PAINTING BY KEVIN JOHNSON
MY BLACK COLORADO
young trailblazers V O L U M E 3 // I S S U E 1
Thank You
To everyone who made this community initiative possible. It has taken many people to bring this together. We are excited to continue growing and expanding and being an enriching resource for our community and for those seeking to work with those in our community. Thank you for believing in us and what we are doing. Teamwork makes dreams work.
Brandon & Jini Bornes Founders of My Black Colorado
Premier Sponsors
Feature Sponsors Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center pikespeaksbdc.org 719-667-3803 Hillside Connection hillsideconnection.org 719-434-1907 John Register Inspired Communications International johnregister.com 719-357-6833
Solid Rock Christian Center solidrock-cs.org (719) 393-7625
Darrell Anderson Omni Inspections omniinspect.com 719-290-4901 Demetrius Johnson DSquared Financial Group dsquaredfinancialgroup.com 720-722-1290 Anastasia Smith RainbowCubz 318-359-1972
Solid Rock Community Development Corporation solidrockcdc.com (719) 393-7625
Shirley Martinez Pikes Peak Diversity Council ppdiversitycouncilinc.org Lisa Jenkins Kingdom Builders Family life Center kingdombuildersfamilylifecenter.org 719-247-8190 Claudine Malcolm World Of Wellness 719-210-7070 Carlos Gonzalez, Jr. State Farm Insurance Agent guardianofthecommunity.com 719-900-7431
Pikes Peak Community College ppcc.edu (719) 502-2000
National Countl of Negro Women Denver Section ncnwdenver.org Joshua Alexander Hoy & Gina Baker Hoy-Baker Funeral Homes hoybakerfuneralhome.com 720-809-6126
Your Are Helping Us Grow Your sponsorships impact how we operate. We have been able to pay over 15 local black writers, editors and content creators over the last year to help us raise awareness about what is happening in our local black communities around Colorado.
Pillar Sponsors Cultural Office Of The Pikes Peak Region culturaloffice.org 719-634-2204 Louisville Rising louisvillerising.org Jice Johnson Black Business Initiative bbiprofessional.com 303-900-7780 Russell & Zakiya Moss Moss Company LLC mosscompanyllc.org Leona M. Adbullah-Ward In Balance Dance Studio In-balancedance.com 719-394-8877 Sabrina Cooks Galvan & Gardner Real Estate Group galvanandgardner.com sabrina@galvanandgardner.com 719-660-8313 Patricia Kessack Eastern Colorado Bank YourFriendlyBank.com 719-258-7133 Colorado Springs Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc csac-dst.org Nilaja Montgomery
Our Content is Free All our content is free to view on our website, but these special individuals support our organization by purchasing paid subscriptions and help make our organization financially sustainable
Paid Subscribers A Fish Named Gecko Aimee Richey Alana Gaither Alexis Miller Alexzandre Thompson Alicia Klausmeier Alicia M Cover Allison Yazel Amy Redcloud Amy Sweet anastasia allen Angela Bakas Angela Stevens Angelique Scott Anna Sutter Anne Tapp Anthony Young Arley-Rose Torsone BabeNatural Becca Tarnowski Becky Mares Benjamin Anderson Benjamin Ralston Bernadette White Biaze Houston Billy Williams Brandon Cromier Brian Elyo Bryant Perryman Byron Hall * Carla Kenyon Carola Rafferty Carlos Gonzalez Cassandra Berry Cassandra Reid cecilia mims Ceita Bobb-Semple Charadie Finkle Cheriece Peterson Christianna Anderson Christina William Chubby Curls, LLC Chuck Acker Cleveland King Colorado Beautillion Inc Corey Sturdivant Courtney Lively Cristina Sajovich Cynthia Camble Cynthia E. Hurd Cynthia M Patterson Damaris McCowan Darolyn Stewart Darrell Anderson Dawud Salaam Delecia Washington Derek Hunter Diva’s Laundry Service
dominique conner Dorothy Bee Durtana Walker Edward Glasser Elizabeth Androulidakis Elizabeth Jackson Elizabeth Lee/Young Emerald Taylor Felicia Bornes-Agyekum Felicia Hawkins Felicia Hawkins Frederica Murray-Crews Gabriel Padilha George Baines George Houston Gerard Endres Gwendolyn Henderson Harold H Rapp Jr Harriet Jarmon Harrison Hunter Hester Jackson-Roberts Holly Booker Hunter Anderson Idris Goodwin Jacqueline Brunson Scott Jacqueline Williams Jadonna Brewton Jaelithe Stephens Jamal Bowen James Flowers James Hinkle Janei Maynard Janelle Landon Janet Brugger Jeff Livingston Jeff Rueckert Jenelle Forbes Jennifer Gage Jenny L Owen Jerlene Dodd Jerone Penrose JESSICA L FORD Jice Johnson Jimmy Sellars Joan Maclachlan Joanna Welch Jocelyn Mccaskill John C Conoway John C Dodson John Register Jonhda A Starling Joseph Wiliams Josephine smith Jovina Galbearth Juannean Karolyn k Dicken Kay McCormack Keena Day
