Denver Urban Spectrum May 2016 by Denver Urban Spectrum

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MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLISHER Volume 30 Number 2

“When you have your health, you have everything”

May 2016

PUBLISHER Rosalind J. Harris

GENERAL MANAGER Lawrence A. James

MANAGING EDITOR Laurence C. Washington

CONTRIBUTING COPY EDITOR Angelia McGowan Tanya Ishikawa COLUMNISTS Earl Ofari Hutchinson Kim Farmer Sydney M. Odion-Smith FILM CRITIC BlackFlix.Com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Charles Emmons Melovy Melvin Kavann Tok Laurence Washington ART DIRECTOR Bee Harris

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jody Gilbert - Kolor Graphix

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Melovy Melvin

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Lens of Ansar Bernard Grant DISTRIBUTION Glen Barnes Lawrence A. James Ed Lynch

How often have you heard or said that familiar quote? Whether you believe it or not, it holds true in relationship with this month’s issue. The world is mourning the loss of musical icon Prince. And although an autopsy was performed and it will be several weeks before the full toxicology results are released to determine his demise and although his body has been cremated and a private beautiful ceremony to honor the music legend has been held, the sad truth is Prince is gone, and from the words of many – way too soon. With much love and gratitude, we dedicate this issue to his memory of what he gave to the world in his short 57 years.

Health is in the forefront of this issue. Managing editor Laurence Washington talks about the challenge Black churches have taken to get at 1,000 peopled tested for the HIV/AIDS virus. Without meeting that goal, funding could disappear that has been allocated to help eradicate this disease from the African American communities. Check out other health related stories about an upcoming women’s symposium, what are healthy fats and why everyone should visit a dietician. Hey…did I say managing editor Laurence Washington? We are happy to welcome back long-time supporter and past editor Laurence Washington who is an award-winning journalist and has been teaching journalism at Metropolitan State University of Denver since 1995. He has worked as a staff and freelance reporter for several of Colorado's leading daily newspapers including Boulder Daily Camera, Ft. Collins Coloradan and Aurora Sentinel and the late great Rocky Mountain News. He also works as the film critic for the Denver Urban Spectrum. Entertainment is also bountiful in this issue. Chante “songbird” Moore graced Denver with her presence and a Denver drummer talks about Tears of Joy. And also, the history of the famed Colorado Flyers was worthy of a part 2 story. As you remember Prince and others who are gone due to some form of illness, honor what they gave to you and the world. Lastly, take care of yourself and the ones you love and get tested.

Rosalind J. Harris DUS Publisher

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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 2016 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.

Real Talk On Racial Justice

Editor: I picked up a copy of Denver Urban Spectrum this morning and was absolutely thrilled to read Theo E. J. Wilson’s piece, Donald Trump: Relapse into Racial Violence. It’s been a good long time since an article in any of Denver’s free newspapers (or any article, published anywhere) actually entertained me, educated me, and inspired me. I wish we had more publications and more writers willing to point out the hypocrisy/lunacy/ nonsense that forms a distressingly large part of American’s conversation about racial justice. Note to Wellington Webb: Read more of Theo’s stuff.

Gregory Hill Denver, CO

Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – May 2016

Faith-based HIV Awareness and Testing Intervention T

he HIV/AIDS virus was once

thought to be a gay white man dis-

ease – it isn’t. And after three decades since the epidemic began, HIV/AIDS is still

prevalent – especially in the

Black community. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): *Gay and bisexual men account for more than half of estimated new HIV diagnoses among African-Americans. *The number of HIV diagnoses among African-American women has declined, though it is still high compared to women of other races/ethnicities. Dr. Carroll Watkins Ali, a board member of the Greater Denver Interfaith Alliance, has been concerned about the HIV/AIDS epidemic since the initial outbreak in the U.S. during the early 1980s. She says 120,000 African-Americans live in the Denver metro-area – which equates to 12 percent of the greater metropolitan area. However, 14.5 percent of those Coloradans are living with HIV/AIDS. Dr. Ali says 50 additional AfricanAmericans are diagnosed with HIV each year, compared to 10 whites and 16 Latinos. To underline Denver’s shocking statistics, the CDC reports that African-Americans have the most HIV cases of all racial/ethnic groups in the United States – even though Blacks represent less than 15 percent of the total U.S. population.

A Viable Option

Most people do not consider Black churches to be a viable option for HIV prevention – but they are. And for years Black clergy have taken harsh criticism for remaining silent about the disease, because of the church’s unyielding stance on gay sex and drug use – a fact that many medical experts denounce as ignorant and an unfounded stigma. On the other hand, Black clergy does have its champions, saying it’s unfair to single out the church,

because there has been a growing number of HIV prevention

So far this year United Church of Montbello has tested about 30 participants. In previous years, as part of its efforts for World AIDS Day Worship/Recognition, there were between 10 and 20 tests administered by the United Church of Montbello.

Everyone Is At Risk

The CDC reports one out of seven individuals, who participate in HIV/AIDS screening, test positive and would have unknowingly pass the virus onto others if they went undetected. And the 56 percent of church members feel more encouraged and comfortable receiving HIV screening administered in the church rather than visiting a clinic with friends or family. “Our testing, so far, has been offered following worship services in the month of April,” Dr. Fouther says. “We are also offering testing on Thursdays, beginning at 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. This is to ensure more privacy for those who wish it. Persons wishing to utilize the Thursday hours should call the church office at 303373-0070 and let us know which Thursday they would like to come.” Dr. Fouther adds the next phase of testing is with local schools on behalf of The United Church of Montbello. The screening program offered by the Black churches help individuals, even those who do not consider themselves as high risk, to know their status. “We know IV drug users,” Dr. Fouther says, “men who have unprotected sex with men, but most importantly African-American women are at a significant risk right now. Women who don’t know whether their male partners have had unprotected sex with other men are especially vulnerable. It is important for us all to know our status. “HIV is a life changing disease and for this generation,” says Dr. Johnny Johnson, president of the Mile High Medical Society, “fighting this disease is only half the battle. The rest of this

and treatment programs currently offered by Black churches across the U.S. and in the Mile High-City. Cornerstone institutions such as Black churches, barbershops and beauty salons, have become practical places to address concerns about prevention and efforts to stop the HIV epidemic in the Black community, removing the myths about the disease. Several Denver area Black churches are hosting HIV screening events open to the public – teens, adults and seniors are encouraged to participate. The screenings, funded by The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), is totally free. “We’ve been doing AIDS/HIV screenings at the United Church of Montbello for well over five years now,” explains Pastor Dr. James Fouther, Jr. “Mostly in the past, we’ve done them in conjunction with our World AIDS Day programs that we’ve co-sponsored with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Denver, Colorado AIDS Project. Dr. Fouther adds, last year the United Church of Montbello became involved with Dr. Ali and the Interfaith Collaborative of Churches, Mosques, etc. to do more testing than merely the one day of testing that was done previously for their World AIDS Day programs.

Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – May 2016

By Laurence Washington

battle is the day to day problems that we as Black African Americans must deal with. We have to separate facts from fiction, and get on with living together. Get the facts. The answer is simple: Get tested! Find an HIV testing site near you.” Dr. Ali explains Greater Denver Interfaith Alliance has been conducting HIV screenings since 2005. “However, It Takes a Village in Aurora (Imani Latif, director) and Brother Jeff’s Community Health Initiative in Denver took the lead in HIV screening the African-American community years earlier. Dr. Ali adds Rev. Lewis F. Brown, New Beginnings Cathedral of Worship, was the first pastor to model HIV screening in his church in Aurora. “Currently, these congregations are taking the lead to impact HIV prevention in the African-American community, but are also working with other churches, to help change the environment in the Black Faith Community around HIV/AIDS,” Ali says. Dr. Ali punctuates the point that these congregations hope to remove the ignorance, denial and stigma so that our community will understand that HIV is a serious health issue for the Black community. And courageous Denver area faith leaders and their congregations are willing to break the silence and confront HIV head on without blaming, shaming or condemning anyone.

Health Fairs

“Everyone is encouraged to know their HIV status,” Ali says. “The hope is that screening in churches will catch on and become a regular part of churches’ health ministry.” So how does it work? Relatively the process is a quick and painless oral test with swab of the mouth. Results are known in 20 minutes. The entire process takes about 30 minutes.

Many people tested were found to be single, with no insurance, were inconsistent with condom use and had the best intentions to be tested at a future date. Screenings begin in May and end June 30. The goal is to test 1,000 people in the community so that funding will continue from the CDPHE to effectively impact HIV prevention. “This is a first, a pilot project – we have a lot to prove,” Dr. Ali says, “especially that we can come together as a community with the faith community taking the lead to end the threat of HIV/AIDS for future generations. People have the option of contacting any of the congregations directly that is listed in this article to set up individual appointments, or to take part in screening sessions following worship services. “We will also be offering screening at health fairs and other local community events during May and June,” Dr.

Ali says. “People can also contact me directly at my office at 303-297-8010 ext. 104 and I will provide them with a referral.” Dr. Fouther says The United Church of Montbello is hungry to embrace the compassionate stance its three denominations hold (UCC/UMC/PCUSA) where the issues of HIV/AIDS are concerned. The awareness of this present urgency for HIV testing was a surprise at first for his congregation. “But I am extraordinarily proud of our congregation for being strong advocates for saving lives through testing,” Dr. Fouther says. “And I am convinced that’s what we are doing. We are saving lives with every test and every person’s HIV status being revealed.” Dr. Ail emphasizes that the Black community needs to get the victory over HIV/AIDS. “If we don’t, the next generation will wonder what were they thinking...?”

HIV/AIDS Participating Screening Sites

•Agape Christian Church, Dr. Robert Woolfolk •Shorter Community AME Church, Rev. Dr. Timothy Tyler •The House Worship Center, Pastor Del Phillips •The Norteast Denver Islamic Center, Imam Abdur-Rahim Ali •True Light Baptist Church, Rev. Dr. William Golson, Jr. •United Church of Montbello, Rev. Dr. James Fouther, Jr. •The Peoples' Presbyterian Church, Daphne Rice-Allen •Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. Ronald Wooding •The Denver Park Hill Seventh Day Adventist Church, Elder Byron Conner, MD. •Dr. Johnny Johnson/ Western OBGYN Associates, Johnny Johnson, MD

Ken Sherod Owner

Living With HIV and Deaths

•At the end of 2012, an estimated 496,500 African-Americans were living with HIV, representing 41 percent of all Americans living with the virus. Of African-Americans living with HIV, around 14 percent do not know they are infected.

•Of African-Americans diagnosed with HIV in 2013, 79 percent were linked to HIV medical care within 3 months, but only 51 percent were retained in HIV care (receiving continuous HIV medical care)

•Only 37percent of African-Americans living with HIV at the end of 2012 were prescribed antiretroviral therapy (ART), the medicines used to treat HIV, and only 29 percent had achieved viral suppression.

