Download - DUS February 2012

ReverendLeon Kelly

Illustrationby

AnthonyDyesJr.

DE

Black History Month gives us an opportunity to celebrate the

extraordinary contributions and events made possible by African Americans.

This history is our history, and part of the fabric of America.

Today, history continues to be made through the achievements

of children in our communities. We’re celebrating their future, and

Safeway is proud to be part of the celebration.

This could be history in the making

PUBLISHERRosalind J. Harris

GENERAL MANAGERLawrence A. James

MANAGING EDITORSheila Smith

COLUMNISTSEarl Ofari Hutchinson

G-Soul

FILM and BOOK CRITICKam Williams

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSMisti Aas

Gary BramlettSheila SmithAnnette Walker

ART DIRECTORBee Harris

GRAPHIC DESIGNERGillian Conte, The Creative SpiritJody Gilbert, Kolor Graphix

PRODUCTION AND OFFICE ASSISTANTCecile Perrin

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERCecile Perrin

ADVERTISING SALES CONSULTANTSRandle Media

Rodney Sturgeon

WEB SITE ADMINISTRATORTanya Ishikawa

DISTRIBUTIONGlen Barnes

Lawrence A. JamesEd Lynch

Volume 26 Number 11 February 2012

MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR

Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – February 2012

3

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Celebrating Black History...

This month, like in the past, we celebrate the achievements of American Blacks as February is Black History month.Many people in Denver have made a difference, but we chose one man in particular to be featured on our cover - the Rev. Leon Kelly.Kelly has been his own worst enemy but also the Black community’s best ally. He helped curb drive-by shootings and other gang–related violence

that once spiraled out of control in Denver and became the community’s saving grace.DUS contributing writer, Misti Aas wrote the story about Kelly and places you in his footsteps over the years, as he was the well-known “Dope

Man” selling drugs on the streets to now focusing on saving youths from the streets through his non-profit organization, Open Door Youth GangAlternatives. He sees it as already living his own eulogy each and every day.

Making history is something the Tuskegee Airmen know about. Colorado has several living Black heroes who fought in World War II and part ofthe elite group of pilots who defied adversity of prejudice and still fought to protect their country.

I was personally at the state capitol when state Reps. Angela Williams, Rhonda Fields and senators honored Lt. Col John Mosley and theTuskegee Airmen. State legislators also enacted a resolution to make Interstate 70 as part of the nationwide Tuskegee Airmen Trail winding acrossthe country.

In this February issue, I also delve into the closing of M&D’s Restaurant, which has been a special historical landmark in the Black community forthe past 34 years. For Mack and Daisy Shead, having to close their prized barbecue restaurant was a long time coming after years of struggling andan economic turmoil that cost them.

And if you have not heard about what’s going on with IRP Solutions and five African American executives, read what they DUS on page 8. Andlastly, but certainly not least, this month we introduce DUS’s 2012 African-Americans Who Make a Difference. See who they are and why.

We are a fortunate and blessed race to have overcome surmountable odds in the past. However, we move forward with African-Americans likeour president, Barack Obama, who are changing the face of history. And that is why I believe the Denver Urban Spectrum must con-tinue spreading the news about people of color.

God bless you all.Sheila Smith

Managing Editor

The Denver Urban Spectrum is amonthly publication dedicated tospreading the news about people ofcolor. Contents of the Denver UrbanSpectrum are copyright 2012 byRolado, LLC. No portion may be repro-duced without written permission of thepublisher.

The Denver Urban Spectrum circu-lates 25,000 copies throughoutColorado. The Denver Urban Spectrumwelcomes all letters, but reserves theright to edit for space, libelous material,grammar, and length. All letters mustinclude name, address, and phonenumber. We will withhold author’s nameon request. Unsolicited articles areaccepted without guarantee of publica-tion or payment.

Write to the Denver Urban Spectrumat P.O. Box 31001, Aurora, CO 80041.Office address is 2727 Welton St.,Denver, CO 80205.

For advertising, subscriptions, orother information, call 303-292-6446 orfax 303-292-6543 or visit theWeb site atwww.denverurbanspectrum.com.

Manager Of Safety ThanksCommunity For SupportEditor:As a follow-up to the Dec. 7 com-

munity forum, I want to thank all ofyou for taking the time out of yourbusy schedules to participate in thisimportant gathering. I also want toexpress my appreciation to the DenverAfrican-American Commission forhosting us and running the meeting.As I mentioned in the session, our

Public Safety Departments must bewilling to engage and partner withour residents on an ongoing basis inorder to make a positive difference. Inreviewing the meeting notes, I wasespecially heartened by the thoughtfulconsideration of how Public Safetyand the community could partnertogether in constructive ways in thefuture.A month prior to this forum, anoth-

er gathering was hosted by theDenver Latino Commission. There

was significant overlap across thesetwo forums in areas such as trustbuilding, training, communication,hiring, discipline and review process-es. I will say that the issue regardingmunicipal citations for minors in theschool system was a specific topic thatwas unique in our Dec. 7 forum.The overlapping recommendations

across the two forums strongly rein-forced the importance of the issuesthat were raised. As I stated in a fol-low-up to the Latino forum partici-pants, while we may be currentlyaddressing some of those areas (suchas training and streamlining process-es), some important questions thatemerged for me such as: Are weaddressing those areas? Do we needto do to become more effective? Howdo we use our existing resources toimpact these changes? If these existingresources are not enough to effect thedesired change, what other resourcescan we access to help us get there?I have shared the content of the

forum with our new Chief of Police,Robert White. Stay tuned for anupcoming community forum whereall of you can meet and engage withChief White in the near future. ChiefWhite shares my values and theadministration’s values of communityengagement. We take your input seri-ously and we look forward to ongoingdiscussions and partnerships with ourcommunity in the future.

Alex MartinezManager of Safety

Tyler Perry Thanks GeorgeLucas Making Red TailsEditor:

The Problem with an all-star AfricanAmerican Cast...Unfortunately, movies starring an

all African American cast are on theverge of becoming extinct. That’sright, EXTINCT! Ask any executive ata Hollywood Studio why, and most ofthem will tell you one of two things.The first thing they’ll say is that DVDsales have become very soft, so it’shard for a movie with an all black castto break-even. Secondly they’ll say,most movies are now dependent onforeign sales to be successful and most“Black” movies don’t sell well in for-eign markets. So what that means isyou will begin to see less and less

Continued on page 34Denver Urban Spectrum

Department E-mail AddressesDenver Urban Spectrum

[email protected]

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[email protected] & Information

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[email protected] & Design

[email protected] & Circulation

[email protected]

About the Cover Artist“There is a magical place available to

me and you at our beckon call. With thislevel of focus we can do brilliant things.You are never wrong here. The feeling iseuphoric. I soar. Free as a bird.”

Anthony J Dyes Jr.Est.1978.

Born and raised in Denver.See my portfolio onFacebook: t.j.dyes

Avoid in one’s life that is des-

perately trying to be filled can lead to

a lifestyle of greed, of violence, of ulti-

mately death…

More people should ask the ques-tion, “Isn’t there something more tothis life?”….That is what the ReverendLeon Kelly asked himself years ago ashe was heading down a path muchdifferent than the one he’s on now. A man and his partner knock on

the door and burst onto a scene ofanother man who hasn’t paid “TheDope Man” for some product. Awoman who comes to the door saysthat the man they were seeking is notthere. A bathroom door is opened,and the sought after man suddenlyhas a cocked nickel plated 38 pointedat his head, one of three guns the dopeman always carries. In the midst ofthreats to pull the trigger if payment isnot made, a head is turned to check onhis partner who is dealing with thewoman….POW – and the gun acci-dently goes off. The expected scenecould have been one of blood andendings. But instead, the unexpectedoccurs where the gun has somehowslipped to point along the crease of theman’s forehead. The concurrent fearand relief in that moment, on bothsides, changed a life forever andchanged the future lives of countlessothers. What could have become atragic ending was the seed for a newbeginning.The dope man with the gun was

the Rev. Leon Kelly, who in that terri-

fying and miraculous moment in thestruggle kept his composure, knewthat he had to alter the pattern of hislife. The close call of killing anotherperson had never been in his plans.Kelly later realized that the course ofevents that happened over 30 yearsago was no accident, and that Godhad a much different journey in storefor the man now known as “The Rev”to hundreds of kids, ages five to 25years old. The Denver non-profit, Open Door

Youth Gang Alternatives, founded bythe Rev. Kelly, will be embarking onits 26th year of operation. Kelly creat-ed Open Door to fill an urgent need tobuild a community-based programthat addressed the devastating effectsof increasing gang activity and vio-lence. The multi-faceted programmingaddresses all sides of the spectrum,from daily after school gang preven-tion activities to a weekly eveninggroup called “Flippin’ the Script” forparolees at the Department ofCorrections.

The Winding Path To A Life’s MissionLeon Kelly Jr. was born into the

innocence of society in Denver. Hisfather and his grandfather were bothministers. Kelly and his five siblingslived a protected childhood with astrong family foundation of moralsand values. The Kelly home was amagnet for other children in theneighborhood who were drawn to theenvironment of a two-parent house-hold.“Back then we had a complete

sense of neighborhood and communi-ty,” Kelly said. “We knew everybody

on our block, and we had a reverenceand deep respect for parents and theneighborhood.”As time marched on, Kelly wit-

nessed first-hand the transitions of thenation; not only in the terminology ofbeing identified as Colored to Negro,Black to Afro-American, but in thegrowing bigotry and racism as thecivil rights era peaked in the 1960s.Kelly’s grandfather was a pastor inBogalusa, La. Initially, there was occa-sional road trips that kept the youngKelly isolated from the hatred anddrama. But that changed when hisgrandfather became ill and the familytemporarily moved to a deeper south-ern part of Louisiana when Kelly wasin Junior High. “We were suddenly exposed to

what discrimination was all about,”said Kelly. “The hatred that started toevolve – when it infused itself to myperspective, it caused me to developsome energies and emotions of hatredtowards white folks.”After returning to his home state,

Kelly attended college at ColoradoUniversity in Boulder, and his per-spective once again evolved. “When Iwas exposed to the freedom and acampus town like Boulder,” recalledKelly, “it showed me another worldand people from all over the place.”The Recreation major became

enamored with his love of hoops andplayed Amateur Athletic Union(AAU) basketball. “With the athleticlifestyle came the other side of it,when people put you on a pedestal,”explained Kelly. It became an addic-tion in itself, like a drug.

After graduating from College,Kelly continued to play semi-profes-sional basketball and continued work-ing with the Salvation Army RedShield’s youth program, while his lifebecame more altered from his core selfand the foundation he grew up with. This enticing path led to riches and

fame through selling illegal drugs –cocaine, hash, and weed. It was alifestyle of immediate gratification andsomething the once so innocentpreacher’s son couldn’t believe howeasy it was to make a quick turn-around of cash. It became a culture ofgreed, fast living and was very differ-ent from the world he had grown upin. So many perspectives changed for

the “Preacher’s Kid,” including hisnegative views towards white people.“When someone that looked like metried to take my birthday, that’s whenI started dealing with people as peopleand not based on the color of theirskin.” This experience hardened himto a way of self-preservation and sur-vival.

Kelly continued to spiral into thedepths of a loss of focus as he contin-ued to sell drugs, which he then lefthis job with the youth program thatno longer seemed conducive to theflip side of his life of instant rewards,besides not representing a good rolemodel image. He moved to down-town Denver and the Penthouse ofBrooks Towers, becoming known as“The Dope Man” who was in highdemand due to his access and connec-tions to Boulder. People began togravitate towards him not because ofthe secure and stable family values ofhis younger life, but rather his unsta-ble provision of a quick fix and falsesense of security.


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The Rev:A Defining Journey To A Life’s Calling

By Misti Aas

Rev. Leon Kelly

Rev. Leon Kelly at the Dr. MLK Marade with Mayor Michael Hancock and other local politicians.

Rev. Leon Kelly with actor Will Smith

Blair-Caldwell AfricanAmerican ResearchLibrary Serves asCommunity HubWith thousands of items to check

out as well as programs, exhibits andmeeting spaces, the Blair-CaldwellAfrican American Research Libraryserves as a hub for the neighborhoodand the citizens of Denver andbeyond. As one of 23 branches of the Denver

Public Library, the branch library wasthe brainchild of Mayor Wellington E.Webb and First Lady Wilma J. Webb.They envisioned a research library andmuseum to preserve and showcase themany contributions of AfricanAmericans to Colorado and the West.They feared that if this history was notpreserved in a central place, it would belost forever. Since its opening April 2003, the

library has done that, and more. Blair-Caldwell serves as an educational andcultural resource for the people ofDenver, and the world, focusing onthe history, literature, art, music, reli-gion, and politics of AfricanAmericans in Colorado and through-out the Rocky Mountain West.Last year the Branch Library wel-

comed over 130,000 visitors and host-ed 25 community groups such as theMile High Youth Corps, NationalCouncil of Negro Women, and theFive Points Jazz planning committee.Like most other DPL branches, neigh-borhood groups count on the libraryto as a place to hold their meetingsand events. Bringing in special exhibi-tions, to complement their historicalpermanent collection, is also an impor-tant part of what Blair-Caldwell offersto the community. These exhibits, inaddition to the resource materialsavailable at the branch, allow thelibrary staff to work with students andteachers from preschool to college,around the state.Last November Blair-Caldwell

hosted the national exhibition MovingToward Liberation: Freedom Riders,which tells the powerful, harrowingand inspirational civil rights story ofsix months in 1961 when more than400 courageous Americans old andyoung, black and white, men andwomen, Northern and Southernrisked their lives to challenge segre-gated facilities in the South. The exhi-bition was funded through a majorgrant from the National Endowmentfor the Humanities. “We were thrilled to not only help

bring this exhibition to Denver, butalso host 15 related public programswith a total program attendance ofover 1,000,” says Terry Nelson, Blair-Caldwell’s Special Collection and

Community Resource SeniorLibrarian. “We also worked closelywith area schools and hosted over 360high school students, and 40 elemen-tary school students throughout theone-month run, where a record-break-ing 3,800 people came to view theexhibition.” While the Blair-Caldwell serves the

community year-round, once a year theDenver Public Library hosts the JuanitaGray Community Service Awards, pre-sented to African American men andwomen who have made an outstandingcontribution to the Denver Metro areaand who exemplify the ideals and spiritrepresented by Gray’s commitment tothe community.

Now in its 25th year, the Librarywill also be hosting a fundraising galaon Feb. 3 to ensure the future of thecommunity awards with guest speak-er Mayor Michael B. Hancock. Theaward ceremony traditionally kicks offBlack History Month, and will takeplace this year on Feb. 4 at Blair-Caldwell.Related programming and Black

History Month special programs areplanned throughout February includ-ing movie screenings, art exhibits, andlive presentations. For a complete list of events, call

720-865-2401 or visit www.aarl.den-verlibrary.org. �


5

Monday, Feb. 13, 2012 Lecture 7-9 p.m. Shorter Community AME Church 3100 Richard Allen Court (Colorado and Martin Luther King Boulevards) Denver 80205

Join us in honoring the recipients of the Hope for the Future Award: The Honorable Michael Hancock, Mayor of the City of DenverCarlotta Walls LaNier, youngest of the Little Rock Nine, author, businesswoman

and Civil Rights advocateLt. Col. James Harvey III, member of the pioneering Tuskegee Airmen

CHOOSING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Please join us for a complimentary community event featuring noted social entrepreneur and speaker

Brenda Palms Barber

Founder of North Lawndale Network and Sweet Beginnings LLC

www.mscd.edu/noel

Through all of these experiences,Kelly kept a fragile sense of balanceand lived a double life. In the eyes ofhis parents, he was still living anupstanding life and they were proudof their son’s success, having no realclue. Kelly maintained a sense of thevalues and morals that had beeninstilled in him, and continued to beable to justify his lifestyle as not beingharmful to anyone. “I remember moments standing on

my balcony, looking over the city andthinking that there had to be more tolife than this,” marveled Kelly. “Thenthe phone would ring and it was backto the world that I knew.”

When The Bubble Burst…It was a game of cat and mouse,

striving to stay a step ahead of thepolice. It was a game of knowing whomight be getting set up, and the possi-bility of getting shot at. It felt like aninvincible life-style of being on top,and the pinnacle seemed like it couldnever crumble. “When you get to the top, there is

only one way down,” said Kelly, “andI came crashing down.” In 1979, Kelly was convicted on a

drug related charge after nearly shoot-ing someone and served a five- to-eight year prison sentence in theColorado State Penitentiary System.His parents, always the pillars ofChristianity and upstanding commu-nity figures, couldn’t believe whathappened while in the courtroom.“My Mom thought they were railroad-ing her son,” remembered Kelly. When the handcuffs were put on,

Kelly was in a state of disbelief. “I’ma college graduate and a preacher’sson,” he recounted. “I think at thatpoint, I was more embarrassed bywhat my Mom and Dad felt, and whatI had just put them through.”Kelly’s bubble had not only burst, it

had exploded, and his world turnedupside down in that moment of hissentencing.

A Time to Reflect…Twenty-three hours of each day,

Kelly remained in solitary confine-

ment and had to re-evaluate manythings about his life.On the plea andrecommendation ofhis mother, Kellybegan to sincerelypray for redemp-tion and forgive-ness.“In the world of

that former life Ilived in the streets,it’s hard to graspthe concept of faithand the element of things not yetseen,” said Kelly. “For me to survivein that world I had to rely on whatwas tangible.” When Kelly delved into his new

realm of spirituality, a weight was lift-ed off of him. And he realized thatGod had a purpose for this preacher’sson; someone who had come to knowthe life of a drug dealer but was nowflipping his own script with a differentview of the world and brand newfocus.One of Kelly’s truest victories came

after he was released from prison -three years after his sentencing. Herecalled his old stash was still therewaiting at home. “The longer I held itin my hands, the weaker I became,”he said. “I thought I might still be ableto justify the parties, the life, thegreed. I could just turn this; get on my

feet, and then no more.Instead I opened it andthrew it out. That was whenI came to realize who I wasin Christ.”

