With the blatant erasure of American history happening before our eyes at museums, colleges, and other institutions, there is no better time for our youth to learn and truly experience their roots. This is the premise of the Hancock Heritage Fellowship (HHF), founded by former Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock.

From March to November, 12 scholars from diverse states from Colorado to Florida gathered with community mentors, educators, business leaders, and genealogy experts for a deep dive into cultural history and experiential learning centered on the Black experience. Over months of travel, study, and discovery, they became like family. Journeying through Louisiana, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, and Colorado, they visited historical monuments, plantations, Lincoln Hills in the mountains northwest of Denver, and even toured Tyler Perry Studios.

Thanks to program sponsorships, each student received a $3,450 stipend, allowing them to participate fully without sacrificing summer employment income.

“The most memorable part of the HHF program was to see holograms at the Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama, illustrating the stories of enslaved people who were trafficked and sold away from loved ones and their homes,” said fellow NyImah

Bryant-West. “These animations were placed in dungeons to represent the real lives of families who were torn apart. Their cries are stained in my memory.”

On November 20, the twelve scholars were officially inducted as minted fellows during a graduation ceremony at the Colorado Health Foundation (CHF), one of the HHF’s sponsors. Notable attendees included CHF President and CEO Karen McNeil-Miller; Hall of Famer and former Denver Bronco Steve Atwater; keynote speaker Jessica Hardaway, Director of Communications and Engagement at Tyler Perry Studios; and KCNC anchor and reporter Justin Adams, who served as emcee. The love and support in the room felt like a big hug and you could sense the community and Black excellence that these young people exemplify.

Congratulations to the inaugural 2025 Hancock Heritage Fellowship class: NyImah Bryant-West, Colorado Academy, 11th grade; Amari Green, East High School, 12th grade; Milen Haile, Northfield High School, 11th grade; Jordan Hill, Liberty High School, 12th grade; Edward Holmes, George Washington High School, 12th grade; Jaaziah Hurt, Denver School of the Arts, 12th grade; Laila Lavizzo, Northfield High School, 11th grade; Hannah Rhodes, DSST Cedar High School, 12th grade; Shania Semujju, Overland High School, 12th grade; Imani Shannon, Colorado Academy, 11th grade; Ariyah Venerable, Cherokee Trail High School, 12th grade; and Treyce Vinson, Lake Nona High School, 12th grade.

The Hancock Heritage Fellowship Program is now accepting applications for 2026. Scholars may apply at www.hancock-foundation.org.