Denver Urban Spectrum - The end and the beginning of a new era - July 2023

2023 JAZZ

SATURDAY 7.15

MAXWELL

DAMIEN ESCOBAR

SUNDAY 7.16

DAVE KOZ with special guests Candy

Dulfer, Eric Darius, and Maysa Leak

JAZZ FUNK SOUL ft Jeff Lorber, Everette

Harp, Paul Jackson Jr.

PAUL TAYLOR

BROTHERS OF BRASS

LEELA JAMES

NORMAN BROWN

JAZZ IN PINK

C2 MASS CHOIR

PUBLISHER

Rosalind J. Harris

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Brittany N. Winkfield

GENERAL MANAGER

Lawrence A. James

MANAGING EDITOR

Angelia D. McGowan

COPY EDITOR

Ruby Jones

COLUMNIST

Barry Overton

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Christian Aldridge

Ruby Jones

Thomas Holt Russell

La’Quane Smith

Wayne Trujillo

Brittany Winkfield

SPECIAL PROJECTS ASSISTANT

Tanya Ishikawa

ART DIRECTOR Bee Harris

SOCIAL MEDIA / DIGITAL MARKETING Melovy Melvin DISTRIBUTION

Lawrence A. James - Manager

The Denver Urban Spectrum is a monthly publication dedicated to spreading the news about people of color. Contents of the Denver Urban Spectrum are copyright 2023 by Bizzy Bee Enterprise. No portion may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.

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Mile-High Milestones

Current events show Denver entering the summer making national news with a few milestones.

In this month’s cover story, Mayor Michael B. Hancock reflects on his three terms in office. Contributor Christen Aldridge’s interview with the mayor reveals his thoughts on his time in office as the city prepares to end an era and begin a new one with incoming Mayor Mike Johnston in the city’s highest elected station.

Likewise, Aurora Public Schools is entering a new beginning with Michael Giles Jr. as its new superintendent. Contributor LaQuane Smith’s piece on Giles explains how he plans to accomplish his goal of ensuring that when students complete their K-12 experience they are prepared for college, the workforce or any other endeavor they choose.

In this issue, DUS also highlights some memorable moments in sports and entertainment history in Colorado. Contributor Wayne Trujillo provides historical context on the significance of the Denver Nuggets winning the National Basketball Association Championship. And, our COLab media partner – Colorado Community Media – also shares the journey of Hazel Miller, a popular vocalist who was recently inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame.

Tragically, Denver hit an unwanted milestone with the death of Jor’Dell Richardson, 14, who on June 1, was shot and killed by an Aurora police officer. A piece from our COLab media partner – the Sentinel - shares coverage of police reform activists, who marched down Alameda Avenue and demanded the resignation of Aurora police interim Chief Art Acevedo.

As we enter summertime in the Rockies, there are a lot of milestones to celebrate. There’s also a lot of work to do to provide the safest summer for our families and friends. Be well.

Angelia D. McGowan Managing Editor

Will Justice Prevail?

Editor:

Seems our neighbors just cannot bring themselves to stop lynching people of color. The latest incident with ex-marine, Daniel Penny applying a choke hold to the neck of Jordan Neely for a lethal 15 minutes is further proof that some folks when confronting color cannot suppress their urge to kill.

The element of society that produces psychopaths like Penny, also comes to their defense when they kill.

In Penny’s case, his defenders can rely on plausible deniability as a tactic to gain him a reduced sentence. Those who control these things have already rigged the wheels of justice to turn in Penny’s favor by charging him with a seconddegree manslaughter instead of first-degree murder. His defense will no doubt make him out to be a hero…you know…he was protecting the

passengers on the subway train, and all. The flaw in this claim is after Neely was subdued, and being restrained by other passengers, Penny did not release his hold. This strikes me as intent to commit murder.

