Denver Urban Spectrum June 2018

Volume 32

Number 3

June 2018

Recognizing

Black Music Month

Father and Son Duo:

Billy and Scottie Rich

Photo by Bernard Grant

Creating a Legacy of Music..........4

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MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR

Volume 32 Number 3

June 2018

PUBLISHER Rosalind J. Harris

GENERAL MANAGER Lawrence A. James MANAGING EDITOR Laurence Washington

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Alfonzo Porter COLUMNISTS Kim Farmer FILM CRITIC BlackFlix.Com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Beatrice Bruno Khaleel Herbert Ruby Jones Melovy Melvin Jamil Shabazz Lauren Turner ART DIRECTOR Bee Harris

Good Music Feeds The Soul

Given the amount of ground-breaking and exciting music that is created, recorded and released, musical contributions of African-Americans should be celebrated every day, all year long. Unfortunately it is not, and chances are slim to none that you will even hear a mention of Black Music Month in between the racial issues, sexual allegations and the Russia probe that dominate the media today. But actually, since then-President Jimmy Carter announced it on June 7, 1979, June has been the month designated as the time to formally honor it. This year, Denver Urban Spectrum’s (DUS) coverage includes an array of musical talent, locally and nationally.

This month, we also welcome several new contributors as we pay homage to Black Music Month. Our cover story is penned by one of them, Lauren Turner who sat down with a unique duo, father and son Billy and Scottie Rich. She talks about their musical journeys and how they share a passion for the electric bass that’s undeniable. Two more new contributors share profiles on two individuals who have both been involved in the music industry for more than two decades. Beatrice Bruno shares how Kasbah owner, Shelton Bouknight was tea chable and coach-able to fulfill his dream and radio personality and emcee Becky Taylor tells Jamil Shabazz what, or better yet, who lights up her life.

Kavann Tok talks with Dr. Tone about how he hopes to save lives with his new song; Denverite and PR Pro Wil Alston releases a new CD; and Melovy Melvin shares how plans are underway to bring back jazz to Five Points and the Rossonian Hotel. National entertainment contributor Allison Kugel talks with the Temptations only surviving original member Otis Williams, who talks about Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson, Berry Gordon, and a new CD. New contributor Ruby Jones tells how three young women will travel to Japan for a month-long cultural immersion trip where they will explore Japanese culture first-hand.

This month also kicks off the summer festi vals where you can enjoy an abundance of music and live performances including the Juneteenth Festival, and the upcoming Winter Park Jazz Festival and the Colorado Black Arts Festival in July.

While you prepare for fun in the sun with family and friends, don’t let the humdrum of the news get you down. From the words of attorney Mike Sawaya, who tells about his love for music and how he was introduce d to it, he also says good music feeds the soul.

So get out and have some fun, celebrate Black Music Month, and let your soul be fed this month – and every day, all year long.

Enjoy!

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jody Gilbert - Kolor Graphix

PUBLISHER/PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Melovy Melvin CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Byron Russell Lens of Ansar DISTRIBUTION Dylan James Ed Lynch Lawrence A. James - Manager

The Denver Urban Spectrum is a monthly publication dedicated to spreading the news about people of color. Contents of the Denver Urban Spectrum are copyright 2018 by Bizzy Bee Enterprise. No portion may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.

The Denver Urban Spectrum circulates 25,000 copies throughout Colorado. The Denver Urban Spectrum welcomes all letters, but reserves the right to edit for space, libelous material, grammar, and length. All letters must include name, address, and phone number. We will withhold author’s name on request. Unsolicited articles are accepted without guarantee of publication or payment.

Write to the Denver Urban Spectrum at P.O. Box 31001, Aurora, CO 80041.

For advertising, subscriptions, or other information, call 303-292-6446 or fax 303-292-6543 or visit the Web site at www.denverurbanspectrum.com.

LETTERS, OP-EDS, EDITORIALS

My First Year as a Democrat and Judgement Call for Governor

and capturing the 21st century lynching and killing by police across the country of Black citizens. BLM5280 and DPJ encouraged political encounters with the candidates, a jump-in and steer the ship challenge. The community got involved in meeting and questioning the candidates. That meant taking a look at their background as it applies to the Black community. The groups were looking for support for the Primary elections and that’s when I switched from Independent to Democrat; and making my “judgement call to endorse Mike Johnston for Colorado Governor in 2018.

Changing my choice of political parties thrust me into a need to be more engaged in the community, in other words the evaluation of my own status quo. Just by being active and connecting with people in the neighborhood, I was forming my opinion of my neighbor, candidate for Governr Mike Johnston.

He is former Senator Michael Johnston, of District 33. During his tenure as our Senator, I lived in the Stapleton area; he lived about a mile from me. His Senate headquarters was at 33rd and Holly, in the “Holly.” He was very comfortable in both places.

Mike became our Senator after Senator Peter Groff was appointed to Obama’s Department of Education Department. Mike took the baton from Senator Groff and set out to

Op-ed by Helen P. Rigmaiden

My first year as a registered Democrat has been a challenge. I wanted to immerse myself in the party. I am an Independent at heart.

Venturing into this position as a free thinker began in the ‘70s. Being an Independent meant that I did not participate in setting up the “ballot.” I did not vote in the Primaries and I did not care about the Primaries. I only wanted the final ballot. However, I never missed an election – big or small.

I became a Democrat in 2017 when I met people, in the Black Lives Matter5280 Movement and the Denver Justice Project (DJP). The BLM5280 were busy all over the metro area and getting involved with the race for the District Attorney, vetting out Beth McCann; challenging the status quo. Citizens were not ready to take a leap in a different direction. We are seeing the new civil rights movement in Denver and across America.

For me, it involved the unresolved police brutality within the Denver Police Department (DPD) and Aurora Police Department (APD). The Jessie Hernandez case hit me the hardest. It was in my back yard, just down the street of my native home. In the 1970’s it was justice for Junior Martinez who was killed by the DPD. This period in the history of Denver seems to have us witnessing

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Rosalind J. Harris Publisher

work on issues impacting the citizens of District 33; working for us and with us. He worked with all his co-workers in the Colorado Legislature; in addition he works well with our Black churches. He is very comfortable celebrating with us during our special moments and mourning with us during our losses.

When the Holly was burned down, it was one of the darkest days. The people decided to re-build and Mike was all in. His office that he shared with the Prodigal Son program run by Terrance Roberts was not damaged.

The city came together, the corporations came to together, but more importantly the people of that area came together to rebuild. The community had planned a big grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony, ending with a Peace Rally.

Unfortunately, a gang member came and threatened Roberts who fired at the him to protect himself, paralyzing him. The resulting trial found Roberts not guilty, but his program was jeopardized.

What Mike did during this entire process left me scratching my head. I would have packed up and gone home as far from the Holly as possible, but not Mike and Courtney. The “community” decided to go on with the planned Peace Rally.

I watched the news that night to see further coverage from the shooting.

Continued on page 28

Passing Electric bassist Billy Rich has

associations with some pretty big names in the music world. From Buddy Miles and Taj Mahal, to the late great mind of Jimi Hendrix, Billy’s electric bass skills have led him to play with some pretty memorable stars.

He’s toured the world and is a founding member of the electric bass history that’s idolized by many. With solo albums and band mainstays across the board, Billy’s hasn’t ever let his fame go to his head. How could it when he’s been doing the same thing since before I was even a thought in my parent’s minds?

“When I was 18-years-old, I already knew what I wanted to do. And I had goals set for me,” Billy told the Denver Urban Spectrum over beers and Bloody Marys one cloudy Friday in May. The rumble of growling cars lingered only as long as the cars did, while Frank Sinatra’s sultry voice played overhead.

The natural noises of the day were the perfect addition to Billy’s casual demeanor, one that gave brief glimmers of his younger days.

The now 69-year-old Omaha native has a lot to be proud of—and his younger days are a perfect portal to take us back to the place Billy’s story started: Nebraska in the 1950s.

Despite what was going on in Billy’s hometown, the rest of America was rediscovering themselves. At the height of our military power, the postwar baby boom was fully upon us.

Not only did that mean there were more babies being born, but the changes in the economy, availability of automobiles, and the idealistic suburban housing market were all options to more people than ever. These familial wheels were set into motion, as the prospects of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness continued to grow.

How The Bass Has Bonded Father And Son

The Torch:

Billy and Scottie Rich

him as a ‘wizard at the guitar.’ That’s some pretty high praise for being under 10. But because Billy was simultaneously watching his siblings excel musically as well, he was encouraged to develop his craft for life. Side by side with his singing sister Carolyn, his percussionist and vocalist brother Bob, and the “musical genius” of the family, Herb, Billy was under the direction of true teachers. “Herb was a genius, he started playing when he was like 3years-old,” said Billy, of his late brother.

“I learned a lot from Herb.” Not only did he have a front and center seat to watch his brothers and sister do their thing, the 50s and 60s were ripe with talented musical idols.

“At that time, Chuck Berry and Duane Eddy really influenced me with the rock n’ roll,” said Billy of his outside influences. No matter, there were plenty of positive examples, who sat across from him at the dinner table. And when his brother Herb moved on to play with the psychedelic funk rock band, The Electric Flag, Billy could only watch in awe, for he was still under 10 years old. That’s when he got the next big thing: A Danelectro double neck guitar.

“When I got the Danelectro, ooh,” Billy said, getting excited at the memory. “I think I had played the regular guitar for about a year or so, maybe two.

And then I remember getting that double neck guitar, that Danelectro. And that’s when it all started. I had never touched the bass before, until then.” It’s almost easy to say that the rest was history, but his story doesn’t end there.

All of the practice of performing in front of a crowd left Billy already educated on how being in the spotlight changes people, even if he changes instruments. But he didn’t let it

By Lauren Turner Photos by Bernard Grant

The addition of schools, interstates, a middle-class job market that paid more for a better life, put many Americans back in high spirits.

But for the African Americans living in this country, there was still a lot of fighting to be done. The civil rights movement was chugging alongside the fight to keep communism outside of our state lines. Luckily for Billy, positive role models who helped prune him into the experienced musician he is today surrounded him.

Family and Musical Idols Influences

Born Eddie Wilbur Rich, Billy was introduced to the art of music at a very young age. “I started playing guitar when I was seven years old,” said Billy. At that point, Billy’s father decided to start a family band, which would later be called the 7 Wonders.

The Rich family band was built on the importance of practicing, which afforded them the skills to perform original songs, play at local Omaha venues, and gain some notoriety as an established band to watch.

There are even traces of their original promotional flyers out there, introducing the 7 Wonders to the world, with high praise for Billy, referring to

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change him. And to imagine making such a conscious decision at an age where many of us can barely get dressed, alone, is mind-boggling. “I was getting too much attention playing guitar,” Billy told us. “When I was playing, I was 7 or 8-years-old, and I would make more money from these old drunk ladies, coming and putting dollar bills in my pocket.” And even if that sounds like a situation some would stick around for, Billy isn’t some. “Actually, that’s really why I switched to the bass. I kinda like being in the background,” said Billy. “I don’t need all that attention.” What Billy didn’t know, was even if he transitioned to a role that wasn’t necessarily front and center, he was still going to be seen—and heard.

All About That Bass

From that point on, Billy worked hard to perfect his craft. Practicing with and without the 7 Wonders gave him the upper hand. When it was time for him to graduate from high school, Billy had already established himself as a top-notch musician. Participating in a few local bands was only the beginning, and boosted his dreams of bigger and better stages. In reality, it made it clear that his goal of “owning my own house and retiring by 35,” didn’t look so far off. Especially when he hooked up with The Whispers, a boogie, soul-funk group with hit records like ‘And The Beat Goes On’ and ‘Rock Steady.’ “Oooh, touring with The Whispers, that was my first gig. I left Omaha, I’d just gotten out of school, and I got drafted but, I left to go on the road with them and it was interesting,” said Billy of his first experience on the road. Getting linked up Continued on page 6

Good Music Feeds The Soul

Oped By Mike Sawaya

Talk about music and my mind

goes back to the age of eight when my father, George Sawaya took me to a closet in his bedroom and pulled out a 1930s vintage gold plated Buescher alto saxophone and said, “This is yours, I hope you learn to play it well.”

George Sawaya

friend Clint Williams played right next to me throughout those years, exchanging 1st and 2nd chairs for years. I watched him grow from a skinny kid in 7th grade to a big football player in the 10th grade. He quit playing after high school but I continued. And unfortunately, it was my honor to play a solo on my also sax (the school) at his funeral a few years ago before a packed congregation at New Hope Baptist Church.

My father also gave me a flute when I was 21 years old and I think that is my best instrument now. I do love music. Music does not know racial barriers, although there are

some who would stereo-type certain musicians by racial categories. Music does not discriminate. Good music does not know violence. Good music feeds the soul - even plants and animals like it! And, good music takes us away from our everyday problems.

For the last several years, I have been studying the piano. I would highly recommend the piano to anyone who would like to keep their brain supple and active. It makes the player use the right and left parts of the brain. It does not matter if one ever becomes an expert at any instrument. It is the time and attention that is paid to it that pays the dividends.

Mike Sawaya

The horn was almost as big as I was at the time. I started playing in the Smith School bank. I was in the Cub Scouts at Smith School and my father helped us start a band. We had about 10 kids playing their instruments. Actually, we sounded pretty good.

