Black Leaders To Be Honored
Several generations of Denver's Black community, whose
contributions range from business and education to medicine and politics, will
be honored at a special ceremony on May 1 at 6 p.m. at New Hope Baptist Church,
3701 Colorado Blvd. A reception kicks off the ceremony at 6 p.m., with the program
to follow at 7 p.m. The event also recognizes the fifth anniversary of
Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library in the Five Points
Neighborhood. Pioneers to be honored posthumously are: Rachel Noel and Omar
Blair, former members of Denver Public Schools Board of Education; and former
Denver City Councilmen Elvin Caldwell, Sr., Hiawatha "Hi" Davis,
William "Bill" Roberts and King Trimble. Elder leaders to be honored
include Charles Cousins, businessman; Gloria Holliday, former members of the
Regional Transportation District; John and Edna Mosley, community leaders and
former Aurora City Councilwoman; businessman Lawrence Pierre his wife Lessie;
and Dr. Bernard Gibson and his wife, Ernestine. Current community leaders
to be honored include State Senator Peter Groff; Denver Councilman Michael
Hancock; Denver City Clerk Stephanie O'Malley; and Vern Howard, coordinator of
Denver's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day annual celebration.
For more information, call 720-865-2401
Juneteenth 2008: The Rebirth
As stated during the State of Black Colorado town
hall meeting, plans are underway to bring back Juneteenth in the historic Five
Points community. As promise by former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb, who
has been joined with several community leaders and organizations including City
Councilwoman Carla Madison, former City Councilwoman Elbra Wedgeworth, Bro
Jeff, the Denver Urban Spectrum, the Denver Weekly News, the Black American
West Museum, Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library, Kingdom of Glory
Christian Center and a growing list of other community people – who are all
working in conjunction to bring forth a dynamic weekend of family fun on June
14 and 15.
Volunteers, vendors and entertainers are needed to
make this the Juneteenth we came to know for many years.
For more information or to get involved in the
planning, E-mail Leslie Juniel at Juniel6@aol.com or Bro Jeff at brotherjeff1@earthlink.net
or call 303-297-0823.
100 Black Men Of Denver Sponsor Annual Scholarship
Golf Tournament
The 100 Black Men of Denver will host the 1st
Annual Sam Williams Memorial Golf Classic Tournament Saturday May 10 at
Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Course in Aurora. Various sponsorship levels are available,
as well as individual and team registration. Tournament golf shirt, continental
breakfast, putt off contest, prizes and scholarship luncheon will be provided
for all participants. Registration deadline is April 15 (later
registration will be accepted if space allows). All proceeds will benefit
the University of Colorado Prostate Cancer Research Center, Johnson and
Wales University Scholarships, and the 100 Black Men Scholarship Fund for high
school students at their partner schools, CCI and East High School.
For more information, or to become a sponsor or
player, contact Misti Aas, tournament coordinator, at 970-396-4266, Samclassic1@aol.com
or visit the Web site at www.100BMDenver.org.
Reflections Of A Genius: Dr. Asa Hilliard
Remembered
In celebration of 30+ years of service to the
community and in recognition of National Black Mental Health Month, the Denver
Rocky Mountain Association of Black Psychologists will honor and pay tribute to
Dr. Asa Hilliard on Saturday, April 5 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the
Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library, located at 24th
and Welton St. in Denver. This event is free and open to the public.
For more information or to RSVP, call Chapter
President Dr. Anthony Young at 303-534-3555 or E-mail Drapyoung@msn.com.
Single Mothers Of Color Host Self Sufficiency Conference
Single Mothers of Color (SMOC) presents their 4th annual Financial
Stewardship, Health & Empowerment Conference on April 12 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
at The Women’s College of the University of Denver, located at 1901 East Asbury
Ave. This conference is open for all women to attend and will focus on economic
self sufficiency.
Deadline for registration is April 9 and free to SMOC members.
The cost is $20 for non-SMOC members. Registration fee includes a continental
breakfast, lunch, door prizes and valuable information and resources.