•In 2013, 3,742 African-Americans died of HIV or AIDS, accounting for 54 percent of total deaths attributed to the disease that year. (Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention)

Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – May 2016

Colorado Flyers

Champions Running the Track to Success By Charles Emmons

pring is the season of renewal and new commitments. It’s the time when high school student athletes make their choices for the colleges and universities they will attend. Many fortunate young men and women receive full-ride scholarships because of their skills. Athletics is a bridge to opportunities, and students must make the most of what they are offered and given, despite their records and achievements. In May, the Colorado Flyers Track Club will have its 50th reunion at the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library, and budding stars will take to the track at the 11th Annual Freddie Houston Meet of Champions track meet at the Evie Dennis complex in Green Valley Ranch. The Flyers have been presenting and coaching track stars since 1966

with the aim of used to transport helping young peothe young women, ple get college scholwho were track arships. Yvonne and field aspirants, Braxton received the across the country first full-ride scholby car. arship to Jackson “My daughter State University in came home one 1976. According to day from elemenRobert Smith, the tary school and founder and presisaid she wanted to dent, some 280 athrun track. The letes have been coach had been Paula McClain running the winning anchor leg for the going around Colorado Flyers. 880-yard medley relay for the Univ. of Colorado Many notable stars Women's Track Team. Milestone Invitational at the looking at kids have passed competing on field CU Fieldhouse. through the ranks day, and he wanted including Pam Greene, who connected to start a little girls track club,” says with the Flyers after running in the Dennis. Al Durst met with Dennis, 1972 Munich Olympics. Greene began and the Denver All-Stars began. her career with the Denver All-Stars Dennis says that she and Pam under the coaching of Al Durst. Dr. Greene’s mother, Bernice used to sew Evie Dennis and Pam Greene’s mother uniforms together. “We sold Jolly

Rancher candy to get funds to take them to the meets around the country with the Denver All-Stars.” The Denver All-Stars provided a precedent for other teams like the Colorado Flyers. When the Flyers was founded in 1966, the aim was to provide a venue for competition for young women wanting to participate in track and field, and to foster scholarships for them. The Colorado Flyers eventually merged with many similar youth track organizations including the All-Stars. The Team Achievements page of the Colorado Flyers alumni lists 80 young women and 11 young men who have graduated and received scholarships to colleges and universities across the country. These include large NCAA Division I schools, HBCUs (historically black colleges and universities), and schools like Syracuse and Stanford.

Elevating Philanthropy in Communities of Color - EPIC For nearly twenty years, through Strengthening Neighborhoods and the Inclusiveness Project, The Denver Foundation has invested significant time and financial resources to develop relationships, programming, and grantmaking in communities of color. Additionally, through its work to grow philanthropy, The Foundation partners with individuals, families, businesses, and other diverse groups to amplify their giving. Now, through EPIC and with funding from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, The Denver Foundation is proud to continue our support of the existing, emerging, and oftentimes invisible acts of philanthropy in communities of color. EPIC is an ongoing investment that is critical to achieving our mission to inspire people and mobilize resources to strengthen our community.

EPIC Objectives • Recognize and grow philanthropy in communities of color •

Connect philanthropists of color with tools, education, and resources

•

Bring together committed donors of color to build relationships and impact positive community change www.denverfoundation.org

Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – May 2016

Colorado Flyers have set world records in amateur meets. Five Colorado High School records still stand that were set by young women who passed though the Flyers ranks. Their beloved, legendary longtime coach, Tony Wells passed in 2012. But whatever he taught and passed on to so many young women stuck, as they entered colleges and universities and continued to set records. Paula McClain, now the Marketing, Diversity Director for Colorado United States Tennis Association, ran with the Flyers in the 1960s and 1970s and was a forerunner of numerous champion achievers. She competed at the USATF Nationals in 1969 in Dayton, Ohio, and again in 1971 in Bakersfield, Calif. McClain was the Rocky Mountain Region Junior Olympics Championships gold medal winner in the 100, 220, and 440 yd. runs in 1970, Colorado High School State Champion in the 100 in 1972, and was on the University of Colorado, Boulder Women’s Track Team 1973-1976. Elite athletes like Pam Greene are hard to come by, but McClain and other runners achieved their own levels of success. “At that time, sports for girls was not readily available, especially on a competitive level,” says McClain. However, the opportunity to participate in track provided discipline, goal-setting, confidence, team camaraderie, travel and exposure at an early age, which transformed to independence, a “can do” attitude and the ability to compete in corporate America. There are studies now that speak to the benefits of sports participation for women.” “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance”-Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972. Title IX changed the outlook of opportunities for female athletes. Scholarships could get them into college, and from there the world was much more open to them. Eboni (Crosby) Lewis was a Flyer in the late 1990s; she was coached by Wells, Chris Turner, Caryl Smith and Freddie Houston. “Being a Flyer helped me to take my talent to the next level. I became a junior All-American, national USATF champion, state champion, and was able to participate in many high profile meets. I secured countless scholarship offers from Division I universities across the country and ended up accepting a full athletic scholarship to Georgia Tech,” says Lewis. Caryl Smith Gilbert is a Flyer alumni and is the current director of track

Ashley Cruder wins second in the 60M run at 2006 Simplot Games indoor meet.

and field at the University of Southern California and coaches a Dior Hall, a recent former Colorado Flyer. Hall is a national junior and world-record holder in the 100meter hurdles. Hall is the daughter of another Flyer alumni, Yolanda Johnson. The Flyers are a close-knit family of stellar athletes, and it is ingrained in them, success on and off the track is theirs. Ashley Cruder is a current graduate student at Auburn University. In the early 2000s she was coached by Tony Wells after joining the Flyers in the 8th grade. Cruder is not your typical runner. At 4’11” she barely reaches the shoulders of some of her competitors. “Tony always enforced it’s not the size of the dog but the fight in the dog. Throughout my tenure as a Flyer, I was a four-time High School AllAmerican, 2006 Nike Indoor National 60M champion, 2007 Colorado State Champion (100M, 4x100M, and 4x200M), Eaglecrest record holder (100M, 4x100M, and 4x200M). I still currently hold the Colorado School of Mines Steinhauser Fieldhouse 60M record and am ranked #13 on the US All-time list for girls high school 60M,” says Cruder. When Cruder ran a 7.30 60M in her junior year Division I schools showed overwhelming interest in the Tony Wells prodigy. First choosing Florida State University, she transferred to Auburn after her freshmen year. At Auburn, Cruder was NCAA Indoor AllAmerican (2012), Southeastern Conference Bronze Medalist 60M, and currently holds the 10th fastest 60M performance in the school’s history. She earned two bachelor degrees from Auburn in communications and political science. Cruder misses coach Wells who was her biggest supporter on and off the field. “Knowing he was no longer around definitely took away some of my interest in competing in the sport. One thing he would always say, no matter the situation is ‘Have some

pride Bubba’, and that has always stuck with me on and off the track.” Cruder, while working on her master’s degree, serves as a student graduate assistant in StudentAthlete Support Services at Auburn. She works with both the men’s and women’s cross country and track and field teams. Cruder supports and motivates at-risk student athletes in their day-to-day academic activities. She invokes Tony Wells daily. “Tony was not only great at developing athletes, but he was phenomenal at getting young ladies to realize their selfworth and true potential in life outside of the sport; and I am honored to implement his theory in my current job every day.” Like Ashley Cruder, Eboni (Crosby) Lewis sees great value in her Flyers experience and in sharing it with others and giving back to the community. “My experience gave me the desire to give back to my local community. I helped coach a youth team locally for a short time. I was a mentor to disadvantaged youth while at Tech, and in my career, I have chosen leadership positions that enable me to work on teams cross functionally with people similar and different from myself.” Lewis has earned her MBA and works as a business process manager-global margin management in Atlanta for JM Huber Corporation, a chemical company. Unless you are a Serena Williams, even today there seems to be little focus on female athletes. For them it is not always the pinnacle that is their motivator. There are only so many levels where women can participate, and even those who compete at the highest levels will soon have to say goodbye to the field. Nevertheless the Women’s Sports Foundation points out some universal truths about the value of sports. Girls and women who play sports have higher levels of confidence and self-esteem and lower levels of depression.

Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – May 2016

Females who participate in high school sports are more likely to complete college than those who did not participate in sports. Through sports, girls learn important life skills such as teamwork, leadership and confidence. It’s been a long time since Paula McClain has been on the competitive track, but the experience and lessons there have led her to where she is today. After a successful corporate career in marketing at Apple Computer, BET Movies and Starz, she directs diversity programs for Colorado USTA, and she is adamant about the Flyers teaching and coaching young women in life skills that will make them successful. “There is a unique Denver perspective that’s amazing! These young girls exposed to track, represented Denver, Colorado all over the world through competitive club track offered here. The individual stories from world travel, college education to very wellrounded, successful, contributing group of women in America,” says McClain. “Personally, I’m so grateful to have participated and developed in track during that time of my life and the early years of the Flyers. Although there are various track clubs in Colorado, then and now, it’s a community that surrounds all of the participants encouraging, supporting, and inspiring each athlete. Whenever our “home-girl” or “home-boy” is on the world stage representing USA, we celebrate each other. And, Denver has a lot to be proud of.” More than half a century ago, Evie Dennis started the Denver All-Stars, and perhaps she did not realize the potential impacts track might have on Denver’s young African American women. Known later for being the superintendent for Denver Public Schools, she also served as a vice president on the United States Olympic Committee. When you view the Flyers’ exhibit at BlairCaldwell, which displays memorabilia from 1966-2016, be aware of the challenges to field a team, coach young women and men, and sustain a club for so long. And if you attend the Freddie Houston Meet of Champions held at the facility named in Dennis’ honor, know that the Flyers and other clubs continue to produce outstanding able athletes ready to take on the world who will contribute and make it better. Editor’s note: The Colorado Flyers Track Club reunion celebration will be at the Blair-Caldwell Research Library May 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. The 11th Annual Freddie Houston Meet of Champions track meet will be held at the Evie Dennis Stadium and Campus in Green Valley Ranch, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call Robert P. Smith at 303-961-6240 or email robertsmith9939@gmail.com.

The Denver Foundation has

invested nearly 20 years – through its Strengthening Neighborhoods Program and Inclusiveness Project – in developing relationships, programing, and grant making in communities of color. These efforts were elevated in 2014 when the Foundation received a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, for the purposes of amplifying the giving of individuals, families, businesses and other diverse groups. The growth of giving circles has been one result of the Elevating Philanthropy in Communities of Color (EPIC) focus. Their popularity is due in great part because they afford people from an array of socio-economic backgrounds to come together with a common mission and leverage the impact of their time, talent, treasure, and testimonies. Javon Brame, a member of the Denver African American Philanthropists (DAAP) Giving Circle and Marlene DelaRosa, a member of LatinasGive! Giving Circle recently spoke with Christine MárquezHudson, CEO of the Denver Foundation, about giving circles – and how, in her new role, she plans to better engage communities of color in philanthropy.