My father was a professional musician and a member of the Musicians’ Union. He was also the owner of the Sawaya Body and Trailer Company where he worked hard all day repairing truck bodies. He would play his gigs in the evening and on the weekends. He often got home after I went to bed. Anyone interested in reading about him can Google his Denver Post obituary. He gave me a bunch of lessons, but I don’t think kids learn well from their parents.

I played the alto sax in the band at Smiley Junior High School through East High School. My dear departed Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – June 2018

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If all anyone does is listen to music, the beauty of this amazing human activity becomes obvious. Perhaps music defines us as humans even more than we know. It was Leonard Bernstein who said that music is infinite and the expression of it knows no bounds. He was speaking about western music and was not even considering the great music that comes from other cultures with a longer scale and more variation of notes and chords.

I am so grateful for music, and to share my memories during Black Music Month. But, don’t get me started on cooking - because I feel the same about that as well. Enjoy!.

Billy and Scottie Rich

Photo by Bernard Grant

Passing the Torch

Continued from page 4 with The Whispers was a natural progression from the 7 Wonders, but imagine being 18, driving around with a group of musical fellas, all a little older than you, far away from home.

This is the kind of experience that makes or breaks a musician.

“We went back to the East Coast, we starved, I lost my car,” he laughed out, despite the gruesome reality that it was at the time. “So it was what you call, ‘paying dues.’ But if it wasn’t for The Whispers, getting me out of Omaha, that’s where a lot of stuff started [for me].”

For Billy, paying dues paid off. This funky tour ended with Billy landing in San Francisco in about 1968, right at the time the musical explosion took over the West Coast. It’s hard not to recognize the serendipitous ending that resulted from Billy’s advantageous tour with The Whispers. And whether his next move presented itself because Billy was simply in the right place at the right time, or his neverending string of familial connections showed useful, being there in San Francisco was exactly where Billy needed to be. The end of The Whispers tour put him in perfect proximity to reconnect with his older brother, Herbie, who at the time was still making waves with The Electric Rug. Herbie was playing with Buddy Miles, a name that could be heard in every musical household in the 60s.

Miles not only founded The Electric Rug, but also played with stellar names like Jimi Hendrix, The Delfonics, Carlos Santana, Bootsy Collins, and John McLaughlin. And the next name added to that list: Billy Rich. Their connection was immediately electric and spurred Buddy to start a new venture: The Buddy Miles Express, starring Billy Rich, himself.

The trio—made up of Billy, Buddy,

and Herbie—got around, but working with Herb was nothing like the first time. “It was totally different,” said Billy, of the feeling he got when the Buddy Miles Express came to fruition.

“As far as my brother Herb, he’s not with us now. He’s been gone for a long time. But if it wasn’t for him, I probably wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing now.” And it was during one of their first gigs together that they were joined by an even bigger name – a name (and character) that changed the trio – and Billy – forever. A name that, at the time, was even bigger than Buddy Miles, Billy Rich, and Herbie Rich, combined. The name? Jimi Hendrix, remember him? The celebrated musician joined the Buddy Miles Express onstage, and later, continued to work with the band, by helping produce ‘69 Freedom Special,’ the song Billy wrote for their album.

“Working with Jimi is like...it was incredible,” said Billy. “He was the best and it was a pleasure working with him and I wish he was still around now to do some more.” What some might say is Billy’s most memorable collaboration, comes with an equally memorable story. “I wrote the song, Jimi produced it, it was on the Buddy Miles Electric Church album,” recalled Billy of the origins behind ‘69 Freedom Special.’ “Yeah, Jimi produced it and came up with the name because that was the year I got out of the service.” The underlying social statement is only one created by the musical genius behind so many other symbolic tunes. And this one has Billy’s fingerprints all over it.

Even after Billy’s day with the Buddy Miles Express had come and gone, the music that flowed inside him didn’t stop. The electric bassist continued to work his fingers with the magic that everyone else always saw there. And although it seemed as though Billy had reached the highest point of his career – mind you, before

he was even 21 – there were still a lot of folks who Billy shared the stage with. From Tony Furtado and Geoff Muldaur, to Butterfield, the list goes on and on and on…not to mention making a stop at a solo career that produced two independent albums and (hopefully) an upcoming solo tour.

Time With The Taj Mahal Band

What continued to grow into a lifelong career, playing bass with some of the hottest bands around, took a stable turn when Billy met Taj Mahal. Mahal, whose been known for being one of the many self-taught blues musicians to make waves, is where our story catches up with the time. The two met in Los Angeles, when Billy was still recovering from the Jimi Hendrix experience. “I was working with the Buddy Miles Express at that time and we were doing a show. We had the opening at the Whiskey A Go Go in LA,” recalled Billy. “And Taj came there that night, and Jimi Hendrix came that night. And uh let’s see...” It was almost as if the events of that fateful night where being replayed behind his soft eyes. “The Chambers Brothers, the Pointer Sisters, Dr. John, everybody was there that night. And then after that, we had the same management going on. And I think I played a gig with him maybe four or five months, after that.” And once that relationship was given form, it hasn’t stopped growing with the men, meeting major milestones in their lives.

“My first gig with Taj was over in London and it was on my 21st birthday,” says Billy. “So me and Taj go way back. I’ve been working with him for maybe like 45 years, plus...off and on.”

Like Father, Like Son

No matter the band, venue, or instrument, Billy stayed humble, thankful for the opportunities that his

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family had given him, and never forgot who he was and what he wanted in life. Although his dream of retiring by 35 didn’t happen as planned, Billy’s accomplishments extended further than he ever imagined. “I knew what I wanted to do back when I was 18, and it’s just been all about just following through with it” says Billy, “and here I am, doing the same thing. Wouldn’t change a thing.” He paused to think, and then chuckled out in his light way, “maybe one thing or two.” This sensibility that makes Billy such a true spirit was passed down to his own son, as his father once did for him.

The connection between Billy Rich and Scottie Rich is apparent in their natural vocal cadence, alone. The sobering way both Billy and Scottie speak, and then pause, to think back on the good times (and the not so good times) is one that can be heard almost immediately. The perfectly placed pauses make me want to travel back to another musical era, standing and watching the talent of the time.

And like his father got to experience in watching his brothers and sisters perform, Scottie has had a similar experience – only this time, he was watching his father.

“I can’t even count the number of times I have seen him play live,” said Scottie as we chatted over the phone. I listen hard to his words, trying to catch the similarities within his voice.

It didn’t take long before Scottie exposed his likeness to his dad. “I would always go to his recording sessions since he would let me tag along.” He paused, and I held on to every last second of silence. “They had a tour in Hawaii once, with Taj, and I got to hang out behind the stage and watch from back there.”

But before Scottie knew his father was a star, he wanted to be a star of his own—just not one on the stage.

Continued on page 28

Denver PR Pro Launches Debut Jazz Record

“Wil Alston’s new CD project of self-penned songs is as approachable, free and easy as he is when performing live. His song lyrics and warm voice are like listening to a close friend tell you a story.”

Lannie Garrett Colorado Hall of Fame Singer & Entertainer

Wil Alston Showcases Vocal Jazz Chops on Self-penned Introducing Wil Alston

If the human voice is the instrument of the soul, and that soulful voice is irresistibly unique and sublime...it must be Wil Alston doing the singing! Introducing Wil Alston is truly a uniquely soulful and dynamic listening experience indeed. A vocal slice of heaven!”

Longtime public relations pro Wil

Alston released his debut vocal jazz

album on Saturday, April 28 at Live at Jack’s in downtown Denver.

During the event, Alston performed to a full house and played all the songs from the new record, along with a few audience favorites. The performance featured several guest artists, including Denver rap artist Kevin Cartoon, Denver vocalist Ava Gardner, Washington DC vocalist and songwriter Hosea Alston, and Colorado Springs bass guitarist Ron Flores. Many know Alston as a “weather-tested” PR pro that served with former Gov. Bill Ritter, current Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock, and as the founding executive director of the Five Points Business District.

However, they may not know of his love for singing and music. He began singing as a child in Washington, D.C., and for the past two decades, has been a lead vocalist in the music department at New Hope Baptist Church in Denver. Prior to his debut solo performance at Lannie’s Clocktower in 2013, Alston spent time as a back-up singer for well-known Denver vocalist and First Lady, Mary Louise Lee. The freshman, self-penned record showcases Alston’s writing ability and his ability to contribute original and thoughtful new music to the jazz genre. All the songs (but one) were written and arranged by Alston; “Sunshine” was written by Wil’s Washington, DC-based younger brother Hosea Alston. The project was an international collaboration that con-

nected Alston with studio artists from all over the globe and across the U.S. They include random Meeks on bass from Indianapolis, IN; Lionel Tortolero on guitar from Venezuela; Jake Naugle on drums from Pleasant Valley, UT; Jordi Castella on piano from Spain; Leo Cincinelli on piano from Spain; and Patrick O’Neal on sax from Baltimore, MD.

soulful and rich upbeat tune that gives commentary on the state of the times, titled, ”The Things I Wish For,” and features Denver rap artist Kevin Cartoon. The list of songs concludes with a playful tune called “I Like It.” Alston describes his music as “traditional and contemporary jazz with a dash of R&B and says his musical influences include Nat King Cole, Nina Simone, Donny Hathaway, Dianne Reeves, Gregory Porter, Kevin Whalum, Wil Downing, and Kurt Elling. .

The first tune, “Sunshine” is one of three tunes that sit firmly in the jazz genre, along with “Be Careful” and “Five Points.” Alston says that “Five Points” gave him the platform he had been looking for to share his thoughts about the changing demographics in Denver’s historic African American cultural corridor.

The acoustic tune, “He’s My Brother,” is a tribute to Alston’s oldest brother Harvey Alston and serves as a bridge between the jazz and soul tunes. The soul tunes are led by a duet song that features Atlanta transplant, but now Denver resident and songstress Jess Hurley titled, “Love Needs Attention.” It is followed by a Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – June 2018

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Steve Watts Dotsero Band

“Wil’s debut CD Introducing Wil Alston is a collection of songs you can instantly connect with. His soulful voice and outstanding ability for storytelling guides you through each song and showcases his passion for his wife, his family and his community. His dedication to originality and musicianship really stands out!”

Becky Taylor National Radio Personality & Emcee

Editor’s note: For more information about Wil Alston’s music or to book him, go to www.wilsgroove.com or email Wil at wil@wilalstongroup.com.

Why do I PreventT2?

I joined PreventT2, a program proven to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. It taught me to make changes to live a healthier life.

This little one is the joy of my life. And I want to spend as much time with her as possible. So when my doctor told me I had prediabetes, I knew that preventing type 2 diabetes had to become a priority.

My PreventT2 lifestyle coach was always there for me. The other participants were great — they all understood what I was going through. And the CDC-approved curriculum taught me how to lose weight, be more physically active, and reduce stress. My doctor said it’s making a difference. I plan to stay healthy for a long time so I can be here for the ones I love. You can do it, too — with PreventT2.

Call 720-900-4325 or visit usebonttoday. theyweb today www.thehealinggardencenter.org Call or visit us on the w web oda .

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Weekly meetings will begin: Thursday, July 5, 2018 6 PM to 7 PM The Healing Garden 2900 S. Peoria St., Unit D1 Aurora, Colorado 80014

ORGANIZATION LOGO

A Reflection of Light

By Jamil Shabazz

R

adio personality and emcee Becky Taylor is a woman that needs no introduction, seeing as how she’s an expert in the exercise. Taylor is Colorado radio royalty, her voice has been cascading through the ears of listeners longer than... well actually I don’t know because she won’t tell! In addition to Colorado radio, Taylor has been heard over airwaves all across the country during her heralded career.

Undisputedly, she is the voice of the Winter Park jazz festival, having hosted the event since almost its inception. She also displays her professional talents at Earl Klugh’s Weekend of Jazz at the Broadmoor; Seabreeze Jazz Festival in Panama City Beach, FL; and Warren Hill’s Cancun Jazz Festival. Taylor also does commercial production locally, as well as in Chicago for Simply The Best Voiceover and Audio Production. In addition, you can listen to her every

weekend on WSBZ (seabreeze.fm). As Sade would serenade, Taylor is a smooth operator; and the consummate emcee. She is a favorite of many artists because of her balmy demeanor and effortless style. She doesn’t just make it look easy – easy envies her.

For someone who spends a tremendous amount of time under the stage lights percolating performers to the public, Taylor shies away from the spotlight when it comes to her personal life – with one exception – her daughter Brittany. Bring up her baby girl and Taylor will gush enthusiastically from limelight to moonlight about her only begotten child.

“Brittany brings out the best in me.” Taylor beams during our first conversation “I love her and I’m proud of what she has, and will continue to accomplish. One thing I am extremely proud of is how Brittany has grown into her own woman.

Obviously I had an influence on her, and she considers DUS Publisher Bee Harris a foundational mentor. Also

professionals, and I am super proud that my daughter is on the front lines.”

At two years past thirty, Brittany N. Winkfield is a media maestro, with a résumé of hits. She started out as a Photo Intern at Vibe magazine in 2006, before moving on to Upscale magazine two years later. In 2012 Winkfield launched her own print and digital magazine, Back2Basics with her husband Marcus. The media kit for Back2Basics touts the publication as “the premiere Christian lifestyle magazine.” After spilling ink on everyone from DeVon Franklin, Meagan Good, Willie Moore, Jr. and Kierra Sheard it’s hard for anyone to refute that claim.

