Happenings in and around Historic 5 PointsJuly 2011

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3Summertime Hits Five Points

Greg Goodlow was a crowd pleaser as his group headlined the Annual Juneteenth Festival on Welton street. The legendary Charles Burell thrilled seniors at the reemerging Juneteenth Senior Luncheon.

Born in 1920, he was the first Black symphony performer in the country. Goodlow and Burell prove music is timeless.

Go Green!read 5 Points news online at

www.brotherjeff.com

Congresswoman Diana DeGette is excited about the vibrancy and focus on the traditions of 5 Points.

Congresswoman Diana DeGette recently joined 5 POINTS NEWS for a walking tour of Historic Five Points. Anxious to learn first hand about development plans and visit with new and long-standing businesses owners, she began her visit with Civil Technologies and was impressed with their neighborhood redevelopment efforts and Rossonian plans, that include the much anticipated opening of a national restaurant. Established in 1989, Civil Technology is recognized as one of Denver’s small busi-ness leaders. The firm provides comprehensive construction project and program management services, and has a distinguished track record in its partnering role in the delivery of complex projects.

DeGette’s visit also included the 5 Points Business District offices, Coffee on the Points, Welton Street Café and Tubman Hilliard Academy. “I am excited about the vibrancy and focus on the traditions of 5 Points, DeGette said. “My office can help identify funding sources so we can pay for the transportation, infrastructure and some of these plans.”

Top left to right: DeGette, Jen Clanahan, Lakisha Rankin, Cynthia Martin, DeGette, Mona DickersonBottom left to right: DeGette, Dillon Lotke, Donovan Cobbins, Chris Coble, Carl Bourgeois, Degette, Martin Willie, DeGette, Wil Alston

2 8 5 Points news

The Black American West Museum Presents its

Third Annual Pride & Progress Fundraising GalaCelebrating “ Colors of the West!”

Saturday, July 16, 2011 • Auction 6pm - 7 pm • Dinner & Awards 7pm - 10pmPark Hill Golf Club, 4141 East 35th Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80207

For tickets & additional information call 720.234.4994 or email director@ blackamericanwestmuseum.com

July 2011 8 3

5 Points news Monthly Publication - July 2011

Publisher

brother jeff

editor

Nita Henry

layout & design

Cynthia R. Martin

PhotograPhy

Lens of Ansarbrother jeff

A-Team Photography

Writers & research

Terrance “Big T” HughesKenneth DrewLakisha Rankin

Brooklyn DorseyNita Henrybrother jeff

Cynthia MartinEuda Green

5 Points News is a publication of brotherjeff.com

2836 Welton StreetDenver, CO 80205

303.297.0823www.brotherjeff.com

Prior to the Glenarm recreation Center there was the local YWCA. This is where Walter John Wedgeworth’s and his friends played tennis on “their side of town.” As much as they loved the game, when night fell, their rackets had to be put away.

This was not the case for youth and families on the “other side”of Race street.” When night fell for them, court lights at City Park came on. They contin-ued to play.

Wanting to play under the lights, Wedgeworth and 5 others from 5 Points decided to Break the Barriers. “I was about sixteen and the youngest of the group,” Wedgeworth told me in a recent interview. “The rest were in their 20’s 30’s and 40’s.”

The year was 1946, a time when Blacks did not walk east of “Race” street let alone travel into City Park to play tennis. To say their journey was dangerous, is an understatement. “They gave us such a hard time, but it was worth it,” says Wedgworth as he watched young people of all colors play tennis at the 5th Annual Diversity Tennis Festival in City Park.

–brother jeff

5 Points News has been following the incredible Breaking the Barriers exhibit and activities at the Blair-Caldwell African American research Library presented in conjunction with the American Tennis As-sociation and Black Tennis Pioneers.

The exhibit was last seen at the US Open Tennis Championships in New York and has never been seen west of the Mis-sissippi River. The historical timeline fea-tures the significance of Blacks in tennis from the 1800’s to Arthur Ashe’s ground-breaking Wimbledon win.

“Terry Nelson, Special Collection and Community Resource Manager for Blair-Caldwell Library stated, “We have never had anything like this at the library! An entire exhibit dedicated to Blacks who crossed racial barriers to play the game of tennis.

As the exhibit draws to an end, the game of tennis is in full swing. Throughout the summer City Park is offering a host of tennis events such as the Inner Mountain

Colorado Tennis Association’s 5th Annual Diversity Tennis Festival that drew over one hundred children, youth and adults. According to Paula McClain, Director of Marketing and Ourreach for the associa-tion, “The intent of this festival is to pro-vide underserved children with an oppur-tunity to be exposed to tennis and inspire them to continue the sport.”

You can continue to learn about local heros from Northeast Denver in a short documentary film at the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library. The courage and perserverance of these indi-viduals are highlighted as they talk about the challenges they have overcome and the barriers they have broken as they stepped onto the tennis courts.