Javon Brame: Tell us about your commitment to building relationships with donors in diverse communities. Christine Márquez-Hudson: I’ve been committed to developing philanthropy within communities of color for almost my entire career. Prior to The Denver Foundation, I was at Mi Casa Resource Center, which serves a predominantly Latino community. Encouraging people from our own community to contribute to the needs and causes of the community was the key to my focus. In communities of

Elevating Philanthropy in Communities of Color An EPIC Discussion with Denver Foundation CEO, Christine Márquez-Hudson By Elaine Grant

Giving circle members, Marlene DeLaRosa and Javon Brame, speak with Denver Foundation President and CEO, Christine Márquez-Hudson, about philanthropy in communities of color.

color, there’s already a lot of giving taking place at all levels, from the $5 to the $5 million contribution. Here at The Denver Foundation, as we look forward to the future, it is imperative that we engage all communities in philanthropy and in contributing back to their community.

to our community. We’ve made it a key priority in our own financial planning and work, through our will, and through our giving today.

JB: What is your perspective on the importance of philanthropy in communities of color? CMH: I think it’s been a part of our communities forever. But in communities of color, giving occurs in so many different ways. We give through our family members, through our churches with gifts of time, and at our kids’ schools. What is new is communities of color coming into higher levels of philanthropy, participating in the foundation world, which has not necessarily been traditionally seen as a place where they felt included. And I think that The Denver Foundation has done a lot to change that.

Marlene DelaRosa: What is your own connection to giving back? And how does that relate to your history, your heritage, and your cultural values? CMH: I grew up in Grand Junction. My mother is a teacher; my dad was a community activist, then lawyer, judge, and community leader. We gave back through our church, through our school, and through community groups. I grew up believing it was a part of life, something that everyone should and could do. My husband and I today contribute a lot

MDR: Do you think the giving circle concept is going to influence the way the Foundation will do its work? CMH: It’s a great entrée into the world of philanthropy. Giving circles offer people an accessible price point through which to become involved. And there is tremendous power in joining arms with other like people to make decisions that affect your shared community. To not just give from your own personal checkbook, but to really consider with others what kind of collective impact we want to have in our communities – that’s where the power is. The other thing is, and you’re experiencing it with the LatinasGive! Circle, there’s an excitement and momentum when people hear, “Oh, LatinasGive! I want to be part of that!” It

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Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – May 2016

can encourage greater solidarity and increase the power of that giving block in terms of creating community change. I’m really excited that we’re doing that with both our Black men and LatinasGive!, but I also want to explore that concept with other groups.

JB: How do you share your testimony about the power of giving? CMH: There is power in putting your dollar forward today, but it is also about leaving a legacy. One of the most powerful things that many of us have is our accumulated assets. If you own a home, if you have a car, if you have money in your bank account and life insurance policy – leaving that thoughtfully behind. So many people from our community don’t even have a will, and it’s important to plan the kind of financial legacy you want to leave for your loved ones and your community. That’s another thing I’ve tried to do in my own will.

JB: At the end of your tenure at The Denver Foundation, what do you want your legacy to be? CMH: Well, hopefully I’ll be here for 15-20 years [laughs]. I want to work in partnership with the wonderful members of our community who understand what their communities need and how to solve their own problems. Just as the Foundation has done for a long time, I want to create those solutions together. It’s important for The Denver Foundation to give strategically, and to give to address systems, and to give to leverage other dollars. We can also have impact by offering leadership, by setting the example. Sometimes, we need to be the first to take the risk, the first to make a statement, the first to say “We support this.” After 20 years, I really want to be known for having that courage; to do the things that our community needs, even if they’re not popular. I can’t tell you right now, ‘Here’s my agenda,’ because we’ll figure it out together. But I know that collectively, as a community, we know what we need. We just have to figure out how to get from here to there. I want to be known as a collaborative leader – a servant leader. Editor’s note: Marlene DelaRosa works for the Department of Justice and is the mother of 21 year old twins. She is an active member of her community in Northwest Denver and regularly volunteers with North High School, My Brother’s Keeper Initiative, National Council of La Raza, Circle of Latina Leadership and LatinasGive. She is most dedicated to the youth of our community. Javon Brame is a Denver native and serves as the Director of Student Support Services at Community College of Denver. He is the Grant Chair for Denver African American Philanthropists.

Embracing Colorado’s AwardWinning Craft Brew Industry

Why I Support Your Choice Colorado Op-ed by Wellington Webb

I’m old enough to remember when

law that bans full strength beer and wine sales in grocery stores. Colorado voters in November have a chance to change that with a ballot measure called Your Choice Colorado. As Denver’s mayor from 1991-2003, I fully embraced the need for entrepreneurs to grow and prosper. Where once were abandon warehouses in Lower Downtown Denver and the Globeville-Swansea-Elyria neighborhoods – known as the RiNo district – now are many bars and restaurants featuring awarding-winning craft beers. Yet, if I go to my neighborhood grocery store, none of those beers are available.

turning 18 was a big milestone for

Colorado residents. Not only could you vote, but you could legally purchase

and drink 3.2 beers from a grocery store. In 1987, the state changed that law to

abide by federal standards to bump the

legal age for all liquor to 21. But while the craft brew beer industry has exploded statewide in the last 20 years, lawmakers have been stubborn about keeping an antiquated

Simmons Foundation for Youth and Change

To register by June 4, visit www.simmonsfoundationfyc.org

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The Basketball Camp will be directed by Hall of Fame 2014 State Champion Coach Rudy Carey of East High School. Life Skills Workshop will be conducted by Civil Rights Activist Alvertis Simmons.

Free lunch served daily!

It doesn’t make sense to me, from a practical perspective, why Colorado’s craft beer can be sold in grocery stores in 42 other states, but not here where it’s made. Getting rid of our Prohibition-era ban on selling fullstrength beer and wine would be good for Colorado consumers, good for Colorado’s craft beer industry, and good for the local economy. Craft brewers across the state would have access to new shelf space and new customers, generating an estimated $125 million in revenue for the brewing industry, and likely creating new jobs at grocery stores – another positive impact on the state’s economy. Of course with increased competition come the naysayers that want to keep the status quo. We heard some of the same debate before the state allowed liquor stores to open on Sundays. But we only have to look at the 42 other states that allow grocery stores to sell craft beer and wine to see that the additional competition has not negatively impacted the industry. Colorado is the only one of the topfive craft beer producing states that doesn’t allow sales in grocery stores. In contrast, Washington and Oregon allow the grocery stores sales and the breweries and liquor stores continue to thrive there. And two of Denver’s suburbs Glendale and Englewood – have passed laws that allow several grocery stores to sell full-strength beer and wine in a single store. In Glendale, for example, there are scores of liquor stores within a two-mile radius of two of those grocery stores, and they are still open and doing well. We old-timers can reminisce about the first time we purchased 3.2 beers at a grocery store and when liquor stores were closed on Sundays. But that is all in the past. Let’s embrace our craft beer brewing industry and allow grocery shoppers the choice.

This is a FREE community event. For more information, call:

303-521-7211 or 303-249-2196 Gold Sponsors: GRID (Gang Reduction Initiative of Denver), Walmart Silver Sponsors: Webb International, Nike, Denver Safe City Bronze: Hensel Phelps, UFCW Local 7, Dave Logan, Buffalo Wild Wings

Supporting Sponsors: Geta Asfaw/McDonalds, King Soopers, Safeway, Black Denver Sheriffs, Black Police Officers, Fraternal Order of Police, Moses Brewer/Miller Coors, Tish Maes, Maria Garcia Berry, David Cole & Associates, Coca Cola, Colorado Rockies, Kroenke Sports (Denver Nuggets), Hyatt Regency Hotel (at the Convention Center), Colorado Convention Center, National Western Stockshow, East High School, North Aurora Chiropractic, Sam’s Club, Sawaya Law Firm, VIP Productions, Herman Malone/RMES, Maaco/East Colfax, Cheba Hut, All In 1 Hosting, Prof. Richard Jackson(Metro State College), A Private Guide, Innercity Health Center, JA Walker Construction Company, Denver Urban Spectrum, Coach Rudy Carey, Joy Walker/Sista Love Inc., Simmons & Associates Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – May 2016

303-819-7784

CBI/CCI Presents

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olorado Beautillion-Cotillion,

Inc. (CBI/CCI) was established as a

multi-cultural, all-inclusive program

for high school students in the Denver Metropolitan area to provide personal

development experiences and recognition. CBI/CCI is a mentoring program

designed to impart wholesome values

and equip high school juniors and sen-

By Melovy Melvin

iors with vital life skills while prepar-

ing them to be successful leaders, role

models and citizens.

The 2016 Colorado BeautillionCotillion formal dinner and presentation gala, A Royal Heritage, will be held on Sunday, June 5 at 6 p.m. at the Renaissance Hotel, in Denver. This year’s program will feature more than 70 male and female students with an expected audience of more than 600. Thirty two ‘beauxs’ will be presented to the community escorted by junior and senior high school ‘belles.’ A major highlight of the evening will be the presentation of Mr. and Miss Royalty. This year’s honorary chairs are Denver Urban Spectrum’s publisher and general manager Rosalind “Bee” Harris and Lawrence James and Community Leader Kenneth Johnson. In June 2010, CBI/CCI was developed by a group of individuals and businesses spearheaded by ACW Marketing & Event Planning and Bouknight & Associates, along with assistance from a group of business consultants. Its mission is to uncover hidden jewels within the community; mentor and reward youth who have not been afforded those same opportunities; and to prepare them to make significant contributions to their community. The CBI/CCI youth are exposed to a variety of self-improvement sessions including relationship skills, financial management, wealth creation, eti-

quette, post-secondary education, job readiness, health, and nutrition. The young people build peer and professional relationships, attend multi-cultural activities and are partnered with local and national mentors.

Maintaining good grades, community involvement and integrity are an absolute necessity for CBI program participants. The ultimate goal of CBI/CCI is to develop the total person and help the

participants to achieve their personal, academic and professional goals while making meaningful contributions to their communities. CBI/CCI encourages Colorado high school students to strive for higher levels of academic and personal achievement, to participate in community service and to maintain a greater sense of self confidence and pride. Studies prove that academic and social intervention programs double the high school graduation rate and make an individual’s life more productive and prosperous. CBI/CCI has also created programs that focus on academics, health and nutrition, social issues and youth economic development. Male high school junior or seniors who excel in the areas of academics, leadership, athletics, and community service are eligible to participate in the program. Other requirements include a minimum grade point average of 2.5, a completed CCI official application, two letters of recommendation and a $30 application fee. Exceptions are available for hardship applicants. At the end of the academic year, the participants take part in a formal presentation to society and gala that highlights their high school academics, community service, athletic talents and social accomplishments. The year-end gala features a “Rites of Passage” ceremony for the male seniors, a tribute to the female seniors, and speakers and presenters who provide well wishes for a bright and prosperous future to the honorees. The event culminates with an elegant reception and dance. The Colorado Beautillion-Cotillion, Inc. invites the community to come out and support this year’s event and the 32 beauxs and debutantes. Sponsorship opportunities are available and volunteers are needed. Tickets are $65 per person and table sponsors are available. Editor’s note: For more information, visit www.colobeautillion.com, call Cheryl Carter at 720-217-8291 or email acwmarketing@aol.com.