For more information, call 303-293-2126 or visit
www.smocdenver.org.
Manual High School Class Reunion
The Manual High School Class of 1967 is hosting a
reunion and reopening celebration the weekend of April 25 to April 27. Friday
and Saturday night events will be hosted at the Radisson Hotel Denver Stapleton
Plaza, 3333 Quebec St. in Denver. All Manual alumni and friends are welcome to
join in for a weekend of fun.
Early registration is $70 per person and due by
April 14. For more information or to register, call 720-217-4524, or E-mail
Manualreunion@aol.com. Registration is available on line by visiting
www.friendsofmanual.
Planning committee meetings are held every Wednesday
at Johnson & Wales University, 1900 Olive St. in Denver at 6 p.m.
MLK Jr. Education Forum And Banquet April 4
April 4, 2008 will mark the 40th
Anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On Friday,
April 4, 2008, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Colorado Holiday Commission
will invite 300 High School students from Colorado’s public,
private and charter schools, to participate in an all day educational
conference. There is no cost to the students to attend this conference
and breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Conference events include educational seminars, a
career and college fair. Eight scholarships will be awarded to essay
contest winners. The essays will focus on the six principles of non-violence
developed by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Churches, civic organizations and
individual registrations are welcome.
For more information or to register, visit www.drmartinlkingjrchc.org/id52.html.
A banquet will be held at the Red Lion Hotel, located
at 4040 Quebec St. Dr. Samuel Billy Kyles who was with Dr. King at the time of
his assassination will be the keynote speaker. Tickets are $50 and $750 for a
table. For more information, call Vern L. Howard at 720-971-1329 or E-mail verhlh@comcast.net.
Scattered Africa:
Faces and Voices of the African Diaspora
For the majority of the history of the modern Americas from
Chile to Canada, Africans and their descendants constituted the majority of the
population. Yet their contributions to the development of the Americas and to
the national cultures of the hemisphere remain unacknowledged. On Friday, April
4 at 5:30 p.m. at Blair Caldwell African American Research Library, a lecture
by African Diaspora expert Dr. Sheila S. Walker will be presented in
conjunction with the documentary Scattered
Africa: Faces and Voices of the African Diaspora, to discuss these
contributions. The presentation offers insight on African technologies and
systems of knowledge that created the foundations of the contemporary Americas
to the cultural forms that characterize the everyday lives of these nations.
The one hour documentary moves from the violent scattering of African people
across the earth to their current participation in a global community. It also
highlights elements of African culture that characterize contemporary
pan-American life.
For more information, call 720-865-2401.
EspeciallyMe High School Conference
The 10th annual EspeciallyMe Conference, a presentation
promoting ideas, attitudes and changes that stimulate positive self-concepts of
excellence for young girls, will be held Saturday, April 26 from 8 a.m. to
3 p.m. at Overland High School, 12400 E. Jewell Avenue in Aurora. Registration
is $10 for students and $25 for parents, guardians and educators. Activities
include a keynote speaker, workshops, a continental breakfast and catered
lunch, as well as gifts and door prizes. Registration forms may be
obtained from high school counselors or downloaded at
www.especiallyme.org. Registration must be received by April 18 and should be
mailed to EspeciallyMe, P.O. Box 370244, Denver, CO 80237-0244.
For more information, call Patricia Houston at
303-751-7881 or E-mail especiallyme1999@yahoo.com.
Homestart Conference
Are you a first-time homebuyer? You may qualify to receive
up to $3,500 in closing costs, never to be repaid. Attend the HomeStart
Conference to find out if you qualify. Join us for this free conference to get
on the path to homeownership and become a homebuyer at Stapleton.
The HomeStart Conference will educate you about Stapleton,
the 29th Drive Row Homes, affordability and deed requirements, money management
as well as homebuyer counseling.
The conference will be Saturday, April 19 from 10 a.m. to 2
p.m. A free lunch will be provided to all who register. Registration is 9:30
to10 a.m. Space is limited. The HomeStart Conference is fully accessible and
will be held at the Denver Improv, 8246 E. 49th Ave., Northfield at Stapleton
in Denver.