Walter Wedgeworth and brother jeff at the 5 Annual Diversity Tennis Festival

Front row, second from left: Gaye O’Malley, Rust College, Women’s Varisity Tennis

It Was All Worth It Says Walter Wedgeworth

Tennis is Much More Than a Game

Diversity, Tennis and City Park

Tennis was always much more than a game for Gaye O’Malley. It provided her an education. Countless hours on the court instilled in this northeast Denver native the value of hard work, mental focus, self-discipline and a winning attitude. “I was in middle school in 1973 and didn’t see many Blacks and certainly not Black youth playing ten-nis in City Park,” she recalls. “So I borrowed a wooden racket and started playing.” O’Malley went on to play number one and two singles at East High School and ultimate-ly earned one of the first college scholarships in tennis awarded to an African American.

Claudia Jordan, Karen Collier, Coach Christina and Coach Tony work to ensure tennis is passed on to another generation of diverse youth.

4 8 5 Points news

5 Points Health & Safety Fair

The Colorado Department of Trans-portation Safety (CDOT) and Denver Health recently teamed and presented a Child Seat Safety Seat Check-Up Event/Health & Safety Fair in the heart of His-toric Five Points.

Parents were able to have their child’s car seat checked by certified CPS technicians. If it was determined that the seat needed to be replaced, parents were given a new seat for a minimum donation.

The event held at the Bernard Gip-son Eastside Family Health Center began at 10am. Cars began lining up as early as 8am and over 100 car seats were dis-tributed. Event coordinator Susan Burks stressed the importance of the event stat-ing, “In this tough economy it is impor-tant that we make sure children remain safe.” Child safety seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for infants and 54 percent for toddlers in passenger cars. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 90%

of children’s car seats are installed incor-rectly.

Parents also were provided with in-formation on Medicaid, Medicare, mam-mograms, pediatric health, woman, in-fant and children’s services and safety tips from the Denver Police Department. Children were also provided free bicy-cle helmits compliments of the Denver Health Foundation.

“This community deserves it, and we can give,” said Richard...Director of Ber-nard Gipson Eastside Health Clinic. “We are not asking for anything back. We are here for the community.”

Additional community partners in-cluded: Safe Kids Denver led by The Children’s Hospital, Street Smart, Inc and a cadre of neighborhood volunteers and Spanish translators.

Common Roots in BenediCt PaRk PlaCe

Community Space Available for meetings and events at no charge.

Urban Land Conservancy305 Park Avenue West, Unit B

Denver, Colorado 80205303.377.4477 • www.urbanlandc.org

The three tenants of Common Roots Shared Space: Urban Land Conservancy, Denver Preschool Program and Education Reform Now would like to extend an invitation to our neighbors to use our common space for your next meeting or event.

We are located within Denver Housing Authority’s (DHA) Benedict Park Place, a Hope 6 redevelopment of the former East Village Apartments at 305 Park Avenue West in Denver.

Our Shared Space includes a large conference room, foyer and kitchen facilities.

Please contact the Urban Land Conservancy to reserve the space for your next gathering.

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Did you know: Bernard Gipson Eastside Health Clinic is the

second oldest clinic in the US? Established in1966

Help your child enter school ready to learn!

Discover yourFamily Star.Enroll your child today in Denver’s finestyear-round Montessori School

Open, welcoming atmosphere for familiesFull-day, year-round schoolsMulticultural community with dual language programBilingual, highly-qualified teachersBirth through six years of ageExcellent student to teacher ratiosBright, open classroomsHigh-quality services for children with disabilities and special needsHighly nutritious and varied meals

You are invited to take a tour of our classrooms. Call 303.477.7827 to make an appointment or visit for more information.

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July 2011 8 5

WHEN WE CLICK OUR HEELS…

When we are blessed enough to have access to fully participate in this beautiful world, we should grab the opportunity to have the experience and learn as much as we can from those experiences. More im-portantly, we should not be afraid to have new experiences. What is normal and fa-miliar can sometimes shackle us.

Some of us have traveled the world…some have savored the finest cuisines…some have enjoyed the most nurturing families…

Some of us have never left our own backyards…some have determined that some experiences are for others and that they are not good enough to have those same experiences…some of us believe decisions are best made by “the powers that be.”

During the 2010-1011 Denver politi-cal season, I was fortunate enough to have both participated in and observed in an up-close-and-personal way, the nature of the Denver political arena. This is a great ex-ample of having access to fully participate in this beautiful world. I learned a lot about what people stand for on paper and what they stand for in reality. Sometimes they aren’t the same. I have learned that no mat-ter what, sadly, alliances can be grounded in power and not in logic. We sometimes favor those that we are comfortable with…at the expense of competency and some-times at the expense of truth.

I learned that there comes a time in our life journey where two paths present themselves. The first path is the path that we know well. It is familiar and most of-ten we know what will appear at the end of the path. The second path is the path we are least familiar with. We don’t know the route and most often, we have no idea what we’ll find at the end of the path. In most cases, we take the familiar path.

When we dare to take the least famil-iar path, we learn in tremendous ways. The experience of going down the unfa-miliar path is extraordinary - like being in a scene from the Wizard of Oz. Every-where you look there is something won-derfully strange and you do, literally, click your heels and say “I want to go home!”