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For all your real estate needs Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – May 2016

By Sydney M. Odion-Smith MSUD Nutrition Major

Before I decided to throw myself

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into the world of nutrition, I had never heard of a dietitian before. I didn’t even know such a position existed. I assumed that your primary doctor could tell you everything you needed to know about taking care of your body. It never occurred to me, that just like there are doctors who specialize in foot or respiratory health, there are also medical professionals who specialize in how food affects the body. Nutrition was not a subject that was taught in my school. And for me and my family, having flavorful food that filled you up, was the most important thing. Sure, many of us growing up were told to eat our vegetables – but how many of us really knew why it was so important? As a kid, a serving of broccoli or green beans was just something gross on my plate that I wanted to finish first; so I could get to the main course. And though I liked fruit, I would never choose it over a scoop of ice cream or cookies. But maybe, if I had known about all the health benefits of plant based foods at an earlier age; I would have naturally eaten better. I saw a young me in many of the students I serviced, when I did a stint as a cafeteria waitperson. The elementary school I worked at had a salad bar during the lunch hour that offered a variety of fruits and vegetables. Because of recent government regulations all children were required to take one full cup of fruit, and/or one full cup of vegetables. When I had the hectic task of managing the salad bar, I noticed the same patterns. I could always prompt the kindergartners and first graders to get their helpings from the salad bar. But my eager attempts with the higher grades were futile. The older children had already formed opinions and beliefs about eating fruits and vegetables. And for most of them, there was no benefit in it – possibly drawn from a lack of nutrition education, or lack of exposure to nutritional foods.

Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – May 2016

Why you NEED to see a Dietitian

However, like me, when these children mature and start taking their health more seriously, they will realize that the tired saying “You are what you eat” holds so much truth. Whether the wake-up call is the 10 pounds gained in a month, or being diagnosed with type II diabetes, it is extremely hard to change a habit (particularly the way you eat) that you have been doing for decades. This is why it is so important that EVERYONE should see a dietitian. I had my first appointment with a dietitian a month ago and the experience was so motivating. I was really able to open up with this woman about my eating habits and health concerns. The questions she asked allowed me to reflect on my environment and how that affected my food decisions. This wasn’t a rushed process, but a thorough analysis of my health status. It was like I was seeing a general physician, therapist, and nutrition expert all rolled into one. I also got a complete breakdown of my body make-up. I learned my muscle to fat-ratio, which also allowed me to identify which parts of my body I need to strengthen. Along with this, I was given full blood work to pinpoint any vitamin and mineral deficiency; and food allergies. Finally, a meal plan was developed for me, and was tailored to meet my specific dietary and financial needs. After leaving the dietitian’s office, I felt empowered. I have now added an important tool that will help me improve my life. Everyone should have this feeling. So if you think a dietitian is just for people with weight issues or food sensitivities – you’re wrong. Living a healthy life or not, a dietitian can give you more insight into your overall well-being and advise you on the importance of not only what you eat, but how you eat – and how you think about food. Trust me, this is not your ordinary doctor’s appointment, but it is an important one to make.

A Healthy Diet Includes Healthy Fats F

By Kim Farmer

or years the message was that in order to lose weight, you had to eat a low-fat diet. Research has found, however, that all fats are not created equal, and some are actually good for you. The key is to know the difference. Fats that cause high cholesterol, weight gain and other health problems are considered bad fats and still should be avoided, while good fats help protect your heart and your overall health and should be included in a healthy diet. Replacing bad fats with good fats should be your goal. Fats come from both plant and animal sources and fall into one of four categories: saturated fat, mono-unsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat (Omega-3s) and Trans fat. Each gram of fat, regardless of the type, contains nine calories. However, the effect on your health differs greatly between the different types of fat.

The Good Examples of healthy fats (which include both mono-unsaturated and poly-unsaturated fats) are fish, avocados, nuts, seeds, flaxseed, olive oil, green leafy vegetables, beans and some eggs (marked as high in Omega-3 on the label). All of these healthy fats can help lower cholesterol and lead to a healthy heart. Omega-3s, a type of poly-unsaturated fat, also plays a part in cognitive and emotional health, healthy joints and healthy pregnancies. In order to up your healthy fat intake, make nuts and olives your go to snack, use olive oil as oil of choice for cooking and for making salad dressings, and include fish in your weekly menu. The Bad Trans fats are considered the most dangerous form of fat for our health and should be avoided. They are

found in manufactured food products and are formed by the process that helps preserve the shelf life of food. This includes packaged foods, solid fats, snacks and chips, and fried foods. Think twice before putting these items in your shopping cart.

The In-Between There are dissenting opinions on the effect of saturated fats on our health. Some researchers and health organizations believe saturated fats are unhealthy and lead to high cholesterol, heart attack, strokes and diabetes, much like Trans fats do. However, others believe the source of the saturated fat dictates its effect on our health: saturated fat from pizza, fried foods and processed meats is thought to be bad, but the saturated fats found in coconut oil, salmon and dairy products, is not considered by some to be bad for us. Complicating things further, there seems to be a genetic component to how our bodies process the saturated fats, meaning what is bad for one, is not necessarily bad for all. To play it safe, most health professionals advise you limit the amount of saturated fats in your diet. It is not necessary to avoid all fats in your diet. However, now that you know the difference between the good and bad fats, swapping out the bad fats for more good fats is a healthy decision! Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s note: Kim Farmer of Mile High Fitness offers in-home personal training and corporate fitness solutions. For more information, visit www.milehighfitness. com or email inquiries@milehighfitness. com.

Lost Your Joy?

Find it again at the

United Church of Montbello! Come as you are and get connected to your best self through great fellowship and the love of Jesus Christ! Sunday Worship: 8:00am (Traditional) and 10:30am (Gospel) 4VOEBZ 4DIPPM BN r 8FEOFTEBZ #JCMF 4UVEZ QN

Rev. Dr. James E. Fouther, Jr., Pastor 4879 Crown Blvd., Denver, CO 80239 303-373-0070 http://ucm.ctsmemberconnect.net Denver Urban Spectrum â&#x20AC;&#x201D; www.denverurbanspectrum.com â&#x20AC;&#x201C; May 2016

Working Women’s Wellness Symposium Coming in June By Johnny E. Johnson, MD

ur work is important to our sense of health and well-being. In many

EuroSlim Centre in Cherry Creek

cases, we identify ourselves by the profession we have chosen. Over my many years of practice as a woman’s health physician, I have seen the impact of women’s jobs on their health, health risks and even illnesses. In some cases, a change in jobs has resulted in improved health for the long term. Improving women’s health and well-being can strengthen any organization and help women have the lives and careers they want. You can learn how at the Working Women’s Wellness Symposium, June 2 and 3 at the Renaissance Hotel Denver, sponsored by McGlothin

Davis Inc.’s World of Wellness Institute, owner Mary Davis. This one-of-a-kind conference is designed for: •Women in the workplace; •HR professionals and Employment Benefit Managers •Chief Learning Officers •Managers who supervise women •Health Promotion/Wellness Practitioners and Educators/Students •Organization Effectiveness Consultants •Women’s health advocates

Open:

Monday through Friday 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM Saturday - 10 AM to 2 PM (By appointment only) Sunday - Closed

155 Cook St., Suite #100 Denver, CO 80206

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Angel is London UK trained and an ITEC Qualified and Certified Aesthetician, Physiatrist and Dermatologist. She is a member of member of BABTAC & HOTA and has managed her clinic for more than 12 years before moving to the U.S. She has extensive experience in treating skin and facial conditions, body and weight Loss, and slimming and toning with European technologies approved by the FDA.

Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – May 2016

•Business leaders in the public, private and nonprofit sectors The conference will feature an array of wellness and organization effectiveness experts, wellness issues workshops and open forums, a sampling of easy-to-implement workplace wellness options and activities, wellness-related exhibits, plus customized worksite wellness action planning. The events keynote speaker Vallori Thomas of WOW Coaching and Consulting in New York City, sponsored by my practice Western OB/GYN, is an enthusiastic and indefatigable facilitator who conducts personal development programs from coast-to-coast and internationally. She considers herself a possibilitarian and says: “I sometimes marvel at the simplest things, because I see possibility in everything and everyone. Every time I experience the potential of the human spirit, I say WOW!” Other national and local health and well-being experts will facilitate a range of interactive breakout sessions, including: •Worksite Wellness Today: Views from Experts •What a Healthy Workplace Looks and Feels Like •Major Health Issues for Working Women •Who’s Caring for the Caregiver? •How and When to Speak Up at Work •Fiscal Wellness Basics Now and the Future •Jump Start Healthier Nutrition at Work •Don’t Sit: Stand Up for Health Make the Internet Your Servant – Not Your Master •Treated Like a Woman: How Do you Know and What Difference Does It Make •Let’s Talk about It Open Forum Conducted by Women’s Health Physicians Throughout the symposium attendees will interact with presenters and each other as they gain increased awareness how they can take charge of their health and well-being. In many cases, they will take away tools for improving the health of their families as well. Editor’s note: To register for the symposium visit www.mcglothindavis. com/wwws. For more information, sponsorship opportunities and exhibitor information, contact Mary McGlothin Davis, PhD, RN, Founder of Working Women’s Wellness Symposium, at mdavis@mcglohtindavis.com or call 303331-4424.