A Growing Problem In TheMile High City…In 1984, Red Shield want-

ed Kelly to come back andwork with their youth pro-gram once again. Kellyaccepted the job and beganseeing the negative influ-ences coming in fromCalifornia on the growing

gang culture in Northeast Denver.This was the beginning chapter ofwhen the Crips and Bloods had offi-cially arrived in Denver.Kelly used basketball in a struc-

tured environment to connect andestablish relationships. He singled outthe gang member leaders and built atrust with those youths who had influ-ence. “I would call time out and wewould orchestrate a play,” said Kelly.Kelly became increasingly involved

in deterring gang activity among theteens that he closely worked with. Inone family, he became close to twoolder brothers who were trying toalter their identities as Crips.Fortunately, they had a 16-year-oldyounger brother, Delontay, who wasstill on a positive track playing foot-ball at Kennedy High School and wasnot necessarily a concern at the time.

One day, Delontay agreed to walkdown to the corner store, off Franklinand 28th streets, to buy his sister asoda. As he left the house, he noticedhis brother had forgotten his rag onthe counter and stuck it in his backpocket. But when he left the store,only two houses from home, a cardrove by and spotted the blue rag inhis back pocket.“An arm protruded out the win-

dow of the car, and one shot wasfired,” Kelly said, “It hit him up underthe arm and severed his aorta. Hemade it back to his own steps wherehe fell down and died. The gangmembers in the car did not know thiskid from Adam.” This was Kelly’s first drive by

homicide that was up close and per-sonal to the man who was dedicatinghis life to alter the path of death anddestruction brought on by gangs.Kelly had been observing a changingand disturbing mindset among gangyouth and their whole attitude, lack ofremorse and of respect; knowingfromhis own experience what hatred did ifit was not addressed and would festerand get out of control.“The drive-bys we experienced

back in the day were more to intimi-date,” explained Kelly. “It was excit-ing for them to try and shoot some-body, but when the missiles foundtheir target and they started to hit thevictim, it was taken to another level.”

A Continuing Journey…When Kelly formed the Open Door

Youth Gang Alternatives in 1986, itseemed to be a natural evolution forthe man who was already helping cur-tail gang violence with growing mem-bership. The name “Open Door” wasin response to many of the recreationcenters closing their doors at that time.Kelly wanted it to be clear that hisdoor would always be open to fill thegrowing needs of the city’s youth. In the beginning, the focus of Open

Door was intervention, mediation, andprevention, in that order. As the gangphenomenon grew, Kelly found him-self trying to put out the “brush fires”

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Rev. Leon Kelly with Denver Sheriff officials at Christmas event.

Rev. Leon Kelly take youth toBroncos football game.

and diffuse issues that kept spreadingall over the city. His efforts began tofeel futile, as those fires continuedburning. Kelly realized the most effec-tive way of dousing the flames was tocut off gang recruitment and deal withthe root of the issue. “Starting early is the key,” Kelly

expressed. “It is much easier to mold akid, than to repair an adult. In addi-tion, if I develop a relationship withthis kid in elementary school, then I’mgoing to develop a relationship withthe parents and siblings as well. Thatgives me a tie into the home, where Iwould find out that other siblings hadissues with gangs.” And it was alwaysthe mothers who sought his help forboth prevention and intervention.It is the core of everything that he

does, from mediating rival gangs tobeing a positive role model for youthat risk. “It always goes back to the relation-

ship,” stressed Kelly. “And being con-sistent in the lives of these kids, sothey can say ‘somebody appreciatesme for me, somebody knows I’malive, and I’m not just another statisticof the system.’”This is apparent in all of Kelly’s

interactions. In the after school pro-gram at the elementary school, chil-dren are scrambling to get a hug fromthe Rev. Along with that love, comes

a visible respect, and a desire to “toethe line” and in turn be rewarded bythe man of genuine heart and stature. In the weekly “Flippin’ the Script”

program, 22 parolees who would beconsidered by many as hard coregangsters, sit in rapt attention as theRev teaches them the tools and theskills they can use to take some of thetraits they developed on the streetsand flip them around to be productiveand pay it forward back in society. Kelly realizes that there are no

automatic changes in a lifestyle thatwas their identity and led them toserve time in prison for the choicesthey made. “It took a long time forthis mindset to develop , so it is goingto take more than a minute to over-come that,” he tells the group. At theend of the two hour class, each onecomes up and hugs and laughs withthe Rev, who expresses genuine andindividual concern as if they were the

only one in the room at that moment. A Long Road To Go…Along with the great rewards of the

relationships he strives to foster - thekids he sees grow up, the graduationsfrom colleges, kids of the kids he’sworked with and providing thoseopportunities to break the cycle – isnot forgetting that along with gangviolence comes a great deal of loss. Kelly pulls out a stapled packet from

his desk drawer that is about a half inchthick. This is what he refers to as hisdeath list. There are 913 names to dateon this list of youth who have violentlydied young. Each life that was at onetime vibrant and valued is now listed byfull name and age under the groupingsfor each year....31 in 1993, 64 in 2003,and 35 in 2011. As an ordained minister since 1986,

Kelly has officiated at many funerals.“There has been no other ministerwho has had to bury this many kids

and people who had lost their livesdue to youth violence and gangs,”Kelly stated. Pictures of youths line the wall that

Kelly has been an integral part of theirlives. A number of them are nowgone. “When you’re praying with akid, playing with a kid, interactingwith a kid, and now you get a call thathe or she is dead – that is a lot of emo-tion to deal with,” expressed Kelly.“A lot of my thought patterns and

attitudes have changed over theyears,” said Kelly. “It’s sad that a lotof the time we have to die beforesomebody acknowledges that he orshe was really a good person andwhat they’ve done. We should be liv-ing our eulogies every day.”Although there needs to be so

much more wide spread attentiongiven to this problem that isn’t goingaway by itself, Kelly will continue tofurther his own efforts of compassionand dedication from a strength withinthat only comes from God. It’s been atireless path that he not only has cho-sen, but one that chose him. He lives his own eulogy each and

every day. �Editor’s note: For more information onOpen Door Youth Gang Alternatives, visittheir web-site at www.therev.org.Editor’s note: Misti can be reached [email protected].


7

Congratulations Faye Tate

VP and Director of Global Diversity & Inclusion

Congratulations to Faye Tate, recipient of the 2012 Martin Luther King, Jr.

Business Social Responsibility Award and CH2M HILL’s Vice President and

Director of Global Diversity & Inclusion.

As a firm committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace, CH2M HILL

proudly supports Urban Spectrum in its effort to Connect People to People and

break down cultural barriers.

ch2mhill.com

CH2M HILL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. © 2012 CH2M HILL COR012612142103MKT

Rev. Leon Kelly spends time with an OpenDoor Youth Gang participant.

Having to wear orange tennisshoes and green jumpsuits that sayDowntown Denver Detention was notthe wardrobe of choice for five Blackexecutives, who were locked behindbars for nearly 45 days last year.Now out on bond and working on

an appeal to get the conviction over-turned, Gary Walker, David Banksand other business partners, are confi-dent of their innocence of fraud thatinvolves federal agencies and a $5.3million debt collection.Banks, 44, determined to clear his

name, claims, “This case is partiallyracially motivated and bigmoney thatinvolves the federal government. Wedon’t believe that a white software com-panywould have gone through this.”Banks is chief operating officer of

the Colorado Springs based softwarecompany, IRP Solutions, alongwith hisbrother-in-lawGaryWalker, CEO,Kendrick Barnes, Demetrius Harper,Clinton Stewart and David Zirpolo(who is white), whowere all convictedin a federal court of fleecing 41 employ-ment staffing agencies of $5.3 million.Denver attorney, Charles Torres,

one of the new attorneys that IRPexecutives have hired to work on theirappeal, even questions how certainthings were done during the trial.“There are very interesting appellate

issues that are important to ask the court

to look into,” affirmed Torres, who alsowas a former federal prosecutor.“We strongly believe the men are

innocent and are pushing toward thatdirection while preparing for theappeal (once a date is set), addedGwendolyn Solomon, solo practitionerand use to work for the El Paso

District Attorney’s Office. She also isworking on the case on behalf of thefive IRP executives.The whole case stems around IRP

Solutions developing a software thatHomeland Security and law enforce-ment agencies nation-wide could useafter the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Thecompany contracted out severalstaffing agencies in providing employ-ees to help work on the software.But what should have been a civil

litigation involving a debt collectioncase filed by the staffing agenciesturned into a criminal fraud case pur-sued by Colorado U.S. AttorneyMatthew T. Kirsch and tried in a fed-eral court.“We’re a small company competing

with Lockheed Martin and IBM,” saidBanks who admitted to getting themanpower from staffing agencies inorder to help modify their software.“The U.S. Department of Homeland

Security andNewYork PoliceDepartment wanted to see certain thingswith the software. So we did it in goodfaith that it would land us the contractwith the federal government and theselaw enforcement agencies. But then wegot indicted on allegations for makingfalse representation to these staffingagencies. It became a catch 22 for us inbeing obligated to pay the staffing agen-cies in expectation of landing federalcontracts.”Banks further said the staffing

agencies had already filed civil lawsuits against IRP Solutions for being inbreach of contract for paymentsbetween 2003 and 2005. Yet, the FBIstill stepped in and arrested all theexecutives on fraud charges.Some see it play out like a Black

Watergate scandal involving cover-

ups, seizure of records, wire and emailfraud swindles. And the FBI’s chargethat IRP Solutions was a “purported”or fictitious company pretending to bea software company.In February 2005, the FBI conduct-

ed a full-scale raid of IRP’s office inColorado Springs – confiscating soft-ware codes and other confidentialrecords, besides probing into bankrecords of family members, friendsand associates of Colorado SpringsFellowship Church, where all the IRPexecutives attended.Pastor Rose Banks with the

Colorado Springs church is still fum-ing over the whole ordeal on how herson, David Banks, son-in-law, GaryWalker and the others were treated.“I truly believe this was a set up (of

IRP) from the time of the raid. The FBIwent around harassing my churchmembers, went into my bank account,the church’s bank account and had nosubpoenas,” she said.Prior to the FBI raid, federal agen-

cies, the Colorado Bureau ofInvestigations and Denver PoliceDepartment, had shown an interestafter seeing demonstrations of thesoftware by IRP, proving the compa-ny’s legitimacy.“Not only did we contact the FBI

back in late 2003, but began interfac-ing with various law enforcementagencies, including New York PoliceDepartment and U.S. Department ofHomeland Security,” Banks said. “Itwas Steven Cooper, program managerwith DHS, who advised us to put afederal face on our software packageby engaging the services of lawenforcement professionals. Thatprompted a meeting we had with Sen.Ben “Nighthorse” Campbell, who alsoreferred us to the head of the DenverDivision of the FBI.”The SoftwareThis highly anticipated software

was developed and expanded back in2003, explained CEO, Gary Walker, 48.Walker has a degree in computer

science from the University ofColorado. He has worked in the com-puter field for the last 20 years andbeen a software developer consultantfor many companies.He then brought in others with infor-

mation software technology experience:Banks, 44, who has a data architecturebackground, Harper, 37, data baseadministration, Stewart, 52, softwareengineering, Barnes, 40, software engi-neering and Zirpolo, 47, with an indus-trial engineering background.For Walker, it was a matter of per-

fecting his software so that policedepartments could use it for investiga-tion of cases and case management –initially a tool first marketed to theColorado Bureau of Investigations.Tax Help Colorado is sponsored by The Piton Foundation

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8

Impending Solution For Five Black ExecutivesIRP Solutions Battle With Feds While Waiting Appeal

By Sheila Smith and Gary Bramlett

Executives with IRP Solutions company based in Colorado Springs, CO.Left to right: (Back row) Clinton Stewart, David Banks, Kendrick Barnes

(Front row) Demetrius Harper, David Zirpolo, Gary Walker, CEO

“It became clear to me that I neededto expand the software. I needed tomake it moremulti-usable that incorpo-rated a data base and networkable. Thatwaymultiple agencies could collaborateand cross reference on investigations ofcases,”Walker said. “I took our softwareto another level.”

Before 9/11, Walker said differentlaw enforcement agencies across thecountry had no way to draw linksbetween people and cases, collaborateand share information. “When 9/11happened, it was a wake-up call forthose federal agencies,” he said.

Walker and his business partnerswent to work onmore enterprising soft-ware, which involved seeking the helpof temporary staffing agencies for addi-tional employees to be contracted out.

Walker also clarified that the tempo-rary staffing agencies did invoice hiscompany for employees; but over time,he fell behind on payments in hopes ofhaving amulti-million dollar sale of thesoftware to pay off their debts.

Even court testimony by BillWitherspoon, project manager withthe Department of Homeland Securityin Washington D.C., alluded to howthis type of software initiative wouldnormally cost Homeland Security abillion dollar contract.

“Homeland Security and NYPDtold us that they couldn’t contractdirectly with such a small companylike ours, even though they comment-ed on our software being the bestthey’ve seen. They suggested we part-ner with some larger companies – likeDeloitte and Computer SciencesCorporation who are billion dollarcompanies that contract with federalagencies - and could sell our softwareas prime contractors and we deliverthe software as a subcontractor,”Walker said.

The problem, he declared, was theselarger companies wanted to reviewIRP’s software and get more detailedinformation without providing a non-disclosure contract agreement.

“We were stuck with this great soft-ware that we couldn’t sell. And itbecame clear that we had somethingvery valuable,” expressed Walker.

John Epke, a retired FBI agent wholives in Boulder, entered into a con-tract with IRP Solutions in January2004 to advise and consult them ontheir software. The contract specifiedthat he would receive consulting feesfrom $65 to $70 an hour for his workon the software project.

Epke workedwith IRP for a year andtestified in court on his involvement.

But during a phone interview, Epkeoutlined his disappointment with IRPSolutions, saying, “I never got onedime from them, and I wasn’t happyabout it.” He also hasn’t decided whatlegal recourse to take in getting backpayment from IRP.

Fraud or Unfair JusticeBefore the FBI shut the doors of

IRP, the executives sought legal repre-sentation from Billy Martin ofWashington D.C., who also represent-ed NFL player, Michael Vic, duringhis villainous dog fighting case.

But the executives believed theattorney was not moving in an aggres-sive manner in their defense and hadexhausted all their financial resources.They eventually ended up with acourt appointed attorney.

Again, Walker said he didn’tbelieve the court appointed attorneywas effectively representing them inthe court room. “Our main dissatisfac-tion was the lawyer seemed too‘buddy buddy’ with the prosecutor.We did not want our lives in thehands of a person who didn’t see theprosecutor as an adversary.”

Without any legal counsel, IRPexecutives were left to represent them-selves during the three-week federalcourt trial in October 2011.

U.S. Attorney Kirsch and his teamhammered away at the idea that IRPSolutions went to the temporarystaffing companies and misled them inbelieving they had secured contractswith Homeland Security and lawenforcement agencies.

Walker and Banks, of course, saythis is false and denied the allegationsdespite staffing agencies having ver-bally testified in court with no otherevidence of emails or documentationshowing IRP had contracts with theDepartment of Homeland Securityand NYPD.

The jury began deliberating on Oct.17, 2011 and the gavel came downafter a guilty verdict was read on Oct.20, 2011. Presiding Judge Christine M.Arguello immediately had all the IRPexecutives placed in custody of U.S.Marshalls, handcuffed and shackledbefore being led out of the courtroom.

Currently, the men are out on bondand remain under house arrest in theirhomes with restricted times to leaveand return.

Walker is upbeat and hopeful ofhaving a successful appeal trial withhis new team of lawyers to representthe company.

He said what he and the otherswent through – being indicted andspending time locked up in pod cellconsisting of 64 men, no way to gooutside and see the sky except the fewstreams of sunlight beaming throughthe small barred windows – has defi-nitely been an experience.

“It’s about racism here in Colorado,”Walker stated. “You have six peopleindicted and convicted, which five ofthem are Black. It shows us how hard itis for any Black company to sell to fed-eral and law enforcement agencies andalso proves howmuch racism is aliveandwell in this country.”�


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Colorado Honors

By Sheila Smith

At 90 years old, Lt. Col. JohnMosley rose from his wheel chair andsaluted those who gave him a stand-ing ovation and applause while at thestate capitol. Last month, the former Tuskegee

Airman received special recognitionfrom state legislators who passed a jointresolution naming Interstate 70 the“Tuskegee Airman Memorial Trails”that will be part of a nationwide trailstretching across the country.“I was very happy to be a part of

that particular activity (being aTuskegee Airman) and recognizinghow important it was to the UnitedStates,” said Mosley who has alwaysbeen excited about his accomplish-ments during the 1940s as a bomberpilot with the 332nd Fighter Group ofelite African-American pilots.