My exposure to the Denver politi-cal arena has been very much like going to the Land of Oz. There really is a man behind the curtain. There really are good witches and bad witches. The munchkins do exist and are willing to help if we just let them. If you’re not careful, the house will fall on you. Not all lions have cour-age and the scarecrow isn’t as dumb as you think. Most importantly, Dorothy has more power than you ever imagined. You have no idea what is in that basket of hers!

Politics (…and sometimes politi-cians) give us the tools to do something magnificent in community…CREATE A THIRD PATH. This path, a blend of the familiar and unfamiliar and much like the building of the great pyramids, is designed by the people…for the people…and leads to a place that the people want to go.

Hhhmmm…wouldn’t it be nice if we took this simple concept and implemented it in our City. I don’t know how many po-sitions, alliances, meetings, appointments or press conferences this would take, but if it helps any…Toto came up with this idea! He’s a pretty competent dog.

-Nita Henry

Talkn’ With Dr. DaddioSaturdays 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Councilman Albus Brooks Connecting diverse communities in District 8

During my campaign, I ran on the slogan: “Connecting Diverse Communi-ties”. To me, and to those who worked and volunteered together during the election process, this is more than just campaign rhetoric. It is more than simply a catchy tagline to put on a yard sign. It is a state-ment of who I am as a community leader. It is an acknowledgement of the past, and a promise of the future.

Everyone should know by now that I would not have won if it wasn’t for the strength of my family. My wife, Debi, kept me going when the trials seemed insurmountable. The laughter and hugs of my two kids, Makai and Kenya, gave me the energy that I needed to go out and knock on your door. I love them with all my heart, and look forward to being on this journey with them by my side.

I would like to take this opportunity to remember the warmth and leadership of our dear friend, Carla Madison. She will be missed-but not forgotten- as we con-tinue to grow on the foundation that she has laid. I would also like to acknowledge Wil Alston for running a great campaign. It was an honor to run against such a qual-ified opponent. I look forward to the work that we will share in the Five Points.

Currently I am in in the transition process, which has been both challeng-

ing and fun. Part of that process entails the establishment of my office, which in-cludes a hiring process as well as a stra-tegic assessment of my goals for my first 100 days in office. My 100 Day Plan, as well as my new hires, will be formally un-veiled at my inauguration party.

While there are certainly many things to get done once I take office July 18th, I am being realistic in terms of the quantity of projects that my office will initially un-dertake. This is a new venture for me, and I want to make sure that I am being fair to the process, and to the voters. I am using the inauguration party to outline some of my plans for the first 100 days, as well as my vision for the coming years. The desired outcomes of my first 100 days in office range from setting up my office and a website, to kicking off my district-wide listening tour.

Another initiative that we will be un-veiling in our 100 day plan is the creation of Engage 8, a nonprofit that will work in conjunction with my city Council office to empower neighbors to be the change they seek in District 8. Engage 8 will ask constituents to serve on the following working committees: Economic Develop-ment, Parks, Zoning & Historical preser-vation, Youth Advisory to name a few. It is an important value of mine that all the ideas I heard from District 8 residents on the campaign trail be put to action. en-gage 8 will allow us to do that.

There is a lot to get done, and I will be asking for your help.

It is my hope that you will stay ac-tive in our community, and will help bring positive change to the district. Let’s roll up our sleeves and ensure that we build a great district together.

–Councilman Albus Brooks

Councilman Albus BrooksDenver City Council District 8

720.337.8883albusbrooks@gmail.com

Nita Henry is the Executive Director ofThe Kaleidoscope Project

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Business & Services Along the StripADvERTISING AND MARKETINGPure Brand Communications2745 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 297-0170

ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGNin SITU Design2942 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 296-4742

Studiotrope2942 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 308-1144

ARTS AND CULTUREBlack American West Museum3091 California Street, Denver, CO 80205(303) 482-2242

Blair-Caldwell Library 2401 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(720) 865-2401

brother jeff’s Cultural Center 2836 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 297-0823

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance 119 Park Avenue West, Denver, CO 80205(303) 295-1759

Frederick Douglas Community Building 2745 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(213) 923-2981

Stiles African American Heritage Center, Inc.2607 Glenarm Place, Denver, CO 80205(303) 294-0597

AUTOMOTIvECourtesy Auto728 East 26th Avenue, Denver, CO 80205(303) 861-4417

BANKINGUS Bank 2701 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 296-4742

Wells Fargo2559 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 297-7786

BARBERS & BEAUTy SHOPSDunbar Barber Shop 2844 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 295-9131

Five Points Beauty and Barber2757 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 298-1078

Franklin Stigers Afro Styling2755 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 295-9055

Hope for a Change Beauty and Barber Shop2737 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(720) 434-9092

McGill’s2843 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 295-1977

Mr. Puff2754 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(720) 404-8154

New Look Barbers2825 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 295-9192

BARSClimax Lounge2217 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 292-5483 CLEANERSC & B Cleaners & Hatters2748 Welton, Denver CO 80205(303) 297-9544

COMMUNICATIONSWireless Express610 26th St., Denver, CO 80205(303) 295-1788

COMMUNITy DEvELOPMENTCivil Technology Inc.2413 Washington, Denver, CO 80205(303) 292-0348

DISPENSARIESAlternative Medical Foods2752 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 295-2425