In my opinion, those who restrained Neely while Penny callously strangled him to death, are just as culpable and should be brought up on charges as well. Those involved in the accident essentially functioned as a lynch mob. Penny had to know his actions had to

result in death for Neely, but that knowledge did not deter him. He was trained to kill by the US Marine Corps…so he knew. Consequently, there is no defense for him. But the justice system is no better than those who control it. As long as psychopathic America feels that lynching is an important tool to have in his arsenal, it will continue to attempt to eliminate color producing potential.The one thing it does not possess.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Jordan Neely

A Mayor Who Rose to the Occasion

Mayor Michael B. Hancock reminisces on past, looks forward to future as he leaves office

By Christen Aldridge & Ruby Jones

July 17th marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new start for the city of Denver. Mike Johnston will be sworn in as the new mayor, and Mayor Michael B. Hancock will leave the city’s highest elected station, as his third and final term comes to an end.

Hancock finishes 12 years of leadership on a high note, and reflects on his incumbency as a challenging but monumental time. He says, “The people will look back at this administration and say, ‘Whatever happened we rose to the occasion.’”

Elected as Denver’s 45th mayor in 2011, Hancock became the second AfricanAmerican mayor to lead the Mile High City, following Wellington Webb’s 12-year term from 1991 to 2003.

Born in Texas, Hancock was raised in Denver and graduated from Manual High School in 1987. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from Hastings College, then attended the University of Colorado, Denver, where he earned a master of public administration. Shortly after completing his education, he got his first taste of politics as a city councilman.

At the end of his second term on council for northeast Denver’s District 11, his childhood dream came true when he was elected mayor of Colorado’s capitol city in 2011.

Crediting the people of Denver for the inspiration that ignited his fire to run for office, he says, “The people of Denver will forever be in my heart for giving this young boy, who grew up in the Five Points/Whittier, Cole, and sometimes Park Hill and Montbello neighborhoods, a chance to live his dream of being mayor.”

Denver has experienced major changes since 2011. With a rapidly growing population and a plethora of economic and technological advancements, Hancock was given the unique opportunity to elevate the city in many ways. “The work we did allowed Denver to become globally present and globally competitive. We spent a lot of time building our global network, attracting direct foreign investment, and growing jobs. I am very proud of that work,” he remarks.

The job market expansion following the city’s efforts to position Denver as a hub for technology and commerce benefited businesses and residents alike.

At the start of Hancock’s career as mayor, the Denver metro area experienced a population increase of nearly 3%. The upward trend continued steadily, then skyrocketed in 2012, after Colorado voters approved Amendment 64 legalizing retail marijuana for recreational adult use. Denver welcomed approximately 500,000 new residents over the course of his tenure.

Infrastructure was at the top of his agenda to contend with the population boom and make the best use of opportunities

that accompanied major growth. In addition to several road projects improving the commute for Denver drivers, he championed efforts to improve conditions for all Denver residents, with special accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists; updates to storm and sewer infrastructure; the creation of safer neighborhoods and public park spaces; and the incorporation of environmentally friendly improvements to city structures.

To make Denver a more attractive destination for tourists and visitors, numerous construction projects were launched under the Hancock administration. The expansion of the Colorado Convention Center is expected to be complete in late 2023. The National Western Complex received updates needed to sustain the growing attendance of the Stock Show, which brings millions of dollars in revenue to the city each year. Efforts to revitalize downtown Denver are underway, with projected transforma-

Photos courtesy of the Office of the Mayor

tions for city sports complexes and educational institutions.

Hancock gave close consideration to changes needed at Denver International Airport to accommodate international travelers. “We are more connected around the world with 17 to 19 new international flights, and seven new international carriers at DIA. These are a direct result of our efforts to make Denver more globally competitive,” he says.

In 2015, he awarded the biggest minority-owned business contract in Denver’s history to Burgess Services for the construction of an on-site hotel transit center. Then in 2016, his ambitions to make Denver a “smart city” resulted in the launch of the Regional Transportation District’s A-Line commuter “Train to the Plane.” Ongoing construction projects to revamp the Great Hall and modernize terminals will continue to increase the efficiency of one of the world’s busiest airports.

Delighted with improvements that will positively affect Denver families for generations to come, Hancock boasts, “I’m proud of the work we did to make the city more friendly and adaptable for children who are growing up in Denver. I am very proud of our My Denver Card initiative that gave over one hundred thousand children access to our recreation programs. We created more afterschool programs for youth and we have worked to address young people going to school hungry.”