“I’ve been blessed to have learned a lot from my mom, and other strong, positive women like Ms. Bee, whom I consider a tremendous mentor. Then add to that being able to intern at Vibe and Upscale. I also spent several years in marketing and as an event coordinator too. Thankfully, I was able to use all of my life experiences to my advantage when I started Back2Basics.

Marcus and I jokingly call Back2Basics our fourth child. But sitting here six years and 34 issues later it is a surreal feeling. And I feel extremely blessed that there is going to be a compilation book of the best of Back2Basics coming out this summer.”

Family and faith are two of the basics in Winkfield’s life, the wife and mother of three is a Seventh-day Adventist and also serves as Communications Director for the Central States Conference of Seventhday Adventists. When not writing, hosting a podcast or shooting an inter-

interning at Vibe and Upscale magazines helped a lot too. Along the way she’s absorbed everything and applied it to how she handles herself, personally and professionally.” Taylor continues “I think it is so important to mentor this next generation of media

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view for Back2Basics, Winkfield creates time to be a regular contributor to OUTLOOK, a digital and print publication that shares Adventist news and inspiring stories.

“Brittany is Superwoman!” Becky exclaims during our second conversation. “I don’t know how she finds the time to do everything that she does, being a wife and a mother, but I am in awe of her. She [Brittany] is my only child, and I know how much time, energy and effort it takes to raise one child. I don’t know how she does it with three, but she does have a wonderful and intelligent husband in Marcus. He is very supportive – the two of them are what marriage is supposed to be.”

Lacking neither, perspective or insight, Becky Taylor knows what it’s like to be a working mother. She had Brittany just as her career in radio was starting to flourish. If Becky was number one, Brittany was the bullet, traveling everywhere with Becky Taylor, emcee and mommy dearest.

“I don’t think she told you, but my mom is actually a really good photographer.” Brittany laughs while on memory lane. “She’s the reason I got into photojournalism to begin with. I remember at a young age finding pictures that she took when she was in high school in an old box in her closet or our basement and being amazed by the quality [of the pictures]. I mean they were top quality, professional type photos, framed and everything. I was so mesmerized by them.”

To understand Becky Taylor and her daughter Brittany Winkfield is to understand looking at a reflection of light captured in a moment of time, framed by mutual adulation.

It is rare to have a mother and daughter duo that enter the same profession, each thriving of their own accord, while spinning the medium forward for generations to come. After experiencing the duo, my time with mother and daughter reminded me of an important lesson: The ideal parent doesn’t raise a child to be the best they can be, they raise a child to be the best for that which has yet to be.

By that measure, the best of Becky and Brittany—is still yet to come. .

Editor’s note: For more information on Becky Taylor, visit www.beckytaylorevents.com. For more information about Brittany Winkfield and Back2Basics, visit http://www.back2basicsmag.com/. Jamil A. Shabazz is a Colorado native. A graduate of Metropolitan State University of Denver; earning his BA in African American Studies He is the founder of Shabazz & Co. Publishing and author of two novels. Not Another Night, published in 2016 and its sequel, Hiding Behind The Night (2018).

Teachable and

Coach-able:

Freddie Jackson

Young Dude, Shut Up and Listen!

Chante Moore

If you were to Google the reality

show, “Bar Rescue,” you would find a very interesting story of Shelton Bouknight owner of the dance club, bar and restaurant, The Kasbah Nightclub. But Shelton Bouknight’s story is far deeper and more interesting than what you could view on this segment of “Bar Rescue.”

Bouknight is a fast-talking drapperdressing Denverite whose heart was to build something in the community, for his community and family, and to fulfill a heart’s desire he developed while in college. And he did what he said he would do.

Bouknight comes from a family with excellent work ethics. His dad served in the U.S. Air Force and always encouraged him to work hard and everything would pay off. His mother, who worked for King Soopers for many years, encouraged and stood with her son in fulfilling his dreams, visions, and passions.

While in college, Boughknight presented his passion and dream to own a nightclub to his father. His father promised him if he would get his degree, he would help him with the money to get his own club.

Unfortunately, Mr. Bouknight did not have the means when the moment presented itself. Not to be deterred,

Leon

Julius Williams

The Kasbah Success Story

By Beatrice Bruno

Mr. Bouknight then gave his son his best fatherly advice…”Get a job and be good at what you do, Son.” And he did…But young Bouknight still had a dream.

His desire was to open an establishment - a dance club, bar and restaurant that would be utilized for the gathering of people for fun, entertainment and community events. Young Bouknight was discouraged on many sides by those who said it was a pipe dream, a dream that would vanish in a matter of a few years. Bouknight would not be dissuaded. He knew what was in his heart. He knew what he was capable of doing. And he

worked toward the fulfillment of that dream, that vision.

The desire for club ownership began while Bouknight was attending college at Texas Southern in Houston.

Graduating from high school 1976, Bouknight began his college journey in the fall that same year. By 1980, after attending college full-time, taking a full load, as well as working fulltime, he accomplished the first portion of his dream and received a Bachelor’s degree in Communications. As he worked in the food and beverage industry while attending college from dish washer to bar back to bartender to bar manager – Bouknight

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fell in love with the workings of the club and entertainment system.

Working for one of the most prolific Black club owners in Houston at the time, Charles Bush, Bouknight would find himself under the wings of club owners and managers who would teach him the business for which he was destined.

When he met Bush, Bouknight was quickly told by him, “Young Dude, shut up and listen! I will teach you a whole lot about business.” And first words of wisdom, Bush taught him was, “A fool and his money are soon parted.” He also told the Young Dude, “Anytime you can’t say that you saved some money or that you made some money in a week, you’re living above your means.”

For some reason, that bit of teaching captivated Bouknight. He told himself during this interchange with Bush, “I’m going to take this to heart.”

And he did.

A little more than 20 years ago after considering the Old Ready Room 2 in Denver as a location, Bouknight’s mother brought to his attention a building that would soon become The Kasbah. He met with the mother of previous owner of the building and they came to an agreement. And although she considered that the transaction would be about a young Black man giving her money for a

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10

business she would have back in about six month time – because he would not make it, the joke was on her, and her son, to whom she made the statement.

Bouknight worked hard on The Kasbah for two years while continuing to work full time on his job. He was told by the executives of both his high level jobs that he was crazy. Although serving in executive positions in both jobs and making good money, he still had a dream. He had an undying passion for what he wanted, what he had dreamed of for 20 years; and he would give up on neither the passion nor the dream.

Bouknight received his license for The Kasbah in 1997, working full time for six months to see his dream fulfilled.

On New Year’s Eve of 1997, the doors of The Kasbah opened to a full house. The first people through the door were Bouknight’s father, sister and other family members and friends.

Bouknight became very emotional as he shared his father’s words to him that night.

“Son, you’ve done so well. It took you 20 years, but you did it!”

Those words meant the world to Bouknight. He had wanted to make his dad proud and he had succeeded.

Although his father has been gone for many years and that memorable moment occurred more than two decades ago, Bouknight continues to experience the joy, as well as the pleasure of having his Dad see his accomplishment in fulfilling the dream he had in his heart.

Mr. Bouknight’s love and support of his son never diminished. If anything, Mr. Bouknight’s support increased as he witnessed the amazing transformation of the building housing The Kasbah. The building went from being the East Side Story - a Biker Club, to the Wooden Nickel, to the 6th Avenue Rock of Fame heavy metal club, to…The Kasbah. Mr. Bouknight frequently dropped by to help his son with decisions on what music to play for the enjoyment of the clientele, often suggesting Sam Cooke, and others for the older patrons.

An upbeat, dressy establishment, Bouknight created something that was for the over 30 crowd. His patrons came in dressed to impress and to have a good time. And everyone had a good time.

Shelton Bouknight dreamed, saved, planned, and prayed for the culmination of all things to bring his vision into fruition. From the command made to him by Charles Bush, “Young Dude, shut up and listen!” to the opening of The Kasbah, Bouknight proved that being teachable and coachable were tantamount to great success as a business owner and entrepreneur. He continues to conduct himself in this manner as he

says there is always something to learn on this journey.

And Shelton Bouknight has learned many lessons on this journey. Hosting at least 70 national recording artists, he has seen the ups and downs of the entertainment business. Artists such as Rolls Royce, the Stylistics, Escape, Brothers Johnson, Billy Paul, and Freddy Jackson, to name a few, have graced the stage of The Kasbah to entertain in an intimate setting, rarely experienced in Denver.

When arriving and seeing the Kasbah for the first time, one recording artist told his manager as he got out his car, “As long as you live, don’t

you ever bring me to a place like this.”

By the end of the evening and from the warmth of the audience and the intimacy of the space, that same recording artist was singing A Cappella, asking the audience what else they wanted to hear. And he told Shelton, “Call on me anytime and I will be here!”

Shelton Bouknight did indeed “Shut Up and Listen.” At a young age, he learned to respect the voices of those who would help him become a voice in the club and entertainment industry by being coachable and teachable, so he could make The Kasbah become what he knew it could be.

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Being teachable and coachable in business will move one toward success faster than always knowing everything. At the end of the day, life, business, and relationships have many lessons available to those willing to receive those lessons - lessons that will either make or break. Shelton Bouknight was willing to receive those lessons…and look at him now. .

Editor’s note: Beatrice Bruno is a US Army Veteran, speaker, and author. She is also a Ghostwriter who captures the voice of the subject and writes the story. Email her at Beatrice@DrillSergeantofLife.com or call 720-212-9780.

Amara Williams

Black Girl Magic in Japan Cultural Immersion with a Purpose

By Ruby Jones

T

hree young women from Denver are preparing to bring Black Girl Magic to Japan, as they embark on a month-long cultural immersion trip to the Land of the Rising Sun. Briana Thomas, Shea Carey and Amara Williams are among a group of 15 students who will travel through

out the country, teaching English and exploring Japanese culture first-hand.

Williams is a student at the Denver School for Science & Technology, while Thomas and Carey attend East High School. The girls joined Youth In Action, a service-based immersion program in 2016, all with a curiosity

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and admiration for Japanese culture, and its artistic and culinary intricacies.

For the last two years, they have dedicated 15 hours per month to the Youth in Action program, learning Japanese, studying Japanese history and culture, and working with other students from around the city to raise money and give back to their community through outreach and volunteer work.

Youth in Action has provided opportunities for hundreds of students throughout Denver. Participants gather weekly to learn about the Japanese culture and language while developing leadership skills and cultivating a passion for global exploration. Founder and Director JoAnne Harada started the program in 2002 to help young people find ways to travel the world while giving back. “This program is an experience like no other,” said Harada, who will chaperone the trip for the fourth time from June 4 to July 2.

While in Japan, the group will teach English to students at nursing, elementary and high schools. “They have spent at least two years learning Japanese, so they will be able to relate to English learners in a unique way.

It’s a great experience for everyone!” says Harada, who worked as an English instructor for eight years at one of the schools where the group will teach. Students will also participate in a traditional tea ceremony, Ikebana flower arrangement, calligraphy classes, and other cultural activities by day. By night, the group will be housed with Japanese host families, in Kyoto, Kyushu, and Yamagata, Colorado’s sister state.

The steadfast and benevolent service of teaching English to Japanese children and adults will be rewarded with unforgettable sightseeing opportunities. The group will attend the Kokusai Mura International Forum during their stay in the northern coastal city of Tsuruoka, and work alongside students from around the world at the exciting World Bazaar.

In Hiroshima, Youth in Action will visit the Children’s Peace Monument

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Briana Thomas

at Peace Memorial Park. Students have spent the last two years trying to perfect the ancient tradition of origami paper as they worked diligently to create 1,000 paper cranes. “They have worked so hard,” says Harada.

“Amara is one of the best! She got really good at it, so now she helps some of the other students.” The cranes will be presented at the Children’s Peace Monument in honor of Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who died of leukemia 10 years after the atomic bombing of 1945. Believing that folding the paper cranes would miraculously heal her after she developed symptoms related to the devastating atomic bomb fallout, Sasaki folded the paper cranes until her death in 1955, which triggered a campaign for world peace. Youth in Action’s cranes will join millions more at Sasaki’s memorial.

For Williams, Thomas and Carey, Youth in Action has provided the opportunity of a lifetime. The experience of teaching, traveling, and exploring the intricacies of Japanese culture first-hand will reach far beyond the amazing stories they’ll share with family and friends. The opportunity to be immersed in a vastly different culture will broaden their horizons as they go on to pursue their interests in astrology, medicine, art and philosophy.

Not surprisingly, the girls are all supported by loving families who are working diligently to raise the money needed for the June trip. Williams, a senior at DSST says, “My family has been onboard since I applied for the program. They have always encouraged me to experience different cultures.”

Despite myths surrounding negligible travel tendencies, global travel and tourism industries have seen a marked increase in travel spending amongst people of color in recent years. The surge in travel can be attributed to globalization with more affordable costs made possible by a highly competitive market; and the ease of access made possible by technological

advancements has literally placed the world at our fingertips with websites like Kayak.com and NoirBnB.com offering discounted rates. The luxury once reserved for upper and middleclass families is now accessible and feasible for people of all ages and economic backgrounds.

Travel is especially important for young people, who are impressionable and adventurous with a strong need for self-exploration and discovery.