Denver Kush Club2615 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 736-6550

The Silver Lizard2860 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 862- 7940

ENGINEERINGTriunity Engineering2444 Washington St., 3rd Flr, Denver, CO 80205(303) 953-0320

FAITH BASEDAgape Christian Church2501 California, Denver, CO 80205(303) 296-2454

Central Baptist Church2400 California, Denver, CO 80205(303) 292-6618

Kingdom of God Christian Center2485 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 293-2233

GOvERNMENT OFFICESCop Shop2717 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(720) 865-2355

Denver Motor VehicleFive Points Plaza2736 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(720) 865-4600

HEALTH & HUMAN RESOURCESbrother jeff’s Community Health Initiative 608 26th St., 2nd Floor, Denver, CO 80205(303) 293-0024

Denver Options2736 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(720) 587-2741

Grupo Esperenza Y Fe2545 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(720) 297-0749

Guidance Behind the Walls608 26th St., Denver, CO 80205(303) 317-2800

Healing Life’s Pains2515 California St., Denver, CO 80205(720) 275-3383

The Kaleidoscope Project 2499 Washington, Denver, CO 80205(303) 647-5599

Hope Communities2543 California, Denver, CO 80205(303) 860-7747

LEGAL SERvICESBenford Bail Bonds 728 E. 26th Ave., Denver, CO 80205(720) 275-0619

Crawford Law Centre2736 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(720) 457-5035

Cooper & Dorancy, LLC3025 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 831-1021

Jenkins Krol2850 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 297-8480

Kiovsky and Duwaldt2820 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 293-2300

MEDIAChannel 122900 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 296-1212

Denver Weekly News2937 Welton, Denver, 80205(303) 292-5158

5 Points News2836 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 297-0823

Free Speech TV2900 Welton, Denver CO 80205(303) 442- 8445

KUVO2900 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 480-9272

Urban Spectrum2727 Welton, Denver CO 80205(303) 292 6446

REAL ESTATE & HOUSING Public Realty2608 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 295-2128

Wise-Harris Arms Apartment Complex605 26th Avenue, Denver, CO 80205(303) 296-7530

RESTAURANTS & BARSColeman’s Diner2622 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 296-3389

M&M Bar2621 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 295-0424

Tom’s Cafe800 E. 26th St., Denver, CO 80205(303) 388-8035

Welton Street Cafe2736 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 308-0860

RETAIL & SERvICESLil Tattoo2736 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 319-1814Neat Stuff at the Black Market2547 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 382-1337

Uptown Market 2721 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 993-7701

SCHOOLSTubman-Hilliard Global Academy2741 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(720) 542 8238

vENUESCervantes Masterpiece Ballroom2637 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 297-1772

yOUTH SERvICESHalo Center for Youth2758 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 757-2368

Tom’s Cafe800 E. 26th St., Denver, CO 80205

(303) 388-8035

The Creamary908 30th St., Denver, CO 80205

(303) 295-2404

Bogey’s on the Park2500 York St., Denver, CO 80205

(303) 291-1354

Coleman’s Diner2622 Welton St., Denver, CO 80205

(303) 296-3389

M&D’s Café2000 E. 28th Ave., Denver, CO 80205

(303) 296-1760

A&A Fish2896 Fairfax St., Denver, CO 80207

(303) 399-3730

Welton Street Cafe2736 Welton St., Denver, CO 80205

(303) 308-0860

Frank’s Kitchen2600 High St.

Denver, CO 80205(303) 296-3838

Cora Fayes2861 Colorado Blvd. Denver, CO 80207

(303) 333-5551

Five Points & Northeast Denver Restaurants

Support the many businesses andservices in and around Five Points.

July 2011 8 7

Five Points, Colorado’s Media Hub

710 East 26th Avenue, Denver, CO 80205 • 303.521.5555 • www.coffeeatthepoint.com

Join the Center for African American Health at the First AnnualDestination Health: Walk/Run/Learn

The Center for African American Health is encouraging everyone in com-munity to join in the first annual Destina-tion Health 5K walk and run on July 30th in Denver’s City Park.

Participants of all ages are invited to either walk or run the 5K. If some are not that ambitious, there is a “senior short-cut” and a “Mocha Mile Fun Run” which provide an opportunity to participate at a more manageable pace. Some familiar faces will be on-hand including CBS4’s Gloria Neal who will be the Mistress of Ceremonies. Cha Cha from Jammin’ 101.5 will also be on hand and keeping the event festive along with some listen-ers from Denver’s old school station.

With more than 50 organiza-tions participating in the Health Learn-ing Expo, people of all ages will have the opportunity to learn about resources and programs that will help them adopt healthy practices in their everyday life. Parents and grandparents are encouraged to bring children as there will be special activities in the Health and Safety area, which is being sponsored in part by the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Following the Awards ceremony, partici-pants will be invited to enjoy the smooth sounds of Denver’s own Mary-Louise Lee Band, who will be performing Jazz

and R&B hits dating from the 60’s up to the present.