With more demand for housing and community services, he and his administration worked to meet the needs of people living in Denver. “There is a new Department of Housing Stability, with a new chief housing officer and an entire department focused on allocating $254 million to supporting affordable housing and people experiencing homelessness in the city of Denver,” he exclaims.

To ensure that residents have the tools they need to live and thrive equitably, he advocated for the intensification of outreach from community resources. The Office of Social Equity and Innovation provided local agencies with training to inform programmatic decisions related to racial equity, social equity, and social justice.

Meeting the comprehensive needs of Denver’s changing com-

munities was one of Hancock’s priorities, as he worked with community leaders and resource providers to ensure access to program supports. “I am proud of the Neighborhood and Equity Stabilization efforts that push back against the metrics and forces that create gentrification and involuntary displacements in our city,” he says, citing the work of behavioral health resources and city partnership in the Blackled Goodr food program. “We

now have more free stores for children to access groceries for their own families when they are experiencing challenges with food insecurity.”

More than 35 international companies set up headquarters in Denver since 2018, establishing a healthy landscape for job and financial stability for local residents and business owners. When the Coronavirus pandemic of 2020 threatened the

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We provide valuable resources to prepare you for the most important investments in your life—your home and your future. We appreciate the opportunity to get to know you.

Mayor Michael B. Hancock

Continued from page 5 city’s bustling economic landscape, Hancock responded with urgency. He enforced safety mandates aligned with the Center for Disease Control’s guidelines, and created innovative solutions such as outdoor dining, to help businesses stay afloat.

Individuals and business are working to recover what was lost during the pandemic, and his administration remained dedicated to finding solutions to ease the unprecedented burden.

The city of Denver invested $308 million from the COVIDera American Rescue Plan Act to support city, community, and business recovery through grants and technical assistance. The city didn’t stop there; creative solutions like the Downtown Denver Partnership’s Pop-Up Denver program grants small business owners and entrepreneurs with three months of free rent for storefronts in areas that are experiencing high post-pandemic vacancy rates.

Excited about Denver’s potential, Hancock points to the Herman Malone Fund that will set aside 1% of revenue from marijuana sales to help minority businesses.

Recognized as an active participant in the community, Hancock frequented local events to show support for the hard work of service providers and stakeholders. He wants to be remembered for his commitment to community. “This is an administration that did not sit still. We didn’t sit idle for 12 years. We did a lot to build for Denver’s future, and we showed resilience that no other administration has had to show,” he proclaims.

Amid Denver shuttering its doors during the pandemic shutdown, he and other city leaders around the nation grappled with demonstrative protests following the heinous killing of George Floyd in the

summer of 2020. Then a wave of migrants began crossing into the United States from Mexico and making their way to Colorado, ultimately challenging city resources and creating a crisis that demanded the mayor’s response. Hancock found humane ways to address each dilemma.

“What makes me most proud is that every time we were called upon, we rose to the occasion. My heart is with my appointees and employees of the city and county; there is a lot we have to be proud about. When I think about all the things we’ve done, we have begun to shake up the systems that drive the inequities and disparities in our city,” he acknowledges.

When asked if he wishes for more time to complete some projects, he immediately refers to the issue of homelessness that has persisted throughout his mayoral career. During the pandemic, rates of homelessness surged nearly 13%, leaving city leaders scrambling to find solutions. Safe outdoor camping sites, hotel sheltering, increased warming centers, and conversion of the Denver Coliseum into an emergency homeless shelter are just some of the resources used to keep everyone safe. Still, he wishes he could have eliminated the problem altogether.

“I think we have come a long way in understanding the models that are effective in the city. We have populated the tool chest, and the next administration will have a lot of tools to fortify their efforts towards helping those who are unsheltered in our community,” he says.

He goes on to note some of the most critical aspects in finding lasting solutions, “I wish we could have completed all of it. There remains a need for a strong system of comprehensive care around mental health, sobriety, rehabilitation, and familial reconnection.”

Hancock extends support and optimism to his successor as he prepares to leave office. He wishes Johnston the best, and encourages him to put his love for the city and the people of Denver first. “They are the institution that will make you get up every day and fight. They will make you want to travel around the world for them – but not as the mayor, as the representative of the people.”