Youth in Action’s immersive program builds confidence and character; as students delve into the unfamiliar landscape of a foreign country and rely on their instincts to navigate and adapt to changing customs and conditions.

“Travel is one of the greatest ways to teach leadership,” says Harada, whose focus on self-esteem and social development is one of the primary goals of Youth in Action. Thomas says that her family often encourages her to travel and see as much of the world as possible, supporting her efforts to learn a new language and gain exposure to Japanese culture.

As the group teaches English at nursing, primary and high schools, they will be required to apply what they’ve learned with patience and care, overcoming communication barriers and other obstacles. In addition to the cognitive benefit of learning a second language, the cultural sensitivity acquired through this immersion trip will prepare students for participation in an increasingly global economy. Students will have a greater understanding of their role in rapidly evolving social and technological environments, with the unique opportunity to build relationships and network with people from around the world.

The total cost of the month-long immersion trip to Japan is $4,300 per student. Youth in Action has assisted each student in the development of creative fundraisers to cover the expense. Each participant is responsible for coming up with innovative ways to earn money, and Youth in Action has raised enough funds to contribute $1,000 toward the cost of each student’s trip. Students are also thinking creatively to come up with service projects that meet the organization’s community service requirements. “We encourage students to volunteer in their communities, and that looks different for everyone,” says Harada, who praises the group for its fundraising and community outreach

coordination. “One student teaches baseball clinics; another student collects medical equipment and sends it to people in need living in South America; and some of the students volunteer at various afterschool programs throughout the city of Denver.”

Williams, Thomas and Carey are still working hard to raise the funds needed for the approaching trip.

Carey, a 9th grade student at East High School, says that she is thankful for the support of her friends and family, who have donated toward the cost of the trip.

“My mom really believes in this opportunity,” says Carey, “So she is working extra hours to help pay the difference since I’ve been keeping my GPA at a 3.68 all year.” To raise funds, the girls have gift-wrapped during the holidays, volunteered at the church that houses the program, sold baked goods, and more.

Collectively, Youth in Action participants still need to come up with nearly $12,000 for the June 2018 trip.

The students are optimistic that they will continue to raise the money with fundraisers like their Spring Lawn Care services, which are offered to residents of Denver and surrounding areas.

Youth in Action is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. “We’ve been able to survive this long with donations from people in our community who want to see our students thrive.”

Harada attributes the support Youth in Action receives from the community to the students’ willingness to provide outreach services at every opportunity. “We love to volunteer. Please invite us to clean-up, childcare and other events around Denver where volunteers are needed,” she offers.

To join the Youth in Action, students in grades 6-12 who are interested in learning Japanese and working with other students to volunteer throughout the community must write an essay explaining their interest in travel and cultural exploration.

Applicants must then undergo a rigorous 2-step interview before being invited to attend Saturday classes and other special Youth in Action events.

Participants must attend weekly meetings and take part in ongoing community service. .

Editor’s note: For more information about Youth in Action or to find out how to help the group meet its fundraising goals, visit www.YIAColorado.org.

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Sharing the Vision of the Five Points Rossonian Hotel, Bringing Back Jazz

T

By Melovy Melvin

he room was filled with people – and anticipation – to hear the news of what’s happening with one of Five Points’ significant pieces of history, the redevelopment of the Rossonian Hotel in April. Attendees were still arriving as more seats were brought out to accommodate them while others stood in the rear near the refreshments on the third floor of the BlairCaldwell African American Research Library (AARL).

Organized by several community stakeholders, Haroun Cowans welcomed the guests and introduced Senior Special Collection and Community Resource Manager Charleszine of the AARL “Terry” Nelson who gave brief remarks about the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library and historical reflections about the Five Points community.

“Five Points has been here since the 1800s. Its borders have been called the largest African American community in the city and county of Denver

Left to Right: Norman Harris, Haroun Cowans, Chauncey Billups, Dr. Ryan Ross and Councilman Photo by Gabrielle Bryant Albus Brooks.

before it was the city and county of Denver. This was the first suburb of the city and county of Denver,” said Nelson. “It’s a huge land mass but it has been divided into many pieces.

The area got its name in 1881 because of the street car that came from downtown Denver and turned around in front of the historic cultural Rossonian. Five streets came together and formed a star right in that area where it was also called the “Street Car Neighborhood.” It was renamed the Five Points Cultutral Historic District in 2014.”

Nelson reflected on the historic area – its transition, migration, industries

and jobs – which contributed to why people were coming to the area.

“Five Points was not only an African American community; it was settled by Hispanics, Native Americans, Asians, and AsianAmericans, all of who came for the same reasons. But, it was because of the law during the Civil Rights, that African Americans were designated to live in this part of the city,” she emphasized. “This part of the city had everything people needed – stores, beauty shops, shoe shops, restaurants, big businesses, and small businesses.

This was a keystone space.”

Many entertainers who came to Denver were not welcome in downtown hotels and clubs but were welcomed in Five Points, providing residents the best entertainment in the industry.

“This is what the Rossonian meant to the neighborhood. Everyone who lived in the ‘30s, ‘40s, and ‘50s had a Rossonian story,” said Nelson Paul Brooks, president of Palisade Partners, who initially met with Carl Bourgeois and Sheila King of Civil Technology with discussions of how to make this happen in 2013, duplicated Nelson’s desire and importance of bringing back that entertainment hub.

“In August when we purchased the Rossonian, we had always strived to be inclusive and celebrate the rich history but we really wanted to take the next step further. We wanted to create a team that reflected the history and culture of the community to maintain an African American base and core.”

After a slide presentation highlighting past projects that include the KingStroud Building and the Phyllis Wheatley YMCA and introducing the forthcoming 26th Street Project, Brooks recognized Cowans, siting an email he received as the best email he has ever responded to, and Councilman Albus Brooks as two people who were vital with making this project possible.

“From the very beginning, Albus Brooks wanted to make sure it was

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being done the right way and would transform into something that hopefully everyone in this room would be proud of. When we started to meet with the community well before today, asking what they with the Rossonian; there was one very clear message: ‘You need to bring jazz back – especially with it being in Five Points,” said Brooks.

The 26th Street Project will tie into the Rossonian Project, providing diverse services and opportunities to both out of town guests, customers and people from the community.

Project development partner Haroun Cowans, shared a humorous story that contradicted his sentiments on the overall venture. “We know who we are and we know where we’re going. And that is why we are so excited about this partnership because we want to retain, the cultural history, the African American history and the expression that has been, but also to reveal it and return it to its former glory.”

Cowans, who has been involved in the Five Points community for 20 years from 1998 to 2008 and working at the U.S. Bank Branch, says “It was real synergy that business could be done in our community. For me, it’s a connection spiritually, professionally and as well as from a community aspect. I was born and raised in Denver, so I wanted to do something that reflected Denver, the culture and also the voice.”

After working with Bourgeois for many years and introducing Cowans to Busboys and Poets, an establishment in D.C. that reflects the African American cultural, Cowans felt another surge of synergy and reached out to the owner on several occasions over the years. Before introducing Busboys and Poets owner, Andy Shalla, Cowans acknowledged “Mr. Five Points,” Norman Harris and Lejohn Bivins, aka Buggy as additional partners with the project.

“Anthony Graves was one of the first people who introduced me to Five Points about four years ago. He said it reminded him a lot of the U Street Corridor in Washington, D. C. which has a similar history here that is very rich in Civil Rights; and the African American community. It used to be called Black Broadway,” said Shalla.

“I opened a place called Busboys and Poets. We say it’s a place where racial and cultural connections are consciously uplifted; a place that brings lots of people together; a place where art, culture and politics come together and intentionally collide. We are a place to take a deliberate cause, for people to come in and hang out, for people to come in and feed their mind, body and soul. We do believe that by creating places like this, you

can actually begin to transform a community and transform the world in a very positive way.”

As a native Washingtonian, Shalla observed a lot of changes in D.C. that was erasing a lot of history and saw that Black Broadway was no longer what it used to be. After the 1968 riots there was a lot of blight, many businesses and people moved out leaving a lot of boarded up housing. And although there was development named after African Americans including The Ellington (Duke Ellington) and the Langston Lofts (Langston Hughes), many people were unaware of the historical significance.

Shalla also explained how the life of Langston Hughes was instrumental in creating the name, Busboys and Poets, which pays homage to Hughes’ legacy.

“It’s a very exciting to see a community that cares so much to come together like this and be able to talk about development. And to see the commitment that everyone has is why I believe this project with Bus Boys and Poets, to be able to bring it to Denver, will succeed. It requires community involvement. We are a community space, not just a restaurant, not just a bar but a community.”

National personalities including Nikki Giovanni, Alice Walker, Cornel West and Harry Belafonte come to Busboys and Poets in D.C. on a regular basis and speak.

City Council Albus Brooks remembers in 2011 knocking on 10,000 doors and 70 percent of the residents saying ‘Don’t even come to my door if you don’t do anything with the Rossonian.

This is the place, this is the jewel of our city, this is the center of Five Points and we have not seen any movement.’

“Revitalization and preservation exists. They are not in conflict with each other and can co-exist” said Brooks. He continued by praising Elvin Caldwell saying, “Sixty years ago, Elvin Caldwell purchased the Rossonian with his own money because he believed, and had the community pushing him,that it is a jewel in the community and needed to be revitalized. He purchased it with his own money, it was his own investment.

“Today, we’re going to see some transformation. And it’s because of the work of the entire community. In 2011, I had an idea after seeing Magic Johnson doing things in African American communities that maybe this Hall of Famer would invest in Five Points. I called the wrong Hall of Famer. Some of you know him as Chauncey Billups, but if you really know him, you know him as ‘smooth.’

And nationally, he is Mr. Big Shot, but he is a future Hall of Famer who cares about his community. He’s never forgotten Denver. After having a conver-

sation about what was going on here, the changes with gentrification and how to get African American ownership and keep this cultural legacy going, Chauncey got a little sparkle in his eye… and I like that,” said Brooks as he introduced NBA basketball champion Chauncey Billups.

It was announced that an addition to the Rossonian Redevelopment project will include an upscale restaurant called Chauncey’s, owned and operated by Chauncey and wife, Piper Billups.

“Parkhill and Five Points are places that have raised me, taught me and built me to be the person I am today.

I’m so happy about this,” said Billups.

“The first time I sat down with Paul and Albus, the first thing I told them was ‘If this is not going to be a place that celebrates the cultural heritage of the community, this is going to be a very quick meeting and I don’t want to be involved.’ I’ve seen the city change in a major way and I don’t think it’s a negative thing but the only negativity would be if they buy it all up and don’t partner with us.”

Billups and his wife have been involved in many projects around the country and are very sensitive about connecting their name to anything if not involved 100 percent. They have

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been looking for an opportunity and feels this venture will be awesome and something that will be great for the community.

“This is just the beginning, this is the vision. And, I’m reminded that people perish without a vision. And we wanted to make sure that the community understand it, buy into it and get behind it and support it,” said Cowans. .

Editor’s note: Redevelopment plans are scheduled to begin in first quarter 2019 with an estimated completion date in 2021.

For more information about the project or to get involved, email haroun.cowans@gmail.com.

Ground Rules

Must See............llll It’s Worth A Look.....lll See At Your Own Risk.ll Don’t Bother.....................l

Editor’s note: Samantha Ofole-Prince is an award-winning writer and contributor to many national publications and is Blackflix.com’s Senior Critic-at-Large.

Khaleel Herbert is a journalism student at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

Laurence Washington is the creator of BlackFlix.com. Like Blackflix.com on Facebook, follow Blackflix.com on Twitter

Solo: A Star Wars Story ll

By Laurence Washington

Solo: A Star Wars Story

S

olo: A Star Wars Story is the Star Wars movie nobody asked for. At least, I didn’t. I’ll explain.

Having grown tired of a steady diet of the usual suspects, Luke Skywalker, Princes Leia, Darth Vader and the two droids R2-D2 and C-3PO, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (’16), was a welcome relief, a satisfying terrific entrée to the franchise. And it made me think, “Wouldn’t it would be a great to have other stand alone Star Wars movies?”

After all, I’m sure there are other Star Wars adventures happening in a galaxy far, far, away.

Enter Solo: A Star Wars Story. The backstory of how lovable rogue Han Solo, his co-pilot, walking shag carpet Chewbacca, card sharp Lando Calrissian and of course the legendary Millennium Falcon (that made the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs) all got together. But I’m not sure anybody cares.

Fast-forward two hours and 15 minutes later: I’m thinking, “Be careful what you wish for, because you might get it.”

How so?

REEL ACTION - WWW.BLACKFLIX.COM

Thirty minutes into the film, I became disappointed. The opening minutes offer more action than the law allows, punctuated with spectacular set pieces. No argument here. But I just couldn’t get into the film until the last 45 minutes after a script suddenly appeared. And when Oscar-winning director Ron Howard’s name appeared in the end credits, I couldn’t believe I just sat through a Ron Howard film.

I found out later that Howard took on director duties two weeks before the film’s completion to salvage the project. As a result, there really wasn’t anything to invest in. There’s no one to root for. Unlike Rogue One, Solo doesn’t advance its storyline to connect with any other Star War film. Solo totally ignores that concept, so the audience never gets that “Ah Ha” moment they had been waiting for like in Rogue One. OK, enough bitching and moaning.