Remembering the Other By Earl Ofari Hutchinson

Prince

“Does anyone hear us pray? For Michael Brown or Freddie Gray

Baltimore police officials couldn’t

have been too thrilled about these lyrics in May, 2015. They were the lyrics in Prince’s “Baltimore” a rollicking, but moving, and heart-felt tribute to the slain Freddy Gray that was released weeks before his May 2015 benefit concert for the Gray family. The lyrics were Prince’s in your face message to Baltimore police and city officials who first stonewalled Gray’s death, and then watched as riots convulsed the city in the aftermath of it. This was no fly by night cheap, celebrity photo op publicity gambit to capitalize on the turbulent events in the city. The month before the softspoken Prince gently reminded and admonished the audience at the Grammys at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, “Albums — remember those?” “Albums still matter. Albums, like books and black lives, still matter.” Even before Prince took the stage at the Grammys and in Baltimore at the Gray Benefit concert, I remembered the flap that he had caused two years earlier with his lambaste of Wall Street greed in his song “Ol’ Skool Company.” He minced no words, “Fat cats on Wall Street, they got a bailout, while somebody else got to wait.” “$700 billion but my old neighborhood, ain’t nothing changed but the date.” When I heard those words I thought back to the Prince concert I attended in the early 90s and especially the one I attended at the Inglewood Forum in April, 2011. At this concert, Prince insisted that tickets not carry the standard usurious, highway robbery prices for big name performer’s concerts. The result was that the concerts were more community events than a celebrity studded concert event. The concert was a stop on his national tour billed as “Welcome 2 America” tour. Prince ladled out more than $1 million from proceeds of the tour to

Peace is more than the absence of war.” the Harlem Children’s Zone and more than $500,000 to arts programs in New York and North Carolina. This made sense and was in keeping with Prince’s rage against hunger, poverty, and especially its devastating and corrosive effects on children in a track in his 1985 single, “Hello.” He both pleaded for and scolded America for its abysmal indifference to the hungry and poor, “We’re against hungry children, our record stands tall, but there’s just as much hunger here at home.” The evening at the Forum, Prince gave a mellow, subdued, and fan warm appreciation concert. He showed himself as an artist and entertainer who really cared about his audience and who was conscious of who his audience was and their appreciation for him as a musician band a man of social consciousness. It was that social consciousness that was too often ignored, downplayed, or missed completely. This was also true with Michael Jackson. And as with Jackson, Prince had a track record to prove that he really did care. It showed in his quiet giving to charities such as City of Hope, Jazz Foundation of America, H.A.L.O., Elevate Hope Foundation, Urban Farming, The Bridge and Edith Couey Memorial Scholarship Trust Fund. Then there was his very public pitch at a concert for the Chicago based Rebuild the Dream foundation to provide jobs, skills training, and business opportunities for minority youth in Chicago. Prince, as with Jackson, was often hit with the criticism and the demand to say and do more against racial injustice. He was often hammered for his at times enigmatic, seemingly muddled, religious conversion and seeming coolness to same sex marriage and abortion. But he picked his spots quietly, and in ways that he felt could make a difference. In between, there were the especially delicious and delightful moments when he let it fly. This was certainly the case with “Musicology” on his 2004 album. He boldly asked and challenged “Dear Mr. Man, we

don’t understand. Why poor people keep struggling, but you don’t lend a helping hand?” Prince’s legacy as a prodigiously talented singer and performer was more than sealed long before his tragic death. But it was his charitable work and willingness to use his music when and where he felt it could make a difference and to make his protest in his own way against injustice that must be known and remembered. That is that he be remembered as more than just a black man who made his living on a concert stage or in the recording studio. Or a man whose other claims to notoriety was that he delighted in being a man of mystery and puzzlement.

Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – May 2016

The mountains of tribute are mostly to Prince as the performer, musician par excellence, showman and song writer. They’re all deserved. But it’s the other Prince, the man who gave his time, money and raised his voice against injustice that I will remember most. Editor’s note: Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. His latest book is From Sanders to Trump: A Guide to the 2016 Presidential Primary Battles (Amazon Kindle) He is an associate editor of New America Media. He is a weekly cohost of the Al Sharpton Show on Radio One. He is the host of the weekly Hutchinson Report Saturdays 9 a.m. on KPFK 90.7 FM Los Angeles and the Pacifica Network

Celebrating Black History Month

DUS Remem 17-Year-Old Prince

The Fun Loving Prince...

The Shy Prince... Performing in Las Vegas - 2012

Prince Receiving a 2007 Grammy Award

The Alluring Prince...

Performing at the Montreal Jazz Festival Denver Urban Spectrum â&#x20AC;&#x201D; www.denverurbanspectrum.com â&#x20AC;&#x201C; May 2016

Prince jo artists banning photogra at conce

mbering...

BET Awards 2006 Recipient

Prince's Oscar night house party Funkin til dawn

Prince

Prince - larger than life

Prince Rogers Nelson June 7, 1958 – April 21, 2016

Purple Rain Tour, 1984 The Mystical Prince...

oins

aphy erts

Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – May 2016

The Gold Experience Era 1994

Prince presenting best female R&B award at 50th annual Grammy Awards 2008

One-on-One with

Photo by Ron Washington

Chante Moore

By Kavann Tok

hante Moore as touched the hearts and souls of music lovers for two decades with her smooth, sensuous melodies about love, loss and everything in between. Moore appeared at Aurora’s Kasbah Nightclub, 15373 E. 6th Ave. on April 23, where she swooned fans with a repertoire of songs from her lucrative career beginning in the early 90’s. Moore’s vocals laced with gospel, soul and jazz continue to awe generations of audiences more than ever. Setting her aside from other singers is her songbird falsetto voice which was reminiscence of the late Minnie Riperton to many in the audience. She has released 20 hit singles and seven albums including Precious, Things That Lovers Do and Love the Woman. She won 1997’s American Music Award for Favorite Soundtrack and 2002’s Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Single, Group, Band or Duo. In addition, Moore was featured on numerous soundtracks including

Waiting to Exhale (’97) and How Stella Got Her Groove Back (’98).

Inspiration from Family

At an early age, Chante Moore drew much of her musical inspiration from her parents who have shown her what love and life is all about. Still a minister at 82-years-old, Moore’s father remains strong. Her mother, who was also a singer, passed away years ago. There was always music in Moore’s home, from her mother’s singing to her father playing the piano. “My sister, my mom and my brother all played,” explains Moore. “They said, at that point, I wasn’t really the most talented in the family. My brother played the drums, my sister taught herself to play the piano, guitar, flute – everything. I was the little one so I was always the annoying one, jumping around trying to just be around.” For Moore, the most important thing in the music industry is to be in love with it. Growing up with a strong religious background has taught her to sing about the truth and to believe in her own lyrics. If she doesn’t believe in the words, she couldn’t sing that song. As a result, most of her songs are autobiographical – 70 percent of the music she writes is based on her own life experiences. “It [singing] was what I loved to do, so it taught me not to really care what anyone thought and to really pursue my dreams,” Moore says. “If you don’t love it, all the rest of this stuff – like the business and the industry and the back-and-forth and the ups-and-downs in music – will hurt your heart.”

Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – May 2016

Favorite Artists and Moments

Some of Moore’s musical influences are centralized in Gospel with artists such as Andrae Crouch, Walter Hawkins and The Imperials. Initially, she wasn’t allowed to listen to anything, but Gospel music until she was about 13-years-old. By then, her brother turned 18, an acceptable age to listen to secular music in her family, which opened up a whole new world of music for her. “I started listening to Prince and Chaka Khan and Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye,” Moore says, laughing. “It just was a flood of all music from Motown to jazz. It was wonderful to be bombarded with so much music at once.” From there, Moore pursued her dreams, which led to a string of life – changing events, eventually landing her on the stages of “Showtime at the Apollo” and “Soul Train.” As a child, she had always watched “Soul Train” on television. “To actually stand there with the late Don Cornelius himself, so many things were surreal to me,” Moore says. A fond memory for Moore was shooting her first music for the song “Love’s Taken Over.” For three days, her crew traveled all over the city of Paris. From there, everything happened very quickly. “It was just amazing and wonderful,” Moore says. “It was a dream come true – all of those memories.”

Challenges and Rewards

Moore admits being in the music industry is challenging, especially since it’s based on popularity. She has always told her children, family and friends that if they didn’t love it, don’t get in it. Moore has the privilege to work with talented, notable artists such as George Duke, Prince, Chaka Khan and Whitney Houston, to name a few. One of her favorite artists to work with was the late George Duke who taught her so much about the industry and how to be comfortable in the studio. Moore loves doing live performances and working off the audience’s high energy in intimated venues such as the intimate Kasbah Nightclub. And last month, she did it well.

Tears of Joy Flows With Gratitude

tears of joy at some point in their life,” Dunn says. “Like the crucifixion and the resurrection, you’re saddened that a man, for no other reason than another man’s insecurities, was persecuted. But he rose for the salvation for all mankind. So I’m glad and thankful at the completion of the course of events! If you don’t have tears of joy, something is wrong with you in my opinion.” Dunn says his finest hour, as a musician, is anytime he’s doing what he loves. That’s a fine moment. “I’d have to say since it was my first experience on that level, writing and performing with one of the great CTI artists, it was something I could only dream of up to that point. Recording with the great legendary Stanley Turrentine would probably be considered a high point for sure.” Through obstacles and deterrents, and by the grace of God, Dunn says he was able to complete Tears of Joy. “I have to say a great thank you to Patrick Karanfilovic and the Alliance Records family for affording me the opportunity to share my tears of joy with the world.” Editor’s note: Tears of Joy is available at www.squareup.com/store/dunn4umusic for $15 plus $3 shipping. To contact Dunn, email: dunn4umusic @gmail.com

By Laurence Washington

Eight-year-old Denverite Steven

Dunn entered the school’s gymnasium wondering why the gym teacher Mr. McQueary pulled him out of his other class. McQueary quickly led the nervous Dunn to the band equipment room, pulled out a snare drum and told Dunn to pound out a marching cadence. “I had been drumming with my family since I was five,” Dunn says. “I thought playing the same cadence with no variations was kind of boring, so I started mixing it up.” McQueary, who doubled as Color Guard instructor, was impressed with Dunn’s creative whackage. That day Dunn became the school’s Color Guard drummer. Fast-forward 30 years. Enter Tears of Joy, Steven Dunn’s debut CD, which unlike his Color Guard gig, didn’t happen overnight – even though he’s still impressive on percussions and loves to mix it up. “Well, to begin with, I originally was trying to get together a demo reel to submit to publishing houses and labels pursuing a staff writer position,” Dunn explains. “But after starting that, I thought to myself, ‘If I applied myself, and called in favors from friends, it could be more than that.’” In a few short weeks, Tears of Joy has risen from demo, to one of the Top 20 MP3 jazz/soul downloads on iTunes and Amazon.com. The 14-cut CD features smooth jazz – produced, written, composed and performed by Dunn. The talented percussionist is

accompanied by guest musicians Dewey Dewayne Adams (guitar), Chris Harris (bass), Larry Dunn (keyboards), Larry W. King (guitar), Henry Hudson III (sax), Dave Randon (bass) and Bill Rich (bass) on various tracks. “I didn’t have the luxury to lock out studio time, and go into the studio for 3 to 6 months,” Dunn says. “It just wasn’t in the budget.” Dunn was determined to cut Tears of Joy, despite life’s occasional complications which tried to tear him away from the project. He just kept telling himself, “I can do it.”

“I was borrowing equipment, and borrowing people’s time,” Dunn says. “But somehow it came together.” With nurturing, Dunn says all 14 cuts came to him naturally. It’s like children, he explains. So there is no favorite. However, if you press Dunn a little harder, he’ll say sentimentally, his favorite would be “Petals of a Rose,” a loving inspired work for my Momma, Dunn says. The inspiration for Tears of Joy comes from the times in Dunn’s life when he was happy, joyful and proud. “Everyone has experienced

Available for all Holiday Events, Special Occasions and... 303.355.4979 P.O. Box 39163 H Denver CO 80239

Bold. Rich. Brewtiful.