Rep. AngelaWilliam, D-Denverled the efforts in get-ting the resolutionpassed.During World

War II, a tremendousamount of attentionwas paid to Black pilotswho were considered partof the Tuskegee Experiment in theearly 1940’s. The result was the forma-tion of the 99th Pursuit Squadronbased in Tuskegee, Ala. These Blackmen who were not only pilots, naviga-tors, bombardiers, maintenance andsupport staff that became a big part ofthe United States Air Force.Those Tuskegee airmen flew the

skies with courage andbravery in leading thewar – destroying 1,000German aircrafts – thusearning their nickname“Red Tail Angels.”Not only did they fight

Hitler across the seas buthad to fight the ugliness of

prejudice, hatred and segrega-tion back home in the United States.The Tuskegee Airmen proved theirwings of worthiness and were regard-ed with the highest of respect for serv-ing their country. “We owe unlimited gratitude to the

Tuskegee Airman, during a time whenAfrican Americans were barred fromserving in the U.S Military – theTuskegee Airmen proved what theysaid could not be done and were suc-cessful combat mission pilots who alsoprotected our country,” Williams saidwhen addressing fellow legislatorsduring the Military Day ceremony.She also encouraged everyone to go

see the movie Red Tails and added, “Itis part of history that our childrenneed to know about.”Williams said there are eight mem-

bers of the original Tuskegee Airmenstill living in Colorado and why it wasimportant to have resolution HRJ 1003passed. This allowed Colorado to bepart of the systematic nationwide traildedicated to the Tuskegee Airmen. Ineach state, a group of elected house

representatives and senators also pre-sented similar resolutions in order todesignate a stretch of interstate to con-nect to the national Tuskegee trailwinding its way across the country.Colorado’s Tuskegee trail spans

from the eastern border of Kansasacross to the Utah border.“They were not able to serve in the

United States Military until 1942 andthey put their lives on the line at atime when the military would notallow them to do so,” Williams furtheremphasized about the I-70 trail beingmonumental in honoring the remain-ing Tuskegee Airmen living inColorado.Sen. Suzanne Williams and State

Rep. Rhonda Fields also stood in strongsupport of the resolution and praisedthe Tuskegee Airmen as men whodefied the odds and became the bestever to have served in the ArmedForces.“He represents us and fought for

us,” Sen. Williams said and againthanked Mosley.John Smith stood in the shadows of

the Tuskegee Airman and proudlywears the burgundy uniform. “It has been a long time coming,

and for me it is a testimony of theprogress we made in this country,” hesaid about being honored by the statelegislators on Military Day and havingthe Tuskegee Airmen trail namesake. “It comes at a time when Martin

Luther King’s exploits are being cele-Continued on page next page


10

Colorado Tuskegee Airmen•Lt. Elder James Brown

•Lt. Col. James H. Harvey III•Capt. Samuel C. Hunter, Jr.•2nd Lt. Franklin Macon•Lt. Col. John Mosley

•Col. Fitzroy “Buck” Newsum•Col. James E. Randall•Lt. Col. Marion Rodgers

On Jan. 22, the Hubert L. “Hooks” Jones Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. also honored these living BlackAmerican heroes of the sky during a dinner and showing of Red Tails. Pictured is organizer Gilbert Wheelerwith Tuskegee Airmen and youth in attendance. Red Tails has skyrocketed in sales, grossing more than $26million at the box office, and holding steady as the number two movie in theaters since its debut on Jan. 20.

Photo by A Star’s Photography

Former Tuskegee Airman Lt.Col. John Mosley, 90, salutesthe Colorado House after it

passed a joint resolution makingInterstate 70 part of the nation-

wide "Tuskegee AirmanMemorial Trails" system.

What she learned is that “no onepart of Cameroon is truly like another.There are over 250 languages spoken.The climate ranges from the hot drydeserts of the north to the humidgreen forests of the Congo River basinin the south and east.”

While other African countries haveseen frequent changes in leadership atthe top, sometimes through violentmeans, Africa’s number one soccernation still defies understanding by itscritics.

In neighboring Chad and the CAR,coup d’états and hunger are nostrange events. An influx of refugeesinto Cameroon as well as criminalactivities from neighboring countriesthreatens peace there. “Cameroonshares a long border with Chad andCAR, two countries that suffer fromendemic conflict,” according to theInternational Crisis Group(ICG) in a2010 report.

Nevertheless, the country, its leaderand the international community havetactfully navigated demonstrations forchange in Cameroon by keeping thepeace.

“Who will blame the internationalcommunity? Their attitude is alwaysthat when there is ‘peace,’ there is noneed to indulge in provocative lan-guage that can disturb the peace, sothe litmus test for their attitude is usu-ally the people’s reaction followingevery election,” wrote retiredProfessor Tazoacha Asonganyi, amember of the erstwhile SocialDemocratic Front (SDF) party, a lead-ing opposition party in Cameroon.

After the October vote, Asonganyiblamed the Cameroon opposition for“selling after the market, sulking asusual about electoral fraud.” He cau-tions the opposition to “seize themoment” thereafter.

Voter apathy could be another rea-son for why things are the way theyare in Cameroon, said Johnson. “PaulBiya’s re-election in my opinion wasnot necessarily due to the great sup-port nor confidence that the people of

Cameroon have for their president; itwas more due to the fact thatmany Cameroonians, especially thosewho do not support Biya, believe thattheir individual voice will not make adifference.”

Politically set with the potent com-bination of a bilingual and multicul-tural history and existence, the essenceof which has fermented chaos in otherAfrican countries, the country contin-ues to navigate its re-unification fromtwo independent nations.

Under the banner of brotherliness,two separate nations, East Cameroonand West Cameroon, gained inde-pendence in 1960 and 1961 from theFrench and British respectively, andcemented their unity with a May 20,1972 reunification agreement.

With a sizable amount ofCameroonians of SouthernCameroonian descent yearning forsecession from the so-called LaRepublique du Cameroun and othersclamoring for a return to the two-statefederal system setup after a 1961United Nations plebiscite, the countryremains intact, with unmistakablecoexistence between Anglophones andFrancophones.

Almost 40 years after both nationscame together, and despite innumer-able legal cases of exploitation ofminority English-speakingAnglophones, the country has notgone to war over the issue. Many ofthe cases have gone to trial and manyare still being examined by the UnitedNations, the African Commission onHuman Rights and the InternationalHuman Rights Court.

An international dispute withNigeria over the oil-rich Bakassipeninsula brought the country close toall out war with neighboring Nigeriamany times. But the dispute waspeacefully resolved in favor ofCameroon by the International Courtof Justice in 2002.

Far from its geography and politi-cal challenges, the country is the breadbasket of the Central African region. It

is the region’s largest economy. TheEconomic and Monetary Communityof Central Africa (CEMAC) regionencompasses Gabon, Congo, theDemocratic Republic of Congo (DRC),Equatorial Guinea, Central AfricanRepublic (CAR) and Chad.

“Its economic and demographicweight as well as its strategic geo-graphic position at the heart ofCEMAC makes Cameroon theCentral African natural locomotive,”according to Business Cameroon, anonline investment portal showcasingstrategic business opportunities in thecountry.

In a May 25, 2010 report,CAMEROON:FRAGILE STATE, theICG stated, “Cameroon’s apparent sta-bility in a turbulent region cannot betaken for granted.” The report cast thedifferent scenarios that could threatenthe country’s stability, leading to con-flict. It called for political reform, thestrengthening of institutions and forgovernment oversight.

“The international community,focused on unstable countries in theregion, just hopes Cameroon willmuddle through,” the ICG reportsaid.�Editor’s note: George Bamu is an Aurorabased journalist and founder of AfricaAgenda. He can be reached through thewebsite, www.AfricaAgenda.org.

Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – December 2011

17

Women in dresses with the image of CameroonianPresident Paul Biya celebrate. Photo courtesy ofAllAfrica.com

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Don Rojas,Executive Directorof Free Speech TV..Where Television IsA Movement

By Annette Walker

During his two year tenure asexecutive director of Free Speech TV(FSTV), Don Rojas has achieved someof his goals to increase viewership andto augment and diversify its progres-sive programming.Established in 1995 and first located

in Boulder, FSTV is now headquar-tered in Denver at the Five PointsMedia Center. It is the first national

television network whose mission is toexpand the reach of social justiceissues and ultimately to serve as a cat-alyst for social change. The founderswanted to provide an alternative tocorporate-funded news and program-ming and counter the misinformationin mainstream media.Now a multi-platform digital

media pioneer, FSTV is best-knownfor its daily news and analysis pro-grams. Among these are theWashington, D.C.-based ThomHartmann Program and New York-based Democracy Now, hosted byAmy Goodman and JuanGonzalez. There is also a daily pro-gram produced by Al Jazeera’sEnglish-language channel. FSTV alsohas broadened its scope and also fea-tures weekly public affairs series,investigative documentaries, personalstories, and keynote talks by leadingthinkers. The network reaches 30 mil-lion U.S. homes, airing fulltime onDISH Network (channel 9415) andDIRECT TV (channel 348) and part-time on more than 200 cable affiliates.There is also live streaming on theWeb at www.freespeech.org.FSTV is funded by viewer dona-

tions and foundation grants. There areno commercials and the network doesnot accept money from corporations.According to Rojas over the past

two years TV viewership hasincreased by 40 percent. He is espe-cially proud of program innova-tions. “We are honored to welcomeSenator Bernie Sanders (Dem. -Vermont) to our community,” hesaid. “Brunch with Bernie” is pro-duced in conjunction with ThomHartmann and is a live call-in pro-gram where listeners can interact withthe longest-serving independent mem-ber of the U.S. Congress.”FSTV held a special six-hour broad-

cast during the 2010 midterm elec-tions, featuring Denver’s GloriaNeal as anchor for local guests alongwith Amy Goodman from New Yorkand Thom Hartmann fromWashington, D.C.During his tenure Rojas has

increased live coverage of progressiveevents, such as the NAACP’s annualconvention in Los Angeles last sum-mer; the Netroots National Conferencein Minneapolis; the Take Back theAmerican Dream conference inWashington, D.C. featuring Van Jones,labor union leaders and grassrootsorganizers and activists; the U.S.Social forum in Detroit that attractedover 20,000 people.One of Rojas’ goals has been to

increase FSTV’s visibility in Denver’sprogressive, African-American andLatino communities. “We videotapedand later broadcast the keynote speechdelivered by Ben Chavis at the annual

banquet of the Colorado Associationof Black Journalists,” he said. “In addi-tion we have partnered with Dr.Vincent Harding and the Veterans ofHope organization to present a specialpresentation by poet and activist SoniaSanchez.“ The event was held atFSTV’s studios with a live audience.FSTV videotaped the lecture deliv-

ered by Dr. Elsie Scott, president andCEO of the Congressional BlackCaucus Foundation inWashington, D.C. Her visit to Denverwas to participate in the CrimePrevention Conference co-sponsoredby the NAACP Youth Council.Both the Sonia Sanchez and Elsie

Scott presentations will be broadcastduring February’s Black HistoryMonth’s programming.There will be new programming

for 2012. “We will launch a weekly“Occupy the Media” program inFebruary because we view the 99 per-cent Movement as the most significantsocial and economic justice movementin the USA since the Civil RightsMovement of the 1960s and 70s,” saidRojas. “In fact, Dr. King’s dream of anAmerica with greater economic andracial equality is alive and well in theOccupy Movement.”This year FSTV staff marched,

videotaped and interviewed people inDenver’s Martin Luther King annualMarade.

Rojas said that the 2012 electioncampaign coverage will commence inFebruary. “FSTV is especially interest-ed in the battleground states as well asthe Republican and DemocraticConventions.”Other programming initiatives for

this year are a redesigned andenhanced Website and an Internetradio project.Rojas brings to Denver’s media

landscape an exceptional journalisticand communications background thatencompasses an international perspec-tive. A native of the Caribbean, he hasheld positions in African-American,Caribbean and alternative media. Inthe early 1990s he was managing edi-tor of the New York AmsterdamNews, the oldest surviving African-American weekly newspaper. He alsofounded the first African-AmericanInternet initiative, the Black WorldToday and the Black world RadioNetwork.He was communications director of

the NAACP, media manager ofOxfam America and general managerof Pacifica’s WBAI-FM radio station inNew York City. Prior to that, he wasthe press secretary to the late PrimeMinister Maurice Bishop ofGrenada. Rojas has worked as a jour-nalist in Canada, Eastern Europe,Cuba, and Latin America. �


11

Continued from previous pagebrated. So I hope that the Americanpeople will look at this and start treat-ing people right – regardless of colorand creed – and we all work together.So this is just indescribable on whathas taken place.”Smith was a graduate of Tuskegee

University and then served 26 yearsin the U.S. Air Force during theKorean and Vietnam wars.Although, he did not serve in

WWII like those before him, he said,“I am a beneficiary of what they (theTuskegee Airmen) did.”While Hollywood may have sensa-

tionalized some facts when it came tothe Tuskegee Airmen and service totheir country, Jeffrey Baptist, 21, stillappreciated its historical content andtribute to men like his great grandfa-ther, John Mosley.“It’s all about legacy and sense of

pride you get and really invigoratesyou to do something. When I look athim, my great grandfather, people seehim as a hero, I see shoes to fill and Ialways try to emulate him and dothings to make him proud,” Baptistsaid.Baptist continues the long tradition

of Mosley men, from his uncle EricMosley, who served 20 years in theAir Force, along with countless otherfamily members who also served theircountry. He will graduate from theAir Force Academy in ColoradoSprings in 2013. �

SayingGoodbye toM&D’sBy Sheila Smith

Who knew that when Mack andDaisy Shead brought to town theirsavory, fiery blend of barbecue sauce

some 34 years ago, it would becomesuch a milestone in Denver’s Blackcommunity.The couple’s restaurant, M&D’s,

catered to all the barbecue and catfishconnoisseurs, along with other popu-lar dishes that left your taste budswanting more. But for the Shead family,

closing the doors of theirrestaurant last month washarder on the customersthan it was for them. Afteryears of a burned-out econo-my, they said it was time.Mack Shead said they strug-

gled for so long just trying to keepthe doors open for their long-time cus-tomers.“It was a smart business decision

that came too late,” agreed his saiddaughter, Rena Shead. M&D’s seemed to be the one main-

stay Black business in Denver. Therestaurant not only provided food forthose who craved it, but even the poorwho couldn’t afford it. “If a person was hungry, he or she

was never turned away and alwaysgot something to eat,” said MJ Shead,the son who helped run the businessalong with his parents and sisters.Long time patrons of M&D’s, Lu

Vason, always brought his clients toeat at the restaurant.

“I was instrumental in helpingthem build more customers. Lu VasonPresents and the Bill Pickett Rodeowould bring all the entertainers to the

restaurant to eat orhave them

cater.

“So Ifeel terri-

ble about themclosing,” he said. “It’s a major loss tothe community.”The Sheads also became like a sec-

ond family to Lu Vason who spenttime having holiday dinners withthem for more than 10 years.Les Franklin, founder of the Shaka

Franklin Foundation, used to spendevery Saturday eating at M&D’s whenhis sons were young. He also hadM&D’s cater many of the ShakaFranklin Foundation functions as well.“It was always a healthy and clean

environment where you could takeyour family, and Mack always keptthings under control,” Franklin said

heartbroken over his favorite restau-rant closing.“In my viewpoint, I think the Black

community abandoned the business.”Mack Shead, who is originally from

Indiana, had retired from militaryservice. He decided to move toColorado because of other brothersand sisters already living in Denver.His wife, Daisy, was born and raisedin Texas.As the couple couldn’t resist the

charms of the Mile Hi City, theyimmediately pursued looking for alocation to open up a restaurant in1977. “When I was in the service and sta-

tioned in Rome, N.Y., I had opened arestaurant,” Mack Shead said of hav-ing the same southern-style cookinghe mastered so well that included hisfather-in-law’s special Texas barbecuerecipe.“My daddy was the barbecue man.

He had a barbecue pit on the week-ends. And I was just a little girl when Istarted working there,” said DaisyShead. She felt it was important topass on her father’s recipe to her chil-dren.Actually, Mack Shead added, the

secret to the success of the barbecuerestaurant was providing the publicwith good food. “We had a goodrecipe and continued to enhance the


12

food. The food was still good up untilthe time we closed.”The second generation of Sheads

learned quickly about tradition andbecoming part of the family business.Rena Shead was in high school

when she first started working at herparent’s restaurant. “The restaurant opened up on a

Tuesday and I started on a Friday,”she laughed when remembering. “Iworked even after college. It was partof my parent’s legacy and a familybusiness.”Deborah Shead was away at college

when the restaurant opened in 1977.But she never failed to return home onbreaks and during the summer towork at the restaurant. “For me it wasimportant to be a part of my family’sbusiness,” she said. The years wentby and Deborah never failed to bebehind the scenes in the kitchen put-ting to use her culinary skills. MJShead was living and working inTexas back in the late 1970’s. He gotlaid off his job and returned home tohelp out with the restaurant.“I thought coming back and being

a part of the family business was agood thing to do. We had hopes anddreams of expanding. And we all hadour contributions to add,” MJexplained.Now the reality is for the next gen-

eration of Sheads being part of thefamily business has been cut short. Buteach family member reflects back ontheir own memories of what it took tomake M&D’s a historical landmark inDenver. “We have met a lot of wonderful

people and made some great friend-ships,” Deborah Shead said that shewill never forget.Besides the friendships, her sister

Rena said, “We’ve received recogni-tion and given an award from theBlack Chamber of Commerce in 2009,which was a highlight for me. Andalso being able to feed seniors atChristmas and Thanksgiving waspretty special.” With 34 years of business behind

them, the Sheads have also seen theirfair share of political dignitaries andcelebrities. Mayors, governors andeven Vice-President Joe Biden gracedthe doors of M&D’s and feast on bar-becue and good old southern cooking.You know you’re a big M&D fan

when you’re living in another stateand call in an order to have the foodshipped to you.“When former Mayor Frederico

Pena left to go Washington D.C.(while under the ClintonAdministration), he had us send himsome food to cater for his birthdayparty,” Daisy Shead recalled whichwas before 9/11 when shipping fresh

food packed in dry ice by airplane wasallowed. Looking back over the years, Mack

Shead said the most memorable thingfor him was, “Being able to expandthe restaurant in 2003.”After the expansion, however, he

said the restaurant still never filled tocapacity with customers. “It seemed like we didn’t have as

many people coming and going eventhough the restaurant was bigger,” hestated.A lot of the faithful older patrons

had died, echoed Daisy Shead. “Whenour customers’ families would comeinto town, they would bring themdown to the restaurant to eat and thatseemed to keep us going for awhile,”she said.MJ Shead agreed that the demo-

graphics of the northeast neighbor-hood had begun changing over time.More regional chain barbecue

places had also opened and becamepopular. “They may not have had asgood of food but were more conven-ient,” MJ said.During the 1970’s and 1980’s,

M&D’s and Daddy Bruce Randolphwere the premier Black barbecuerestaurants in Denver.And before that, the corner strip off

East 28th Avenue and Race Street wasa hotbed of activity – from a laundrymat, beauty shop, liquor store andanother soul food restaurant known asMiss V’s, said Mack Shead who laterbought the vacated restaurant space toopen up his restaurant.He also is very adamant about put-

ting all the rumors to rest regardinghow renovating his restaurant causedthe liquor store to close. “We did not put Mr. Howard

(owner of the liquor store) out of busi-ness. He was retiring and chose togo,” he said. Unfortunately, with receiving a

$953,000 loan from the Mayor’s Officeof Economic Development to refurbishthe restaurant in order to capture abigger customer base and dynamics ofa changing neighborhood, didn’t seemto help the Sheads after all.“Sales plummeted and not by a

small percentage,” MJ Sheadexpressed as financial problems esca-lated in not being able to meet theirobligations to pay back the city loan. “The city did tell us that if we got

caught up with our payments, theywould work with us,” Mack Sheadsaid. “But we just didn’t have enoughbusiness to do it.”The family is saddened but at the

same time relieved that the restauranthas closed – too much strain and diffi-culty in keeping the doors open arenow gone. Mack and Daisy had already

weaned away from the business toenjoy their semi-retirement. Rena andDeborah have their own “sweets”catering business, which includesyummy cupcakes, cookies, candies,along with those scrumptious pies andcobblers. MJ is focusing on specialties,such as seasoned blends, barbecuerubs, sauces and smoked meat prod-ucts that he caters. M&D’s will always be the one

restaurant no one will forget – tastybarbecue on your palate, the smellscoming from the kitchen and bustlingatmosphere of a business that was in aBlack neighborhood for three decades.