The film’s premise has Solo spending a good portion of the movie trying to reunite with his love interest Qi’ra (Emilia Clarke) whom the pair became fatefully separated early in the film.

Along the way he hooks up with Beckett, an outlaw who is in deep with smugglers, and of course Chewbacca.

Solo is an OK movie, but it has the Star Wars brand, so the audience expects a higher standard. Alden Ehrenreich is fine as Han Solo, but there’s only one Harrison Ford.

Ehrenreich lacks the sardonic grin and arrogance Ford stamped on the role.

Donald Glover is the film’s bright spot as Lando Calrissian, but it isn’t enough to bring the film to the level of previous Star War films. Solo is probably better than Phantom Menace (’99). If there was one wish that went along with these films, I would wish Disney wouldn’t think, “Well, it’s time to make a Star Wars movie. So let’s crank one out.”

T

Deadpool 2 l1/2

By Khaleel Herbert

ime travel, roasts of the Marvel and DC universes, a kid with mutant powers and the same merc with a mouth only scratch the surface of Deadpool 2.

Since killing Francis, Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) has taken his mercenary work abroad, killing crime lords in Hong Kong, Sicily and more. Upon his homecoming, Wade reunites with his girlfriend, Vanessa (Morena Baccarin) who’s ready to make babies.

Suddenly, their apartment is raided by deadly thugs.

Deadpool 2

Wade apprehends all but one, spoiler alert, who kills his beloved Vanessa. While in a decapitating mourning period, Colossus (Stefan Kapicic) brings Wade to the X-Men mansion and nudges him to be part of the team. Wade is reluctant. But when a mutant child with the power to shoot flames from his body (Julian Dennison) erupts on the public, Wade steps in as an X-Men trainee with Colossus and Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand). You’d be correct to say this is a terrible idea.

Believe it or not, Deadpool 2 is one big spoof of Hugh Jackman’s Logan.

The kid mutant, Wade’s reluctance to help the mutant child and the big XMen references. Sound familiar? This sequel just hits the funny bone more than Logan did. But I wonder, if Logan didn’t premiere last year, would the plot of Deadpool 2 be completely different? I guess that’s one of those conspiracy theories fanboys and comic geeks will be at odds with for years to come.

Looking beyond Logan, this sequel has its funny parts with action and jokes aplenty. Josh Brolin gives an authentic performance of Cable, and frankly, I like him more here than as Thanos in Avengers because he’s more comical and the counterpart to Deadpool. There are plenty of comedy and pop culture references on dubstep, Winnie the Pooh and Frozen. Plus super-newbies Domino (Zazie Beetz) Bedlam (Terry Crews) and Shatterstar (Lewis Tan) add to the laughter and action. Deadpool fans will find it hard to hold in their laughter for this sequel.

But here’s my beef with Deadpool 2.

The first time I saw Deadpool, I was blown away because he was an anti-

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hero with spunk. I couldn’t believe the things that came out of his mouth and how he reacted to different scenarios.

Remember that scene when he fought Colossus and damaged himself so much that he was hopping on one leg?

Or when Colossus captured Deadpool to become part of the X-Men and he cut his own hand off throwing the bird? Or the way he put Negasonic Teenage Warhead in a box as the typical rude teenage girl? Or even how he almost killed a man with a Zamboni in order to find Francis? I liked how he played by his own rules. Plus he broke the fourth wall…a lot, which really drew me into his world.

Deadpool was to Marvel’s mutant world what Eminem is to the hip-hop world. He followed his own compass and broke the mold of the typical superhero film. But in this film, he gets soft. I blame the director change.

Tim Miller knew what he was doing when he made Deadpool’s debut film.

David Leitch needs to stick to the Atomic Blonde and John Wick worlds and leave Deadpool alone. Plus, Stan Lee doesn’t grace the screen at all.

The merc with a mouth has his funny moments in Deadpool 2, but it doesn’t top his 2016 debut on the silver screen.

Life of the Party ll

By Samantha Ofole-Prince

Life of the Party

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tifled dreams, adultery, sexual escapades, weed laced cookies, cougars and sorority parties —Life of the Party, the new comedy starring Melissa McCarthy, has it all.

Another vehicle directed by her husband Ben Falcone (The Boss and Tammy) under their production company, On the Day Productions, the film follows McCarthy as Deanna

Miles, a 40-something year old dedicated housewife who decides to head back to college after a divorce and lands in the same class as her daughter.

The film does start off with some mild laughs as comedy veteran Matt Walsh, who plays her onscreen husband Dan, promptly informs Deanna that her other role in life—that of wife—has been cut just after dropping off their daughter in college. He’s having an affair with the local real estate agent Marcie, (Julie Bowen) and he’s taking the house.

After unburdening herself to her parents, friend (Maya Rudolph) and her Uber driver, Deanna’s first move is to relieve herself of the burden of her soon-to-be-ex-husband’s things with a small backyard bonfire. When she comes across an old photo of herself with the Decatur University Archaeology Club, she decides to return to college.

“We wanted to create a story that encourages people to believe it is okay to suddenly say, ‘I’m middle-aged and I’m moving to another country, I’m starting a vineyard or learning to bake bread.’ It’s never too late to redefine your life and to say out loud, ‘What about me?’” shares McCarthy, who was eager to recreate the college experience for the film.

Deanna plunges headlong into the campus experience, much to her daughter’s chagrin, and along the way, she fends off mean girls, rediscovers sex, gets high and intoxicated and experiences the walk of shame, all while mothering daughter Maddie (Molly Gordon) and her sorority sisters. There are college shindigs, a dance off competition, a sorority party, booze, sex and that silly comic fluff one would expect with any film that circles around college life – most, of which in this case is far from hilarious. At the end of it all, she manages to win literally everyone over, including her daughter.

Aside from that inspirational message of never giving up on your dreams, this fruitless attempt to cash in on McCarthy’s solid fan base lacks major laughs despite its star comedic casting.

Avengers: Infinity War lll

By Laurence Washington

“S

tep right up boys and girls!

Pick a superhero, any hero!” That just about sums up Avengers: Infinity War. If you’ve been following the Marvel universe on the big screen for the past 10 years, every superhero you’ve ever seen appears in Infinity War. Luckily, Infinity War is not a cluttered mess,

REEL ACTION - WWW.BLACKFLIX.COM Avengers: Infinity War

but nonetheless it’s cluttered. That being said, Marvel hardliners will love it.

Spidey, Thor, (bearded) Captain America, Iron Man, Black Panther and the rest, all get sufficient screen time.

It’s a blessing and a curse; because the movie runs two hours and 36 minutes, giving everyone sufficient time to do their feats daring of do. And admittedly, to and old guy like me, it’s a little hard on the bladder.

But I digress.

Infinity War looks great, no argument here. And there’s even a script, which is always welcomed in these CGI laden flicks. Plus, Infinity War has its expected lighthearted moments, but it is also a little darker than pervious Marvel offerings. Which might shock some fans. But the film’s real problem is, Disney is cranking these bastards out too fast. I’m still trying to digest Black Panther, and then two months later, BOOM Infinity War and Dead Pool 2 is just around the corner.

It’s truly a sensory overload.

But enough whining. Here’s the premise: Since the first Avengers movie, the franchise has been hinting that the Mad Purple Titan Thanos is coming to Earth to capture the Infinity Stones that will give him power to destroy the solar system, universe, galaxy or whatever he pretty much wants.

Sounds pretty bad, uh? But actually, Thanos isn’t a bad guy. He’s misguided on how to balance the universe. The problem is no one appointed him Sheriff of the universe. So he’s self-appointed, and figures by getting rid of half the population, the universe will be in balance. So yes, I guess in the end, he is a bad guy.

Well the Avengers think so too, and they aren’t having it. So they team up with the Guardians of the Galaxy and the armies of the technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to defeat Thanos. They give Thanos, and his army weird of creatures, a run

for their money. However, Thanos is so powerful, even the Hulk has reservations about tangling with the purple titan after Thanos whips him like a green-headed stepchild.

Infinity War is thought provoking, but it’s not the best movie in the Marvel library. I still love the first Captain America.

A couple of house keeping things: Infinity War is part one, so there’s another 2-hour film on the horizon. I know not when so don’t ask. And Hawkeye and Ant-man are suspiciously missing from the film. I suspect they’ll surface in the next installment, plus they’ll be a new character that was hinted at during the end of film to join the Avengers.

A note for filmgoers with weak bladders: Go to the restroom during the five minutes of end credits, and then come back and watch the traditional after credit scene. After all, who cares about the Best Boy and the assistant to Chris Evans?

Florence Kasumba: “I would love to play the sweet girl from next door”

By Samantha Ofole-Prince

F

Florence Kasumba Photo by Janine Gilded

lorence Kasumba can still remember when she got a call from her agent telling her that she had gotten that clandestine role, which she had auditioned for.

“At that time, I didn’t know what movie it was for,” she recalls, “but it was very clear who she was. Someone who was trained in martial arts, whose mission is to make sure that somebody gets from A to B — fast and safe. That is all I knew,” shares the German actress who is part of the Dora Milaje in Marvel’s Black Panther.

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“When you do an audition for a movie like that, most of the time you do not know, at least in my case, what you are auditioning for, because people talk too much,” adds Kasumba, who first appeared in Captain America: Civil War. With her statuesque look and martial arts training, the audition earned her the role of Ayo, who is part of a squad of strong fierce women who serve as the personal security force to the King and royal family. Although, Kasumba initially only signed on for Captain America: Civil War, she’s reprised the role of Ayo in two more Marvel movies, Black Panther, which releases on DVD later this month and Avengers: Infinity War, which is currently out in theaters.

Packed with bonus materials, the Black Panther DVD/Blu-ray” includes several deleted scenes, and a piece which focuses on the Dora Milaj, the female warriors of Wakanda.

“When you film for such a long time, as we rehearsed for months before filming began, there’s a lot of stuff, especially stuff I haven’t been involved in and a lot of bonus material that I am curious to see,” says the actress who admits she has watched Black Panther several times – four to be precise.

Known for roles that include the Dutch motion picture hit Ik ook van Jou, several television projects from ABC’s “The Quest” to NBC’s “Emerald City,” Kasumba, who was born in Kampala, Uganda, is a staple on German screens having starred in numerous television shows and stage plays such as Mamma Mia, Chicago, Cats, West Side Story and was cast in the title role in Germany’s production of Elton John’s hit musical Aida.

“My goal was always to play in musicals and while I was studying in Holland, I was cast in a movie and realized that I really liked both,” continues Kasumba who will voice Shenzi in the live-action remake of The Lion King, which releases next year.

She’s excelled at playing the tough, stylish female and her canon is well stocked with empowered female roles, and if there is one role Kasumba would love to play, it would be that of the best friend.

“I don’t get the ‘sweet type’ jobs because I guess I don’t look like the sweet girl from next door,” laughs the actress. “It’s typecasting and a lot of the time I do understand. They see me playing serious characters and never think she can actually be funny. I’ve played a lot of nice strong characters and its fun to work, but I can also play different types of characters.” .

Local Professor and Author Seeks to Address Social Media Troubles Among Students with New Textbook

By Khaleel Herbert

Metropolitan State University of

Denver journalism professor, Alfonzo Porter has come full circle. When Porter graduated from MSU Denver’s journalism program in 1987, he was ready to take on the world. During the past 30+ years, Porter has written for several newspapers including the Washington Post, tenured as a school administrator, and had started his own education consultancy.

Today Porter is the CEO of Vertex Learning, LLC an educational publishing and consulting firm with an operational footprint in Denver, Atlanta, Dayton-Cincinnati, St. Louis, Washington DC and San Diego. He has penned a new book, “Digital Citizenship: Promoting Wellness for Thriving in a Connected World,” a textbook designed to

help students successfully deal with living in a digital reality. It includes critical lessons on such topics as cyberbullying, sexting, hate speech, handling inappropriate content, and online dating; among others. The content is aligned with the academic learning standards of the Society for Health and Physical Education and seeks to speak to the social, psychological and emotional well being of young people in dealing with life online.

The book was written in collaboration with MSU-Denver‘s School of Education professors Lisa Altemueller, Philip Bernhardt and Todd Reimer through Vertex. It is designed as a tool for schools and students grades six through 12. However, it can be used by parents and other community leaders in helping their kids navigate social media.

Each chapter comes with real-life situations, case studies and activities for teachers to apply in the classroom. The book is set to release early June globally and will be available for purchase through a number of distribution networks like Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Book-A-Million.

“The message to youth is to be mindful not to negatively impact their lives and futures before it even get started,” Porter says. “Today, a personnel officer, human resources or tal-

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ent acquisition officer will likely search through your social media accounts even before contacting references prior make a hiring decision. If you’re engaged in questionable behavior online, all of that, at some point, will come to light.”

According to Porter, today’s youth are digital natives. They can’t fathom a world without devices and social media. Therefore, they need effective tools to aid in adapting to computergenerated realities.

“Our goal is to help them recognize the permanency of the information they’re putting on social media and let them know that this won’t go away,” Porter says.

Other titles by Porter are “More Like Barack, Less Like Tupac: Eradicating the Academic Achievement Gap by Countering Decades of the Hip Hop Hoax,” “The Four Letter Word Dictionary for the American Teen,” and “The X Stands for Excellence.”