$ 49 Medium Iced Coffee Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – May 2016

Federico F. PeĂąa Community Health Center and Urgent Care Opens

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On April 18, Denver Healthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ninth community clinic, the Federico F. PeĂąa Community Health Center and Urgent Care, opened its doors to patients in southwest Denver. The center, located at 1339 S. Federal, is the first of its kind in the area and a much needed medical resource in the community. The clinic will feature a full spectrum primary care for children and adults â&#x20AC;&#x201C; pharmacy, radiology, dental, podiatry, lab, eye care and womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s care services. In addition, the clinic will have the first urgent care center located off the Denver Health main campus, which will allow patients to receive after hours care for non-emergent medical services that canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait for normal business hours. It is expected that more than 24,000 primary care patients will visit the clinic each year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our objective in opening this clinic is to offer convenient and comprehensive medical care to the people of southwest Denver,â&#x20AC;? said Dr. Simon Hambidge, director of Ambulatory Care Services for Denver Health. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is a well-established area of the city where families have lived for generations and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re excited to be a part of it.â&#x20AC;? The beautiful 45,000 square foot clinic was named for former Denver Mayor Federico F. PeĂąa in recognition of his many contributions to Denver and to Denver Health over the years. Most recently, he and his wife Cindy served as co-chairs of the Southwest clinic capital campaign that has raised just over $6 million to date in dona-

Denver Urban Spectrum â&#x20AC;&#x201D; www.denverurbanspectrum.com â&#x20AC;&#x201C; May 2016

tions towards the new clinic. The campaign will raise another $4 million to complete its commitment to the project. The rest of the costs were covered by public and private investors. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held earlier this month with community members, leaders from Denver Health and elected officials, including Mayor Michael B. Hancock, Councilmen Paul Lopez and Kevin Flynn. Denver Health is the Rocky Mountain Regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Level I academic trauma center, and the safety net hospital for the Denver area. The Denver Health system, which integrates acute and emergency care with public and community health, includes the Rocky Mountain Regional Trauma Center, Denverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 911 emergency medical response system, Denver Health Paramedic Division, eight family health centers, 17 school-based health centers, the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center, NurseLine, Denver CARES, Denver Public Health, the Denver Health Foundation and the Rocky Mountain Center for Medical Response to Terrorism, Mass Casualties and Epidemics.

STEM Picks Up STEAM

African Bar and Grill Serving: Jollof Rice, African Beer and, Specialty Dishes from Africa

Opening Act, Inc. Partners with Dr. Justina Ford STEM Institute for Excellence in the Arts and the Sciences

Opening Act, Inc., an innova-

tive theatre program, and the Dr. Justina Ford STEM Institute, with Space Horizons, will present a free symposium, “The Other Side of STEM,” on Saturday, May 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Early College, 19535 E. 46th Ave. in Denver. “The partnership between the JF STEM Institute and Opening Act creates an opportunity for us to incorporate the ”A” for arts into STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) to present this inaugural STEAM event,” says Opening Act Executive Director Sylvia Cordy. This symposium for girls, 11-18, will feature interactive activities from Accenture, United Launch Alliance, Space Horizons and a host of other companies. Panel discussions will focus on college and career goals, among other topics. Additionally, the girls of JF STEM will present a dramatic multi-

18601 Green Valley Ranch Blvd. Denver, CO 80249

720-949-0784 or 303-375-7835

media tribute honoring successful women of color in STEM, including Dr. Justina Ford, Madame CJ Walker, Dr. Mae Jemison as well as others in gaming, coding and astrophysics. JF STEM, founded by Deborah Sims Fard in 2010, is named in honor of Dr. Justina Ford, the first African American female physician in Denver. The program was founded with the expressed purpose of providing extended learning in the area of STEM education to elementary girls (specifically of color) in North Denver. The week-long summer science intensive day camp provides interaction with a professional working in STEM disciplines and hands-on exercises to expose girls to STEM career options.

Opening Act, a foundation for selfesteem and a stage for excellence, was founded in late 2015 by 10 local professional women to provide coaching, nurturing support and mentorship to young women. The program focuses on one-to-one interaction and selfesteem development using techniques and practices of theatre arts to instill confidence and develop qualities of personal and professional leadership in young African American women between the ages of 11 and 14, with a view toward including women up to the age of 18. Editor’s note: For more information or to register, contact JF STEM at 720-2344994.

Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – May 2016

April Winner!

Nikki Johnson wins two tickets to the Derby 16 with special guest host

Morris Chestnut!

Congratulations to Nikki Johnson - Grand Prize Winner for April!

The lucky May winner will be selected on Friday, May 20 and announced in the June issue.

MAYOR’S CORNER

City Programs Help Connect Youth with Summer Jobs

With summer job season approaching, the Denver Office of Economic Development is offering employment programs to connect youth with a variety of jobs. Denver’s Summer Youth Employment Program is placing youth, ages 16 to 21, with local businesses, nonprofit organizations and government agencies. The program is offered to low-income youth who are either Denver residents or enrolled in foster care within the City and County of Denver. Participants will receive a week of career exploration, life skills and job readiness training, followed by job placements that pay $8.31 per hour for up to 120 hours. Applications are being accepted through May 13, at www.surveymonkey.com/r/syep2016. Denver is also offering a virtual job fair for all Denver metro area youth, age 16 to 24. To participate, individuals simply need to visit www.connectingcolorado.com, where they can establish a job hunting account and then click on the virtual job fair logo. The job fair is open through June 30, and features more than 25 metro area employers who are recruiting for a variety of positions, including retail, food services, landscaping, and other service industry jobs.

Denver Health Recognized as “Leader in LGBT Health Care Equality” For Second Year

Denver Health has been recognized for the second year as a “Leader in LGBT Health Care Equality” by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of the country’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization. This honor is given to health care facilities that meet LGBT-inclusive standards that are part of the HRC Foundation’s Health Care Equality Index, a unique annual survey that recognizes institutions that are the most inclusive towards LGBT Americans. Denver Health earned top marks in meeting non-discrimination and training criteria that demonstrate its commitment to equitable care for LGBT patients and their families, who may face significant challenges in securing the quality and culturally-responsive health care they deserve. As an organization, Denver Health works diligently to foster a culture of inclusion and acceptance for all patients, visitors and staff, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Denver Health is one of two health care facilities in Colorado to be named

a Leader in LGBT Health Care Equality. Facilities awarded this title meet four foundational criteria for LGBT patient-centered care, including patient and employee non-discrimination policies that specifically mention sexual orientation and gender identity, a guarantee of equal visitation for same-sex partners and parents, and LGBT health education for staff members.

Denver Ranks 9th in EPA’s List Top Cities with the Most ENERGY STAR® Certified Buildings

Denver has earned a spot in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) annual list of U.S. metropolitan areas with the most ENERGY STAR certified buildings. The Top Cities list ranks cities according to how many buildings in their area earned ENERGY STAR certification in 2015. To qualify for the ENERGY STAR, a building must outperform 75 percent of similar buildings nationwide, by earning an ENERGY STAR score of 75 or higher on a 1-100 scale. Denver took ninth place in the Top Cities list, with 215 buildings in the metro area earning the ENERGY STAR in 2015, and ranks fifth for total certified square footage per capita. Denver continues to provide building owners and managers with the technical guidance, best practices, and training they need to make their buildings more energy efficient, save money, and reduce carbon emissions. ENERGY STAR certification in Denver has been bolstered by the Denver City Energy Project (DCEP), which launched in late 2014 and aims to unlock $1.3 billion in energy savings by encouraging commercial and multifamily building owners and managers to benchmark their buildings’ energy use using ENERGY STAR’s Portfolio Manager Tool. To date, the Denver City Energy Project benchmarking program has 109 enrolled buildings representing 21 million square feet of commercial and multi-family space in Denver.

Ground Rules

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

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

Barbershop: The Next Cut By Khaleel Herbert

Calvin’s Barbershop is open and

ready for business after more than a decade, with old and new faces in Barbershop: The Next Cut. Rapper/actor Ice Cube reprises his role as Calvin, the owner of his father’s barbershop and proud father to his son, Jalen (Michael Rainey Jr.). Men can get haircuts and women can get their hair done at Calvin’s since Calvin joined forces with beauty shop owner, Angie (Regina Hall). Working with Angie is Draya (Rapper Nicki Minaj) and Bree (Margot Bingham).

Calvin contemplates with his wife Jennifer (Jazsmin Lewis), about moving to Chicago’s north side because of the reoccurring gang violence on the south side. He wants Jalen to be safe and avoid gangs. He also wants to move Calvin’s to the north side. Meanwhile, Jimmy (Sean Patrick Thomas) now the mayor of Chicago, wants to enforce an enclosure project on the south side, which will close off the barbershop from its customers. The barbershop decides to sponsor a Crips and Bloods weekend ceasefire.

Barbershop: The Next Cut

During the ceasefire, Calvin offers free haircuts hoping celebrities will tweet about it, so it can trend on Twitter and stop the enclosure project. Barbershop brings new barbers to Calvin’s. Rapper Common plays Rashad, who is married to Terri (Rapper Eve) and Calvin’s best friend. Comedian and actor J.B. Smoove (from Real Husbands of Hollywood) plays One-Stop, a barber and businessman who helps Calvin in his pursuit to move the shop to the north side of Chicago. Jerrod (Lamorne Morris) and Raja (Utkarsh Ambudkar) are two friends that always get into debates about politics and race. Comedian Cedric the Entertainer reprises his role as Eddie, long-time barber and friend of Calvin and his dad, telling stories about cutting Barack Obama’s hair before he was president and telling jokes about celebrities including Kanye West. Deon Cole returns as Dante, still the customer who lives in the barbershop with no place to go. Barbershop: The Next Cut is as good as the previous Barbershop movies. It is loaded with comedy from Eddie and the new and classic characters. The film also sheds light on the problems Chicago and the United States face in regards to gang violence. The Jungle Book

Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – May 2016

The Jungle Book By Jon Rutledge

he Jungle Book perfectly blends live action and CGI, giving this movie the magical feel that Disney is known for. The old adage in Hollywood is never work with animals will need an update to say unless they are CGI. They superbly capture the majesty of wildlife and blend them seamlessly with the live actor. As an update to the original 1967 version, they preserved the story but added just enough updates to create a new classic. I find having the target audience along, to watch a kid’s movie, helps me with perspective – so I brought my son. He loved it. For my part, I was so caught up; I had fewer notes in my journal than I normally do when reviewing. This is a movie you can easily get lost in. The songs are updated to match the new medium, and most of them transition well, however, what really sets this move apart is the outstanding cast. Idris Elba as Shere Khan gives the tiger more depth than in the original. His deep voice makes the character’s charm colder and gives his fury more thunder. Baloo the bear has always been likable, but Bill Murray’s portrayal gives him an enjoyable dry sense of humor. Neel Sethi, as Mowgli, the main character, is a charming and an outstanding performer. His authenticity shows through and that can be challenging when acting in front of a green screen. He seems right at home in the jungle. Jon Favreau can count this among his successes. His update to this movie honors the original story and introduces it to a new age. His rich visuals and excellent character development make this film assessable to a broad audience and will spark the imagination in new viewers but also give those of us nostalgic for the original something to appreciate.