Thankful for the support of Denver residents, Hancock recalls growing up as a little boy with a big dream. “The people of Denver helped me realize my dream. They blessed me with the honor and privilege of serving: not once, not twice, but three times. They stood with me as we built this city through challenges and opportunities. I’m walking out humbled by the opportunity to serve my city.”

As Denver prepares to say goodbye to its esteemed leader,

he is preparing for the next stage in his life. “For 30 years I have never not known what was next. I really don’t know what’s next this time, and that’s energizing to me,” he says. After taking some time off, he looks forward to helping businesses and administrators near and far as a consultant, and hopes to devote time working on corporate boards.

“I want to work toward my future and be a blessing to my children as they build their own families. I’ve got work to do. My faith has never wavered, and God has never left me. I am blessed to have the opportunity to think about what’s next,” he adds.

To celebrate 12 years of service, the “Thank You, Denver,” community concert was held at Denver Botanic Gardens in

June, featuring saxophonist Gerald Albright and singer Patti LaBelle. Hancock’s final farewell will be celebrated with a goodbye at his high school alma mater in early July..

Editor’s note: Denver Urban Spectrum thanks Mayor Hancock for his commitment to the advancement of Denver communities, and for turning the town we love into a world-class city.

Add filtered water. Cook with love.

If your home is enrolled in the Lead Reduction Program, be sure to use the water pitcher and filter provided for drinking, cooking and preparing infant formula. Boiling water does not remove lead, so filter first.

Learn more at denverwater.org/Lead

Climb to the Summit: Climb to the Summit: The Denver Nuggets Champions in the Past and Present The Denver Nuggets Champions in the Past and Present

C C

olorado enjoys a reputation as a state populated with enthusiasts of all manners of sports and recreational activities. The state’s residents and visitors aren’t mere spectators. From skiing to biking, rafting to hiking, people actively participate.

Even when sports fans aren’t on the slopes, courts and fields, they’re in the stands, bleachers and bars, actively cheering, prodding and pushing Colorado teams to score the winning touchdown, shot or goal. When a professional franchise wins a national championship, it’s a virtual state holiday. Past Super Bowl and Stanley Cup wins saw statewide celebrations, and when the Denver Nuggets won the 2023 NBA Championship in June, the Centennial State celebrated their hometown heroes in-kind.

According to CBS News, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock estimated 750,000 to one million people congregated in Downtown Denver for a celebratory rally and parade. While it was a joyful day of celebra-

By Wayne Trujillo

By Wayne Trujillo -

tion for the Denver Nuggets’ triumph, it wasn’t without a few hiccups.

Crowds watched the victorious basketball players ride through the streets in a fire truck, until the truck ran over a police sergeant’s leg leaving him with limb-threatening injuries. Later that evening, gunshots left two people in serious condition; though

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in a 4-0 sweep. For the first time in 47 years, the Nuggets were Western Conference champions and would be playing in the NBA Finals.

For starters Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokic, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Michael Porter Jr, Aaron Gordon and the rest of the Denver Nuggets team,

With Murray and Jokic running back-to-back scoring plays, Gordon’s brute athleticism, Porter’s consistency and Caldwell-Pope’s clutch fastaction movements thrilled fans and showed the true definition of teamwork. Supported by the high-performing rookie Christian Braun, and reliable buckets made by Bruce Brown Jr. when it mattered most, the

Denver Police Chief, Ron Thomas, later reported that the gunshots were “Completely unassociated with the parade.”

CBS News captured the prevailing sentiment among celebrants like Devash Khanal, who told the news network, “It’s just an amazing feeling. I can’t even describe it. I’m at a loss for words. All my life I’ve cheered for them so it’s just good to see them finally bring it home.”

Nuggets fans were in for a treat during the entire 2023 NBA Playoff season. After beating the Minnesota Timberwolves in game five and sending the Phoenix Suns packing after game six, the team advanced to the Western Conference championship. Spectators and sports commentators were shocked to see the Denver Nuggets shut out

the championship win was a lifelong dream come true.

