s note: Black Business Holiday Marketplace will be held in the Central Park Gallery, 8316 Northfield Boulevard, Suite 1660, in Denver. For more information, visit www.akamuomegaomega.org/mooevents.
Pissarro’s Impressionism
THROUGH FEBRUARY 8, 2026
The Honest Eye: Camille Pissarro’s Impressionism is co-organized by the Denver Art Museum and the Museum Barberini, Potsdam. It is presented by Barbara Bridges, Bridget and John Grier, the Kristin and Charles Lohmiller Exhibitions Fund, and Craig Ponzio. The exhibition is also supported by the Tom Taplin Jr. and Ted Taplin Endowment, Adolph Coors Exhibition Endowment Fund, Birnbaum Social Discourse Project, Lori and Grady Durham, Kathie and Keith Finger, Sally Cooper Murray, Ellen and Morris Susman, Lisë Gander and Andy Main, Mary Pat and Richard McCormick, Kent Thiry and Denise O’Leary, Robert Lehman Foundation, Christie’s, the donors to the Annual Fund Leadership Campaign, and the residents who support the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). Indemnity is awarded by the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities.
Promotional support is provided by 5280 Magazine and CBS Colorado.
Camille Pissarro, The Garden of Les Mathurins, property of the Deraismes Sisters, Pontoise (Le Jardin des Mathurins, Pontoise, propriete des soeurs Deraismes) (detail), 1876. Oil on canvas;
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri: Purchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust. Image
Diversifying Homeownership in Five Points with the Burrell BUILDING EQUITY
How Affordable Housing is Transforming Lives and Communities in Denver
In the heart of Denver’s Five Points, a new strategy and development brings housing stability to those long excluded from the promise of homeownership. The Burrell, a modern condominium building brought to life through the visionary collaboration of Elevation Community Land Trust, Shanahan Development, and the City of Denver, stands as a beacon for affordable homeownership and community empowerment—especially for people of color. The community land trust model proves to be a successful strategy in combatting gentrification and building generational wealth individuals and families.
Reimagining Homeownership: The Burrell’s Mission
For decades, homeownership has been lauded as the cornerstone of wealth-building in the United States—yet history tells a story of selective opportunity. In the postwar era, policies such as the GI Bill made homeownership accessible mainly to white Americans, creating a legacy of generational wealth and leaving communities of color behind. As
Denver’s housing prices soar, the dream of owning a home remains out of reach for many.
The Burrell challenges this paradigm. Conceived with the express purpose of restoring access to affordable homeownership, the building is not just a structure but a symbol. It is a testament to what is possible when organizations put equity at the center of development.
Diversity in Homeownership: Leading by Example
The results speak for themselves. Currently, two-thirds of The Burrell’s homeowners identify as people of color—a remarkable achievement in a city where such representation in ownership has been rare. This statistic is not just a number; it is a sign of change, hope, and the promise of a more inclusive Denver.
The building’s residents reflect the rich mosaic of Five Points: multigenerational families, first-time homebuyers, artists, educators, and entrepreneurs. Each owner brings their own story, ambitions, and
dreams, contributing to a renewed sense of belonging and purpose in the neighborhood.
For many residents, homeownership means stability. Homeowners are able to breathe easy knowing they can stay put for as long as they want. Ashley Berry, a Burrell resident states:
“It’s given me peace of mind that I am rooted here in Denver. I don’t have to worry about fluctuations and rent and moving to a new place every couple years.”
Other residents say that the Burrell has allowed them to return to the neighborhood they grew up in and return to their roots. Morgan English, an artist and pro-bono lawyer says that owning a home at the Burrell has allowed her to pursue her dreams of offering pro-bono legal services to the community without worrying about high monthly housing costs.
Affordable Homes for All: The Details
The Burrell is truly affordable with units starting at $205,000. Of the building’s thoughtfully designed
residences, 18 units remain available, specifically reserved for individuals and families making at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). This translates to:
Household Size Maximum Income
1 person $72,950
2 people $83,400
3 people $93,800
For those who are interested in homeownership, but aren’t quite ready consider taking financial literacy or homeownership classes such as the Housing and Urban Development’s approved housing counseling agencies. Eligible buyers, especially those with historic ties to Five Points, are encouraged to apply and become part of a living legacy.