And it was a place so many youthexperienced their first job of washingoff hot sauce bottles.Over the years, MJ Shead shared,

“We met a lot of good people andhave supported a lot of families dur-ing some hard times. We thank thecommunity from the bottom of ourhearts for their support and those whohelped to keep our doors open.”“We hope God blesses them and

our paths will cross again.” �Editor’s note: For sweet catering needs, E-mail Rena and Deborah Shead at [email protected] or for other cateringneeds E-mail MJ Shead [email protected].


13

Patrons enjoy dining at M&D’s.

When Jim Ward died on Sept.24, 1993, one day short of his 76thbirthday, he left behind not just hisfamily and friends to mourn his pass-ing, he left behind a legacy of success,hope, opportunity and love for thecountless students, teachers and othershe touched during his many years ofservice to Denver Public Schools (DPS)and to this community. Many of thoselives he touched exemplified the val-ues he instilled in them by becomingsuccessful members of the communityas teachers, lawyers, doctors,plumbers and even politicians.Born in Cheyenne, Wyoming on

Sept. 25, 1917, he grew up in Sterling,Co., in one of the very few AfricanAmerican families in that small townon the prairie. His accomplishmentsbegan early in life when he becamethe first African American All-Statebasketball player in Colorado history.Graduating from Logan County HighSchool in 1935, he attended theUniversity of Colorado, Boulder grad-uating in 1948. His college career wasinterrupted by World War II. Heserved as a Captain in the U.S. Army,25th Infantry Regiment, 93rd Division,in the South Pacific.Returning to Colorado, he married

Elizabeth Carrie Mayo on Jan. 10,1943. They had two daughters,Marianne (Ward) Franklin of Denver

and Carolyn(Ward) Gresham ofFlorida. Being aneducator neverdiminished his roleas dedicated hus-band and parent tohis family.He began his

teacher career atWhittierElementary and itwas there that hestarted to influencethe lives of young people. To youngGwen Bowen, later a highly successfuldance teacher in South Denver, hethrew a lifeline. One day, as sherecently described, when she nearlylost control of her class, young Ward,a physical education teacher, offered

her some advice asto how to controldisadvantaged chil-dren and providedwords of encour-agement she stillremembers thataided her to regaincontrol of the situa-tion and have a suc-cessful studentteaching experience.From Whittier,

Ward went to ColeJunior High School where he taughtand served as assistant principal andin 1959 he was assigned as principal ofWyatt Elementary School. In 1966, hebecame principal of Manual HighSchool, the first African Americanprincipal of a Colorado public highschool. Two years later he again madehistory by appointing the first AfricanAmerican coaches in a Colorado pub-lic high school. Ed Calloway, Sr.became the Manual High School varsi-ty basketball coach, Alex Burl the var-sity football coach, Ira Brown the var-sity tennis coach and Lonnie Porterthe assistant basketball coach. In 1972, Coach Porter, now the

most successful college basketballcoach in Colorado history, coached hisfirst and only state championship bydefeating the highly favored WheatRidge Farmers. But that championshipwas not the most important matter.Ward demonstrated the kind of coura-geous and wise leadership that exem-plified his public life. Both Calloway,and his son, Ed, Jr., would coach statechampionship basketball teams withrecords of 23-0, a first for Coloradoand for father and son.Graduating from Adams State

College in 1966, Lonnie Porter couldnot find a coaching job, his life-longambition. He did find a position teach-ing physical education at the old GoveJr. High. As soon as each school dayended, Porter would go to ManualHigh School and just be present in thebuilding hoping to be acknowledgedby Jim Ward. Eventually, the newprincipal and he met. Young LonniePorter began volunteering at theschool and, in the spring of 1968, healong with Calloway, Burl and Brown

would be appointed the first AfricanAmerican coaches in the state. As their relationship grew, Ward

began to treat Porter as a son and hebelieves that without Ward, his coach-ing career might have been stifled.Coach Porter volunteered to performmany roles, sophomore class sponsor,defensive back coach for the footballteam and he tutored students whoneeded help for the man he wouldlater recognize as being far ahead ofhis time as an innovative educator. AllPorter did for Ward and for kids atManual and now at Regis Universityas the most successful basketball coachin Colorado – he did with a smile andlove for the man who began his career.Porter remembers Ward as a man ofreason, very direct and a settling forceat Manual High School at a time ofturbulence in the late 1960s and 70s.Like so many others, Porter recog-nized the greatness in Ward andexclaimed, “Great is what he was. Ican’t shout loud enough the love Ihave for that man.” For Porter, this writer and so many

others, Ward was a father figure whowas in the business of saving andchanging lives.Ira Brown coached tennis, swim-

ming and baseball and remembersWard as a “well qualified profession-al” who was an inspirational rolemodel for youth and teachers with akeen sense of humor yet a no non-sense approach to discipline. Ed Calloway, Jr., grew up in a seg-

regated school system and never sawAfrican American coaches until hisfather, Burl, Brown and Porter wereappointed when he was a student atManual on the basketball team.Contrary to the advice of a junior highschool counselor, young Ed began torealize that he was intelligent andcould succeed. He thought, “Maybe Icould be a basketball coach like mydad.” He would later graduate fromFisk University, earn his master’sdegree at the University of NorthernColorado and become a successfulbasketball coach at GeorgeWashington High School where hecoached Chauncey Billups and otherstandout players to two state titles.The lessons he learned from his fatherand Jim Ward he would later impartto students that a person can be whatthey want to be through dedicationand hard work. “Mr. Ward exempli-fied that.”In 1974, Judge William Doyle, act-

ing under the direction of the U.S.Supreme Court, issued an order thatDPS be desegregated. As principal,Ward was determined to make inte-gration a success at Manual. To thatend, he recruited teachers fromGeorge Washington High School. GWstudents from the Crestmoor area


14

A Tribute to James D. WardFirst African American Principal of a

Colorado Public High SchoolBy Ed Augden

would be coming to Manual andWard ensured their safety and well-being at his school. Dick Jordan, oneof those teachers, recalls that Wardwas totally committed to that goal. Tomake it successful, during the summerof 1974, a committee of teachers, stu-dents and parents met under Ward’sdirection to establish an atmosphere ofcaring and safety. Jordan, who guidedstudents on river trips each May, cred-its Ward’s leadership and his ability tobring people together for a commonpurpose for the successful transitionfrom segregation to integration.Virginia Lorbeer, who sponsored

cheerleaders and various other activi-ties at Manual and later at MontbelloHigh School, recalls Ward sitting on

the bench next to his coaches and ath-letes as a way of showing his support.On Color Days, she said he wouldbarbecue and sell his delicious treats.He would always be sure that therewas enough food at athletic awardsbanquets. Mostly, Lorbeer remembersthat Jim Ward wanted to ensure thateach student would have the neces-sary skills to succeed in life. One of thehighly successful programs he con-ceived and initiated at Manual was theCareers Program. Students couldreceive instruction in cosmetology,medicine, law, education, medicine,etc. One of its special successes wasteaching students how to build an air-plane, the Sky Bolt. Lamar Steen wasrecruited to teach that skill to students.This program led to the establishmentof the Career Education Center.Manual graduate, Paula McClain,

benefitted from participating in thepre-education program by serving as ateacher’s assistant for the school librar-ian at Barrett Elementary School whilea senior. She described Mr. Ward asvisionary and interactive with stu-dents. Not attending classes or othermisbehavior warranted that “look”that meant “straighten up.” Upongraduation, she was motivated andconfident that she was “…worthy andvaluable and I can achieve anything Iset my mind to.”

Jim Ward enlisted each staff mem-ber in his mission. Linda Patton, aManual graduate, served as atten-dance clerk and, at his direction, wentto students’ homes to urge them toattend school, kids who might other-wise have failed. He also providedher with the opportunity to work twodays per week while recording televi-sion programs for KRMA-TV, thenpart of DPS. She remembers Manualas a community school and Mr. Wardas its great leader.On April 16, 1994, the James D.

Ward Memorial Sports Complex wasdedicated at Manual High School inhis honor.Marianne (Ward) Franklin, remem-

bers her father as a man dedicated andloving to his family yet who wouldnot tolerate misbehavior by either she

or her sister, Carolyn. Mrs. Wardserved as the disciplinarian and hewas the problem solver. That both arethriving adults is testament to theirsuccess as parents.To this retired teacher and writer,

Jim Ward provided the foundation ofmy teaching career by providing theguidance, hope and opportunity thathe did to all that he touched. To mehis most important lesson was that forpublic school faculties to succeed theymust collaborate and realize thatteaching is a team effort. Or as theAfrican axiom teaches, it does take avillage to raise a child. His legacyendures.�Editor’s note: Ed Augden is a retiredDenver Public Schools teacher and commu-nity activist who lives in Denver. He canbe reached at [email protected].


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Rest Time ForTebowmaniaBy Sam Adams

I have been inside the eye of thetempest while it swirled aroundDenver Broncos quarterback TimTebow. I didn’t blink. Good thing,because I would have missed the mostamazing part ofthe experience –that being thecalmness Tebowmaintainedthroughout thestorm.For three

hours, I walkedside-by-sidewith Tebowwhile he playedthe Celeb-AMround of theAmericanCenturyChampionshipheld last July at EdgewoodTahoe golf course. Engulfedby shrieking fans at everyturn, Tebow never flinched.Michael Jordan, Charles

Barkley, Aaron Rodgers, JasonKidd, Marcus Allen, JerryRice, Emmitt Smith and JohnElway were just a few of thestars who also played the tour-nament in front of fairly largefollowings around the course.None were as large as the gal-leries for Tebow. Everyone, itseemed, wanted a piece – ifnot a glimpse – of the 2007 HeismanTrophy winner.Tebow is both adored and despised

by millions of people world-wide.He’s applauded for exhibiting a hard-nosed style of play on the field and aninsatiable desire to help people inneed off the field. He’s admonishedfor openly expressing his religiousbeliefs in the football setting. He’spraised for his ability to create positiveplays with his feet. And he’s criticizedfor not having the skill and ability tothrow the football at a level expectedof a professional quarterback.There is one thing about Tebow’s

demeanor off the field. He seemsimpervious to any of the hype. Youtalk. He plays. And he will do whatev-er it takes to win.Tebow stepped in as the starter

after the team had lost four of theirfirst five games. The Broncos startedwinning games – seven of their nexteight – including six in a row. Denver

defense played outstanding during thestreak, as the team allowed just 17points a game. And kicker Matt Praterclosed three straight games with win-ning field goals.Like quarterbacks usually do,

Tebow received the lion’s share ofpraise for the winning streak – not tomention unbelievably ridiculousamounts of coverage from the local,national, international and socialmedia outlets.ESPN. Saturday Night Live. Late

Night with David Letterman. Twitter.It’s “Tebow time” . . . Have

you Tebowed yet?Tebow’s on-target throw to

Demaryius Thomas resulted ina game-winning 80-yardtouchdown play that gave theBroncos an overtime playoffvictory against the PittsburghSteelers – and gave the RockyMountain Region a long-awaited case of Bronco-mania.The following week, both

Bronco-mania and TebowTime came to an abrupt end inthe frigid New Englandevening air after a 45-10 loss to

the Patriots atGillette Stadium.Tebow has

five months torest, recover,study and pre-pare for Broncostraining campthis summer.John Elway, theBroncos’ VicePresident of foot-ball operations,has not guaran-teed that Tebowwill start the2012 regular sea-

son as the team’s starting quarterback.So don’t be surprised when theBroncos have one, if not two quarter-backs competing with Tebow for thejob.Here’s where it gets interesting –

separating Tebow’s popularity fromhis actual abilities to play in the NFL.He sells jerseys and produces tweetsin record numbers. But his game onthe football field mirrors his game onthe golf course – powerful yet erratic,with plenty of room for much-neededimprovements.Tebow knows better than anyone

that hemust make those improvementsto his game, and in a hurry. To borrow agolf term, recent history shows thatstarting quarterbacks for the Broncosrarely receive amulligan.�Editor’s note: Sam Adams is a formersports columnist-turned-standup comedi-an. For more information, visitwww.likethebeer.com or E-mail [email protected].


16

Tebow posters by Jesse DuBois for prints call 303-292-6446.

CCoolloorr MMee PPrroouudd!!

Rep. Angela WilliamsD-Denver, District 7

Name_______________________________

School ______________________________

Age____________ Grade _______________

Address _____________________________

City_________________________________

Phone ______________________________

Instructions: Color this draw-ing and receive a prize! Anychild,12 and under, who colorsand returns this drawing to theDenver Urban Spectrum, 2727Welton St., Denver, CO 80205will receive prizes from the par-ticipating sponsors. All entriesmust be received no later thanFeb. 28.

Illustration by Drew Mannie - Dropshadow Studios.

Chris Herndon, DenverCity Council, District 11

Albus BrooksDenver City Council,

District 8

Rep. Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, District 42


17

GERIE GRIMESExecutive Director and Non-Profit

AdministratorHope Center

Gerie Grimes has always beeninvolved and willing to work to dothose things that need to be done tomake the community a better place foreveryone.Grimes has been instrumental with

the Hope Center that will celebrate 50years and working with children.“My involvement is making a dif-

ference in education from early child-hood to higher education,” she said. “Grimes doesn’t believe in sitting

around and waiting for others to dothings. “You cannot bring aboutchange, if you are not willing to getinvolved, she said.When it comes to the biggest chal-

lenges that African-Americans face,Grimes believes is, “Having a qualityeducation, being able to recognizeracial issues connected to disparities,being willing to put self on the backburner, work together and persistentlybring about change.”As Grimes works on her doctorate,

she hopes in the future to be part ofthe much needed changes in educa-tion.Of course, it makes sense that

Grimes would want to be remem-bered as someone who made a posi-tive change in her community andsaid, “I want to be remembered as acivil rights activist who never gave upon the pursuit of justice that everyoneshould be treated with respect, digni-ty, regardless of the color of theirskin.”“And I want my family to say that

Gerie believed.”

HASIRA “SOUL” WATSONProgressive Journalist, Radio Host and Writer

Who in the community hasn’theard that voice or read the wordswritten by Soul “Hasira” Watson, radiohost, relationship writer and commu-nity activist.He is mostly known for his Man

Up! Relationship columns, social com-mentary pieces called “SOULilquy. Watson is aiming at building

bridges between Africans and African-Americans through the media chan-nels. He has even served as a mediacoordinator and a delegate of theAfrican Union Diaspora Forum inGhana, Africa.Watson sees the biggest challenges

facing the African-American commu-nity are their attitude and vision. “I believe we can manifest anything

we put our minds to. If you can see it,and believe it…you can achieve it,” hestated. “We are in dire need of a posi-tive brainwashing. We desperatelyneed an empowerment education thatteaches us how to unlock our personalpower and overcomes life’s obstacles.This type of empowerment educationis what I see as my life’s work.” His belief of being active in his

community stems from coming from aprogressive Denver family that always

took an active role in the community.“I love Denver and the Denver com-munity and there is nothing I won’tdo for those that I love. Serving thecommunity and having a positiveeffect on it, is truly my passion,” hesaid.Watson sees no fault in the positive

way he wants to be remembered.When it is all said and done, he said,“I was a loving husband, father andcommunity member who inspiredcountless others to live their life to thefullest.”

JASON R. WILSONIntervention Specialist

Basketball Coach and MentorJason Wilson has worn many hats in

the community as an intervention spe-cialist, basketball coach and mentor.His ability to rehabilitate youth in theclassrooms and advocate for father-hood, especially single fathers, hasbecome another positive mark on thecommunity.But that is not all Wilson has

accomplished - from educated thecommunity on the value of recycling,volunteering to clean the grounds atthe Colorado Black Arts Festival tohelping revitalize Manual HighSchool’s basketball program.The African-American community

is not without its challenges and hur-dles to overcome. Wilson sees thebiggest challenge being the youth set-tling for mediocrity in the classroomsand no educational pursuit of gradu-ating from high school and attendinga four year college.“Our youth still have a lack of edu-

cational programs and extra-curricularactivities that prepares them for thefuture,” Wilson explained.When asked why he pursues taking

on such an active role in the commu-nity, Wilson replied, “Because somany young adults are without bothparents and don’t have a role model toshow them the right way. And also Ifeel that I relate to the young adults onvarious levels.” Helping youth graduate from high

school, pursuing a higher level ofcoaching, and connecting more fatherswith their children, Wilson said are

few things he hopes to accomplish inthe future, besides becoming the thirdBlack mayor of Denver.Wilson also hopes to be remem-

bered as a person who dedicated hislife on the betterment of the Denvercommunity. “I was a man that repre-sents triumph, and a man that lovesthe Lord and his family.”

PAULA MCCLAINMarketing and Diversity DirectorU.S. Tennis Association Colorado

Paula McClain has always been anefficacious worker in the community.Her relentless drive involves workingwith the USTA Colorado in partner-ship with the Blair-Caldwell African-American Research Library, bringingthe successful nationally acclaimed‘Breaking the Barriers “exhibit to thelibrary. She also is the executive pro-ducer of the original documentary,“Crossing the Net: Denver City Parkand the Black Tennis Experience,” thatshowcases Black pioneers in tennis.McClain also has served on the

Denver African-AmericanCommission, co-chairing the commis-sion’s charge to advise the mayor onissues and concerns impacting theAfrican-American community. “The biggest challenges facing the

African-American community areyouth-education and health equity.Our community is in dire straits inthese areas. It is imperative to bringtogether resources to ensure equalaccess by developing effective policiesand programs.”She chooses to take on that active

role in making a difference because, “Ihave the opportunity to be an advo-cate for the improvement of the quali-ty of life in the African-American com-munity and work on the Commission,as a bridge between the communityand policy-makers to engage inresponsible activism for the communi-ty,” she said.McClain still sees a bright light

ahead for the future of her communi-ty. “I want to be involved with thelegacy work to ensure generationsbehind will have the opportunity toachieve their dreams in a fair andequal world,” she explains.