For those who want to warm up before the walk, the Center will host a pre-event stretch and Zumba exercise at 8 am. Registration for the event begins at 730am. The 5K walk/run and Senior Shortcut will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m., followed by the Mocha Mile Run at 9:00 a.m. An awards ceremony will take place at 9:30 a.m. recognizing some of the par-ticipating teams as well as those who fin-ished the race first in their age division.

All registered participants will receive a Destination Health t-shirt and a free pass to the Denver Museum of Na-ture and Science. Registration fees are quite reasonable ranging from $30 for in-dividual adults to $25 for children under 12, seniors over 50 and team members. On the day of the event, on site registra-tion will be $35 per person so we encour-age you to register early either on-line at www.caahealth.org or pickup an entry form available at various barbershops, salons, churches, restaurants and other re-tail outlets.

For more information, please visit our website at www.caahealth.org or call us at 303-355-3423.

–Ashley Knight

2444 Washington St., Denver, Colorado 80205Ph. 303.832.5000www.fivepointsbusiness.org

5k Walk/Run, Senior Shortcut and Mocha Family Fun Walk/Run

Saturday, July 30, 2011Walk/Run Begins at 8:30 a.m.

City Park, Denver

(Adjacent to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science located at Colorado Blvd. & 23rd Avenue)

Visit www.ccahealth.org forcomplete details.

Happenings in and around Historic 5 Points

When you hear the words “Denver Five Points”, do you think of T.V Stations, award winning Jazz station, or exceptional written journalism? Probably not, but you should. The Five Points is a bona fide media hub! Did you know Five Points is not only the home of two African American owned and operated newspapers, a nationally recognized African American owned and operated Monthly magazine, an award winning Jazz sta-tion, but also two Nationally broadcasting television stations?

Free Speech TV broadcasts syndicated news programs and documentaries that deal with social, political, cultural and environmental issues. They broadcast full-time to 30 million households in the United States, and part-time on 200 Public access television TV affiliates while also broadcasting streamed video from the channel’s website.

Colorado Public Television or CPT12, formerly known as KBDI-TV is a PBS mem-ber television station. KBDI has the highest full-power television transmitting antenna in the United States, and reaches over 80% of Colorado. In 1994 they moved to their current Denver location in the Five Points neighborhood at the new Five Points Media Center. In 2006, KBDI purchased the media center outright and now houses two other community media organizations.

KUVO (89.3 FM) is a public radio station format, whose programming consists pri-marily of jazz, blues, and latin jazz music but it also includes programs devoted to other musical genres such as acid jazz, funk, gospel, R&B, and salsa. KUVO, which also is known as “The Oasis in the City”, won the Major Market Jazz Station of the Year Award in 2005 and 2006 from JazzWeek Magazine.

Denver Weekly News has been chronicling the Denver African American commu-nity weekly since February 1971. They are a member of the National Newspaper Pub-lishers Association. The Denver Weekly News is one of the larger weekly newspapers in the Denver, CO area. The newspaper has a weekly circulation of approximately 10,000.

The Denver Urban Spectrum is a monthly publication dedicated to spreading the news about people of color. The Denver Urban Spectrum has been publishing since 1987, and they have a distribution of 25,000 copies that attracts 60,000 readers every month throughout Colorado. Those numbers include more than 450 local and national subscribers.

5 Points News is a monthly newspaper that is specific with it’s mission of report-ing the “Happenings in and around Historic 5 Points.” Since it’s inception in late 2010, the readership has quadrupled to a circulation of more than 5000 hard copies and 3000 electronic copies (at www.brotherjeff.com). 5 Points is an ever growing and changing community and the 5 Points news is growing with it.

One thing is for sure, if you read about it, hear about it, or see it on TV, it probably started right here in 5 Points.

–Terrance “Big T” Hughes

L-R Haven Moses, Gloria Neil, Grant Jones

8 8 5 Points news

Join us as we celebrate the 17th An-NUAL INTERNATIONAL SUMMER DANCE INSTITUTE (PDF) : “One Spirit Many Voices”. We are excited to be host-ing an extraordinary guest faculty that includes leading artists from commercial, concert, Broadway, Hip Hop and cultural dance – many of whom have been teach-ing at ISDI for several years. I am par-ticularly excited that ISDI veteran master teacher, Mr. Milton Myers, will be with us for two full weeks this year, allowing his students a greater opportunity to ex-plore the unique fortification ad artistry of Horton technique. The Institute offers a range of genres as diverse as our dance community. Whether you are taking your very first dance class, oryou are a profes-sional dancer looking for the most inten-

sive training, the Institute offers classes designed just for you. Each week the In-stitute also offers students the opportunity to perform on the stage of the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theatre as part of their overall intensive expe-rience, with “One Spirit Many Voices” performance show-cases open to the public at the end of each week. We look forward to dancing and celebrating with all of you in Denver this summer. We’ll see you all in class! In the Spirit of Dance.

–Cleo Parker Robinson

New Orleans and All Boys Education

LIvE ON THE CANvAS FINALE

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Presents

After Hurricane Katrina hit New Or-leans in 2005 Dr. Tiffany Hardrick and Keith Sanders decided to do something to help and jumped in head first. They left their stable positions as principals in Memphis, TN and went to work on The Miller-McCoy Academy for Mathematics and Business. When they left their jobs, there was no guarantee that new orleans would grant them a charter, but they took a leap of faith, and in 2008 the all-boys academy was opened in four temporary trailers.