Porter explains, “More Like Barack” is focused on helping African American and other minority students compete academically. Although the title of the book sounds anti-Tupac Shakur and anti-hip-hop, Porter reassures it’s not.

“When I say more like Barack, less like Tupac, I’m talking about the deci-

sions that you make that drive the work of your life,” Porter said.

“Clearly Tupac was gifted. I think he’d be a mogul today. He was totally immersed in the arts as an actor and even studied ballet. In the end, his immature was his demise. Growing in compromised circumstances in a single parent household only exacerbated the condition. It’s hard to imagine where he would’ve wound up as he matured. You can have the world laid out in front of you just like he did.

And it can be completely destroyed depending on how those life’s lessons are manifested in ones behavior.”

Porter believes if students were to compete in writing, math, robotics or other competitions, it could inspire motivation because winning feels good. Embedded in the book are 50 world-class competitions to spark a sense of academic competitiveness among minority students.

After earning his degree at MSUDenver, Porter relocated to Maine and worked at a small newspaper. He moved to Dayton, Ohio, in 1988 and worked as a staff writer for the Dayton Daily News. He would later leverage his writing skills to become a high school teacher. For eight years, Porter managed a program for high school seniors, preparing them for life after graduation. He taught English at Trotwood-Madison High School in the Dayton, OH region before moving on to Whetstone High School in Columbus, OH. While in Ohio, Porter attended Ohio State University and received his Master’s degree in Educational Policy and Leadership with an endorsement as a principal and superintendent. His doctoral program focused on the Administration of Teaching and Learning at Walden University. He accepted a position at T. C. Williams High School in Virginia, the school depicted in Denzel Washington’s Remember the Titans film, where he served as vice principal from 1996 to 1998.

He then moved to Baltimore to take on the duties as an administrator at Woodlawn High School. In 2001 he gave up his schools administrative duties and started his own private consultancy firm; PE&C, Inc. which provided teacher staff development, professional development, curriculum writing, program evaluation and other services. The firm located in Maryland, like so many other small businesses took a massive blow and became a casualty of the economic recession of 2010.

Today, he is CEO of a firm focused on educational publishing and consulting.

“Vertex Learning, LLC is an educational publishing and consulting compa-

ny,” Porter says. “We publish any kind of book –textbooks, dissertation to book, monographs, novels, non-fiction, children’s books cookbooks, and more.”

Being an educator and working in various school districts allowed him to become vested in the underachievement of underrepresented students in America.

“I’d been in high schools from 1988 to 2001. I just began to see certain behaviors that I thought lent itself to poor academic performance on behalf of many minority students,” Porter says. “Ostensibly our students, particularly black boys are being groomed to aspire to jump high, run fast, or throw a ball through an apparatus rather than go to the library.”

When he took an interest in this subject, Porter wrote an op-ed about the disproportionate discipline of African-American kids in public schools, which opened the door to a three-year relationship with The Washington Post in 2011through 2014.

“I was on a panel with one of their reporters. So I reached out to him,” Porter recalls. “Told him I had a background in journalism and I was currently working the school system in the DC area. So I wrote the piece and then was contacted by the editor. We talked a bit. Gave him my background,” Porter adds. “They asked if I could submit my work to them and the rest is history.”

He believes that public schools are too heavily focused on athletics.

Students who have traditionally underperformed academically have become pawns in a system that serves as a feeder system for the NCAA. “We knew all about LeBron James by the time he was 14 years old.” He said. “When I would pitch story ideas regarding black students who excelled scholastically, I encountered significant roadblocks from editors. If we concentrated more on scholarship, we could erase the academic achievement gap that exists between African American students and all other students attending public schools.”

In 2014, Porter returned to his old stomping grounds, MSU Denver, to teach journalism classes to tomorrow’s journalists. He teaches Intro to Journalism, Mass Media, Reporting and Public Relations courses.

“I like the nontraditional student.

The fact they are actually living, working and experiencing life as an adult,” Porter says, “makes them far more mature and serious about their education.”

Shaun Schafer, department chair of MSU Denver’s Journalism and Technical Communications, believes Porter is an approachable and genial professor.

“He has one of the fundamental

qualities of being a good journalism professor–he has worked in the business,” Schafer says. “He knows what students need to succeed. I think he wants to make a difference in students’ lives and he works to not squander that opportunity.”

With every class Porter teaches, he wants to provide his students with real-world experience, starting with MSU Denver’s student news organization, Met Media.

“We’ve launched a new pilot program for reporting students to bring them to the Met one day a week and assign stories to them,” Porter explains. “Students can listen to me drone on in a lecture forever. But you take them to the source and Met Media is a wonderful opportunity for student reporters, broadcasters and even those who aspire to become PR professionals. Now my students have bylines.”

Steven Haigh, director of Met Media, describes how Porter and The Metropolitan newspaper’s Editor-inChief Esteban Fernandez worked together to get his reporting students more involved with the paper.

“Using his spring reporting students as guinea pigs, Porter and Fernandez instituted a program to involve the reporting class directly with the newspaper’s section editors,” Haigh says. “On Thursdays, students spend their class time with the editors going over assignments and accepting new ones for future weeks. When you play a big role in determining the positive future of the student newspaper,” Haigh adds, “that’s a pretty big impact.”

Student in his Fundamentals of Public Relations course are expected to select a company or organization that could use a good public relations plan and are required to formulate that plan. Porter wants students to take their well-crafted plans and pitch them to their company.

“When we say PR, it’s not just writing a press release. It’s not about just trying to get reporters interested in doing what your company is doing,” Porter explains. “It’s about how can we effectively leverage PR to transform a company or organization.”

Haigh explains why Porter is valuable to Met Media.

“He is a reliable communicator and easy to talk to. He believes strongly in accountability, not only from student to professor but also the converse,” Haigh says. “He comes to class prepared and expects the same from students. I’m very happy to have him as our faculty adviser for print and I look forward to successful years ahead.”.

Editor’s note: Titles by Porter are available at www.vertexlearning.com. For more information call, 800-995-7670.

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Get Your Body Summer Ready

By Kim Farmer

Summer is just around the cor-

ner and after a long winter or spring, like most people you are probably looking forward to getting outdoors.

However, you may still need to shed the excess weight you gained over spring so that you can fit into the lighter (and often smaller!) summer garments. The good thing is that with the right approach you can have a summer body in no time. Read on for a few tips.

First, develop a plan of what you want to achieve and by when.

However, you must be realistic: If it took you three months to add eight pounds, you will need at least several weeks or a month to get rid of that weight. Initially your body will respond to any new activity and the weight may come off easy in the beginning, but don’t be fooled into thinking that you can stop exercising since you have lost a few pounds. It is likely that you will regain the weight you have lost if you stop or slow down your activity level so persist with exercise to see more permanent results.

Select the right company. It is always easier to get a body ready for the summer if you have a partner since you can motivate each other and hold each other accountable. Also, when you have a partner you will feel safer exercising outdoors if your neighborhood isn’t entirely walkable.

Choose a partner that will encourage you when times get tough and you feel unmotivated, as opposed to someone that has a competitive nature, unless you are driven to win. For most

people, the social aspect of having a partner does the trick.

Avoid rushing to join a gym: Many people who want to lose weight are swayed by promises of low membership fees; however the majority of people who join a gym don’t show up after the first week and end up paying unused gym fees for 2 to 3 years.

Remember during the summer, the weather is nice and the days are long and this is another reason why being outdoors is a great option, especially in cities with great scenery. There is absolutely no reason why you cannot exercise outdoors as a way to help with your weight loss goals, and the nice weather is a bonus.

Eat the right foods: To drop the pounds you may have gained over the colder months, pay attention to your eating habits. Avoid sugary and high fat foods to eliminate empty calories and unwanted pounds. Focus on eating more fresh veggies and fruits, nuts, whole wheat, lean protein and low-fat dairy. Enjoy the junk foods that you like but eat them in moderation and only on occasion. As for beverages, limit alcoholic drinks since they can contain as much as 90-150 calories per glass. If you need to quench your thirst, drink a lot of water – it is calorie free helps with weight loss, helps your body perform at its best, and it’s free!

Exercise: There are hundreds of exercises recommended for people who want to lose weight, but if you want to be ready for summer, choose an exercise that you like otherwise you will stop doing it. To stay motivated, change the type of exercise and modify your routine regularly. If you are confused with what exercise to do, start with walking. It is perhaps the best exercise for beginners. Start by walking an hour every day and that alone can help you lose 300 calories per day or about 2,000 calories per week which equals about half a pound of weight loss. In two months, you can easily lose 4 to 5 pounds. Walking allows you to enjoy nature; it is free and easy to start.

Relax: In order to achieve your summer body, you also need to relieve stress and ease the tension of everyday life. Losing weight and getting your body ready for summer requires a comprehensive change in lifestyle and thus, you want to have fun along the way. To avoid the stress of daily work and life, practice yoga, tai chi, meditate or perform deep breathing exercises as often as your schedule will allow. Don’t forget the importance of getting enough sleep! It is tempting to sacrifice sleep to get more done, but your body requires enough rest in order to function at its full capacity.

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Getting your body in shape for the summer months requires patience! So don’t get frustrated if things aren’t moving along as quickly as you would like. Remember, the benefits of having (and keeping) your summer body go way beyond looking and feeling healthy for a season, the benefits will last a lifetime.

Thanks for reading! .

Editor’s note: Kim Farmer of Mile High Fitness & Wellness offers in-home personal training and corporate wellness solutions.

For more information, visit www.milehighfitness.com or email inquiries@milehighfitness.com.

Chief of Police Robert C. White to Retire

Search for Next Police Chief Now Underway

After more than six years of leading the Denver Police Department, Mayor Michael B. Hancock announced that Chief of Police Robert C. White will be retiring, and will officially depart from his role upon the appointment of the next police chief.

“On behalf of everyone in Denver, I want to thank Chief White for his dedication to our city and his distinguished service over these past six years,” Mayor Hancock said.

“Through his great work, he has firmly established a legacy of building strong community relationships and a police department better equipped and prepared to keep our neighborhoods and residents safe, and I wish the Chief all the best in his muchdeserved retirement.”

Chief White was sworn in as the 69th Chief of Police for the Denver Police Department on December 12, 2011. Over the next six years, under his leadership, the Denver Police Department underwent numerous organizational and policy improvements that have positioned the department to better serve and protect the residents of Denver: •Reorganizing the department’s management structure, civilianizing positions where appropriate and redrawing the boundaries of the city’s police districts to improve efficiency and meet the needs of Denver’s growing population, ensuring the highest level of safety in Denver’s neighborhoods.

•Heightening safety in downtown Denver/Police District 6 and along the 16th Street Mall, including assigning more patrol officers to the district, operating a Mall kiosk staffed with

MAYOR’S CORNER

Volunteers in Police Service midway at Skyline Park, training the Mall ambassador team to improve education and communication on safety, dedicating police officers to walk the Mall during the summer, increasing bikes patrols on Cherry Creek Bike Path, and introducing Segways on patrol downtown.

•Modernizing officer training to include adult education best practices and a focus on officer wellness, resiliency and physical therapy, and enhancing the city’s recruitment of new officers to meet the needs of a growing city.

•Re-writing the departments use of force policy to emphasize de-escalation tactics, and developing a demographic data collection program to help determine whether or not certain populations are being contacted by police officers at disproportionate rates.

•Adopting new technologies to enhance officer and public safety, including body-worn cameras for both on and off-duty officers, a state-of-theart training simulator, and Denver’s use of cutting-edge gunshot detection technology to help address gun violence.

•Enhancing interactions with vulnerable residents, including creating a unit focused on crimes against at-risk adults, teaming patrol officers with mental health professionals through the co-responder program, partnering with multiple agencies at the Rose Andom Center addressing domestic violence, establishing an officer liaison to the LGBTQ community and expanding the Volunteers in Police Service program.

•Enhancing relationships with residents to build trust and encourage an open dialogue on issues facing the city through community forums and events, positive youth contacts, outreach to immigrant communities, and a robust social media strategy to build trust and encourage an open dialogue on issues facing the city and to help with crime prevention.

“It has been my honor to serve the people of this great city and this department of truly exceptional officers and staff. And I want to thank Mayor Hancock for allowing me the opportunity to strengthen the department and its bonds to the community.

It has been an incredibly challenging and rewarding six plus years that I will forever be grateful for and proud of,” said Chief White.

During his six years as Chief of Police, Chief White established a deep bench of leadership and skilled management within the department, and candidates for the next Chief of Police will be limited to current and retired

members of the Denver Police Department. A search committee selected by Mayor Hancock will be formed to identify candidates. In addition, four community forums will be held, and an email address set up to gather to community feedback on what Denver residents are looking for in the next Chief. The search committee will review community feedback and candidate submissions, and advance candidates to the Mayor and Executive Director of Safety Troy Riggs.

Following the interviews, Mayor Hancock will select his appointment.

Current and former colleagues shared these remarks: “Nationally recognized as a leader on matters of public safety, Chief White has been an asset to Denver and our neighbors. His retirement, while well-earned, will leave a void in our community,” said City Council President Albus Brooks.

“The Denver Police Foundation was saddened to hear about Chief White’s planned retirement. Under his visionary leadership, the Denver Police Department has implemented a number of progressive programs that will benefit the dedicated men and women in the department, as well as the Denver community, for generations to come. Chief White’s retirement marks the departure of a great representative of Denver and a good friend to its citizens. While the Denver Police Foundation and I are sorry to see him leave, we thank Chief White for his service and wish him and his family the very best going forward,” said Christian Anschutz, board chair for the Denver Police Foundation.