It’s interesting that a story about animals can show us the worst aspects of humanity, but also most of its strengths. This show is great for all ages, however because of the realism, some of the fight scenes and action may be too intense for very young viewers.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

By Samantha Ofole-Prince Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

t isn’t hard to see what the filmmakers were thinking when they decided to pit two iconic favorites together. A battle between an underground vigilante and an unbeatable alien certainly makes for good viewing, but it’s hard to believe they signed off on this debacle. As the story kicks off, Superman (Henry Cavill) is still trying to do right by everyone dealing with everyday life as a Super Hero, but there’s a distinct shift happening in how his heroic efforts are viewed and after a few incidents, he’s now seen as an enemy of the masses. One of those who mistrust his intentions is Bruce Wayne/Batman (Ben Affleck). His Wayne Enterprises building was destroyed during Superman’s tryst with General Zod. Adding, he’s also disgusted at the carnage and casualties caused by the caped crusader’s heroic dalliances. Meanwhile, Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg), the evil billionaire who has a strong dislike for super heroes, has ironically discovered that Kryptonite was found at the bottom of the Indian Ocean and is concocting his own brilliant scheme to rid the world of Superman. Both Bruce and Lex want to stop Superman at any cost. Except Bruce’s motives are good, while Lex’s motive is evil. Fast forward a few

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scenes that include Bruce bemoaning to his closest confidant Alfred (Jeremy Irons) about the sad state of worldly affairs and Superman being summoned to court, and finally the two superheroes are decking each other pitted together to battle for an idiotic reason manufactured by Lex. Combining Batman and Superman in one film was no small feat so kudos to the filmmakers for even trying. Director Zack Snyder is all about the visuals and throws together a mixture of fast-paced live action and CGI reminiscent of his earlier film 300, as Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL’s score hammers the drama home with a way over the top score. Returning from 2013’s Man of Steel is Diane Lane as Superman’s mother Martha Kent. Amy Adams reprises the role of journalist Lois Lane; Laurence Fishburne revisits the role of the practical Daily Planet editor Perry White, who struggles to keep Lois on track, while Holly Hunter plays a Senator who leads a Government investigation into Superman’s intentions. Rounding out the cast is Harry Lennix who returns as Swanwick; formerly a general but now Secretary of Defense and Callan Mulvey who plays a mysterious figure whose actions have an impact on both Super Heroes. Lex Luthor has always been one of the great DC villains, but the powerful and imposing businessman we have been accustomed to, is now more of a sulky, socially awkward twit played by Jesse Eisenberg who seems miscast in the role. Gal Gadot makes the most of her small screen-time as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman and has a Kim Kardashian-esque look about her. Tiresome to watch, it’s far from being the masterpiece expected in terms of plot or pacing. There’s zilch humor and zero emotional impact, but if you want to just see superheroes pummeling each other, capes flashing, fists flying and things getting blown up then Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is right up your alley.

Eye In The Sky

By Laurence Washington

Eye in the Sky poses the question:

“What would you do?” The film’s premise hangs on the military’s decision to release a drone’s Hellfire missile on a terrorist cell as they are in the midst of arming themselves with suicide vest. The hitch is the missile strike will also kill an innocent little girl who’s selling bread outside the cell’s safe house.

Eye in the Sky

Helen Mirren plays a no-nonsense British officer (Col. Katherine Powell) in charge of routing out terrorists in Kenya. Alan Rickman (Lt. Gen. Frank Benson), in his last role, is Powell’s superior who, like Powell, believes the safe house should be destroyed immediately before anyone can leave. Powell and Benson are willing to sacrifice one little girl to save hundreds of lives. Screenplay writer Guy Hibbert and director Gavin Hood pay meticulous attention to detail and character development – so all the character’s are three-dimensional, not cookie-cutter stereotypes. The audience cares about each person. There are not many deaths in the film, but each one is solidly felt. Put in lesser hands, Schwarzenegger would have been cast to blow up the terrorist cell, accepted the collateral damage, smoked a cigar and called it good. Thank the film Gods that never happened. The solution seemed pretty cut and dry. However, Powell and Benson run into a gauntlet of international protocols and red tape. Nobody wants to take responsibility for pulling the trigger – including the drone pilots who are struggling with a crisis of conscience. Eye in the Sky’s tension is riveting and suspenseful, as the terrorists are moments away from leaving their lair to complete their deadly mission. In the meantime, the wheels of bureaucracy slowly grind away. Provocative and engrossing, Eye in the Sky offers no easy answers.

The Huntsman: Winter’s War

1/2 By Jon Rutledge

he cinematic universe of The Huntsman is breathtakingly beautiful, from its terrific CGI effects to its spectacular landscapes to its beautiful cast. There is eye candy for everyone. Unfortunately, like real candy it lacks substance. This is Cedric Nicolas-

Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – May 2016

The Huntsman: Winter’s War

Troyan’s first time directing a feature length film. As such, he did fine. You can tell that his experiences come from the visual side of the production. This is really targeted at a Preteen audience and doesn’t dive very deeply in character development or storytelling. There are elements that seem to get lost and make the pacing stumble a bit. The choice to bring in the Show White elements seems contrived. Not having Kristen Stewart reprises her role even for a quick cameo makes the scenes with her character painful. It would have been better to mention her in name if at all. The writers on the film come from two different genres and you can pick out the elements that each brought to the table. Evan Spiliotopulos, known for a string of Disney movies (Tinkerbell and The Lost Treasure, Tarzan II) brings the more fairytale aspects whereas Craig Mazin adds sophomoreish humor to the characters as seen in his shticky films(Hangover II, Scary Movie 4). The Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) seems to be more light-hearted than in the previous film which seems to undermine the character. The fight scenes with him and Sara (Jessica Chastain) are top-notch. Other notable performances come from Nick Frost and Rob Brydon as dwarves Nion and Gryff. Their comedic talents dominate the scenes they are in. Emily Blunt’s performance as Queen Freya was outstanding. She brought passion and fire to a cold-hearted character while Charlize Theron oozed evil as she brought Queen Ravenna back from the dead. She does do sinister very well. Their love/hate relationship as sisters really provided a great contrast to each other, one was evil from the start and the other was evil by way of circumstance. Together they created the perfect amount of on-screen tension at the films climax. Go see this movie for the visual appeal and enjoyable performances, leave your brain at home as you won’t need it.

Saturday, May 14 at 6 PM, Doubletree Hotel - 83 E. 120th Thornton, CO

RMPA 2016 MUSIC AWARDS

Class Act Productions & Entertainment present Brenton Wood

The Awakening Of Self By Dr. Patrick Stephens

There is

much that can be said about con-

sciousness and the mind. What I feel

is important is that

we are aware of ourselves, and the impact we have on our daily lives

based on the thoughts we allow to be

mainstays. There are many things that an individual can to do condemn

themselves to a life and experience of discomfort and pain. The purpose of

this article is to illuminate the factors at play which create our reality, as

well as offer solutions to create a new

world or opportunity for you to live a

better life. It all starts with an experience. Wait, let me back up, it starts with existence. Let’s agree for the sake of this argument that we do exist, and the experiences we have are real. So, it starts with an experience. I will argue that there are no good or bad experiences, just experiences, and it’s up to us to decide what they mean, and what we want to make from them. The conclusions we draw from our experiences will shape what I will call the cognitive filter, or our conscious mind. It is the beliefs we hold about the world that create our ability to perceive our environment, and in addition will shape our very experience of this grand thing we call life. Have you ever noticed that you may end up in the same situation time after time with person after person (commonly recurring themes in personal relationships)? Have you ever wondered why “this” keeps happening? The reason we are common to have reoccurring themes in our lives is because of our cognitive filter. It is a vibration or a tone that we put out into the world which the universe

Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – May 2016

sees, and responds to. When you drive down the road and are looking for people to cut each other off, follow too closely, drive dangerously, guess what, that’s what you will see. When you drive down the road and look for people being nice, giving an extra gap to let someone in, waving another person through a stop sign, then that is what you will see. At the end of the day, there are things we can do to affect our experiences. If you are tired of having the same experiences over and over, especially if they bring you pain or discomfort, ask yourself, what are you focusing on? What is the story you’re telling yourself about yourself and about others and society? All it takes is a change of mind to create a new reality. If you’re ready to move forward with your life, and learn to live with greater freedom, and fewer limitations, then you can start by evaluating what you focus on, what do you give “air time” to in your mind. Also know that there are professional healers who focus on this and are very effective at opening this door for you to walk through and experience a greater existence with greater opportunity and greater joy in this life. You deserve to be happy and to live the life of your dreams. I know that it is possible for anyone who wants to change, to cultivate change in their own worlds. Editor’s note: Dr. Patrick Stevens is a chiropractor healer and author in the highlands neighborhood in Denver, Colorado. He discovered his gift to feel people and their limitations years ago, and has been practicing freeing people from their own cognitive filter for many years. He can be reached at 303-416-0361 or email houseofheatlhchiro@gmail.com. For more information, visit www.houseofhealthchiro.com.

URBAN EVENTS

For information, call 303-292-6446

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COMMUNITY NOTES

A Woman’s Spiritual Journey Art Exhibit Opens At Blair Caldwell

Seven women artists share both their individual and collective journeys navigating the world as women of color, with Recalibration: Honoring the Sacred Journey of Womanhood. Featured artists include Holly Kai Peterson Hurd, Jannah Farooque, Aisha Renee, Anicesha Wilson, Abril Fresca, Kimberly Ming and curator Helen Littlejohn. Artistry includes painting, jewelry, mixed media, fabric and spoken word. The culmination of five months of art, confession and wisdom, the show is the result of collaboration between Hurd’s concept of Spirit Notations For Recalibration A Clandestine Operation and Littlejohn’s vision of a space to showcase a woman’s spiritual journey. The show runs May 1-26 at the Blair Caldwell African American Research Library, 2401 Welton St. in the Historic Five Points. An artists’ reception and performance, free and open to the public, will be Saturday, May 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the third floor Cousins Gallery. For more information, email helenwlittlejohn@gmail.com.

Art Exhibit and Induction Ceremony Planned In May

Venture Prep will host their 4th annual Senior Art Exhibition and National Arts Honor Society Induction Ceremony on May 4, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Venture Prep Smiley Campus, 2540 Holly St., Denver. The keynote speaker will be local artist Kathleen Casteel, Executive Director of Voices on Canvas. Come and enjoy music, food and art with your fellow community members from Park Hill. For more information, contact Venture Prep High School, 303-8930805.