18

Editor’s note: Each year duringBlack History Month, the DenverUrban Spectrum honors AfricanAmericans who are making a differ-ence in the lives of others. In honorof our 25th year of publishing andbased on past recognition, numberof times nominated and question-naire response, we have selected(from 22 nominations) 8 recipientsas the 2012 African Americans WhoMake A Difference. They told usabout their achievements, whatmotivated them to become active intheir community, suggestions toaddress the challenges facing thecommunity, and how they would liketo be remembered. Once you readtheir profiles, you will understandwhy they were chosen.

And she would like to be remem-bered as the woman and person of herword and a doer with sincere love andkindness.

RENEE SCOTTDirector

Angel’s Cove International, Inc.Renee Scott’smotto is being there

for others and helping people in needthrough her organization, Angel’sCove International, Inc. She is also anordained pastor of prison and jail min-istries with Life Changers Ministries.She has certainly been an angel to

many ex-felons going through the preand post re-entry process of the prisonsystem. In 1999, she began buildinghealthy self-esteem in women andmen transitioning from the Coloradoprisons taking pre-release and post-release classes and workshops thatassists them in overcoming the nega-tive effects of incarceration.In 2011, almost 100 inmates suc-

cessfully completed Scott’s “Blueprintfor Change” program.When asked what is one of the

biggest challenges facing the African-American community, Scott said,“Trying to reduce the rate of African-Americans entering the penal systemneeds to be addressed in homes,churches and schools. Enhancing andstrengthening families and educationand prevention opportunities must beintroduced and made available,” sheexplained.Scott is adamant about taking an

active role in her community becauseof the high percentage of African-American males who are incarceratedin prisons across the country is agreater number than African-American males enrolled in collegesand universities. Now women are thefastest growing population in prisonsnationwide. “In the future,” she added, “I

would like to build a Life Center (forex-offenders) that offers supportivehousing, provide and enhance entre-preneurial opportunities, build themup spiritually and expand our out-reach to their families.” Scott is not modest about being a

catalyst for change and only wants to

be remembered as someone whomade a difference on issues endemicto the African-American plight thatrelates to crime and punishment.

DR. ROBERTA T. MCCLINONNaturopathic Consultant

Healthy Souls, LLCRoberta McClinon loves being a moti-

vational speaker, whose overall goal isto be an inspiration to all those whotake heed to her words and advice.She especially focuses on educatingand inspiring the community on holis-tic health methods.She has overcome devastating

effects of multiple sclerosis and arguesthe most important fact is taking careof our health. She feels that we takefor granted the daily choices we makeregarding our health.McClinon comments that the

biggest challenges facing the African-American community is the inade-quate access and knowledge of alter-native health care. Seeking these alter-natives can be an awakening and pre-ventive method before becoming ill.“Services that are many times easi-

ly accessible to other communities likemessages, reflexology and herbal ther-apies are either non-existent, extreme-ly limited or not considered when itcomes to our health,” she states.“These issues can be resolved by themedical and pharmaceutical industriescooperation and incorporation of nat-ural remedies that can be covered byinsurance.”McClinon has high hopes as a

future goal to be able to set up a well-ness center that provides a variety ofholistic services within the African-American community.And you can say that is how

McClinon would like to be remem-bered, as someone who used her ownlife as an example of taking charge ofher life health wise, regardless of anyobstacles place along the path.

Sandra L. WinstonDirector of OperationsLowry Family Center

Sandra L. Winston has been a strongadvocate for families as the director ofoperations at the Lowry FamilyCenter.She has continued to assist people

with utilities and provideThanksgiving/Christmas help formany families. She also works withindividuals assigned to communityservice work by the courts and helpsredirect their lives.“Seeing a young person change

their life in a positive direction, help-ing them move from the street life tobecoming a college student,” Winstonsaid was one of her more notable con-tributions to the community.She thrives in taking on that role as

a change agent in the African-American community, because as heputs it, “I have been blessed, and Iwant to share what I have learnedthrough experience with others.”Winston expressed the biggest chal-

lenges that she sees is the dispropor-tion of things in the African-Americancommunity. “Some of this can beresolved, by going back to the way itwas when I was younger – we createdour own jobs. Our young people needto know that the same talents neededto be a street hustler are the same tal-ents it takes to be a Bill Gates (founderof Microsoft). They need to be encour-aged to use the gifts they have tomake a living for themselves.”Part of her future goal is to contin-

ue encouraging young people to makebetter choices in their lives.But one thing Winston wants to be

remembered for is how, “I helpedsomeone along the way,” she said.

WINIFRED (TINA) CARTERFounder and Executive Director

You Can Begin Again Inc.Winifred Carter has been a caring fos-

ter mom, minister, and founder andexecutive director of a non-profitorganization. You Can Begin AgainInc., a non-profit organization estab-lished in 2008, became a change agentand advocate for youth at risk. The organization specifically focuses

on young women, ages 18 to 25, whoare at risk of falling through the cracksof society’s safety nets and don’t qualifyfor government assistance.Those youth considered as “aging

out” of the system and have beenemancipated from the foster care sys-tem often lack the skills to transitioninto adulthood.Carter was able make a difference

in 2011, when she helped open fullyfurnished five-apartment home, wheresix young women who were emanci-pated and homeless after foster care,are now living.“Providing long term foster care for

over 10 children, ensuring that thesechildren received loving care, a familysetting and hope, and reassuring themthat they have more years ahead ofthem than they have behind them,”Carter said was important.Carter takes an active role in the

community head-on and as a serioustestimony to her faith when it comesto helping foster care children. “I rec-ognized that the wounds are deep andwide, and I’ve learned that more thana band-aid is needed if holistic healingis to occur,” she said.“I would like to be remembered as

a servant of Jesus Christ and a servantto mankind. One who embraced themandate in Matthew 25:31-40.‘Because they were hungry and I fedthem, thirsty and I gave them some-thing to drink, they were strangersand I provided them with a place tolive.’ I want to hear Jesus say welldone thou good and faithful servant.”Her future ambition is to build two

secured apartment complexes - one tohouse young women emancipatedfrom foster care and a second complexthat houses young women from fostercare who have children – besides pro-moting self-sufficiency and buildingself-esteem. �


19

Congratulations to the

2012 African Americans Who Make A Difference!

Many of the best and brightestachievers in the African Americanworldwide community today, coupledwith those individuals who have sup-ported the African American cause forracial justice, gathered on the stage ofthe 20th Annual Trumpet Awards toreceive a once-in-life-time salute fortheir dedication, hard work, andremarkable achievements. The star-studded event, often referred to as the“Oscars” for Black America, tookplace at the Cobb Energy Center inAtlanta (GA) on Saturday, Jan. 7 andwas hosted by Wayne Brady, anEmmy Award winning actor, record-ing artist, dancer, and television per-sonality. Brady hosted his own syndi-cated talk/variety show “The WayneBrady Show,” and currently, can beseen on CBS as the host of the daytimeclassic “Let’s Make A Deal.”Honorees for the 2012 Trumpet

Awards included: Earth, Wind, &Fire, receiving the LifetimeAchievement Award; Rev. C. L.Franklin (accepted by his daughterAretha Franklin), receiving the CivilRights Award; Ted Turner, receivingthe Golden Trumpet Award; Dr. LeviWatkins, Jr. honored for his achieve-ments in medicine; Mr. & Mrs. EmmittSmith, receiving the HumanitarianAward; Mayor Cory A. Booker, hon-ored for his political leadershipachievements; U.S. AmbassadorNicole Avant, receiving theInternational Award; Mary Parker,honored for her achievements in busi-ness; Tyrese Gibson, receiving thePinnacle Award; and a group of 17African American men and womenwho are Hotel General Managers andare being honored for breaking theglass ceiling in the hotel industry.These individuals are: Olivia Brown,Bryan Conyers, Larry Daniels, MichaelHopper, Adrian Hughes, RussellMiller, Erica Qualls, Michael Session,Michael Smith, Gail Smith-Howard,Michael Washington, Linda Westgate,Robert Woolridge, Erika Alexander,Lorenzo Creighton, Valerie Ferguson,

and Robert Steele.Xernona

Clayton, creatorof the TrumpetAwards and exec-utive producer ofthe show as wellas president andCEO of theTrumpet AwardsFoundation, pre-sented TedTurner, her for-mer boss and thecreative mindbehind Turner Networks and CNN,with the preeminent award for theevening – the Golden Trumpet.“Twenty years ago, Ted Turner gaveme the opportunity, the support andthe money, which allowed me to cre-ate the Trumpet Awards. You gaveme the opportunity to give people ofAfrican American ancestry hope fortheir future. For this we honor youtoday,” said Clayton. Turner’sresponse was, “I am deeply touched –I have always believed in brotherhoodand understanding.”The famed “Red Carpet” of

Trumpet Awards rolled out and wel-

comed an inter-national cast ofwho’s who inthe areas of reli-gion, politics,public service,law, sports andentertainment.Presenters forthe 20th AnnualTrumpetAwards wereSharon Leal,ShaunRobinson, Eddie

Levert with The OJays, BlairUnderwood, and more. Entertainmentwas provided by award-winningrecording artists Bilal, Anthony David,Mint Condition, Raphael Saadiq,Naturally Seven, Kim Burrell, EveretteHarp, and Ronnie Laws.Celebrity guests participants from

other Trumpet Awards weekendevents included those who were pre-sented with the SpiritualEnlightenment Award at the PrayerBreakfast: Collie Burnett, Jr. AtlantaInterfaith Broadcasters (AIB TV);Bishop Andrew J. Ford. II, FordMemorial Temple; Serita Jakes, The

Potters House; Derrick Lee, DhericoMusic; Reverend Timothy Stewart,Bethel Baptist Church (Nassau); andDr. John & Mrs. Dorothy Casoria,Trinity Broadcasting Network; and Dr.Bernice A. King, Be A KingEnterprises, who received the T.B.Boyd Distinguished Service Award.The comment heard from many of

the honorees accepting their awardswas “I am standing on the shouldersof my ancestors.” Tyrese Gibson, oneof the Trumpet Awardees, gave out abit of advice when he stated, “I wasborn in Watts, in the hood; but Ilearned to dream beyond my circum-stances and to show up and try to bethe best version of me that I can possi-bly be.”The International Civil Rights Walk

of Fame at the Martin Luther King Jr.National Historic Site received ninenew honorees whose footprints wereplaced into the granite walkway.These persons included Civil RightsFoot Soldiers Reverend Willie Boldenand J. T. Johnson; Reverend Dr. E. T.Caviness; Dosan Ahn Chang-Ho;Constance Curry; Attorney Fred D.Gray; Reverend Theodore M.Hesburgh; Charles J. Ogletree, Jr; andDr. Walter F. Young.Other events during the Trumpet

Awards weekend included the HighTea with High Heels affair, salutingwomen of achievement; and the RaceRelations Symposium where arenowned group of participantsincluded Dr. C. T. Vivian, Dr. CharlesJ. Ogletree, Jr. and others.�Editor’s note: The first broadcast viewingwindow on local networks for the TrumpetAwards is March 24 – May 6; and WSB-TV (ABC) in Atlanta, GA will air duringthis time. The Trumpet Awards will alsoair April 8 on TV One. AIB TV (AtlantaInterfaith Broadcasters) will air several ofthe Trumpet Awards events during themonth of February, including the SpiritualEnlightenment Awards at the PrayerBreakfast; Race Relations Symposium;High Tea with High Heels; and theInternational Civil Rights Walk of Fame.


20

20th Annual Trumpet Awards20th Annual Trumpet AwardsDelivers Notable Honors ForDelivers Notable Honors For

African AmericanAfrican AmericanAchievementAchievement

Ted Turner Recipient Of Golden Trumpet Award

Crumbs ComesTo ColoradoBy Rebecca Gholson

The Aurora Fox Theatre presentsthe regional premiere of Crumbs fromthe Table of Joy by Lynn NottageJanuary 27 through February 19.Recovering from the loss of a wife

and mother, Godfrey Crump trans-plants his family, daughters Ernestine,17, and Ermina, 15, from Florida toBrooklyn in 1950. Swept up in theGreat Migration, this African-American family must learn to copewith the many challenges of life in acity with vastly different cultural andintellectual standards. They soon dis-cover that escaping Jim Crow does notnecessarily mean escaping discrimina-tion.Crumbs is Ernestine’s memory of

her coming of age. Narrated beautiful-ly by the adult Ernestine in the bodyof her younger self, the play has anexcruciating innocence which causesthe audience to yearn for a futurewhich may not be achievable.Ernestine is relentlessly optimistic. Shehas the youthful ability to maintain anall-or-nothing independence fueled bythe new ideals she encounters. Theadult Ernestine recounts her teenagethoughts without judging them; herrecollections are not tinged with bitter-ness and aid to keep the story firmlyplanted in 1950.Constantly reinterpreting her life as

an old Hollywood film, Ernestine atfirst finds the experience of the cityliberating, noting seeming equality inher first encounter with whites.However, first impressions ofBrooklyn in 1950 are essentially smokeand mirrors. Unlike Harlem, theCrump’s new neighborhood is white

and not yet heady with talk of change.With tangible gain from the fledglingCivil Rights Movement a decadeaway, the Crumps find themselves ina virtual limbo constantly hoping, butnot quite realizing dreams for betterjobs, homes and social status.But Ernestine’s optimism seems

constantly in danger of the influenceof her father’s poor choices. A recentreligious convert to the cause of FatherDivine, the leader of a cult-like move-ment who claimed to be god, Godfreyestablishes a smothering moral tyran-ny over the Crump household.Godfrey, attempting to protect hisdaughters from the ills of big city life,rarely allows them from their smallbasement apartment; however,Godfrey’s impressions of the city arenot entirely unfounded. Any time theCrumps are seen outside their homesome new complication descendsupon their predicament.But cloistering his family will not

protect the Crumps from worldlyinfluence. New additions to the familyforce the ideals of vast and troubledcity into their very living room. Whenlong lost aunt, Lily Ann Green, a pro-fessed Communist, comes to stay, sodoes a train of independent thought,of revolution, which Godfrey equateswith the promiscuous. Godfreyattempts to counteract Lily’s influenceby marrying a German woman, fur-ther complicating the family dynamic.In the midst of family turbulence

there exists a profoundly secret joy.An escape to music, film, religion, orpopularity should seem tragic exceptthat Nottage’s beautifully intoneddescriptions of these escapes uplift theindividual characters and so the audi-ence. These minor joys, mere crumbsas the title suggests, are sometimes theonly comfort for the Crumps whenhope gives way to crushing despera-tion endlessly buzzing in their apart-ment like unwanted backgroundnoise.This cacophony of new ideas cre-

ates a common enough coming of agestory; however, Nottage’s iteration isunique in that Ernestine’s coming ofage is not the be-all and end-all withregards to the play’s message. Theaudience comes to understand themoment of initiation into adulthood isnot Ernestine’s high school graduationas she understands it. Ernestine marksthe event as her initiation into adult-hood, but this moment is arbitrary atbest. She chooses a moment to launchherself into the world, but this is notthe moment most pivotal inErnestine’s story. She, like each andevery character in this play, has tomake decisions which mentally spurher forward as she finds little in socie-ty or family to give her life focus.Crumbs is an exploration of the

paradox of hope and desperation andthe stagnation created by the juxtapo-sition of the two. As well as thesethemes play out in the climate of 1950,there is no escape from their efficacytoday. While it seems easy to cast off astory like this as the product of racialinequality of a by-gone era, the poten-cy of the story is found in smallerarena of the home. Greater socialissues find their doppelgangers in thelesser family dynamic. It is in the innerlife of the family that “Crumbs” findsits relevance for the modern audience.Relevance seems a good word to

describe Nottage’s body of work ingeneral. Among her many accoladesare the 2007 MacArthur GeniusAward, two AUDELCO awards forexcellence in black theatre, TheNational Black Theatre Festival’sAugust Wilson Playwriting Award,and a number of critic’s awards andfellowships. In 2009, Ruined wonNottage the prestigious Pulitzer Prizefor Drama.Nottage’s 2011 play By the Way,

Meet Vera Stark is another look backin history at the multicultural dynam-ics of old Hollywood films, the blackwomen who shared the camera withwhite starlets, but never the credit.While Nottage continues to set her

works in the past, it is clear theirimplications are rooted firmly in thepresent. At a 2011 Occupy Wall Street

rally, Nottage spoke of a corruptednational narrative. Her vision for itscorrection also serves as a good mis-sion statement for Crumbs. Nottagesays, “It has to be a story that we areproud to tell, a story that moves us togrow and evolve.” Ernestine’s evolu-tion, begun in the microcosm of theCrump home, remains the play’s driv-ing factor.In the end, unity and understand-

ing are the message of the play, callingon the worst part of the self to recog-nize and amend its wrongs to fellowhuman beings. Director donnie l. bettshopes the audience will come awayfrom Crumbs with “a sense of family,a sense of ...[the] multi-layered culturethat we live in, that a lot of peopledon’t think about,” a culture “createdby immigrants.” betts believes, “If wecan see each other through anotherperson’s eyes, we can really cometogether.”�Editor’s note: To reserve tickets for“Crumbs from the Table of Joy,” visitwww.AuroraFox.org or call the Box Officeat 303-739-1970. The Aurora Fox Theatreis located at 9900 East Colfax Avenue,Aurora, five blocks west of Havana.Parking for the venue is free and locatedbehind the theatre. Doors open half an hourprior to curtain and concessions are avail-able for purchase upon arrival. For anyadditional information, contact the BoxOffice.


21

Valentine’s Day. The special time

of year when we celebrate what some

consider to be the most powerful force

in the universe: Love; that enigmatic

emotion about which countless songs

have been written and by which innu-

merable hearts have been smitten.