“In my 30 plus years of dealing with youth issues and gang violence in Denver, I have seen a lot. The last six years have been the most encouraging in addressing these problems, and that is due in large part to the leadership and guidance of Chief Robert White. Chief White has been very supportive of many of the community efforts for reform, inside and outside the Denver Police Department.

His willingness to work to level the playing field has impressed me; he is definitely at the top of my list of innovators for police change. Most importantly, while I commend what he’s been able to do as the police chief, I have also been privileged to know him as a husband and a father. His ability to balance work, home, and spiritual life is an inspiration. Thank you, Chief White, for all the work you have done for our great city of Denver,” said Reverend Leon Kelly, executive director, Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives.

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“Chief Robert White’s legacy will be that he left the Denver Police Department a substantially better organization than when he arrived.

He sent Denver officers across the country to learn about best practices in policing, and to share information about the cutting-edge work being done in Denver. He opened up the department to change and innovation. Some of these changes were easier than others, but that is the challenge facing all reformers. Chief White wasn’t afraid to challenge conventional thinking, and the Denver Police Department is better for it,” said Chuck Wexler, executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum.

“RC White was one of the most important mentors in my career; and to some extent, in my personal life.

Back when I started in policing there were not many women to mentor new officers; RC never made a distinction when it came to mentoring. He mentored everyone he felt had potential and inspired others that probably didn’t have the potential until they worked for him. You don’t find many people like him in policing or any profession for that matter. Sad to see him retire,” said Cathy L. Lanier, Senior Vice President, Chief Security Officer for the National Football League, and former Chief of Police, Washington DC Metro Police Department.

“When we merged our City and County Police Departments, after a national search, I selected Chief White to create a new department from the two former public safety organizations. Chief White was a change agent that melded the best of both departments and gave the citizens of Louisville, KY an enhanced public safety organization. Chief White is a man with unquestioned integrity, passion for his officers as well as the citizens they serve, outstanding communication skills, and a great listener. He was a leader who focused his leadership skills on community service, social awareness, and setting a clear tone that officers and citizens alike should be treated fairly, held accountable for their actions, and appreciated for their diverse views and perspectives. Chief White is one of the finest human beings I have ever met in my career in Public Service,” said Jerry Abramson, former Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky.

Before becoming Denver’s Chief of Police, Chief White was the Chief of Police for the Louisville Metro Police Department in Louisville, KY. He began his career in law enforcement in 1972 with the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C. .

Jazzin’ it up with Dr. Tone

“I wrote this song to help keep the world safer,” Dr. Tone says. “Check the statistics. Everyone you know has a cell phone can’t leave home without it.”

When asked about the challenges of having a career in the music industry, Dr. Tone says the hardest part is the competition and keeping his band relevant. In contrast, he says the rewards outweigh the difficulties and is well worth it.

“Stay with your music,” Dr. Tone says. “It’s good for your body and soul.”.

Editor’s note: For more information, visit: www.numberonemusic.com/drtonethenotes.

M

By Kavann Tok

ilton Larry, aka Dr. Tone, was born in New York City in 1938, growing up on the sounds of smooth jazz and old school funk like James Brown, Nat King Cole and The Moonglows.

Forming a love for music early on, he taught himself how to play the guitar, piano and bass by ear.

Dr. Tone has played in numerous bands over the decades, his most current being a jazz and blues band, Dr. Tone and the Notes. The band, formed about 20 years ago, consists of Dr. Tone (vocals/guitar), Myles Q. King (keyboards), Henry Hudson III (alto saxophone), Larry W. King (bass/background vocals), Steven Dunn (drummer/producer) and Tree King (narrator/voiceover and project manager). They have performed for the Governor’s Inaugural Ball and for the Honorable Wellington E. Webb, Denver’s first African American mayor of Denver, in 1991.

“It was just beautiful,” Dr. Tone explains. “It was always lovely playing for some of Colorado’s dignitaries.”

During the ‘60s, Dr. Tone and the Notes opened for the Casino Ballroom Saturday night dances. They also performed at the Owl Club Debutante Ball for several years. Other musicians Larry performed with included Al “Hammond” Moore, Neil Bridge 7 plus band and The Monterey’s.

“I call him Al Hammond Moore because he’d always play the Hammond organ,” Dr. Tone says. “At that particular time, I was just a singer with his band, and he played some organ. He burned the organ up.”

In 1956, Dr. Tone enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he became involved with a special service vocal group called The Four KP’s, which stands for “kitchen police.”

“The KP’s were on kitchen duty,” Dr. Tone says. “That’s how we came up with the name. We were a four piece vocal group. That’s how it started, and we performed all over the United States.”

His latest adventure is a song called “Please, Please, Please, Please, Please Don’t be a F.O.P. (Fool on the Phone),” which is a social commentary about the dangers people face of constantly being on their cellphones. All too often, he witnessed people walking and driving, distracted by being on their cellphones. This concern inspired his new song “Don’t Be A FOP,” produced by Steven Dunn at Dunn4U Studios in Denver.

Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – June 2018

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CBAF Call For Artists

The Colorado Black Arts Festival (CBAF) is gearing up for the 2018 festival, “The Art of Knowing,” with a call for artists – gospel choirs, quartets, youth groups, urban R&B, jazz or funk – to participate and perform. The main stage will present youth day on Friday, July 13; Urban/R&B on Saturday, July 14 and Gospel on Sunday, July 15.

For more information or to participate, call 303-306-8572, visit www.colbaf.org or email info@colbafweb.org.

To perform, call Ron Ivory (Urban) at 303-344-9904 or Mitchell Rivers (Gospel) at 720-628-8022.

The O’Jays Come To The Hudson Gardens in June

The Hudson Gardens & Event Center announced the schedule of artists performing during the 2018 Summer Concert Series. The lineup spans seven decades of American music and encompasses a vast range of influences, including Rockabilly/ Swing, R&B, Southern Rock, Reggae, Pop/Rock, and Country.

The O’Jays will perform June 24.

Other performers include Brian Setzer’s Rockabilly Riot!, Special, Super Diamond (with fireworks), Firefall (with fireworks), Tommy

COMMUNITY NOTES

Award Winning Fashion Designers Make Colorado Debut

The O’Jays

James & The Shondells/Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone, Sheryl Crow (sold out), Third Eye Blind, Chris Isaak, UB40 featuring Ali Campbell, Astro & Mickey, Kenny Loggins, Toto, Josh Turner, Big & Rich and Boz Scaggs.

The Hudson Gardens & Event Center is located at 6115 South Santa Fe Drive in Littleton. Parking is free.

For dates and tickets, visit www.altitudetickets.com. Prices and show times vary by artist. For more information about Hudson Gardens’ events, visit www.hudsongardens.org or call 303-797-8565.

Sheryl Renee Productions will present Wilbourn Sisters Designs, Inc., to the Rocky Mountain region with a one day extravaganza...a Pop Up Shop and Runway Fashion Show on August 12. The designers will be trucking in racks of colorful and comfortable signature designs, priced to move, retail and wholesale. The sale will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with free admission.

Later that evening, Wilbourn Sisters Designs will present an exclusive invitation only runway fashion show, featuring local models and entertainment by Sheryl Renee, followed by a meet and great.

Both events will take place in The Room with THE View, at the Field House Event Venue, 1600 Federal Blvd. in Denver.

For more information, visit wilbournsistersdesigns.com or call 720-276-5234.

Cirque du Soleil CORTEO Comes To Colorado

After thrilling more than eight million people worldwide, CORTEO has embarked on a new journey as the same enchanting production but now in arenas, giving more people the opportunity to enjoy a Cirque du Soleil show in their own town. The show will visit Loveland at the Budweiser Events Center from May 31 to June 3.

CORTEO, which means cortege in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown. The cast includes 51 acrobats, musicians, singers and actors from all around the world.

Sean Lomax as Mr. Loyal (The Whistler) has been whistling since he was five years old back in Braddock, just outside of Pittsburgh, PA. In 1985, Sean attended a whistling competition in Carson City, NV. Sean won The International Whistler’s Convention’s Grand Champion Whistler in 1989 and 1992.

Lomas join Corteo during its creation in 2004, as the role of The Loyal Whistler. He returns to Corteo arena show for its North American tour.

For more information or tickets, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com. .

Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – June 2018

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Sign Up To Tutor a Child in Reading This Summer

Join Children’s Literacy Center in providing FREE individual tutoring to children reading below grade level.

Tutor one child, two hours a week and help that child become a successful reader over a 6-week course. Tutoring is held at Z-Place on the Evie Dennis Campus every Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. and begins June 18. Training is provided for all volunteers and must be 14 years of age or older.

For more information or to sign up, visit www.childrensliteracycenter.org, call Pamela at 719-471-8672 or email pamela@childrensliteracycenter.org.

Free Checkups Help Aging Drivers Be Safer on the Road

For the last two years, the Reaching Older Adult Drivers (ROAD) program provided CarFit®, an educational program that offers older adults the opportunity to check how well their personal vehicles “fit” them for greater comfort, control and safety.

During a CarFit® event, trained technicians work with drivers to make small adjustments to basic things such as proper settings for their side mirrors and seat positioning which can make a big difference in a driver’s comfort level and help protect them and those around them.

The 20 minute checkup is free, but registration is requested.

For dates, locations, or to register, call 303-991-5740.

New Secondary Education Scholarship Available in Honor of Former CEO Sandy Neves

The Sandy Neves Scholarship was named in honor of former Chief Executive Officer Sandy Neves of Fitzsimons Credit Union (FCU). Neves retired in 2017 after 36 years of service to the organization. This scholarship (ranging from $1,000 to $5,000) represents her commitment to life-long learning and her belief that education is essential toward self-fulfillment.

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, at least 16 years of age; must be a member of Fitzsimons Credit Union; must be pursuing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree at a two or four-year accredited institution in the U.S.; must submit a complete application with required documents post-marked, emailed, or faxed by June 15.

Applications are available online at FitzsimonsCU.com/SandyNevesSchol arship, by email at Scholarship@FitzsimonsCU.com, or at a branch locations. For more information visit www.FitzsimonsCU.com.

The Temptations’ Otis Williams Talks MICHAEL JACKSON, SMOKEY ROBINSON & BERRY GORDY

S

ince signing with Berry Gordy’s Motown Records in 1961, the legendary Temptations have gone through many incarnations in their more than 50 years making music.

From fledgling singers riding the early wave of Motown’s signature hybrid Rock n’ Roll/R&B sound, to becoming international hitmakers and now mainstays of American culture.

That Motown sound, including The Temptations’ greatest hits, has become a universally celebrated comfort food for the soul. Who hasn’t hummed along with the classics My Girl, The Way You Do The Things You Do, Ain’t Too Proud To Beg, Get Ready, Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone and Just My Imagination?

With nine Grammy nominations, four Grammy wins, and a 2013 Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award, the group is still bringing Tempts magic to worldwide audiences, with what founding member, Otis Williams, says is the group’s strongest lineup in two decades.

Their new album, All The Time, covers Sam Smith’s “Stay With Me,” The Weeknd’s “Earned It,” originally recorded for Fifty Shades of Grey, Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” and Michael Jackson’s “Remember The Time.” New original songs on the album include “Waitin’ On You,” “Be My Wife,” and “Move Them Britches.” The digital album’s two bonus tracks include a ‘Gospel Mix’ of their rendition of Sam Smith’s “Stay With Me” and a special ‘Heathens Mix’ for “Move Them Britches.”

Every note on the new album is infused with that yearning, soulful, seamlessly harmonized blend The Temptations are celebrated for.

I had a chance to sit down with Temptations’ founder and last surviving original member, Otis Williams, to discuss the group’s first studio album in eight years, All The Time, and their upcoming tour throughout the U.S. and UK. We talked about his relationships with fellow Motown alumni

By Allison Kugel

Photos by Jay Gilbert/Universal Music Enterprises

including the late Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy.

Williams is humbled by his five-decade long success in the music industry, but not unaware of the indelible impact he and his bandmates have had on music, the entertainment industry and popular culture.

Allison Kugel: Tell me about the most significant benchmark events

in your life; the events that shaped your destiny.

Otis Williams: First would have to be my two grandmothers. I was raised by my grandmother on my mother’s side and my grandmother on my father’s side. They instilled in me a lot of great qualities that I carry with me through present day.

Naturally, my mother’s influ-

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ence, and then the other thing is timing. Timing can be the most important thing in our lives, for good or bad. The good thing about my timing is that I was brought to Detroit from Texarkana when I was growing up and being in Detroit when Berry (Gordy) started Motown.

Detroit is always known for being the town of the Big Four: Chrysler, General Motors, Ford and Motown.

And of course, being aligned with some great guys, speaking first and foremost of the original Tempts lineup. It was David, Eddie, Paul, Melvin and myself. When I stop and think back on that time in my life, I didn’t know that we would reach such heights and enjoy such a wonderful and exciting adventure. My career has been so illustrious that it’s hard to pinpoint just one moment.

Allison Kugel: When you’re performing on stage or recording in the studio, do you feel the spirit of some of the other members who’ve passed, particularly the “classic five” including as you mentioned above: David, Eddie, Paul and Melvin? Do you feel their presence with you?