Colfax Marathon Mannequin Art Competition and Show Planned

Lupus Awareness Event Slated At Aurora Fox Arts Center

The Urban League Guild of Metropolitan Denver and the Lupus Colorado Foundation are sponsoring the second annual lupus awareness event, “Lupus and the AfricanAmerican Community.” This free, open to the public event and live presentation will be held May 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Aurora Fox Arts Center, located at 9900 E. Colfax Ave. The event is intended to raise awareness and provide education about systemic lupus erythematosus, a chronic and debilitating disease that is significantly more prevalent in individuals of color, with young AfricanAmerican women bearing by far the greatest burden. Anyone affected by lupus is encouraged to attend. Presenters include Dr. Duane Pearson and Dr. Susan Boackle, rheumatologists at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, and Dr. Anthony Young, Denver psychologist and CEO of Achieving Healthier Lifestyles. Resources for ongoing support will be provided for those that attend. For more information, call 303-3772790, extension 5.

A Caribbean Festival and Special Roast At Rising Star

On Saturday, June 18, at 3 p.m., Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church will host a Caribbean Festival of fun, food and fellowship with all of the Caribbean trimmings. The public is invited to a “tasteful” afternoon of laughter as Pastor Jules E. Smith and First Lady Rev. Ida Gice Smith are roasted. Donation is $20 for adults and $10 for youth 12 and under. For information, tickets or how you can support this fun event, contact Fairy Hanley at 303-261-5086, Shirley Armstrong at 720-296-5336 or the church office at 303-752-0546.

The Colfax Marathon’s Mannequin Art Competition and Show will be held Friday, May 6 from 6 to 10 p.m. Artists from throughout the Metro area have applied their imaginations and skills to a unique body of work in the painted and mixed media mannequins on display at the VFW Post 1 Art Gallery, located at 841 Santa Fe Drive, to celebrate the Colfax Marathon event. Voting will determine the top three marathon mannequin art winners. For more information, email info@runcolfax.org or visit www.runcolfax.org. Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – May 2016

Malcolm Hankins to Lead Aurora’s Neighborhood Services Department

Sick

Transmission? We have your medicine!

Sick

Transmission? We have your

medicine! Gooch’s

Gooch’s Transmission Specialist

Myron Gooch, Manager 760 Dayton Street Aurora, CO 80010 303-363-9783

Making transmissions Making transmissions well wellforsince 1983. 22 years .

HATS OFF TO

The city of Aurora has named Malcolm Hankins as director of the Neighborhood Services Department. Hankins, who starts as director on May 2, is returning to the city where he previously served as a code enforcement officer and as a Neighborhood Support supervisor. Most recently, Hankins was neighborhood preservation manager in Chandler, Arizona, near Phoenix. The Neighborhood Services Department works to maintain community appearance and enhance the quality of life in Aurora’s neighborhoods through programs, improvements and services. Neighborhood Services includes: •Animal Services (Aurora Animal Shelter and Animal Protection Officers) •Community Development (focused on basic needs, economic opportunities, support services and homelessness) •Community Relations (using human, community and social service resources to meet the needs of a diverse city) •Neighborhood Support (Code Enforcement and Neighborhood Liaisons) •Original Aurora Renewal (neighborhood resource center for northwest Aurora) As Neighborhood Services director, Hankins replaces Interim Director Ron Moore, who is retiring. Hankins holds a master’s degree in ministry from Phoenix Seminary and is pursuing a doctorate in organizational leadership from Grand Canyon University. He has served as pastor at First Watch Ministries in Phoenix.

EGTC Earns National Accreditation for Practical Nursing Program

Emily Griffith Technical College (EGTC) has achieved national programmatic accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) for its Practical Nursing Program. Accreditation distinguishes this nursing program from many others by assuring the highest quality of nursing education for students as determined by an independent, external process of evaluation. Status as an accredited organization means EGTC has met nationally recognized and rigorous standards for the provision of quality education for nurses. EGTC is the only Denver area practical nursing certificate program with a national nursing accreditation. Programs seeking accreditation by ACEN undergo an extensive selfassessment and on-site survey by ACEN expert surveyors who are actively involved in nursing care. The Nursing Program at Emily Griffith Technical College has been a positive presence in the Denver community since the 1940s when it was established as one of the first programs of its kind in Colorado. The program combines studies in the college’s state-of-the-art training facility with planned and guided clinical experiences in client care at health care clinics, long-term care facilities, and community agencies. Following graduation, students are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN licensure examination to become a licensed practical nurse. NCLEX-PN pass rates for Emily Griffith Technical College practical nursing graduates are consistently above the national average. Many graduates, who began their educational journey with the Nurse Aide program at EGTC, continue their education seeking a degree as a registered nurse.

Bold. Rich. Brewtiful.

$ 49 Medium Iced Coffee Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – May 2016

HunnyComb Helps You to Be Yourself By Melovy Melvin

The beauty industry is one of the

most lucrative industries in the world. Beauty products from toning your

skin, to treating the roots of your hair,

are constantly presented to the public.

Popular trends have become a must when trying to keep up with style –

television shows casting runway models, celebrities zooming in on looks,

and YouTube channels streaming with tutorials on popular products and

how to use them, all focusing on self-

“HunnyComb Inc. acknowledges that. I know that when people leave the chair satisfied, a sudden change happens. Taking care of your hair to your mind to even your heart is all connected.” This “aha” moment, prompted Thompson to begin her nonprofit organization offering classes that provide hair basic care services as well as educate people on hair care. However, with the many

salons available, HoneyComb Inc. has a different kind of approach to assist her clients and help the public. A variety of classes including theory and practical are held on the second and third Wednesday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Sereniti Hair Studio. Class subjects

range from hair management to utilizing the proper tools and from washing and conditioning to braiding and styling and are open to men and women. Self- esteem is a universal attribute that many girls and women want to exuberate. HoneyComb Inc. wants to educate, motivate, and mentor people so that you too can “Be the Queen of your HunnyComb.” Editor’s note: For more information on cost of classes and availability, email Dominique Thompson at Hunnycomb hair@gmail.com or visit www.Hunny combhair.com.

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DENVER

beauty. It’s no wonder why some people have become obsessively preoccu-

pied with enhancing their looks. Dominique Thompson, owner of HunnyComb Inc., has been a hairstylist for 11 years and feels that in a society where beauty is in the forefront, many people may feel insecure. “Everyone wants to feel beautiful,” Thompson said. “A few years ago when I worked in Northfield, a customer came in and said to me she didn’t care what I did, all she wanted was for her hair to look beautiful. She said me it was not so much that she didn’t care; she just didn’t know what to do. When she first came in, her hair was short and a bit damaged. I began working on it,” Thompson said. After providing services to the woman she soon became a regular customer. “She began coming in every two weeks and each time, I not only worked on her hair, but started to educate her on what to do and how to find the products that best suited her hair,” said Thompson. As her regular customer came in, Thompson began taking notice. Her client’s hair was now longer and healthier. It seemed that the change to the client’s hair was soon becoming a transformation of the client herself. “I saw how something so simple like a hairstyle can really change a person,” Thompson said, who began HunnyComb Inc. to educate on beauty and hair care and allow people to realize the true self- beauty that they possess. “If something so small can make a big difference, then it matters. It is the small things that continue to be overlooked,” Thompson said.

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Montbello Kicks Off 50th Anniversary with District Wide “Day of Beauty”

On Saturday, May 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., The District 11 Council Office will kick off Montbello’s 50th Anniversary with a district-wide “Day of Beauty,” including community beautification projects and a free celebratory lunch. “District 11 neighborhoods, from Montbello, to Green Valley Ranch along with Parkfield and High Point are beautiful. We have lovely homes, big yards, and great parks and trails. We are the Front Door to Denver and are looking forward to keeping up the wonderful tradition of beautification of our homes, schools, and parks to roll out the welcome mat for a fabulous summer!” said District 11 Councilwoman, Stacie Gilmore. Denver Parks and Recreation will facilitate two stewardship tree-planting projects at Montbello Central Park and Green Valley Ranch East Park from 9 a.m. to noon, while Denver Solid Waste will provide a “large item pick up” at the Montbello High School and Evie Dennis Campus parking lots between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

SBA, Tech Titans Help Small Businesses Go Digital

By Betsy Markey, SBA’s Region VIII Administrator

Small businesses today can offer customized delivery options for customers and manage employee payrolls with a swipe of a screen or click of a button. Digital tools like these are helping small employers compete with big firms, keeping dollars on Main Street and spurring local economies. Integrating the right technology for your small business in today’s modern economy can be challenging, but it is also increasingly essential. The good news is you don’t need to do it alone. Here at the SBA, we understand the importance of providing streamlined systems and platforms to small businesses to navigate the digital landscape to innovate and propel the economy forward. Recently, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that it will make digital tools and resources available to America’s entrepreneurs through a first-of-its-kind public-private partnership with tech giants like Amazon, Box, Facebook, LegalZoom, Microsoft, Salesforce, and Zenefits. Whether small firms are selling quilts or cloud solutions, businesses need access to digital tools and capabilities to be competitive. Through Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – May 2016

District 11 Day of Beauty continues with a celebratory lunch including food from Lena B-Bar-B-Que food truck at the Montbello Recreation Center from noon to 2 p.m. Food truck owner, Lonnie Shinault has been a proud and active resident of Green Valley Ranch since 1989. “I’m glad to be involved in the Day of Beauty and hope everyone can come out to enjoy some great BBQ,” said Shinault. District 11 is delighted to provide the lunch free of charge (while supplies last). Additional activities include a small farmers’ market, composting and gardening demonstrations, public art, a performance from the award-winning Montbello Drum Line, appearances by Montbello area cheerleaders and local dignitaries, and more surprises. Organizations, non-profits and large groups are invited to become a Day of Beauty partner by volunteering 10 or more people. For more information or to volunteer, visit www.denvergov.org/VolunteerDPR, or contact Tina Myers at tina.myers@denvergov.org or 303-6984904. District 11 encompasses Northeast Park Hill, Stapleton, Montbello, Parkfield, Gateway, Green Valley Ranch and Denver International Airport. For more information visit: http://www.denvergov.org. SBA’s Small Business Tech Coalition, small firms now have access to explore and rethink online commerce and payment platforms, the efficiency of back-office operations, productivity solutions, cybersecurity protection, and improvements in customer service and shopping experiences to startup and scale their business. This coalition will also cover topics important to entrepreneurs through educational offerings and sharing sessions. These sessions will address timely small business topics like cyber security, social media marketing, brand awareness, mobile content management, productivity solutions, online/ecommerce, mobility and field operations, and payments in a digital and sharing economy. This is just a small sampling of what’s to come. The bottom line is that America’s small businesses now have a streamlined interface to connect to innovative technology platforms, digital education and enterprise training. Now it’s easier than ever to join the movement and go digital! To learn more, visit www.sba.gov/techcoalition. Editor’s Note: Betsy Markey serves as the SBA’s Region VIII Administrator and is based in Denver. She oversees the agency’s programs and services in Colorado, Montana, Utah, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

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