Murray, the six-foot fourinch point guard from Kitchener, Ontario in Canada, was selected by the Denver Nuggets in the 2016 NBA draft after developing a love for the game as early as three years old. Murray returned to the court this season after suffering a devastating torn ACL and having to sit out the entire 20212022 season. He returned with a vengeance, and partnered with Serbian superstar and Finals MVP, Nikola “Joker” Jokic, to lead the team to a 4-1 victory over the Heat.

Denver Nuggets Head Coach Michael Malone cultivated a winning team, but much of the success they experienced can be attributed to their cohesiveness on the court.

Denver Nuggets were unstoppable, unbeatable, and the worthy recipients of the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.

Denver’s beloved basketball franchise has undergone a long journey to greatness from their modest beginnings in the nowdefunct American Basketball Association. They started out being called the Denver Larks in 1967, then changed their name to the Denver Rockets before the first season. Ultimately, the team settled on the Denver Nuggets in 1974, and entered the National Basketball Association in 1976. The NBA website explains that the Denver Nuggets name reflects Colorado’s 19th century gold mining boom, “When people rushed to the area, hoping to make their fortunes by panning for gold and silver nuggets.”

Photos by Brittany Winkfield

- Photos by Brittany Winkfield

Veteran Colorado-based journalist Allen Best, an avid decades-long Denver Nuggets fan, recalls the “humble” early days when aspiring players could simply show up at the team’s training camp for an impromptu tryout. One of Best’s basketball buddies attended one of the walk-on tryouts, recounting the day he met basketball great David Thompson, “at the rim.”

One of Best’s fondest memories isn’t at the high-profile, big-ticket Ball Arena events, or even in the years since the team has been called the Denver Nuggets. Instead, a standout for him was watching the team as the Denver Rockets at the old Auditorium Arena over 50 years ago, when future Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Spencer Haywood awed fans with his dunk. Best still marvels at Haywood’s meteoric rise from Trinidad State Junior College student to Olympic gold medal-

ist and basketball wunderkind within a blink of an eye.

Over the years, the Nuggets have been home to legendary players, whose contributions to the game created a legacy of hard-work and teamwork that fans will never forget. In addition to celebrated coaches Larry Brown and Dan Issel, formers players Haywood and Thompson are remembered with past Nuggets: Mike Green, Bobby Jones, Calvin Natt, Alex English, Kiki VanDeWeghe, Russell Cross, Dikembe Mutombo, Mahmoud AbdulRauf, Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony and Denver’s own Chauncey Billups.

Despite not winning a championship until now, fans remained loyal to the Denver Nuggets, idolizing their favorite home team ballers. Best recalls the days of watching English on the court, his hopes for a title didn’t deter him from cheering on players exhibited true talent and love for the game. “Even

though [English] never took us to the championships, there’s a love of the fluidity – his moves were so smooth,” Best explains. “You just loved to watch him play. He occupies a place in the minds of anybody who has followed this team through the years. Absolutely, he has to be in the top 10 Nuggets players of all time.”

From Auditorium Arena to McNichols Sports Arena to Ball Arena, Nuggets fans have packed the stands and donned the ever-changing team jerseys and sportswear in support. Now, the Denver Nuggets have been hoisted to the basketball pantheon. Even though the team has always held champion-status in the hearts of its fans, the NBA championship has skyrocketed both the esteem and expectations of the team to a new level.

Coach Malone is basking in the glory of leadership, as he succeeded in transforming the underdog Denver Nuggets into

a championship-winning team. He isn’t prepared to surrender that position any time soon and looks ahead to a succession of winning seasons.

While some are doubtful that the Nuggets will be able to repeat the feat next year, worrying that such a seismic win might be fluke, the coach sees it as both a portent and promise for the future. His plan is to make winning the new norm. The NBA website quotes Malone’s upbeat plan and prediction, “You go from an upstart to a winner, and a winner to a contender, and a contender to a champion; and the last step after a champion is to be a dynasty.”

If Malone’s optimism and the team’s performance this year extends into future seasons, the city may very well boast a dynasty recognized around the world. Nuggets fans will be ready. .

Michael Giles Offers Multiple Views as Superintendent

Aurora Public Schools Leader Has Great Expectations

By La’Quane Smith

Effective this month, Michael Giles Jr. is the new superintendent for Aurora Public Schools. The APS Board of Education voted unanimously (7-0) to officially approve Giles’ contract during their May 16 meeting.