Otis Williams: I definitely feel the presence of David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams and Melvin Franklin because we were such a unique lineup, and I would like to think we made such a profound statement together during the time that David was with us. I carry those four, their memory, and their presence since their leaving. I definitely carry the spirit of them, and also Dennis Edwards because a lot of people also look at him as an original Temptation. He (recorded) so many hits with us. In fact, he was on more hits with us than David was. I still feel the presence of those guys.

Allison Kugel: Let’s discuss your new album, All The Time (released May 4). Why the eight-year break from recording, prior to making this album? And why come out with a new album now?

Otis Williams: With Motown’s slow demise, and when the company went out of business, we continued to sing. We did a few albums, but nothing of real note. At one point I said to myself, “Maybe we should just perform.” We were always one of the hardest working acts in the business.

Then when I went up to Universal with my grandson, and I spoke to Bruce Resnikoff (CEO of Universal Music Enterprises), he asked out of the blue, “Otis, would you record?” As you said, there was an eight-year gap, and I said, “Yes, we would love to record!” Mr. Resnikoff was the catalyst for us going back into the studio.

We went into the studio and he told us he wanted us to do some covers. I then said I wanted to mix it up and do some original songs as well, so it wouldn’t just be an album of covers.

The word of mouth from those that have heard the album, and on social media, has been very good.

Allison Kugel: You cover some amazing artists, including Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, your friend, the late Michael Jackson, The Weeknd… You cover the Michael Jackson song, Remember The Time. That was an interesting choice.

Otis Williams: I’m a big Michael Jackson fan. We used to sit and talk when we were all at Motown together.

Michael invited me to the set when he was doing the video for Remember The Time. He and I sat in his trailer and we talked in between them getting the lighting and the stage ready for him to come out and do his video.

So, I chose to record Remember The Time, because that’s what I was doing, remembering the time when Michael said, “Otis, come on down and watch me do this video.” It was fond memories and why we recorded that song for this album.

Allison Kugel: Since you knew him well, tell me, who was Michael Jackson?

Otis Williams: Michael Jackson, during the times I spent with him, was a wonderful spirit. He was like a little kid, you know? At the time, he was very much a grown man, but Michael is one of those (talents) that God gives us every so often like Prince, like Elvis, like Sinatra. Certain talent come along that will make a statement while they are here, and even when they are long gone. Michael was such a unique force, but he was a kid at heart. Part of the problem with Michael is that he didn’t get a chance to have much of a childhood. He was thrust into being in showbusiness, which can be so time consuming, that it took away a lot from him growing up and being a kid.

But sitting around and talking with him, he was a fine brother, fun loving and a unique energy.

Allison Kugel: What’s the greatest piece of advice you’ve gotten from Smokey Robinson?

Otis Williams: With Smokey it was always more about the musical collaboration. It was always, “Hey Tempts, I got a song for you!” He didn’t sit down and philosophize with us about what we should or shouldn’t do.

Smokey was just one of the guys just like we were, and he would always come to us with great songs. He was doing his thing with The Miracles and the Tempts were doing our thing. But just him being around and picking up the essence of Smokey, the good heart of Smokey, it spoke volumes about him as a person.

Allison Kugel: In what ways was (Motown’s founder) Berry Gordy a significant teacher in your life?

Otis Williams: Berry is such a unique person. Berry started out being a songwriter and he had to take off the songwriter hat to become president, because Motown was really taking off.

We would sit around and listen to him talk. He was very profound in his dedication about what Motown and its artists should be. At the same time, Berry was funny as hell and like a little kid. He used to be a boxer coming up, and he would show us how he would spar. Berry and James Jamerson (a regular bass player on many Motown hits), one time we were outside in front of Motown, and they were mock sparring, because Jamerson liked karate and Berry was a boxer. Berry would then turn right around and philosophize and talk about his dedication and his purpose for Motown. But Berry was learning to be a president as we were learning to be artists. He would often speak of dedication, and he had us groomed and made sure that all of his top-flight acts would go to school. We’d go to artist development school. That was from the mind of Berry Gordy. I still see Berry more than I see Smokey.

Berry is a great person.

Allison Kugel: What is the greatest lesson you’ve learned in your life so far?

Otis Williams: It’s hard to pick just one. There are a multitude of things I’ve learned that keep me grounded, but the one thing that is constant in life is change. Not everybody can adapt to change. Some people catch hell trying to change with the times.

It’s an understanding that change is a natural part of life, and being able to adapt when change comes about. .

Editor’s note: Allison Kugel is a syndicated entertainment and pop culture journalist, and author of the book, Journaling Fame: A memoir of a life unhinged and on the record. Follow her on Instagram @theallisonkugel. Interview produced in partnership with Wend y J Studios – capture classic moments with impeccable photography.

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Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – June 2018

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Passing the Torch

Continued from page 6 “My first dream was football, and I was actually a pretty decent player,” said Scottie. And despite having a physical talent rivaled by many, he still ended up having an instrument in his hands at the ripe age of 8 or 9years-old. “I actually started out on trumpet,” said Scottie, despite his father’s warnings to stay away from music.

“I always tried to tell Scottie, don’t play music ‘cause I was like, paying dues was rough,” admitted Billy. But probably like many musicians have ignored their fathers before them, Scottie Rich took on the same destiny as his dad.

Even if Scottie doesn’t remember the moment he really saw his father like the star we know him to be, until he was 13 years old, he knew that he played music for a living. And he knew that some of the names floating around next to his father’s name, were bigger than time. So despite Billy’s efforts, his son was intrigued.

“Because of my dad’s name, I picked up the bass,” said Scottie. “But my experience was a lot different [from my dad’s]. I didn’t have any struggles.”

Post-high school graduation, Scottie did something else similar to his father: he left home on tour. “I start touring internationally, doing more USO and DOD shows, for the military,” says Scottie. “I started off going overseas and it wasn’t as difficult as getting stranded.” Once he was back stateside, everything sort of took off from there. Scottie spent some times playing with big names (like dear old dad) and took that as an opportunity to branch off into his own thing.

“I played with a band called The Healers,” said Scottie, of his experience with the well-known reggae group. “The drummer and I broke off and started our own band, Lion Souljahs.” Whether or not the underlying factor to his success stems from learning his father’s story of struggle is true, Scottie’s own devotion to the music and naturally charismatic undertones say a lot. And his everchanging interest in different styles of music lends him a defined ear that hears creativity a mile away.

Citing Victor Wooten and Marcus Miller as some of his musical influencers, does not negate his father’s impact on him. How could it, when Scottie had backstage passes to some of his father’s best shows? This con-

nection has helped the two grow closer, not only because music has always bonded them. “I mean of course we’ve developed that strong bond, because we’re in the same world,” said Billy, matter of factly. “That’s my son, my boy.” A massive smile takes over his warm face, and you can feel the love just hovering. And it seems the tables have turned. “I’m learning stuff from him, you know,” Billy says, giving his son the props he’s earned.

As for whether the musical genes will continue on to the next generation of Rich men, is yet to be seen. “My kids are all grown,” said Scottie “but my 10-year-old is kinda interested in the guitar.” Just like Billy once did, Scottie has tried to steer his children away from the music world, but for different reasons than his dad did.

“There are so many people out there now that are so into music. And since you can record music at home, everyone is trying to get into it. But it’s not easy.”

And both Billy’s and Scottie’s stories are a perfect example of the triumphs that come from love, working hard, and staying humble. Because even if you know it’s going to be hard, that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth doing..

My First Year as A Democrat

Continued from page 3 And what I saw will be etched in my head forever. There was a little girl about three years old, skipping and playing on the playground. In the background, the area was surrounded by police and in some areas the crime tape was still up. But, there she was with not a care in the world, Mike and Courtney’s baby girl. I was shaken up by the whole day’s episode and now I was brought to tears by a little white baby girl playing in the re-built ruins of the burned out Holly, just feet away from a gang confrontation that lead to gunshots being fired.

I didn’t know it then but my judgement of Mike and Courtney was being developed. The Hiawatha Davis spirit was surely there that evening, and he would have wanted the Peace Rally to go on no matter what. Some members of the community were not going anywhere near the Holly – but the Johnstons lead the way.

After the Sandy Hook massacre killing 20 kids and six adults in Newtown, Connecticut, I vowed to work with Mom’s Demand Action (MDA), a nation-wide group.

Colorado had a bill on the table to require thorough background checks on anyone purchasing a gun. MDA had us calling our state legislators, Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – June 2018

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and congressional representatives pressing for immediate action for gun sense laws. The day the bill was open to the community, MDA had planned a large rally at the State Capital. I went to the rally and was swept up in the emotional testimonies of the parents who had lost their babies at Sandy Hook, the Columbine parents, survivors of the Aurora theater shooting and law enforcement from every area of the state.

I sat and listened to the speakers, one-by-one explain why they supported the bill or opposed it. The bill did pass and we now have state-wide background checks from a bill Senator Mike Johnston supported, making sure we are screening out potential problems.

Mike’s vision for gun safety is 1) get military-style weapons off our streets, 2) ban bump stocks, and 3) implement gun violence restraining orders which keeps guns out of the hands of those who pose a real threat.

In the State Senate, Mike took on the NRA twice and won. I continue to support Mom’s Demand Action. They have approved Mike as a MDA candidate who has a good vision for gun sense across our country. He marched with the students from Colorado and Parkland for the #Enough #NoMore and #ParklandStrong communities.

Before the Senate, he was a teacher and principal, and served as a senior education advisor to President Obama’s campaign. He is fluent in Spanish and held a town hall meeting in Spanish a few weeks ago. He helped turn around a failing school making sure that every senior went to college. He also led the passage of ASSET, which opened the opportunity to pursue college for hundreds of undocumented high school students by granting them the right to pay in-state tuition at all Colorado colleges.

In additions, Mike fought to make sure the kids of military families at Colorado colleges received in-state tuition.

In my judgement, Mike Johnston represents a great fit for my vote. I know some people are still “Undecided.” I’m glad my decision has been made.

Helen Rigmaiden Denver

HATS OFF TO

Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Announces Two New Trustees

Denver-based Bonfils-Stanton Foundation is proud to announce the appointments of two new board members, Dr. Nita Mosby Tyler, Chief Catalyst and Founder of The Equity Project, LLC; and Michael E. Bock, Managing Director of Petrie Partners.

Dr. Nita Mosby Tyler is the Chief Catalyst and founder of The Equity Project, LLC, an organization designed to support organizations and communities in building diversity, equity and inclusion strategies and the HR Shop, LLC, a boutique human resources firm designed to support non-profits and small businesses. She is the former senior vice president and Chief Inclusion Officer for Children’s Hospital Colorado and the former executive director of the Office of Human Resources for the City and County of Denver. Dr. Mosby Tyler, a consultant accredited by the Georgetown University National Center for Cultural Competence, is nationally recognized for her equity work with non-profit, community, government and corporate organizations. Dr. Mosby Tyler holds a doctorate in the field of organizational leadership, a Master of Arts degree in management and a Bachelor of Science degree in education.

Michael E. Bock is a managing director of Petrie Partners, an investment bank specializing in the energy industry. Prior to cofounding Petrie Partners in 2011, Bock was a managing director of Bank of America Merrill Lynch in the Global Energy & Power Investment Banking Group. Bock earned his B.A. degree, cum laude, in American History and Literature from

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Harvard University in 1987. He is a CFA charter holder and is a member of the CFA Institute and the Denver Society of Securities Analysts. Bock has served on the Board of Directors of Opera Colorado since 2011, including a 3-year term as chairman from 2014-2017. Bock was raised in Denver.

For more information visit, BonfilsStantonFoundation.org.

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Four DPS Schools Named in Top 10 Best High Schools in CO

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Denver Public Schools (DPS) announced 12 DPS high schools have received national recognition on the 2018 U.S. News and World Report’s list of “Best High Schools in America.�

The rankings included data on more than 20,000 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. The top 500 best public high schools in the nation earned gold medal status. Four DPS schools attained gold medal status.

The annual report recognized 72 Colorado schools among the U.S. News Best High Schools, including 11 gold medal schools, 31 silver medal schools and 30 bronze medal schools.

Following are the 2018 Best High Schools and Colorado Rankings for DPS’ High Schools: #2 KIPP Denver Collegiate High School – Gold Medal; #5 DSST: Stapleton High School – Gold Medal; #6 Denver Center for International Studies – Gold Medal; #8 Denver School of the Arts – Gold Medal; #12 East High School – Silver Medal; #15 DSST: Green Valley Ranch High School – Silver Medal; and #29 Thomas Jefferson High School – Silver Medal. Additional nationally recognized DPS’ High Schools include DSST College View High School – Bronze Medal; Denver School of Innovation and Sustainable Design – Bronze Medal; DSST: Cole High School – Bronze Medal; KIPP Northeast Denver Leadership Academy – Bronze Medal; and Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy – Bronze Medal

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Tune in to Denver 89.3FM, Breckenridge 89.7FM, Vail 88.5FM or download our app today and listen anytime, anywhere.

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AROUND TOWN •

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Happy 90th Birthday Daddy, Grand Daddy and Great Grand Daddy!

Doyle James - May 14, 2018 - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Happy 60th Birthday Shelton!

Photos by Ron Washington & Stephanie Colorado

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