Kelly DeBardelaben Kelsey M Tungseth Kennedy Pugh Khadija Haynes Kieth Kennison Kimberly Anderson Kimberly Conner Kimbrel Curry Kingdom Countertops & Cabinetry LLC Ladonna Welch Lance Wheeland Latisha HArdy laurac@restoredlife.org leland jordan Leona Abdullah Ward Leonard Anderson Leroy Phillips Lihani Photography Linda J Rogers Lisa Olsson Lisa Smith Lolita Wilson Louis Hiken Louise Cutler Luis Velez Makisha Boothe Mama Carolyn Crafts Mani Trees Maria Wilcox Marie A Heaton Marquia Young Mary K Rockwell Matthew Burkett Melinda J Mingo MelindaJoy Mingo Melissa Grubb Micheal Brooks Michele Legetye Michelle Thomas Michelle Wills-Hill Miss Millie’s Kitchen Monique Flemings Nathaniel Granger Nealene Orinick New Life Designs Nicole Perkins Nigel Grant Nika Nicely nmonty041 Pamela Miller Patrice Ravenscroft Paul Strahsburg Philip Booze Rachell Stovall Ramona Lowe Rebecca B Theobald Rebecca Loevy
Regina English Regina Wiggett Richelle Gittens Rodney Gullate JR. Rodney Tarver Roger Fletcher Roosevelt Price Rosalyn D Bagby Royal l Curry Rutford Rutford Sara Bornes Sara Lane Sarah J Logan Scott Anderson Scott Schlieper senga fittz Sharai Johnson Sharon R Tunson Shawtina Lane Sheena Sanders Shirlee Dobbs Shirley A Stewart Shirley Martinez Shirley Wyatt Shunna Flowers smith leser Sophi Gilliland Stanley Gbandawa Stephany Spaulding Stephen C Shepard Susan DiNapoli Taj Dajuan Stokes Tanisha Bruns Tay Anderson Tekarah Harding Teresa Barnes Terri Richardson Thomas English Tianna Staples Tiffany Jones Tineal Simon Tony Penoyer Tonya White Tori Sharpe Treasell Henderson-Thomas Tressa Eaton Vachon Brackett Vanessa Julian-Shonoiki Vickey JONSON Wallace Hall Walter Huff Welvin Washington Will Phillips William Hilburn Yasmeen Nkrumah-Elie Yevgeniya Tsyganok yves sturdevant Zakiya S Moss
Covid has changed the way a lot of us interact with each other and the world. Many businesses were forced to be innovative and adapt to the changing environment. Some businesses could not pivot, while others transformed how they did business to better connect with their clients. One thing that we are confident of is that our community is resilient. Thank you for all those who continue to support our organization.
My Black Colorado Is A Subsidiary Of BornesPro Media | BornesPro.com
OVERCOMING STEREOTYPES
Brandon & Jini Bornes
Founders of My Black Colorado
Our Mission
To facilitate and cultivate a cohesive ecosystem of the local black community to inspire, innovate and connect local areas together.
Our V i s ion | A Lo ve That Ne ver Fa i l s We often worry that we don’t have enough resources in our community to go around. When we see someone in our community doing what we do but better, we get a little nervous or intimidated. Instead of using competition to spur on our creativity, teamwork, work ethic and innovation, we become soo overwhelmed with our own fears and insecurities that we gossip, sabotage, or hurt one another. This has happened to many exceptional people in our community.
We need to do better and lead by example. Our love for each other needs to be greater than our fear of failure. If we had to simplify into one word what My Black Colorado is about, it would be LOVE! Because Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not selfseeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no
Pg. 6 | Founders of My Black Colorado
record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. When people come in contact with our brand, that’s what I want them to experience. It‘s not an easy aspiration to live up to, but we believe it‘s worth fighting for and it‘s what we need as a community.
Find Out More at www.MyBlackColorado.com/team
Our Team Of Talented Professionals
Cynthia Camble Publishing Consultant
Shantelle Nix Community Consultant
Ellie Redcloud Business Consultant
Ralph McCoy
Rodney Gullatte, Jr.