In their public announcement, Board President Debbie Gerkin says, “On behalf of the board, I would like to sincerely thank the Aurora Public Schools community for your strong engagement throughout the superintendent search process. Community input and feedback was a critical component in selecting our next leader, and we are thrilled that Mr. Giles embodies many of the leadership traits and competencies that our community identified as priorities.”

The board’s announcement of a sole finalist for a new superintendent completed a four-month search and selection process.

Giles brings with him a wealth of advancing roles in education, having served as assistant superintendent of equity, culture and community engagement as well as assistant superintendent of performance improvement for Cherry Creek School District (CCSD). Other educational roles under his belt include school counselor, dean of students, assistant principal, principal and executive director. Prior to working in public education, he worked for a juvenile correction center.

Understanding the Role

A lot of parents are familiar with the role of teacher and principal, but they may not have a full understanding of what a superintendent does. According to Giles, the superintendent “Is a servant leader in the community, and is responsible for adhering to the needs of the community in an effort to

educate students and provide them with educational opportunities.”

These opportunities are meant to help students go out and live a thriving and successful life after high school. Giles feels the only way to afford those opportunities to students effectively is to understand and address community needs while also representing the community as an educational leader.

Community interaction from Giles’ perspective, is not just about communicating and interacting with parents, but includes engaging with corporations and local businesses. This enables the superintendent to assess the needs of the community before returning to the district and formulating a vision that incorporates the entire environment. Giles believes that this comprehensive view prepares a superintendent to provide leadership and create pathways for meaningful student experiences and academic achievement.

With the right systems and structures in place, Giles and the APS Board of Directors will continue working to provide great academic and educational experiences that benefit the entire student body. The new superintendent says his goal is to ensure that when students complete their K-12 experience, they are prepared for college, the workforce or any other endeavor they choose.

East Coast Innovation

As an Air Force military brat, Giles lived in New York, South Carolina and England before moving to Colorado as a senior in high school. He developed multiple perspectives from living in various places. Noting the main difference between schools in Colorado and schools on the East Coast, Giles says schools on the East Coast were more innovative and challenging. He recalls being expected to do and know more, and feels that there were more opportunities afforded to students.

Giles refers to an experience in middle school when his cousin had to create and film a movie. The project required his cousin to assemble a crew, write a script and produce a movie with technical equipment. He used a camera to shoot the movie over the course of several weeks. Students cut and spliced the video scenes at school, producing an incredible final product. Giles says he has not seen a student project of that caliber during his time in Colorado, and he is ready to introduce students to projects that will expand their horizons.

Without downplaying Colorado’s education standards, Giles insists that available resources are crucially important components to success in education. He notes that just like the East Coast has unique resources available to students, Colorado schools

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Michael Giles

Continued from page 11 typically have different resources than school districts in other parts of the country. Innovation and differing mindsets will help shape opportunities that lead to advancement for Aurora Public Schools’ students.

Giles believes that by modernizing technologies and teaching methods, students and educators can overcome the limitations caused by antiquated school systems. He points to inequities in educational funding and says that while these challenges might slow down progress, they won’t stop the mission.

Safety Measures

When it comes to safety, compared to South Carolina and New York, Giles says the school environment in Colorado is safer. For example, in New York, students experienced constant worry about safety, with metal detectors and daily weapon screening. While he understands the severity of recent conversations regarding safety in Colorado schools, he is opposed to metal detectors due to previous experience.

The veteran administrator plans to address the safety concerns of parents and community members by first investigating the district’s current safety plan. He will evaluate the effectiveness and success of ongoing safety measures to determine whether there is a need for adjustment. Giles also plans to establish an interview process and task force comprised of educators, parents, students, local law enforcement and mental health providers to “Wrap our arms around kids,” he says. Members of the task force will come to the table to discuss safety and determine ways to best protect each child’s well-being in the educational environment.

By asking essential questions like, “Are we preventing alter-

cations?” “Are we reducing gun violence?” and “Are we reducing our mental health crisis?” Giles seeks to identify what’s working and what’s not. He looks forward to collectively designing a system that provides better safety measures for students. Along with vulnerable young learners, he plans to create better support systems for teachers, who need equally effective resources when overwhelmed.