Some have called it the medicine that

makes the soul pure, while others say

it is the only disease that men shall

never cure. Yet whether received or

resisted, believed in or belittled, there

is no denying the incredible influence

it has had upon every society since the

beginning of time.

It is estimated that, in thismonth alone, Americans willspend $17 billion dollars declar-ing their affections. People ofevery age, ethnicity and economic sta-tus will use everything from littlecandy hearts to large heart shapeddiamonds to say “Be My Valentine.”What many will be actually saying is“I Love You” to someone whom theyhope will say the same in return.

But what exactly does that mean intoday’s society of commitment-freerelationships and disposable mar-riages? How do we define love in atime when the nation’s housewivesare boasting about being desperateand fidelity is a term we only associat-ed with sound equipment? Is it some-thing we fall in and then out of like acheap mattress? Or is it merely aphase we go through like puberty orpurple hair, where we wake up one

morning and are glad to findwe’ve outgrown it? Is it aphysical thing, or purely a psy-chological addiction? And is it

something we do from an open andwilling heart, or does it choose usregardless of how closed and unwill-ing our hearts may be? These mayvery well be some of the same ques-tions you have asked while contem-plating the power of this soul-captur-ing, player-killing virus we call love.For it seems that none of us, whetheryoung or old, rich or poor, are everquite beyond the reach of Cupid’spiercing arrows.The Science OF Seduction

In 1982 an artist by the name ofThomas Dolby released a song entitledShe Blinded Me With Science, inwhich he quite creatively used musicto expound upon the actual chemistry

that occurs in one’s brain when he orshe is “bitten” by the proverbial LoveBug. As it turns out, that recordingwas not only extremely popular, itwas also based upon a great deal ofscientific fact. According to a UCLAstudy, neurotransmitters in the humanbrain cause the release of endorphinsand serotonin when we develop a“crush” on someone. These are thesame chemicals that are released bymood-enhancing drugs such as alco-hol, opiates, marijuana, cocaine, etc.Therefore, we can literally becomeintoxicated as a result of our contactwith another human being; whetherphysical, visual, or merely audio. Infact, we can experience these phenom-ena by simply thinking about that per-son. This fact gives validation to thosewho claim to be “high on love”. Andbecause the effects of those chemicalscan cause an increase in blood-pres-


22

Has _ÉäxBecome Just Another Four Letter Word?The Bramster

sure, heart-rate, and body tempera-ture, it means humans really can havethe “hots” for another human being.Believe it or not, corporations all overthe world spend millions of dollarseach year on scientific research hopingto develop a substance that can inducethe same effects of “falling in love”. Inother words, they are trying to create a“Love Potion”. They invest heavily inthe best scientists they can find andrange from perfume companies tochocolate makers and even wineries.It’s no secret, there’s big money to behad for anyone who can solve theequation of Love.More Than A FeelingThere is another song, also released

in the 1980’s by Boston that said loveis more than a feeling. This is also abelief, and even a deep-seeded convic-tion, shared by countless individualswho consider love to be as much, ifnot more, an action as it is an emotion.James Hall, a Texas psychologist andmarriage counselor says, “The prob-lem with falling in love is that eventu-ally most folks fall out. And then whatdo you do? If your relationship is onlybased on how that person makes youfeel, what happens when they don’tfeel so good themselves and can nolonger satisfy your self-centered needto be accommodated? There was atime when folks in this country under-stood the value of ‘til death do uspart…in sickness and in health…forricher, for poorer…in good times andbad’. Now they barely even make it tothe altar, and if they do, the marriageis often over before the ink has hadtime to fully dry. It’s all because peo-ple are looking for an emotion, whentrue love means being there and car-ing for that person in spite of whatyour emotions may be saying.” Whenthe late Ruth Bell Graham, wife of thelegendary, also deceased, EvangelistBilly Graham was asked if she hadever considered divorce in all of herconsiderable years of marriage to thecharismatic preacher she said, “I canhonestly say that in all f my years ofmarriage to Bill, I have never onceconsidered divorce. Now I havethought about murder a few times,but never once of divorcing him.When I said ‘I do’ I did.”But have such notions of love and

marriage become unrealistic, old-fash-ioned, and even impractical fortoday’s generation? A recent surveyconducted by CNN revealed that only50 percent of adults living in the U.S.are married, and current marriages aredissolving at a steady rate of about 5percent per year. The divorce rate is atan all-time high of 51 percent and ofthose between the ages of 18 and 24;only 38 percent said that marriage wasstill relevant for these times. These

findings show a definite trendtowards the annihilation of the tradi-tional family structure in America.And it isn’t just the legally married,but rather all couples in general, whohave a very high likelihood of break-ing up within the first five years. Onecomedienne commented that she hadwent through three husbands and twoboyfriends but still had the same dogshe got as a wedding present from herfirst marriage. What does that have tosay about our society when we seemto be more committed to our pets thanwe are to the people we claim to love?There are, however, still those

whose relationships somehow manageto weather the storms and survive allthe attacks most others are unable tostand up to. And one can’t help butwonder what their secret is. Is it thatthey are just lucky enough to find“Mr. orMrs. Right” instead of the sorrysubstitutes others claim to have endedupwith? Or do they just decide to stickwith the substitutes in spite of the peace-snatching, joy-robbing consequences?Do they know something themajorityof us does not know, and if so, what isit? I don’t know about you but if you’relike me, you’re tired of all the “DatingGames” and “Love T.K.O.’s” andwouldverymuch like to find that specialsomeone with whom youmay shareyour life and your love with. But howdowe go about it?Learning To LoveIn my desperate quest for an

answer, I read several books on thesubject, talked to people who seemedhappy with their mates whom theyhad been with at least ten years, andeven interviewed professionals in thefield including pastors, sociologists,marriage, counselors, and psycholo-gists. And while I do not claim to havecome up with the Golden Guidelinesthat will guarantee one an eternallyblissful relationship, I did gain someinsight into what I might need to do ifI am to ever experience what I consid-er to be a healthy, long-lasting loveaffair. Here’s what I discovered;You Can’t Give What You Don’t

Have: Until we learn to love ourselves,we really can’t love anyone else. Thismay sound simple enough, but learn-ing to love ourselves is one of themost difficult, yet necessary things wehave to do before we are able to loveanother human being. A good place tostart is by receiving God’s love on avery personal level, for He truly doescare and consider us as being valu-able. Indeed, “For God so loved theworld [you and me] that He gave Hisonly begotten Son…” If God loveseach of us that much, and deems usworthy of that kind of investment,should we not feel the same aboutourselves?

Love Is Something You Do, NotJust Something You Feel: A mannamed James Bracken, aka DiamondJim, went so far as to tell me, “Love issomething you do in spite of how youfeel.” He and his bride of 62 yearsshared many of their time-provensecrets with me. Among them werethe importances of being kind andcourteous to one another, respectingeach other’s opinion, and communi-cating. His wife, Lil said that when sheand Diamond Jim got together, “Wedecided we were going to STAYtogether no matter what.” Then sheadded, “…And we never go to bedangry. If we need to work somethingout, we work it out no matter howlong it takes. Then we forgive and putit behind us because we love oneanother.” May we all learn from theirstellar example.If You Don’t Like Fish, Don’t Order

The Seafood Platter!: In other words;In order to get what you want, thenyou have to know what you want anddon’t deviate. A pastor recentlyshared an experience he had during amarriage counseling session with acouple from his church. In the midstof a seemingly endless tirade in whichthe wife belittled her husband for allof his faults, she added insult to injuryby remarking, “…And I don’t evenlike short men! I don’t know why Iput up with him.” When the pastorasked her, “Then why did you marrythe poor guy, if you knew you reallydidn’t like him?” She then replied,“Because I just needed some help withthese kids.” Ouch. Yet as callous asthat my sound, she is not the only onewho has allowed desperation,finances, fear of being alone, and evenpersonal insecurity to choose a part-ner. We owe it to ourselves and theother person to be honest about whatwe really like, and have the faith andfortitude to wait for it. And by theway; don’t worry little guy, there areplenty of ladies out there who dobelieve that dynamite does indeedcome in small packages.Become The Person You Are

Looking For: One of the first steps tofinding “Mr. Right” is to stop being“Mrs. Wrong.” (Same for Mr. Wrong)It is totally unreasonable for someonewho is selfish, disagreeable, unreli-able, disloyal, deceptive, coldhearted,lazy, and impious to think that some-one who is generous, easy-going,dependable, loyal, honest, affectionate,hard-working, and God-fearing wouldactually be happy with them. Byworking on ‘self’ and concentrating onpersonal improvement, we will natu-rally become as well as attract thedesired mate. If that means trading inthe Twinkies for the treadmill andbecoming a giver instead of a grabber,so be it. And by all means, if we trulydo each want to find someone who

“puts God first”, maybe we shouldstart by enrolling ourselves in“KneeBone” University.Make A Declaration Of

Dependence: The most commondenominator I discovered among suc-cessful unions was their reliance upon,and commitment to, a power greaterthan themselves to keep them togeth-er. Without some sort of core convic-tion regarding love and commitment,it seems the majority of us have noth-ing to restrain us from breaking every-thing from our diets to our marriagevow. In Biblical times, infidelity waspunished by stoning. I wonder howmany of us would be so quick to actlike a “Tiger in the Woods” if weknew the consequences would be tohave a two ton golf-ball crush ourskulls. And while I am not advocatingthe death penalty for desperate house-wives, I do believe we need muchmore reverence for God’s Wordregarding the matter, regardless ofwhat Hugh Heffner or KimKardashian have to say. There are noperfect people but there is a perfectCreator who can keep us togetherwhen we can’t keep ourselves fromfalling apart. By trusting and honoringHim and realizing our commitmentsare not to one another but rather toHim, we may find that even thoughlove is a four-letter word, so is life.And they are both priceless.�


23

Occupy OurRelationshipsBy G-Soul

First and fore-most I would like tosend a heartfelt2012 greetings to allof the Man Up sup-porters. As youmay have noticedthe column had been absent for thepast two-issues. For those of you whomissed it I apologize and thank youfor your emails as it helped to hearfrom you that these writings trulymake a difference in your lives. Speaking of making a difference –

this year I want all of our relationshipsto flourish, to become or remain ourpriority and serve as sources of powerfor us all. 2011 was a very powerfulyear on several fronts. Without a doubt the most socially

impactful event was the birth and riseof the Occupy Wall Street movement

that swept not only our country butalso the world with a voraciousnessnot seen since the 60’s. Indeed it seemsthat change is upon us and that themasses are calling for a re-balancingand redistribution of power. And while I’m excited for the possi-

bilities that the mobilization of themasses represents in terms of creatinga more equitable system – I do believethat a very key component is beingoverlooked which is – HOW WERELATE TO ONE ANOTHER. By this I mean ultimately – what

difference does a change in the old-guard make if we continue to relatewith each other in the same antiquat-ed fashion? New bottle-old wine. If the Occupy Movement is going

to have any significance at all, it isgoing to have to deal with and ade-quately address the purpose that weare all here on the planet – to growand to relate! Sure, it’s important thatwe are all able to have food, clothesand shelter but those items are merelythe means for us, not the end. We are on this ‘great ball of won-

der’ for the purpose of growing andall growing only takes place whenthere is more than one entity involved– i.e. relating. This is why I’m calling for an

Occupy Our Relationships Movement

because even more prevalent andshockingly detrimental than theempty, foreclosed and abandonedhomes that litter this country are theempty, foreclosed and abandonedrelationships that make up our societytoday. We have become a nation who has

lost the art and science of relating.From mother to child, husband towife, neighbor to neighbor, all signsseem to indicate a rapid unraveling ofour fundamental ability to connectand convey our realities without injur-ing, insulting, instigating or creatingdestructive energies in our wake. So while losing a home, a job or

some money is regrettable none ofthem singularly or combined amountto a pile of beans if we are not fulfill-ing our highest calling. Is it difficult to relate on an empty

stomach? Absolutely. Is it extremelytrying to maintain a marriage whenthe money is funny? No doubt. But letus be clear, there will always be thesechallenges. We didn’t arrive on thisplanet to live in a Utopia, so we betterfocus on what is going to sustain uswhen the world has gone wild; eachother. This is why Love Thy Neighbor is

the highest commandment in all-spiritu-al traditions. This is why you wouldalso do well to remember that LOVE isa verb - it’s an action, it’s not somethingthat you hope happens to you or thatyou fall in to one day when you meetMr. or Mrs. Right. Love is somethingthat you make and create on a dailybasis with those whom you encounterthroughout your life’s journey. How do you make sure you are

doing that? I have a simple formulathat I use to assess myself from time totime to see if I’m fulfilling my purposeand I hope that you find it useful aswell. It is in order of priority:1. Love myself – am I self loving?

Am I giving myself what I need in the

major areas (spiritually, financially,health, etc.)?

2. Love my mate – what is thehealth of the relationship with mymost intimate neighbor? The onewhom I must constantly interact.

3. Love my family – what are mychildren receiving from me daily?How would they rate me as a parent,a brother or sister, aunt or uncle?

4. Love my neighbor – these arethose with whom I’m living around,sharing community space. Most of ushave either lost the art of being a goodneighbor or have never known that itwas a requirement for a healthy envi-ronment.

5. Love my nation – not in thealtruistic jingoistic sense but morefrom the perspective of those who areliving under the same system of gov-ernment and occupy the same geo-graphical space.

6. Love my world – those whom weare sharing this blessed planet with atthis point in time. Subsequently, if you want change

in your life you must follow this verysame formula: self, mate, family,neighbor, nation, and world. 2012 is beckoning us to reconcile

with each other. We must cherish theopportunity of harmonizing our dif-ferences instead of highlighting themand becoming entrenched in the ‘mevs. them’ paradigm. Too many of us are in relationships

that we have abandoned or foreclosedon. Too many of us have ostracizedourselves and unwittingly becomeresigned to a life of separation fromthose whom have been placed in ourlives to increase our capacity to love. The Occupy Your Relationship

movement is beckoning you to comeout from your hiding places and tofully engage in this thing called life.For a life without love – is no life atall. Your relationship is the 99 percent!Man Up!


24

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Movie Reviews

By Kam Williams

Excellent��. ��Very Good��.. ��Good��... ��Fair��.. �Poor��. No stars

Red Tails��

WWII Saga Recounts HeroicExploits of Tuskegee AirmenThe Tuskegee Airmen is the nick-

name given the 332nd Fighter Group,the first squadron of African-American aviators ever trained by theU.S. Air Force. Formed in 1940, thehistoric unit had to be stationed at abase on the campus of the TuskegeeInstitute in Macon County, Ala., sincethe Armed Forces were still raciallysegregated at the time of its creation.Even after America entered World

War II, the government initiallyremained reluctant to deploy thesepioneering pilots overseas, out of aconcern that the presence of black offi-cers in the midst of white soldiersmight have a negative effect on mili-tary morale. Consequently, theTuskegee Airmen languished statesidefor several years, seeing no actionuntil they were finally cleared forcombat in the European theater ofoperations.Upon arriving in Italy, their 2nd

rate aircraft were upgraded fromjunky jalopies to state-of-the-art, P-51Mustang fighter planes, therebyenabling them to escort B-17 bombers

on dangerous raids behind enemylines deep into Germany territory. Theuntested pilots proceeded to performadmirably on over 1,500 successfulmissions, demonstrating an unexpect-ed combination of competence andvalor in the process.

Red Tails is an eye-popping, special-f/x driven adventure which recreatesthese belatedly-appreciated veterans’daring exploits in the skies, while

chronicling their simultaneous,uncompromising quest for dignity inthe face of the incessant humiliationmandated by Jim Crow. The moviemarks the feature film debut ofAnthony Hemingway, who is previ-ously best known for having shotepisodes of a host of TV series, includ-ing The Wire, True Blood, Treme, TheCloser, and CSI: NY.The picture was produced by

Lucasfilm where it has been a pet proj-ect of the studio’s legendary founder,George Lucas, for the past quarter-century. And it features an ensemblecast topped by Academy Award-win-ner Cuba “Show me the money!”Gooding (for Jerry Maguire) and Oscar-nominee Terrence Howard (for Hustle& Flow).Aside from raising the question of

the arbitrary color line, the plot readslike a typical, cliché-ridden war flickrevolving around a tight-knit, motleycrew of colorful characters. Each isbased on a simplistically-drawn arche-type, like the ill-fated pilot you knowisn’t long for this world the momenthe’s shown sitting in his cockpit gaz-ing fondly at a picture of his fiancéeright before takeoff.Another familiar figure is the cigar-

chomping Major (Gooding), a pater-

nalistic pontificator given to deliveringinspirational speeches about God,mom and apple pie. He cares abouteach of the men under his command,including alcoholic “Easy” Julian(Parker); daredevil “Lightning” Little(David Oyelowo); class clown “Joker”George (Elijah Kelley); and “Junior”Gannon (Tristan Wilds), a youngsterwho yearns to be taken seriously byhis teasing colleagues.Meanwhile, back at the Pentagon,

we find exasperated Colonel A.J.Bullard (Howard) tirelessly lobbyingthe military brass to put an end toracial discrimination in the ranks. Inthe end, the film proves more memo-rable for its eye-popping, actionsequences than for its corny dialoguewhich ranges from preachy (“We’reon the side of God Almighty!”) to triteposter-speak (Let’s give those newspa-pers something to write about!).Nonetheless, Red Tails amounts to a

worthy, overdue tribute to a group ofintrepid,WorldWar II heroes whonever let their second-class status dimin-ish their patriotism even one iota.

Rated: PG-13 for violence and profanity.Running Time: 125 minutesDistributor: 20th Century FoxTo see a trailer for Red Tails, visit:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpA6TC0T_Lw

The Iron Lady��

Streep Delivers Oscar-QualityPerformance

Impersonating Brit PMOver the course of her illustrious

career, Meryl Streep has landed moreAcademy Award nominations (16 andcounting) than any other thespian inhistory. Blessed not only with an envi-able emotional range but a knack for

Continued on page 26

REEL ACTION


25

SAFE HOUSE has been rated R (Restricted - Under 17 Requires Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian)for strong violence throughout and some language.