Dr. Hardrick was asked why they chose Denver for expansion and she cit-ed Denver’s charter friendly culture and per-pupil ratio, which is the same as New Orleans’, as the main reasons. The Miller-McCoy charter request was unanimously approved on June 30, 2011, but there are conditions. Among the conditions are academic achievement results at the cur-rent Miller-McCoy New Orleans school for the 2011-2012 school year, including a 70% graduation rate of their first class of seniors who have attended the school for three or more years. While Miller-McCoy has seen a marked increase in test scores for specific grade levels, the condi-tions set by DPS may be hard to achieve. Miller McCoy’s expected start date is the Fall of 2013.

In addition to The Miller-McCoy contingent, Dedrick Sims founder of Sims-Fayola International Academy, also hopes to earn the title of Denver’s first

all-boys school. Sims-Fayola applied for a charter in April of this year but pulled their application before the June 30 meet-ing, opting instead to update their appli-cation and re-apply in September of 2011. If the September application is approved, Sims-Fayola could open their doors as early as fall 2012.

Denver’s far northeast region will be home to both campuses, if both schools are successful in their attempts. I asked Sims-Fayola board member, Towanna Henderson, if the region can really han-dle the sudden emergence of two all-boy schools and she believes it can. not only are there plenty of students in the region, the schools offer different aca-demic choices for students and parents. Miller-McCoy focuses on mathematics and business while Sims-Fayola focus-es on international studies and project -based learning. When asked the mean-ing of the word Fayola, Ms. Henderson replied, “Fayola is an African word that means ‘good fortune walks with honor’. It speaks to the culture of our school. We want to produce young men who will pos-sess the character traits and critical think-ing skills that will allow them to walk with honor and become global leaders in this world”.

I, for one, hope both schools are suc-cessful in their endeavors and that Den-ver’s boys of color reap the benefits.

–Euda Green

Monday, July 18th marks the final episode of two successful seasons of Den-ver’s only live talk back dedicated to art-ists, activists and people of interest in the Black community, LIVE! On The Canvas! Join Art Blaque, Curator (Holly-Kai Hurd) for the final episode with Cousins Gal-lery featured artist, photographer Deanna Lowman and art-trepreneur appreciation

Art Blaque, Curator (Holly-Kai Hurd)

Friday, July 15 thru Sunday, July 17, 2011Denver City Park West, Denver COwww.colbaf.org • 720.339.1693

Colorado Black Arts Festival 2011 is excited to celebrate our 25th Annual Festival July 15-17, 2011 at Denver City Park West. This year’s Festival theme “Gifted and Black” reflects the wonderful, eclectic and exciting creative talents of local, regional, and national African Americans in art and culture. This year, to com-memorate our Silver Anniversary, we have expanded to a 5 day celebration to in-clude special events and activities throughout Denver culminating with the main festival event in City Park West.

and reception. Lowman’s exhibit titled ‘Orisa, Orixa, Orisha’ opens July 6th and runs through July 31st. Get your ques-tions ready and prepare to get educated on her approach to storytelling and the mar-riage between photography, culture, spiri-tuality and ultimately identity.

Reception begins at 5:30 in honor of those business owners that have sup-ported and advertised with LIVe on The Canvas Magazine as well as entrepre-neurs and artists in the community. Mix, mingle and network with other artists, in-tellectuals and creatives. Live interview begins promptly at 6:30pm. ‘Crayons on Canvas’ is available for children 9 and under. Please RSVP for children. Event is free and open to the public, donations appreciated.

‘Live! On The Canvas’ takes place on the 3rd floor of The Blair Caldwell Library in The Cousins Gallery located at 2401 Welton Street (80205). For more information e.mail artblaque@gmail.com or call 720.364.4492. Join us on facebook under Art Blaque, Curator.

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance119 Park Ave W., Denver, CO 80205

303-295-1759www.cleoparkerdance.org

Top: Dedrick J. Sims, Head of School/CEO and Towanna Henderson, Board Member Sims-Fayola International Academy

Bottom: Vaughn Thompson, Executive Director of Curriculum Programs, Dr. Tiffany Hardrick, Co-Founder and CEO, Keith Sanders, Co-Founder and CEO, Kendra Gill, Director of Finance and Operations - Miller-McCoy Academy

July 2011 8 9

One of the design flaws in our local Five Points community is the disconnection between gentrification and the basic needs of many residents presently living in our com-munity. By design or by accident, market forces create an imbalance where certain people benefit and others become displaced. Some residents have three story condo-miniums designed with panoramic views of the mountains. Other residents design their shelter between dumpsters adjacent to art institutions like RedLine. The world we have designed is severe and you need not travel to the developing world to encounter these contradictions.

It is our hope in bringing the Design For the Other 90% exhibition to Denver that we might take up these contradictions both locally and abroad. One of the myths about poverty is that it is permanent and the poor will always be with us. The Design For The Other 90% exhibition interrupts this myth by providing innovative yet simple tools for people in the developing world to pull themselves out of poverty. This revolution in design invites us into new ideas and relationships that ultimately alter reality both at home and abroad. It at this intersection where art, ideas and community converge, that redLine most embodies its mission.