Giles says that once a student leaves the school premises, things that happen are out of his control; however, he believes in arming students with the skills needed to address cyberbullying. For example, he wants students to know what cyberbullying looks like so they can identify their role as victims or perpetrators. He also says there is a need for programs that help students learn how to use social media responsibly.

Great Expectations

Having built a career around educational leadership and equity consultation, Giles earned bachelor of arts degrees in sociology and anthropology from Colorado Mesa University. He earned a master of arts degree in educational counseling from the University of Phoenix. His academic and real-world experience helped him understand the different ways educators can be creative to bring out every student’s brilliance, particularly students of color.

Though students may lack resources and experience inequities due to socioeconomic status, race, and cultural and linguistic backgrounds, Giles believes they are still capable of reaching the high expectations set by teachers.

Originally, Giles aspired to work in an educational setting that featured a high population of students of color. When he was hired at a predominantly white school in Cherry Creek School District, he discovered a

need for someone like him in that environment. He believes it was important for students and community members to see Black educators in leadership positions where their voices are heard.

Giles values Aurora Public Schools’ diverse student body, and will work to ensure that his efforts are, “Providing students with positive role models that look like them and understand their experiences.” He adds, “It boils down to the recruitment and retention of educators of color from diverse backgrounds.”

A teacher at heart, Giles did not always want to be an administrator; he didn’t know if he would enjoy being away from students and out of the classroom. Today, he is most proud of the relationships he has been able to maintain outside of instruction.

As a dean and assistant principal, Giles was able to develop and maintain student and parent groups. As a principal, he continued facilitating those groups at the district level because they were important to him. He believes that authenticity and transparency allowed him to develop and maintain great relationships with parents, and more importantly, inspired parents to advocate for their children. He says that these relationships have provided feedback that he will use to improve students’ academic experience going forward.

Though he does not care for politics, Giles is willing to engage in the political landscape to advocate for the needs of the students and community he serves. His integrity and values inform his support of legislation that will assist in the development of the state’s student body.

Building from the Classroom

Giles is excited for new educators whose classroom careers are just beginning. He encour-

ages them to keep an open mind as it relates to moving within the education system, and cautions against limiting themselves to familiar roles and positions. A growth mindset, he says, can lead to wonderful possibilities.

Despite inadequate compensation within the industry, Giles says that the rewards of education and educators’ impact on a child’s life bring fulfillment to the career. “When you see a child turn the corner and overcome obstacles, those are things you can’t necessarily monetize,” he reflects.

Giles also encourages educators to take advantage of professional development opportunities. In his own experience, AVID training during summers allowed for the expansion of his academic background.

During the Coronavirus pandemic, many teachers chose to switch careers. Giles admits that the school system has suffered from the loss of very talented teachers. He understands the stress resulting from lack of payment and safety issues and says that recruiting a new pool of teachers would be a huge benefit to students. Giles plans to implement innovative recruitment methods to help inspire new professionals to begin teaching and encourage former teachers to return to the classroom.

Mental health resources and additional professional development opportunities are some of the areas in which Giles believes he can support teachers. He is also trying to find ways to incentivize teaching with creative affordable housing initiatives he hopes to explore with local developers and city leaders.

Giles is bringing fresh, new energy to Aurora Public Schools, transforming the culture in every classroom. With community partnership and a comprehensive plan for a brighter future, he is on track to be one of the best superintendents the district has ever had..

Homeownership is Within Your Reach

By Angelle C. Fouther

Ask anyone what they believe to be the American Dream, and almost without exception, they’ll include home ownership. Owning a home is still the primary means of accumulating wealth for the average family, and closing the homeownership gap is the most effective way to close the racial wealth gap. Yet the numbers show that the realization of this dream continues to look very different for Black individuals and families compared to whites. According to 2020 Census Bureau data, 73% of white Coloradans owned their own home, compared with 41% of Black Coloradans.