For more information, call 1-888-AM-SUN-CO (888-267-8626) or
register online at www.stapletondenver.com or www.americansunrise.org.
Five Points Jazz Festival
A festival celebrating Five Points’ rich jazz history offers
free performances in several venues, highlighting a number of Denver’s finest
performers – from well-known orchestras to solo performers and emerging
artists. The festival is May 17 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and at the Blair Caldwell
African American Research Library and additional venues along Welton Street in Denver’s
Historic Five Points.
For more information, call 720-865-9000.
Freedom Writer Keynotes Holocaust Remembrance Program
Freedom Writer Maria Reyes will share the significant impact
that Holocaust education had on her life at the Anti-Defamation League’s 27th
Annual Governor’s Holocaust Remembrance Program on Wednesday, April 30. In
high school, third-generation gang member Reyes, who had not yet read a book
cover-to-cover, was positively affected by what she read in The Diary of Anne Frank. Reyes and her
peers began to share their own stories through anonymous journals. Their
journal entries were later published as The Freedom Writers Diary and
highlighted in Paramount Studio’s powerful movie, Freedom Writers.
The event on April 30 begins at 6 p.m., doors open at 5:30
p.m. The event is free, but tickets are required.
To RSVP or for more information, call 303-830-7177 ext. 214
or E-mail Denver@ADL.org by April 18.
Calling All Kind Of Kids
Do you know a child or young person whose passion is helping
animals? American Humane is seeking nominations of kids, ages 6-17, who are
working hard in their communities to improve the lives and welfare of animals. The
2008 winners will be announced during Be Kind to Animals Week. Nominations must
be submitted by April 15. One grand prize winner and two runners-up will be
selected from each group. Grand Prize winners will each receive $2,000.
For more information, call 303-792-9900 or visit www.americanhumane.org/bkaw.
Walk To Fight
Arthritis
The Arthritis Foundation is seeking walkers to participate
in two Denver Metro Arthritis Walks on Saturday, April 26 at City
Park and Sunday, May 18 at Redstone Park in Highlands Ranch. The Arthritis Walk
is the Arthritis Foundation’s signature event that takes place in communities
nationwide to raise funds and awareness to fight arthritis. The event features
both a three-mile and one-mile course, with activities for the entire
family.
For more information, call the Arthritis Foundation at
303-756-8622 or visit www.DenverArthritisWalk.kintera.org or www.HRArthritisWalk.kintera.org.
Red Hot Gala Benefits Affordable Housing Project
Denver’s largest affordable housing developer is bringing critically
acclaimed jazz and blues band, Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, for
a benefit concert to help the affordable housing efforts of Hope Communities. The
Red Hot Red Carpet dinner and benefit concert will be April 19 at the 1770
Sherman Street Event Complex. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for dinner guests and
7:30 p.m. for concert-only attendees. Admission for the dinner, silent auction,
and concert is $100, and concert-only tickets are $35.
For more information, call Sarah Mapes at 303-860-7747 x134,
or E-mail sarah@hopecommunities.org.
Free Health Fair For The Uninsured
There will be a free health fair for the uninsured on April
29 from 6 a.m. to noon at the Church in the City, 1530 Josephine St. in Denver.
A wide variety of free screenings, testing, exams, immunizations and health
advice will be offered.
For more information on screenings, call 303- 837-7100. For
information on mammograms, call 303- 322-5733, ext. 19.
Sugar Cane Alley Shown
At The Mercury Café
Set in the sugar cane fields of the Caribbean Island of
Martinique during the 1930s, Sugar Cane Alley portrays the poignant story of a
grandmother's determination to help her grandson improve his life's chances by
getting a good education. The film will play Sunday, April 20 at 2 p.m. at
the Mercury Café, 2199 California St. in Denver
For more information, call 303-329-5881.