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The Iron Lady

Continued from page 25feigning foreign accents and regionaldialects, the versatile actress hasrepeatedly demonstrated an uncannyability to disappear into whatever roleshe’s been asked to play.

Such is again the case with The IronLady, a comprehensive biopic aboutMargaret Thatcher, who served asPrime Minister of Great Britain from1979 to 1990. The movie was directedby Phyllida Lloyd who previously col-laborated with Streep in 2008 onMamma Mia!

Meryl will undoubtedly garneranother well-deserved Oscar nomina-tion for her spot-on impersonation ofthe imperious icon’s public persona,from the pursed lips to the steelydemeanor to the haughty tone ofvoice. She further rose to the challengeof a demanding assignment whichalso called for her to capture the char-acter’s recent descent into dementia, adotage which has ostensibly beenmarked by hallucinations and semi-lucid ramblings.

Unfortunately, Streep’s sterling per-formance here has been squandered inservice of an overambitious screenplayby Abi Morgan which attempts to biteoff more than it could possibly chewin less than two hours. As a result, thefilm fails to do justice to the touch-stones in Thatcher’s life and career,tending to tease rather than addressthe material in depth.

Constructed as a series of flash-backs, it takes superficial looks ateverything from her coming of ageduring World War II to her collegedays at Oxford to her marriage toDenis Thatcher (Jim Broadbent) totheir starting a family to her develop-ing a feminist consciousness to herentering politics. The bulk of the film’sfocus is devoted to her tempestuoustenure at Number 10 Downing Street,a period marked by both domestic

and international unrest courtesy ofthe Irish Republican Army and a warin the Falkland Islands, respectively.

Overall, this empathetic portraitpaints the Prime Minister as a head-strong conservative as dedicated toher family as to her country. But bythe film’s end, we really haven’tlearned much memorably aboutMaggie beyond her enduring love forthe devoted husband who prede-ceased her.

A potentially-underwhelming pro-duction elevated singlehandedly byanother tour de force turned in by theever-astounding Meryl Streep.

Rated: PG-13 for violent images and briefnudity.Running Time: 105 minutesDistributor: The Weinstein CompanyTo see a trailer for The Iron Lady, visit:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDiCFY2zsfc

Joyful Noise�� 1/2

Queen Latifah and DollyParton Co-Star in Gospel-Driven Musical DramaWhen choir director Bernard

Sparrow (Kris Kristofferson) passesaway unexpectedly, Pastor Dale(Courtney B. Vance) finds himself onthe horns of a dilemma. Should hepromote the dearly-departed deacon’sdeserving assistant, Vi Rose Hill(Queen Latifah), or award the positionto his grieving widow, G.G. (DollyParton)?

After agonizing over the decision,the good reverend settles on the for-mer, potentially risking the survival ofSacred Divinity, since the well-to-doSparrow family is the cash-strappedchurch’s major benefactor. By compar-ison, life’s a struggle for Vi Rose andmost of the other citizens of Pacashau,GA.

The economic recession has turned

REEL ACTION


26

THIS FILM IS RATED G. GENERAL AUDIENCES. All Ages Admitted.There is no charge to text 43KIX. Message and data rates from your wireless carrier may apply. Check your plan. Late and/or duplicate entries will not be considered. Limit one entry per cell phone. Winners will be drawn atrandom and notified via text message with screening details by 2/10 at 5PM. Each mobile pass admits 2. The screening will be held on Saturday, 2/11 at 10:00AM at a local theatre. Sponsors and their dependents are noteligible to receive a prize. Supplies are limited. The film is rated G. Passes received through this promotion do not guarantee a seat at the theatre. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, except for members of thereviewing press. Theatre is overbooked to ensure a full house. No admittance once screening has begun. All federal, state and local regulations apply. A recipient of prizes assumes any and all risks related to use of prize,and accepts any restrictions required by prize provider. Walt Disney Pictures, Allied-THA, 43KIX, Urban Spectrum and their affiliates accept no responsibility or liability in connection with any loss or accident incurred inconnection with use of prizes. Prizes cannot be exchanged, transferred or redeemed for cash, in whole or in part. Not responsible if, for any reason, winner is unable to use his/her prize in whole or in part. Not responsible forlost, delayed or misdirected entries. All federal, state and local taxes are the responsibility of the winner. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. NO PHONE CALLS!

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Thursday, February 23

Joyful Noise

metropolis marked by foreclosuresigns, a soup kitchen packed with thehomeless, and a business district dot-ted with vacant storefronts.

G.G.’s grudgingly ratifying theappointment of Vi Rose is the answerto the prayers of Pastor Dale who isdesperate to avoid creating a rift in histight-knit congregation. For, he hopesthat the choir might restore a measureof pride to the beleaguered Pacashaucommunity by prevailing at theupcoming National GospelCompetition.

That unlikely feat is the raison d’e-tre of Joyful Noise, a faith-based mix ofmodern morality play and musicalnumbers. The soulful singing perform-ances are the film’s forte, from DollyParton and Kris Kristofferson’s heart-felt duet on “From Here to the Moonand Back” to Keke Palmer and JeremyJordan’s equally-evocative interpreta-tion of “Maybe I’m Amazed” to IvanKelley, Jr.’s spirited rendition of“That’s the Way God Planned It.”

As for the pat plotline, the point ofdeparture finds Vi Rose with herhands full and dividing her time fromtrying to raise two teenagers alonebecause her husband (Jesse L. Martin)abandoned the family for the militaryon account of the lack of local jobs.

Their son, Walter (Dexter Darden), isin need of help handling hisAsperger’s Syndrome while boy-crazydaughter, Olivia (Palmer), sure coulduse a more appropriate suitor than thethug (Paul Woolfolk) who’s beencourting her lately.

Everything changes the day G.G.’sProdigal Grandson Randy (Jordan)rolls back into town from New YorkCity unexpectedly. Although a littlerough around the edges, the misun-derstood young man is just the answerfor everybody’s malady.

First, he falls in love with Olivia atfirst sight. Then he serves as a surro-gate big brother to Walter. And whenhe joins the choir, it’s only a matter oftime before he mends the fencesbetween Vi Rose and his granny onthe road to the finals at the JoyfulNoise contest in Los Angeles.

A modern parable that’s fun for thewhole family with an uplifting mes-sage about the power of cooperation.Can I get an Amen?

Rated: PG-13 for profanity and a sexual refer-ence.Running Time: 117 minutesDistributor: Warner BrothersTo see a trailer for Joyful Noise,visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1Cj-_o2FGQ

REEL ACTION

Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – January 2010

27

presents

“Seasoned Soul Singles”An Evening of Speed Dating

Friday, February 10 from 5 to 9 PM$20 Ticket Include: Dinner, Games, Prizes and Dating

For tickets, call 303-856-3590

15343 E. 6th Ave. (6th & Chambers) in Aurora, COPhone: 303-856-3590 • E-mail:[email protected]

Open: Mon-Saturday - 8 AM to 7 PM, Sunday - 10 AM to 6 PM

Flava!Flava!“Simply Good Food”“Simply Good Food”

presents

Celebrating 25 Years ofSpreading the News About People of Color

Showcase Exhibit & VIP ReceptionWednesday, April 25, 2012

Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library

Comedy ExplosionThursday, April 26, 2012

Youth RallyFriday, April 27, 2012Montbello High School

Special Guest: Dr. Farrah Gray

Timeless Legends Black-Tie Dinner“Tribute to Women”

Saturday, April 28, 2012Renaissance Hotel - Denver

For information on events, tickets, tables, volunteer oppor-tunities or sponsorship opportunities, call 303-292-6446.

DBG Announces NewTrustees To BoardDenver Botanic Gardens

announced Dawn P.Bookhardt, Richard K.“Dick” Clark, MichaelMatthews and KeithMontoya have beenelected to the Boardof Trustees as termtrustees. LauriDannemiller and Peter J. Kirsch havebeen appointed to the Board as may-oral trustees. Additionally, Jean Derrand Jeanette Pryor will serve as ex-officio trustees in relationship to theirroles in The Associates of DenverBotanic Gardens and the DenverBotanic Gardens Guild, respectively.For more information, visit

www.botanicgardens.org. Gary M. Jackson ReceivedColorado Bar’s Highest Honor

Gary M. Jacksonwas honored withthe Colorado BarAssociation’s highesthonor, the Award ofMerit, on Friday, Jan.6.Jackson is a found-

ing member and for-mer president of theSam Cary BarAssociation, an African-Americanlegal association, as well as the SamCary Scholarship Endowment Fund,which provides scholarships to lawstudents at the University of Coloradoand the University of Denver. Hehelped found the Colorado CriminalDefense Bar, and was the 2010Colorado Chapter President of theAmerican Board of Trial Advocates.He has also served his larger com-

munity. He chairs the Delta Eta BouleFoundation, that provides scholar-ships to Denver high school gradu-ates. As an advocate for youth, he haschaired Northeast Denver YouthServices, which offers recreational andeducational opportunities. Jackson has been a partner at

DiManna & Jackson since 1976. Nita Mosby Henry AppointedExecutive Director Of CareerService AuthorityThe Career Service Board appoint-

ed Nita Mosby Henry asthe Executive Directorof the Career ServiceAuthority (CSA), theCity’s HumanResource Department,following an exten-sive national search. Nita Mosby Henry has more than

25 years of experience in HumanResources management and opera-

tions. Mosby Henry is nationally rec-ognized for her work with healthcareand service delivery organizations.She has consulted with companies andorganizations on leadership develop-ment, human resources and opera-tions strategies, organizational changeinitiatives and diversity and inclusive-ness training programs. Mosby Henry also founded and

served as the Executive Director ofThe Kaleidoscope Project, a manage-ment consulting firm. Mosby Henry holds a doctorate in

Organizational Leadership from theUniversity of Phoenix. Wilma Webb, Bobbie TowbinTo Receive Civil Rights AwardsThe Anti-Defamation League’s

Mountain States Office will present its2012 Civil Rights Awards to Hon.Wilma Webb, former ColoradoRepresentative and Denver First Lady,and Bobbie Towbin, former ADLSenior Regional Associate Director, ata reception on Feb.16.Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock

will present the Civil Rights Award toWilma Webb. Rep. Webb served in theColorado GeneralAssembly from1980 to 1993, whereshe was the firstAfrican -Americanmember of theJoint BudgetCommittee. She ledthe fight to estab-lish a state holiday to honor Dr.Martin Luther King, Jr., and she wasthe moving force behind Denver’sannual Marade, the country’s largestmarch and rally commemorating Dr.King and his ideals of equality, respectand freedom. She served as Denver’sFirst Lady from 1991 to 2003, duringher husband Wellington’s three termsas mayor.Former ADL Regional Director Saul

Rosenthal will present the Civil RightsAward to BobbieTowbin, who workedtirelessly for civilrights and religiousfreedom asMountain StatesRegional SeniorAssociate Directorof the Anti-Defamation leaguefrom 1987 until her retirement in2002. She fought for equal treatmentfor all, advocated for state hate crimeslaws, stood up against extremists, andworked to preserve the separation ofchurch and state, fulfilling ADL’s mis-sion “to stop the defamation of theJewish people…to secure justice andfair treatment to all.”


28

HATS OF TO...

Three Tons Of Food RaisedAt Civic Summit

Last month, the inaugural CivicSummit was held to raise food for theDenver community. Hosted by busi-nessmen Richard Lewis and CedricPride, the afternoon event atMontbello High School included afood drive with live entertainmentand access to community organiza-tions and resources.In addition to the afternoon event,

an evening concert and celebrationwas held at the Denver DoubletreeHotel. Cost of entry for each eventwas three food items. Lewis and Prideraised almost 6,000 pounds of food forthe families of the Denver Metro Area.Entertainment for the Civic Summit

events included the Montbello HSDrum line, Comedians Derrick Ellisand Shed G., the Mary Louise LeeBand and special guest appearance bynational recording artist, Al B. Sure.More than 700 people attended thecombined events.The following five organizations

benefited from the Civic Summit:Servicios de la Raza, LaborCommunity Agency, Denver RescueMission, Energy Outreach Coloradoand the Mile High United Way: AdultSelf-Sufficiency Program.Community College Of DenverBreaks New Ground

Community College of Denver(CCD) has broken ground for the firstbuilding it will completely own, theStudent Learning and EngagementBuilding, an 87,000 square foot, fourstory structure that will become aDenver landmark on the corner of 7thSt. and W. Colfax. This significant occasion was

marked by a series of dedications byCCD Interim President Cliff

Richardson, Colorado CommunityCollege System (CCCS) PresidentNancy McCallin, OZ Architect DaveSchafer, CCD Student GovernmentAssociation President ShannonAusfahl, and special guest DenverMayor Michael B. Hancock. In 2010, the concept for the Student

Learning and Engagement Buildingwas presented to the students, whowere asked to vote on the buildingproposal. They expressed theirapproval and the planning processstarted. The Student Learning and

Engagement Building will be fundedby a student approved fee increaseand college reserves. It was designedby OZ Architects of Denver and BooraArchitects of Portland, Oregon.Construction will be performed andsupervised by G. H. PhippsConstruction Companies of Denver.Completion of the building will takeapproximately 15 months, just in timefor summer session 2013. The totalbudget of the building is $40,000,000.Denver Preschool ProgramReleases 2011 AnnualEvaluation ResultsThe Denver Preschool Program

released its latest evaluation results,which showed that Denver PreschoolProgram students are ready forkindergarten. The annual evaluation findings

indicate that students in the DenverPreschool Program make significantprogress during their preschool year,above and beyond what would beexpected based on normal develop-ment. These students improve duringtheir preschool year, preparing themto be academically and emotionallyready for kindergarten. Researchshows that kids who are better pre-pared for kindergarten are more likelyto be successful in school and later inlife.The Denver Preschool Program is

non-profit organization establishedand supported by the entire Denvercommunity that helps Denver familiespay for high-quality preschool acrossthe city and offers funding to localpreschool programs to improve theirquality. The typical DPP familyreceives between $254-$283 permonth to help pay for the cost of aDenver preschool.Thanks to the Denver Preschool

Program there are more qualitypreschools and more children enrolledin quality preschools. The DenverPreschool Program offers tuition cred-its to nearly 6,000 students each year,91 percent of whom were in enrolledin top-quality preschool classroomslast year.

NEWS VIEWS

Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – January 2010

29

Google Announces ScholarshipProgram For Women Google announced the 2012 Google

Anita Borg Scholarship, to encouragewomen to excel in computing andtechnology. Scholarships of $1,000 to$10,000 will be awarded based on thestrength of candidates’ academicbackground and demonstrated leader-ship. All scholarship recipients andfinalists will be invited to visit Googleheadquarters. The deadline to apply isMonday, Feb. 6. For more informa-tion, visit: BlackStudents.com/google

Free Invitation To Black WomenTo Join National ProfessionalWomen’s Organization The National Association of

Professional Women (NAPW) is seek-ing more African American women tojoin their nationwide network. Free tojoin, NAPW is the nation’s largestorganization of its kind with thou-sands of professional and entrepre-neurial women as members. For more information and to sign

up for free, visit www.business-women.org.

BLACK PRNEWS

BYOB - “BRING YOUR OWN BOTTLE”

Also...DJ Dance Party with DJ ROCKA10 PM - No cover 21+

Tuesday Feb.14 - Mary Louise Lee2nd Annual Valentine’s Show

Doors 7 PM Show 8:30 PM - $10 Advance $20 Door

DPL Hosst Gala Celebration AndAwards Ceremony HonoringAfrican-American CommunityThe Denver Public Library will host

a lavish 25th Anniversary Gala onFriday, Feb. 3, to raise funds to endowthe Annual Juanita Ross GrayCommunity Service Awards. JoinMayor Michael B. Hancock, local dig-nitaries, elected officials, supportersand community members as theLibrary celebrates 25 years of honor-ing Colorado’s African American com-munity. Also, the Library will celebrate the

Annual Awards Ceremony onSaturday, Feb. 4, named after JuanitaRoss Gray, a former DPL staff memberand dedicated community advocate.CBS Reporter, Gloria Neal, will emceethe event. Awards will be presented toAfrican American men and womenwho have made an outstanding contri-bution to the Denver Metro area. Theevent is free and open to the public.Both events will be held at the

Blair-Caldwell African- AmericanResearch Library, 2401 Welton St. inDenver. For more information and to pur-

chase tickets, visitdplfriends.org/events/gray.html.Mayor Hancock Opens FirstAfrican American DenverFirefighters Museum Denver Mayor Michael Hancock

will open the first African-AmericanDenver firefighter’s exhibit at TheDenver Firefighters Museum (DFF),located at 1326 Tremont Place, at 2p.m. on Saturday, Feb 4. This will bethe first exhibit dedicated to the histo-ry of Black firefighters in Denver dis-playing the past 100 plus years ofnotable moments about the men whoserved this city as African-Americanfirefighters.The Denver Firefighters Museum

exhibit is open to the public for kids ofall ages. Metro State’s Black HistoryMonth Events 2012Army ROTC presents a screening

of For Love of Liberty: The Story ofAmerica’s Black Patriots, Thursday,Feb. 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Part Oneof Two) at the Tivoli 450/540,Adirondacks Room, Auraria Campus.For information, visit www.forlove-ofliberty.org.The Rachel B. Noel Committee

welcomes Brenda Palms Barber, the2012 Rachel B. Noel Visiting ProfessorBarber, who is the CEO of the NorthLawndale Employment Network(NLEN) and Sweet Beginnings,Tuesday, Feb. 14 from 12:30 to 1:45p.m. in St. Cajetan’s Hall.