Honoring the Neighborhood’s Legacy
It is important that we honor the namesake of this project, Charles Burrell, a musical pioneer in Denver. He broke barriers as the first Black musician to perform full time for a major symphony orchestra. He helped shape the legacy of the Five Point’s neighborhood, performing in jazz clubs and creating close ties within the community. He recently passed away at 104 years old, but his legacy lives on in the neighborhood and in the walls of the Burrell.
The Burrell was intentionally designed to counteract the gentrification that has taken place in the last 50 years. Priority is given to applicants with deep, historical ties to the neighborhood through the
Neighborhood Investment Program. This policy ensures that the very people who have shaped and sustained Five Points are able to remain or return to the neighborhood.
Conclusion: Building a More Just Denver
The Burrell is more than a condo building; it is a commitment to justice, memory, and the transformative power of homeownership. In the process, Five Points is not only preserving its history—it is creating a future where everyone has the opportunity to belong.
As Denver continues to evolve, may The Burrell inspire more communities to prioritize equity and empower every resident to write their own story of home. ♦
AFFORDABLE HOUSING – WE WELCOME YOU!
• HUD-subsidized housing available for individuals 62+. Additional household members welcome.
• 358 total apartments for rent (373 – 570 sq. ft.)studios & 1-bedrooms (both waitlisted).
• Applications can be obtained and submitted in person, by fax or electronically 24/7: 22 S. Adams St., Denver CO 80209 Info@KavodSeniorLife.org www.KavodSeniorLife.org 303.399.1146 | 800.659.2656 TTY
Language assistance is available! Contact us today!
ARTHUR M. BLANK FAMILY FOUNDATION
Announces $50 Million Scholarship Commitment to Support Atlanta HBCU Students
ATLANTA, October 13, 2025 (Newswire.com) - The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation today announced a landmark $50 million, 10year scholarship investment to support students at four of Atlanta’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The funding will provide gap scholarships intended to increase the number of students graduating from
Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morris Brown College and Spelman College.
For many students, financial barriers-not academics-stand in the way of earning their diplomas. The foundation’s investment in gap scholarships is designed to overcome the financial barrier, helping more students complete their education. Beginning in 2026, the program is projected to support nearly 10,000 students, helping raise graduation rates across Atlanta’s HBCUs and serve as a model for other philanthropies to expand investment in HBCU student success.
“Atlanta holds a special place in my heart and will always be an integral part of our family foundation’s giving,” said Arthur M. Blank, chairman, Arthur
M. Blank Family Foundation. “We know Spelman, Morris Brown, Morehouse and Clark Atlanta are vital to Atlanta’s future, and we are deeply committed to supporting the students who will carry that legacy forward. We recognize that these campuses, like many across the country, are home to generations of students whose promise inspires us. Our hope is that by helping more students earn their degrees, launch successful careers and become alumni who give back, we are investing in a cycle of opportunity that benefits young people and their families in Atlanta and communities across the nation for years to come.”
Investing in Student Success
“Even a small financial gap can be the difference between walking across the graduation stage or walking away,” said Fay Twersky, president, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. “We are proud to stand with Atlanta’s HBCUs and help more students achieve their dreams. These grants are a material investment in hope.”
Students who are in good academic standing and have fully exhausted other financial options, including scholarships, federal grants, state assistance and loan programs, will be eligible to receive funding at the discretion of their respective institution. The funding will largely support students in their junior and senior years, when financial stress can be most acute as family resources may be spread thin or additional siblings begin college.
Continuing a Legacy of HBCU Support
In addition to its $50 million investment, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has maintained a longstanding commitment to HBCUs, including:
• $10 million to Spelman College for the Arthur M. Blank Innovation Lab
• $6 million for athletic field refurbishments at Clark Atlanta, Albany State, Miles College and Savannah State
• $3 million to Morris Brown College to digitize a one-year hospitality credential
• $400,000 to Morehouse College Golf Program with PGA TOUR Superstore
• New football helmets for Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University student-athletes
Economic and Community Impact
The scholarships are expected to fuel long-term benefits for students and the broader community:
• HBCU graduates will earn 57% more in their lifetimes than they would without a degree.