Design For The Other 90% highlights the growing trend among designer’s to de-velop solutions that address basic needs for the vast majority of the world’s population not traditionally serviced by professional designers. On view July 8 through September 25, 2011, the exhibition features more than 30 works that demonstrate how design can be

a dynamic force in transforming and, in many cases, actually saving lives.“Design for the Other 90%” recognizes the growing urgency for designers to de-

velop affordable and sustainable solutions that address basic necessities such as shelter, food, drinking water and sanitation for the majority of the world’s population. “Ninety-five percent of the world’s designer’s focus all their efforts on developing products and services exclusively for the richest 10 percent of the world’s customers,” said Dr. Paul Polak, founder of iDE and a member of the exhibitions advisory council. “Nothing less than a revolution in design is needed to reach the other 90 percent,” he added.

RedLine and iDE embraced the opportunity to host this exhibition to demonstrate that though many of the challenges facing the developing world may seem remote, suc-cess or failure in overcoming these challenges will have a global impact. Speaking to the partnership between redLine and iDe, Andrew Vermouth, Communications Director for iDE comments,”iDE has come together with RedLine to present the Design for the Other 90% exhibit in Denver because we believe RedLine’s local vision and reach to be essential components in bringing iDE’s brand of innovation in the developing world to bear on design challenges we will increasingly face here at home in the coming years. We’re very excited that this forum of ideas is already giving rise to important conversa-tions about these challenges with likeminded local companies and individuals.”

And so while this exhibition will showcase solutions to poverty in the developing world it will also call into question the food insecurity experienced by many neighbors in our own community. Issues such as clean water, clean air and adequate food supply are issues without borders. Failure to protect and provide them in one part of the world has ripple effects across the globe. “Design for the Other 90%” is designed to shine a light on this reality, demonstrate how smart, thoughtful design is addressing these challenges and underscore how many of the solutions not only can help directly with issues around the world, but can also be applied right here in our own backyard.

The exhibition is divided into thematic sections focusing on water, shelter, health, education, energy and transportation. redLine and iDe are honored to be hosting this Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt exhibition and can do so only through the support of non-profit and for-profit organizations like JPMorgan Chase, Tellurex, Metropolitan Homes, Nokero, Three Tomatoes Catering, CH2MHILL, AfricAid, Brother Jeff’s Cultural Café, Raindrop Partners, Water for People, Ethiopia Reads, Design Council Denver Art Mu-seum, and B4Haiti.

RedLine’s opening reception for “The Design for the Other 90%” is July 8 and be-gins with a member’s reception at 5:30pm and then opens to the public from 7:30-10pm. From July 8 – Sept 24 the exhibition is open to the public.

RedLine and iDE Present a Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum Exhibition “Design for the Other 90%”

Robert McMullen, Membership & Volunteer Manager, and PJ D’Amico, Executive Director

Black Art Pioneer Oyedele (Oye) Oginga circa 1977

5 Points News Trivia: Do you know where this art is located on Welton?

5 Points news enjoyed a day photo-graphing vibrant art woven into the com-munity fabric along Welton.

In this edition we challenge readers to discover the myriad artistic styles, expres-sions, mediums and perspectives oftern overlooked or taken for granted. Slow down and take in the stories, colors, lessons and history the artists convey. Let’s pay tribute to the artist’s work even if we can’t recall their names.

Speaking of artistic names, a commu-nity newsletter known as the High Street Commentary published in 1977 stated, “Oyedele (Oye) Oginga is considered by many to be one of the few true Black art-ist in Denver. His talents run full circle, from photography, portraits and drawings to door carving, but the expression of Af-rican and Afro Cuban rhythm is the one great effort of his life.

If you happen to see Oye at this years Colorado Black Arts Festival, thank him for helping lay the foundation that many Black artists walk upon today.

2350 Arapahoe Street, Denver, CO 80205 | 303.296.4448

10 8 5 Points news

5 Points News Photo Gallary - Juneteenth 2011

2011 Juneteenth Senior Luncheon a Hugh Success

Brother Jeff’s Cultural Center re-established the Juneteenth Senior Lun-cheon. The event was an overwhelming success with attendance reaching capac-ity at the Doubletree Hotel. The seniors were dressed to kill, the Purnell Steen Trio lit up the atmosphere with classic jazz and Denver legend Charlie Burrell born in 1920, dazzled participants with his musical genius.

Several Pioneer Awards were pre-sented to community trailblazers includ-ing the original Juneteenth Senior Lun-cheon founder, Jean Jackson. Purnell Steen received Brother Jeff’s Lifetime Achievement award. Brought to tears

this musical and community pioneer ex-pressed his deep gratitude.

The luncheon included a senior citi-zen resource fair and was a time of con-necting and reconnecting senior citizens who live in the Denver community. The keynote address was given by the leg-endary James “Dr. Daddio” Walker.

Brother Jeff commented, “Our se-niors are our most valuable resource and without their contributions our commu-nity would not have any traditions to cel-ebrate.” He added, “I promise that this tradition will continue and will be even bigger and better next year.”