Design Consultant
Social Media Consultant
Dr. Anthony Young Mental Wellness Consultant
Michael Williams Strategic Consultant
Tashara Lweis Content Creator
David Prosper Editor
Richelle Gittens Editor
Kimber Reese Editor
Shirley Martinez Writer
Keena Day Writer
Talisa Caldwell Writer
Tina Pernell Writer
Camiio Patton Writer Find Out More at www.MyBlackColorado.com/team
Milton Whipple Writer
Kenya Fashaw Writer
Angelique Scott Writer Team Members | Pg. 7
Vote F o r O ur G o ld e n T i c k e t, P e o p l e ’s C h oi c e Award s at m yblackc o l o r a do.c om/ vote
Pg. 8 | Featured Sponsor
View Sponsors at MyBlackColorado.com/Sponsors
TABLE OF CONTENTS | YOUNG TRAILBLAZERS PG 2 | SPONSOR | SOLID ROCK COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION PG 3 | SPONSOR | SOLID ROCK CHRISTIAN CHURCH | NOMINEE - ZA’MAZRI TALBERT PG 4 | SPONSORS & SUBSCRIBERS PG 6 | MEET THE TEAM PG 10 | SPONSOR- HILLSIDE CONNECTION | NOMINEE - CA’MAR TONEY PG 12 | SPONSOR - RAINBOWCUBZ & RAINBOWCUPZ | NOMINEES - REAHGAN & MORGAN PG 14 | SPONSOR - INSPIRED COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL | NOMINEE - ASHLEY REGISTER PG 16 | SPONSOR - SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER | NOMINEE - MARINA FENNELL PG 18 | SPONSOR - KINGDOM BUILDERS FAMILY LIFE CENTER PG 20 | SPONSOR - WORLD OF WELLNESS | NOMINEE - SAVANNAH WILLIAMS PG 22 | SPONSOR - NATIONAL COUNCIL OF NEGRO WOMEN DENVER SECTION & LIVING PORTRAIT HONOREES PG 24 | SPONSOR - PIKES PEAK DIVERSITY COUNCIL PG 26 | SPONSOR - PIKES PEAK DIVERSITY COUNCIL PG 28 | SPONSOR - BORNESPRO MEDIA | NOMINEE - JAKYE NUNLEY PG 30 | SPONSOR- D SQUARED FINANCIAL GROUP | NOMINEE - ELLIS HUDSON & ALIYAH FARD PG 32 | SPONSOR - HOY-BAKER FUNERAL HOME | NOMINEE - RACHEL EUROPE PG 34 | SPONSOR - OMNI INSPECTIONS | NOMINEE - LEON BAKER III PG 36 | SPONSOR - ANONYMOUS | NOMINEE - TAYLOR FLOWERS PG 38 | SPONSOR - ANONYMOUS | NOMINEE - JAVON MCKINNEY PG 40 | SPONSOR - ANONYMOUS | NOMINEE - CIERA NYKOHL PG 42 | EDITORS PICK | NOMINEE - VACHON BRACKETT JR. PG 44 | SPONSOR - IN BALANCE | YOUTH NOMINEE - SHANIYAH NEWLAND PG 45 | SPONSOR - MOSS COMPANY LLC | NOMINEE - ASIA MOSS PG 46 | NOMINEES - AMARA JOHNSON, ARMANI BOXLEY, BRITTON-GRAE CHAPMAN,& ZA’REA PATRICK PG 48 | NOMINEES - AMAYA PORTER, AMINAH FARD, ANGEL AMANKWAAH, ASHLEE TAYLOR PG 50 | NOMINEES - ASHYIA ALLEN, TRINITY ROBERTS, AYAUNA SMITH-MCCULLEN & CHEYENNE CISSE PG 52 | NOMINEES - CIERRA NOEL, DAMARIS DAVIS & DANIEL JOHNSON PG 54 | NOMINEES - DEVYN JACKSON, ELI BERRY, MILANI COOK & ESSENCE JENNINGS-WARD PG 56 | NOMINEES - RACHEL HILL, KIZHANA COOPER, GABRIEL PETERSON, ANTONIO & JASON MARTINEZ PG 58 | NOMINEES - JADYN PHILLIPS, LESLIE KOFFI, JAYLEAN FRANCK & JA’NIA MANNING PG 60 | NOMINEES - JORDAN COBURN, JUSTYCE SANDLIN, KELAJANAE CURRY & NI’ASIA ALI PG 62 | NOMINEES - SA’DAIVEON NEWELL, SHONCIRE GRAHAM, ABEL SHAW & CHARLES JOHNSON PG 64 | NOMINEES - IMANI LIGE, JOHN PRESTON HAMPTON, KAMEELAH SIMS-TAYLOR & KEIYASHA GRANDBERRY PG 66 | NOMINEES - MARIO WILSON, OLIVIA LANGLEY, SIERRA JARMON & TIANNA TERRELL PG 68 | NOMINEES - BRIANA GETER, BROOKLYN LUCKETT, LEON TSYGANOK-WILLIAMS & MARIAH HOFMANN PG 70 | SPONSOR - PIKES PEAK COMMUNITY COLLEGE | NOMINEE - SILAS BLANCHARD
View Nominees at MyBlackColorado.com/Youth
Featured Nominee | Pg. 9