• An HBCU graduate working fulltime can expect to earn $1M+ in additional income over the course of their career.
• Atlanta’s HBCUs contribute $1 billion in annual economic impact to the region.
HBCU Presidents on the Impact of Scholarship Funding
Dr. George T. French Jr., President, Clark Atlanta University “This transformative gift empowers Clark Atlanta students to succeed and lead globally. It provides the critical resources they need to graduate and prepare for leadership in the global marketplace.”
Dr. F. DuBois Bowman, President, Morehouse College “This monumental investment will empower our students to remain focused on their academic studies and ensure that their talent, ambition, hard work, and integrity, not financial hardship, will determine their futures.”
Dr. Kevin E. James, President, Morris Brown College “The Blank Foundation’s commitment provides critical support for Morris Brown students in their educational journeys. It removes economic barriers that have historically stood in the way of achieving their aspirations.”
Rosalind “Roz” Brewer, Interim President, Spelman College “This investment affirms that every Spelman scholar deserves access to a world-class education. It expands our ability to bridge financial gaps and support students through to graduation.”
About the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation is a philanthropy founded to help transform lives and communities by uniting people across differences to find common cause. Started in 1995 by Arthur M. Blank, co-founder of The Home Depot, the foundation has granted more than $1.5 billion to charitable causes. Our collective giving areas are Atlanta’s Westside, Democracy, Environment, Mental Health
and Well-Being, and Youth Development. Across these areas, we take on tough challenges by uniting the courage and compassion of our communities so we can all thrive together.
In addition to the priority areas of giving, the foundation oversees a large portfolio of grants including support of essential Atlanta nonprofit institutions, such as Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Shepherd Center, and enduring founder-led initiatives, such as veterans and the military and stuttering, among others. The foundation will also continue to guide the six associate-led giving committees operating across the Blank Family of Businesses. For more information, please visit www.blankfoundation.org. ♦
Grilled Chicken & Sausage Gumbo
Catfish Poboy Shrimp & Grits
By Eric L. Nesbitt, P.C
Ridesharing has become part of everyday life in Colorado, but when an accident happens, passengers are often left confused about what to do next. If you or a loved one is injured in an Uber or Lyft, the steps you take immediately can make a big difference in protecting your health and your rights.
Put safety first. Call 911 right away, even if injuries seem minor. Police and medical reports are vital to your case. If you’re able, document the scene— take photos, get witness contact information, and screenshot your ride details from the app.
Get medical care quickly. Some injuries don’t show up until hours or days later. Seeing a doctor right away ensures your health is protected and creates the records needed to support your claim.
Understand the insurance. Colorado law requires Uber and Lyft to provide up to $1 million in liability coverage whenever a driver is in route to pick up a rider or carrying passengers. If the app was on but no ride was accepted, coverage is lower. These details can be complicated, which is why legal guidance is so important.
Don’t face insurance companies alone. Rideshare companies and their insurers may try to limit what they pay. Having an experienced personal injury attorney means someone is fighting for your best outcome, whether through negotiation or, if necessary, in court.
If you have been hurt in a rideshare accident, don’t let an injury disrupt your life. Seek legal to protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve. ♦
A Lion King Review FROM THE EYES OF A CHILD:
By LaTerrell Bradford
The world’s number one musical, The Lion King, has roared back into Denver, gracing the Temple Buell Theatre stage from October 23 to November 16, 2025.
I had the delightful experience of attending the press night performance with my publisher and her bright-eyed great-granddaughter Desiree, who is just 5 years old, along with my granddaughter Jaslyn, age 12. Although I’ve seen The Lion King many times before, witnessing it again - though their eyes – felt brand-new.
From the moment the drums began and the first notes of “The Circle of Life” filled the theatre, their faces lit up with awe. The girls gasped as elephants, giraffes, and zebras paraded down the aisles, larger than life and bursting with
color. Their wonder was contagiousevery adult in the audience seemed to rediscover their inner child.