July 2011 8 11

Starlites Drill Team: Twenty years and Still Stepping

Teresa Page was a young girl with a vision when she founded the Colorado Starlites Drill Team nearly 30 years ago. Her vision continues as she works with her third generation of young girls. Known respectfully as Mrs. Page, her Starlites embody precision, discipline, character and respect. They have performed nation-ally and even dazzled President Obama with their skills.

A northeast Denver tradition, the Starlites began and still rehearse at the Salvation Army red Shield Center. 5 Points News interviewed Mrs. Page be-fore the Starlites performance at the 5 Points Health and Safety Fair.

5 Points news: What drives or pro-pels you to do this work?

Teresa Page: Truly it is a passion, because it is a life changing experience. If you give me 72 hours with these chil-

dren, they won’t be the same. What we do is start them off as a seed and then they create their own bouquet. We teach them discipline, love and respect. It just creates a good community, good citizens and this is not just for the young people, it’s for the family. People who participate as Starlites do so because they truly want change.

5PN: What was it like opening up for Senator obama in Colorado when he was running for president?

TP: It was amazing because the way the he treated and spent time with them. President obama had Secret Service men with him, so they were introduced to that. They have several photos with him. It was totally awesome.

5PN: How many Starlites are you working with?

TP: 80-100. We are in transition now and are working with ages three to

twenty-three. They have done two Disney tours and took 100 children on a nine-day trip. They recently performed for 70,000 people on Disney’s Cinderella Palace.

5PN: How do you fund Starlites?TP: We receive various support from

people that know and believe in us like Red Shield. I really have to take my hat off to Pastor Ron McKinney. He is a huge supporter as well as the Salvation Army.

5Pn: Who is the Starlites contact per-son and number?

TP: Mrs. Lynn Jackson at 720.495.1342.

Colorado Starlite Founder Teresa Page

Denver Parks and Recreation and Kaiser Permanente Partner to

Offer Free Summers for TeensThe City and County of Denver and Kaiser Permanente will join forces once again

this summer to offer Denver teenagers free access to City recreation centers and swim-ming pools. Denver teens, aged 13–17, will enjoy free memberships to recreation centers and pools from June 10 through August 14. This is the third year that Kaiser Permanente has supported a free summer recreation program. Standard fees will continue to apply for programs and activities that typically are offered at an additional charge.

Denver’s recreation centers and pools have great benefits for teens, offering a safe place to gather during the summer months. In fact, the City of Denver reports a dra-matic reduction in juvenile crime over the last few years when fees have been waived at recreation centers and pools. Juvenile suspects involved in person crimes decreased 65 percent and juvenile suspects involved in property crimes decreased 31 percent from the paid period to the free period.

Area recreation centers offer a variety of summer activities, including open swim, basketball, game room and other special teen focused events. Programs available for a nominal fee include weight training programs, basketball, volleyball and swim lessons.

Youth 12 and under can purchase a three month membership for $10.50 or see if they qualify for the My Place program or scholarships. Denver residents may locate their nearest recreation center by visiting www.denvergov.org/recreation and clicking on “Find a Recreation Center”.

Guidance Behind the Walls workers Brett Tyrone Williams and Leon Cain are sum-mer fixtures on the corner of 26th and Welton. Thier program mentors youth and takes them fishing, bicycling, horseback riding and more..

brother jeff’s Cultural CenterSummer Art and Enrichement Program

I can remember as a youngster, learning about a free summer arts pro-gram several blocks from my home at Hallet Elementary School. I told my mom about it and she gave me permis-sion to attend. It was informal–I don’t remember having to register or my mom being asked to come and sign me up. What I do remember is going back day after day until I was told the pro-gram had run its course for the summer.

Today, I am an artist who remem-bers the seeds of creativity that were planted in my life along the way, and that summer of art is one that stands out in my mind.

About a month ago, a young girl knocked on my door. If I had to guess her age, I would say she was about 6

or 7 years old. She said with a smile, “Hello, we are collecting money so that we can have art and gym at my school.” I looked up to see her mom at the gate, and beyond her, other mothers and their children canvassing to raise money with her. This troubled me so much that I shared it with anyone who would listen. When it was Brother Jeff’s turn to hear, he repsonded, not only with words, but a discussion. not only with a dicussion, but a free summer art and enrichment program.

I am excited to announce that while we may not be able to save the world, we can each do a little something to make our community a little more special.

One day in the future, I hope to read a story of an artist who remembers the seeds of creativity that were plant-ed at Brother Jeff’s Cultural Center’s Summer Art and enrichement Program.

–Cynthia Martin

2011 SUMMER FAMILy FREE DAyS

Denver Art Museum - August 6 | September 3Denver Botanic Gardens - July 19 | August 29 | September 26, 2011

Denver Museum of Nature & Science - August 22 | August 28 | September 18Denver Zoo - Next free day is October 12, 2011

Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm

07.20.11 and 07.22.1107.27.29 and 07.29.1108.03.11 and 08.05.1108.10.11 and 08.12.11

Ages 9-14Call 303.297.0823 to register.

Do you have an interesting story to share? Email 5PointsNews@brotherjeff.com