DPS Invites Proposals For New Schools
Denver Public Schools is inviting motivated and talented
individuals to start new schools in Denver neighborhoods, especially high
performing middle year programs and options for secondary students at risk of
dropping out. With this project, DPS hopes to encourage collaboration between
the community and all DPS stakeholders in order to offer high quality
educational programs in schools and classrooms. Applicants should submit a
letter of intent by April 18 for the early stage or June 27 for the regular
cycle. Final proposals are due May 16 for early stage and September 2 for the
regular cycle.
For more information, call 720-423-1234.
Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales Tribute Confronts Human Rights
The 2nd annual symposium and tribute to Rolofo “Corky”
Gonzales will be held on April 4 at 8 a.m. in the Tivoli Student Union on the
Auraria campus in Denver. The symposium will confront issues of human rights
without frontiers. It is free and open to the public.
For more information, call 303-964-8993.
Aurora Town Youth Meeting
Aurora youth are invited to attend the Aurora Youth
Commission’s third annual Youth Town Meeting in April to discuss the Aurora
City Council’s new goal related to America’s Promise, an initiative that aims
to help youth succeed. The town meeting for teens ages 13 to 19 is scheduled for
April 15 from 6 to 8 p.m.at the Aurora Central Library, 14949 E. Alameda
Parkway. The meeting will offer pizza, giveaways, and information on the Aurora
Youth Commission. Parents are encouraged to attend.
For more information, call 303-326-8709 or E-mail
bhoffman@auroragov.org
Handyman Service Helps Seniors
If you are a limited-income senior homeowner in need of
handyman services, age 60 and older, residing in Jefferson, Arapahoe, Adams or
Denver counties, the Handyman Program with Volunteers of America is here for
you. The Handyman Program at Volunteers of America is a much needed means of
support to help limited income senior homeowners live safely and independently
in their own home. The labor is free and the materials are also free the first
time the handyman services are used.
For more information, call 303-297-0408.
Denver Public Schools Hosts Art And Music Gala
In support of art and music programs in public schools,
Denver Public Schools is holding an arts and music extravaganza on Thursday,
April 17 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Henry World School Community, 3005 Golden
Way in Denver. Hot dogs and soda will be sold, and the student art exhibit and
special performances begins at 6 p.m. The BucknerFunken Jazz Band will perform
at 8 p.m.
For more information, E-mail rodbuckner@qwest.net.
Silent Auction, Live Auction And Dinner Benefits Local Alley
Cats
The Rocky Mountain Alley Cat Alliance is hosting the second
annual Stray Cat Strut auction and
dinner on Saturday, April 12 to benefit the agency’s spay/neuter programs.
This year’s event will feature silent and live auctions of
donated goods and services.
such as overnight hotel stays, restaurant gift certificates,
comedy theater tickets, jewelry, art, gift baskets and more. The event
will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Denver Hotel,
located at 38th and Quebec St. Tickets are $50 each.
For more information, call 303-202-3516 or E-mail info@rmaca.org.
Spring Bear Powwow at Regis University
A Spring Bear Powwow will be held on May 17 at the Regis
University Fieldhouse, 3333 Regis Blvd. in old north Denver. The powwow is an
all day event and free and open to the public.
For more information, call 303-648-3414 or visit
powwow@ravendancers.org.
Doors Open Denver
Once a year, curious seekers can tour the spectacular
buildings they see every day but can never enter through a program called Doors
Open Denver. This year’s themed tours will engage families, architect and
design connoisseurs, and heritage lovers, while promoting an appreciation of
the facilities that comprise Denver’s rich architectural landscape. Doors Open
Denver will be April 12 and 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and begins at the Union
Station.
For more information, call 720-865-9000 or visit
www.denvergov.org/doorsopendenver.
2008 Torch of Liberty Award Dinner
The 2008 Torch of Liberty Award Dinner, Passing the Torch will host their
community wide, multi-generational event April 10 in Denver from 5:30 to
8:30 p.m. The event will honor the Antonoff, Baca, and McNicholas families for
their significant contributions to the community. Individual tickets are $200
and $100 for anyone under the age of 30. Table package rates are available.
For more information, call 303-830-7177 x 213 or E-mail
Denver@ADL.org.