One of the most beautiful parts for me was watching Simba and Nala’s story play out. As cubs, they were best friends, romping and exploring the Pride Lands together without a worry in the world. Then time passed — Simba went on his journey, faced his fears, returned home a changed lion. Nala, meanwhile, stayed strong, facing the challenges of the Pride Lands and reminding Simba of who he was.
When the adult Simba and Nala re-met on stage, you could see a new kind of relationship: respect, love, and
partnership. Nala didn’t just follow –she encouraged. Simba didn’t just lead – he listened and learned. Together, they showed us that growing up doesn’t mean forgetting the fun of being cubs, but it does mean caring for each other and for all around you.
In this production, the performances were stunning. Erick D. Patrick as Simba brought youthful energy and big heart, while Darnell Abraham as Mufasa radiated the kind of wise, powerful love a father lion should. And Mukelisiwe Goba as Rafiki lit up the stage with her spiritual spark – it was a reminder of how everything in life is connected.
As Jaslyn whispered, “It feels like we’re really in Africa!” and little Desiree clapped in rhythm with the music, I realized that The Lion King continues to be more than a musical – it’s a celebration of life’s endless circle. Whether you attend with friends, children, or grandchildren, let The Lion King rekindle your sense of wonder. This spectacular show remains a gift to the imagination and the heart – a perfect way to begin the holiday season right here in Denver. ♦
Editor’s note: The Lion King, a full-length Broadway musical running 2 hours and 30 minutes is playing at the Buell Theatre through Nov. 16, 2025. It is intended for guests 6 and up. All guests require a ticket, regardless of age. For more information and tickets, visit https://www.denvercenter. org/tickets-events/lion-king/
Stock Show and Bill Pickett NATIONAL WESTERN
National Western Stock Show and Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo Announce Transition for 2026 MLK Jr. African American Heritage Rodeo of Champions
The National Western Stock Show (NWSS) and the Bill Pickett
Invitational Rodeo (BPIR) announce a transition in production for the annual MLK Jr. African American Heritage Rodeo of Champions, held during the National Western Stock Show.
After nearly two decades of partnership, both organizations have agreed to part ways for the upcoming season due to scheduling constraints that could not be reconciled. Originally established in 2006 by BPIR founder Lu Vason in collaboration with the National Western Stock Show to commemorate the NWSS’s 100th anniversary, the MLK Jr. African American Heritage Rodeo of Champions has brought together exceptional African American cowboys and cowgirls to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and
Stylish Senior Living
celebrate their enduring contributions to the Western way of life.
“The National Western Stock Show is deeply appreciative of the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo’s long-standing partnership and the strong foundation it helped build for this special event,” said Wes Allison, President & CEO of the Western Stock Show Association. “As we looked ahead to 2026, it became clear that the event’s expanded production schedule could no longer be accommodated within our broader rodeo lineup. We are proud of what we’ve accomplished together and look forward to continuing to honor Dr. King’s legacy through future collaborations and programming.”
Valeria Howard-Cunningham, President & CEO of the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, added: “While we are disappointed that the BPIR will not be hosting the 2026 MLK Jr. African American Heritage Rodeo of Champions due to schedule constraints, we are grateful for nearly
twenty years of partnership with the National Western Stock Show. BPIR remains committed to celebrating, educating, and showcasing the extraordinary contributions of African Americans to the Western way of life as we look forward to an exciting 2026 season.”
The National Western Stock Show will continue the tradition of hosting the MLK Jr. African American Heritage Rodeo in 2026 with a new production partner, Black Rodeo USA (BRUSA). Together, NWSS and BRUSA will carry forward the event’s mission to honor African American rodeo athletes, preserve Western heritage, and inspire future generations through the message and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The 2026 MLK Jr. African American Heritage Rodeo is taking place Monday, January 19, 2026, at 6 p.m., inside the Denver Coliseum as part of the National Western Stock Show. Tickets are available at www. nationalwestern.com. ♦
The AARP Family Caregiver Resource Guide for Colorado helps family caregivers access key programs, services and agencies in their community.
To order a copy of the guide, call the AARP Family Caregiving Resource Line at 877-333-5885 and request the AARP Family Caregiver Resource Guide for Colorado. Or view it online at aarp.org/CaregiverResources.