For more information, visitwww.mscd.edu/noel. This year’s Black World

Conferencewill bring three amazingwomen Thursday, Feb. 16 from 9 a.m.to 4 p.m. at Turnhalle and Tivoli 320’s.Carlotta Walls LaNierwas the youngestof the Little Rock Nine, a group ofAfrican- -American students who in1957 were the first black students everto attend classes and graduate LittleRock Central High School in LittleRock, Arkansas. Gwendolyn ZoharahSimmons has a long history in the areaof civil rights, human rights and peacework. Judy Richardson was one of theBlack women who held a prominentposition in the Civil Rights Movementas a co-founder of the SNCC as well asco-founder of the largest Black book-store in the country. For more information, call Student

Activities at 303-556-2595.The Bridge Speaker is an annual

event; now in its 18th year at Aurariawill be Thursday, Feb. 23 from 11 a.m.to 12:15 p.m. at Tivoli Turnhalle. .Acclaimed poet Nikki Giovanni sharesher eloquent words of wisdom, span-ning the civil rights movement, poli-tics, love, art, and more. For more information, call Student

Activities at 303-556-2595.Cirque du Soleil PresentsDralion In Broomfield

Cirque du Soleil announced thatthe critically-acclaimed touring pro-duction Dralionwill performin Broomfield at the 1stBankCenter from Feb. 8 to 12 for eight per-formances only.Thrilling more than 8 million peo-

ple worldwide since the show pre-miered in 1999, Dralion is the fusion ofancient Chinese circus traditions andthe avant-garde style of Cirque duSoleil. The name Dralion (pronounced“Drah-lee-on”) is drawn from its twomain symbols: the dragon, represent-ing the East, and the lion, representingthe West. The international cast fea-tures 52 world-class acrobats, gym-nasts, musicians, singers and comediccharacters.Tickets are available

at www.cirquedusoleil.com/dralion or by calling 1-866-461-6556.


30

COMMUNITY NOTES

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Taking A Stand: Youth AgainstGenocide ConferenceThe Colorado Coalition for

Genocide Awareness and Action willbe sponsoring its 3rd informative andinspirational youth conference, Takinga Stand: Youth Against Genocide from 8a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 12 at Johnson &Wales University. This conference willpromote awareness about genocidesthroughout human history andempower participants with the toolsnecessary to end the genocide that ishappening today in the Sudan and tohelp prevent future genocides.

Taking a Stand is hosting local andinternational guest speakers on topicssuch as History of Genocide, Historyof Genocide in the Sudan up toPresent Time, Women Peace andSecurity, and Genocide in theAmericas. Following a panel at lunchled by students, workshops will held. The conference fee is $18 and

includes a continental breakfast, lunch,and conference materials. For more information, call Roz

Duman at 303-880-4836. Delta Sigma Theata ScholarshipApplications AvailableThe Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,

Inc. Denver Alumnae Chapter is seek-ing applicants for scholarships award-ed to selected African- Americanfemale high seniors. There will also bea graduate scholarship awarded. African- American female seniors

or African- American female graduatestudents interested in obtaining ascholarship application check withschool counselors or request an appli-cation [email protected]. Thedeadline is April 1.For more information, call Daphne

Hunter at 303 908-5751 or [email protected]. Songs of Our JourneyThe inaugural Songs of Our Journey

Black History Month concert present-ed by the Western States BaptistConvention is Friday, Feb. 10 at ZionBaptist Church located at 933 E. 24thAvenue. This concert will be a nightfull of prayer, praise, and fun. Theevening will feature soloists, choirs,musicians and dance ministries fromall over the state of Colorado andCheyenne, Wyoming. For more informatin, call Gequinn

Mattox at 303-724-3667SAT College Prep TestPlanned For StudentsThe Crowley Foundation and The

Princeton Review will host a free SATcollege prep test for students in gradeseight through 12, from 8:30 to 1 p.m.on Saturday, Feb. 18 at Rachel B Noel

Middle School, 5290 Kittredge St. inDenver. There will also be a reviewsession from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. onSaturday, Feb. 25 to go over testresults, impact knowledge and offertest taking techniques. To register online, visit

www.princetonreview.com. For moreinformation, call Kenneth Crowley at720-935-6465 or visit www.crowley-foundation.biz.Sustainability AwardNominations NeededDo you know anyone who has

launched a project to cleanup a park,encourage recycling or has built aninnovative building with sustainabletechniques? If so, nominate that per-son, company or organization forLakewood’s 2012 SustainabilityAwards. The deadline for submitting anomination is Friday, March 2.The annual Sustainability Award is

the top honor that the City gives tononprofits, businesses, youth and oth-ers for projects and initiatives that pro-mote a more sustainable Lakewood.Awards are given in three categories:Community Sustainability, Defenderof the Plant for youth and BrucePeoples Eco-Employee for city ofLakewood employees. For more information and nomina-

tion forms, visitwww.Lakewood.org/green or call303-987-7734.The Denver Local Council ofMinisters’ Wives AnnualConference/LuncheonThe Denver Local Council of

Ministers ‘Wives & Ministers’ Widowswill host its Annual LeadershipConference & Luncheon at 9 a.m. onSaturday, March 3 at at the Red LionHotel on Quebec and Smith Road inDenver. The featured speaker isDenver’s own Evangelist MichelleAlexander. For more information, call Marilyn

Hicks at 303-672-3287.AARP Foundation Tax-AideProvides Free Tax Assistanceand PreparationFree tax assistance and preparation

for taxpayers with low and moderateincome, with special attention to thoseages 60 and older, is available fromAARP Foundation Tax-Aide from Feb.1 through Apr. 17. You do not need tobe a member of AARP or a retiree touse this service. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volun-

teers, trained in cooperation with theInternal Revenue Service, will offerhelp with personal income tax returnsat various locations in Colorado.For more information, call 1-888-

227-7669 or visit aarp.org/taxaide. Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – February 2012

31

COMMUNITY NOTES

Mesard And Wedgeworth ReciveCommunity Impact AwardsPaul Mesard and the Honorable

Elbra Wedgeworth will be honoredFeb. 22 with Metro Volunteers’ high-est awards for volunteerism. Paul andElbra will each receive theCommunity Impact Award which rec-ognizes individuals with a demon-strated passion for volunteerism, anda commitment to foster civic engage-ment throughout a broad array of sec-tors and organizations. Metro Volunteers will be joined by

Denver business, civic and nonprofit

leaders in honoring the accomplish-ments of these outstanding volunteersduring its annual Heart of VolunteerismAwards event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. atthe University of Denver Cable Center,2000 Buchtel Blvd. Metro Volunteers hosts this event

annually to highlight the impact vol-unteers have in addressing communi-ty needs.Tickets may be purchased online at

blacktie-colorado.com for $100. For more information, visit online

at www.metrovolunteers.org or call303-282-1234.

Life, At Last,For Etta JamesEtta James, whose powerful, versa-

tile and emotionally direct voice couldenliven the raunchiest blues as well asthe most subtle love songs, mostindelibly in her signature hit At Last,has died at age 73.Her manager said the cause was

complications of leukemia.James was not easy to pigeonhole.

She is most often referred to as arhythm and blues singer, and that ishow she made her name in the 1950swith records such as Good Rockin’Daddy.She was also convincing singing

pop standards, as she did in 1961 withAt Last. And among her four Grammyawards was one for best jazz vocalperformance, which she won in 1995for the album Mystery Lady: Songs ofBillie Holiday.Regardless of how she was cate-

gorised, she was admired. Jon Parelesof The New York Times wrote in 1990that she had “one of the great voicesin American popular music, with ahuge range, a multiplicity of tones andvast reserves of volume.”For all her accomplishments, James

had an up-and-down career, partly

because of changing audience tastesbut largely because of drug problems.She developed a heroin habit in the1960s; after she overcame it in the1970s, she began using cocaine.Etta James was born Jamesetta

Hawkins in Los Angeles in 1938. Hermother, Dorothy Hawkins, was 14 atthe time; her father was long gone,and James never knew for sure whohe was, although she recalled hermother telling her that he was the cel-ebrated pool player RudolfWanderone, better known asMinnesota Fats.She was 15 when she made her first

record, Roll With Me Henry. Whensome disc jockeys complained that the

title was too suggestive, the name waschanged to The Wallflower. The songrose to No. 2 on the R&B charts in1954.In 1960 James was signed by Chess

Records, home to Chuck Berry,Muddy Waters and other leadinglights of black music. She quickly hada string of hits, including All I CouldDo Was Cry, Trust in Me and At Last.She remained with Chess well into

the 1970s, reappearing on the chartsafter a long absence in 1967 with thefunky and high-spirited Tell Mama. Inthe late ‘70s and early ‘80s she openedfor the Rolling Stones in concert.After decades of drifting in and out

of the public eye, James found herselfin the news in 2009 after BeyonceKnowles recorded a version of AtLast.James’ is survived by her husband

of 42 years, Artis Mills; two sons,Donto and Sametto James; and fourgrandchildren. Though her life had itstroubles to the end, James said shewanted her music to transcend unhap-piness rather than reflect it.‘’A lot of people think the blues is

depressing,’’ she said in 1992, ‘’butthat’s not the blues I’m singing. WhenI’m singing blues, I’m singing life.People that can’t stand to listen to theblues, they’ve got to be phonies.’’

~NEW YORK TIMES


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Our Jour

Our JourSongs

neyOur JourOur Journey

ney

Our Jour

Our Jour

neyOur JourOur Journey

ney

Rev. Dr. James E. Fouther, Jr., Pastor4879 Crown Blvd., Denver, CO 80239 303-373-0070

h�p://ucm.ctsmemberconnect.net

Lost Your Joy?

Sunday Worship: 8:00am (Traditional) and 10:30am (Gospel)

Find it again at the United Church of Montbello! Come as you are and get connected to your best self through

great fellowship and the love of Jesus Christ!

As an original member of the 99thSquadron that became known as theTuskegee Airmen, Lt. Col. HerbertCarter flew 77 combat sorties against theGerman and Italian Air Force in WorldWar II, as the famed fighting men pro-vided support of the Allied Army. The stories of the Tuskegee Airmen

and their exemplary service andcourage are an integral part of ourAmerican history and attractednational attention with the release ofthe big budget George Lucas film, RedTails. The HistoryMakers, the nation’slargest African American Oral VideoArchive, also highlights the stories ofthe Tuskegee Airmen and countlessnumbers of African Americans havebrought to our nation’s military sincethe Revolutionary War.With the help of a $200,000 grant

from The Robert R. McCormickFoundation, The HistoryMakers haslaunched, The MilitaryMakers, profil-ing the lives of soldiers, such as Lt.Col. Carter. The grant allows theChicago-based organization to sharethese stories with students, educatorsand the general public. Prior to receiv-ing this grant, The HistoryMakers hadalready interviewed 38MilitaryMakers, including GeneralColin Powell, General (Retired) ClaraAdams-Ender, and several TuskegeeAirmen.“This is a ground breaking pro-

gram because so little is known aboutthe history of African Americans inthe U.S. Armed Forces,” said JulieannaL. Richardson, founder of TheHistoryMakers. “MilitaryMakers isdesigned as a multi-media, public out-reach program with the goal of edu-cating the world about the history andlegacy of the African American mili-tary experience.”Beginning by recording the life oral

histories of 40 African American serv-ice members, MilitaryMakers will startthe process of wide dissemination ofthis lost history to scholars, militarymuseums, associations, schools, par-ents, teachers and students alike. MilitaryMakers will be made avail-

able via The HistoryMakers’ TestDigital Archive and through engagingpublic programs targeted at bothyouth and adult audiences. The first ofthese is slated to be at the FirstDivision Museum at Cantigny Park inWheaton, IL.There is a “critical need for the

preservation of African American mil-itary history,” says Frank Martin,director, writer and producer of ForLove of Liberty: The Story of America’sBlack Patriots. While countless bookshave been written about American

military history, and thousands ofhours of film footage have document-ed and paid tribute to the militaryservice of American men and women,only a handful of African Americanshave received the recognition theydeserve, and the historical recordsadly reflects this neglect, he said.Since the Revolutionary War, some

10 percent to 15 percent of the UnitedStates Armed Forces has been AfricanAmerican. While the TuskegeeAirmen, America’s first black fighterpilots, have received well-deservedrecognition, many of the 500,000 plusAfrican Americans who served in theArmy during World War II still gounrecognized in mainstream history. These include the 781st tank battal-

ion, the first Black armored combatunit known as the “Black Panthers”,the all-Black 320th Barrage BalloonBattalion and the 490th Port Battalionwho served decisively on D-Day. Thelist of African American contributionsto the U.S. military goes on and on.MilitaryMakers is being guided by anexpert group of advisors that includeBrigadier General (Retired) ClaraAdams-Ender; the Honorable C. JackEllis; military historian Paul Herbert;Dr. Enrique Riggs Roscoe Brown, aTuskegee Airman; Major General(Retired) Arthur Holmes; author Lt.Colonel (Retired) Michael LeeLanning; former New York TimesGeneral Counsel Solomon Watson IV;documentary film producer FrankMartin; and General (Retired) JohnTilelli, Jr.“We are pleased to receive the gener-

ous support of the McCormickFoundation,” said Richardson, TheHistoryMakers‘ founder. “It is impera-tive that we continue to share with all ofAmerica the stories of African Americanmen and women who sacrificed andserved to make our nation great. Withtheir contribution, the McCormickFoundation shows that they believe thismission is important.”Editor’s note: The HistoryMakers is

a 501 (3) (C) non-profit dedicated torecording and preserving the personalhistories of well-known and unsungAfrican Americans. To date, theorganization has interviewed over2,000 HistoryMakers, with the goal ofcreating an archive of 5,000 interviews(30,000 hours) for the establishment ofa one-of-a-kind digital archive, andpriceless educational resource. Formore information, visit TheHistoryMakers website at www.the-historymakers.com and TheHistoryMakers digital archive athttp://www.idvl.org/thehistorymak-ers/. �


33

303.355.4979

P.O. Box 39163 H Denver CO 80239

Available for all Holiday Events, Special Occasions and...

The History Makers Showcase Stories of Tuskegee Airmen, MilitaryMakers with $200,000 Grant from Robert R. McCormick Foundation

Letters to the EditorContinued from page 3films that star an all black cast. Isn’tthat sad in a 2012 America?Somewhere along the way we stillhaven’t realized that we are morealike than not.I must tell you that I have been very

fortunate to work with a studio that seesthe value in my type of storytelling andfilmmaking. As well as having you, anaudience of all races of people, whohave stood by me arm and arm. It hashelped me navigate through some pret-ty rough waters.I thought that as Black people inHollywood, this is just our reality, but Iquickly realized that this is not racism.What made me realize this is I had a

conversation with Mr. Star Wars him-self, George Lucas, and he was tellingme that he was having the same prob-lem with Red Tails. I was blown away!Red Tails is an important story about,not just black history, but American his-tory about the Tuskegee Airmen. It hasan all-star African-American cast,including Cuba Gooding Jr. andTerrence Howard. He went on to saythat he brought the movie idea of RedTails to several studios and no onewanted to make this film… And this isGeorge Lucas! Not to be deterred, he put up his

own money, shot the movie then tookit back to those same studios, and theywanted nothing to do with it. One ofthem even refused to see the film, cit-ing the above mentioned problems. SoGeorge decided to take a huge risk byentirely funding the movie and releas-ing it himself. What a guy! For him tobelieve so strongly in this story isamazing. I think we should pull together and

get behind this movie. I really do! Notjust African-Americans, but all of us. Ihave seen the movie and screened ithere in Atlanta. I loved it and I thinkyou will too. The Tuskegee Airmen,who were at the screening, were sohappy that somebody is telling a smallpart of their story.Please take your kids. You will

enjoy it and so will they. There is a lotof action and adventure and also agreat history lesson to be learned.George, I just want to say, thank youfor having the courage to do this.

Tyler Perry (Filmmaker)

Sertoma Club AppreciatesChristmas Donations Editor:Thank you for your help and dona-

tions to Toys for Kids that was held Atthe Blair-Caldwell African AmericanResearch Library on Saturday, Dec. 17,2011. The Mission of the library is toserve as an educational and culturalresource for the people of Denver,Colorado, and the world, focusing on

the history, literature, art, music, reli-gion, and politics of African Americanin Colorado and throughout theRocky Mountain West. In 1999, Denver Mayor Wellington

E. Webb and First Lady Wilma J.Webb saw the urgent need to preservethe legacy and collections of AfricanAmerican in Colorado and the Westbefore it was lost forever. They pro-posed construction of the AfricanAmerican Research Library for thispurpose as a part of the Denver PublicLibrary System. The Grand Openingwas April 26, 2003 by generous dona-tion from the community and theFriends of the Library.To help promote this mission, in

December, 2005, the Greater Park HillSertoma Club founded “Toys forKids.” The project was developedwhen Earnest Reese was given toys bythe Arapahoe Santa Shop to be includ-ed in the Christmas Baskets. The needin the Five Point neighborhoodinspired one to use the toy give-a-wayas a way to serve mankind andencourage the use of the Blair-Caldwell Research Library. After consulting with Terry Nelson

and Peggy Wortham, “Toys for Kids”project was visualized as a way toattract children to the library. Newand used books and toys are collectedfrom the community, the ArapahoeSanta Shop and other communityservice organization. Omar Blair, oneof Greater Park Hill’s Sertoma Clubfounders, is honored with this project.The children are given books and

our African American Santa verballyencourages them to read books duringthe year. The project continues togrow and serve the needs of childrenby giving them instructional tours ofthe library and they are encouraged toobtain a library cards. In small groupsof 10 to 15 participants, the childrenare given tours of the historicalexhibits of the library, interactive lec-tures by Friends of the Library, booksand allowed to sit on Santa’s lap forphoto shots. This year your donations helped to

give more than 1,000 books, 200Christmas cards and 1,000 toys tomore than 150 children and 100 adultswho accompanied them. In addition,51 volunteers distributed the threetruck loads of toys, helped to taking 92photo shots with Santa, and serverefreshments that included Christmasgoodies, water, cakes, cookies, candyand juice.The happy faces demonstrated that

the kids loved “Toys for Kids” and ourmissions of being an educationalresource and service to mankind weremet.

Dr. Faye RisonChairman

GPH Sertoma Club


34

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The Civic Summit andBirthday BashFeaturingAl B. Sure

Photos byA’Star’s Photography

MulticulturalAwarenessby theAurora PoliceDepartment

A PlaceAt TheTable

27th AnnualMLKMarade

William (Bill) Roberts Lifetime AchievementAward HonoreeTamara Rhone

Aurora Communityof Faith Breakfast

27th AnnualEcumenical

Service

22nd Annual MLK, Jr.Humanitarian Awards

and Colorado Symphony

Original Tuskegee Airmen at Red Tails Movie Meet & Greet at Movie Tavern

DenverAround Town January 2012

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