The term “forever renters” has been circulating as of late–a reference to those (about 72% of millennials) who believe they will never be able to buy a home. There are many reasons for this belief, and for Black prospective home buyers, they include ever-present discrimination. But among the barriers keeping more African Americans from realizing home ownership, affordability and the inability to pay large down payment are at the top.

Doors to Opportunity Makes Homeownership a Reality

Since 2017, Elevation Community Land Trust (ECLT) has helped people stay in (or come back to) the communities they love by providing affordable homeownership opportunities using the community land trust model. Doors to Opportunity is ECLT’s newest tool, making home ownership affordable and possible by providing down payment assistance of up to $50,000.

Prospective home buyers must first apply for the Elevation CLT Affordable Homeownership Program and become fully qualified. Because funds for this program are finite, interested home seekers re encouraged to apply now.

The next steps are to select a Doors program certified Realtor from the website, then search for a new home anywhere in Colorado or from ECLT’s list of homes.

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“Woke”: A Convenient Catchall for White Angst

every turn. He’s trying to turn the clock back to 1937. When DeSantis says the word “woke,” it is a smile and a wink to far-right white supremacists.

What does “woke” mean? I have never heard anyone describe it in a way that it makes sense to me. Roland Martin shared a video clip that went viral; in it, he asked a white Republican author who wrote a book on “woke culture” to define what the term means. She had what can best be described as a mental breakdown in her woeful attempt to give a definition. She failed miserably to explain something she wrote a book about.

woke ship sailed, it has been taking in much water, sinking its meaning to more profound depths of hate, separation, distrust, violence and lawlessness, pushed from the top of the Republican shit heap.

Terms such as “defund the police,” “critical race theory,” and even “Black Lives Matter” have been taken over and weaponized by the far right. MAGA supporters changed those terms into euphemisms for everything they dislike. It happens that many of the problems they place under those terms are related to Black culture. Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis pushes policies that banned books written by Black Americans and somehow tie transgender issues on the tail of Black history to eliminate teaching it in schools. He reassures his supporters by proclaiming that Florida “Is where woke goes to die.”

Everyone on both sides of the aisle knows the direct translation: The progress of Black American culture, in all its forms of political power, education, art, voting rights, economic transformation, gun control, housing, and law enforcement, will be vehemently oppressed at

The term “woke” in its present meaning originated in African American Vernacular English (AAVE). Its use in this context dates to the early 21st century, particularly within Black American communities. I checked Google’s NGram Viewer, an online search engine that charts the frequency of words and phrases, but artificial intelligence is unable to decipher which meaning woke is represented in its data banks.

The word “woke” was initially used as a past participle of “wake,” indicating a state of being aware, alert or knowledgeable, especially regarding social and political issues that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. We can see that the word itself, which is very commonly used, has undergone a massive spike in usage in the past ten years. It is without a doubt that much of that increased usage is due to the popularity of the word among politicians, political pundits, wannabe Black activists and YouTube personalities.

I was a little late to the woke party. I heard the term several times but paid little attention. Once I heard President Obama use the word, I started to pay more attention. On the surface, it seemed easy to understand when discussed in context. My initial understanding was that the term meant being alert, aware, engaged in open-minded discourse, and maybe taking action to go along with it. I was wrong. Since the

When Republicans use the term woke, it is often attached to various things white people don’t like. I’ve seen the word associated with transgender fears, abortion, voting rights, gun control, Black history, book burning, critical race theory and anything else you can throw in there. One week ago, a couple in Walmart complained that bags were no longer available because of woke culture. When I asked the couple how that was possible, the answer was, “Woke people want to save trees. So now they took away our bags.” Notice that everything the left believes affects MAGA followers personally.

There was a time when I thought of Bill Maher as a hip, white dude with whom I wouldn’t mind smoking a joint with one day. But these days, he has slowly turned into a somewhat aged, whiny old man. And I questioned his legitimacy as a so-called liberal. He’s been complaining some time now about the “woke culture,” but like most people, he has failed to describe what exactly woke means. Instead, he brought in a popular celebrity guest to define it.

Elon Musk was Maher’s guest; he spoke about how the “woke virus” was causing an apocalyptic, dark future for democracy, pushing civilization to suicide. He continued, “We have to be very causes of anything anti-Americratic. End anything that results in the suppression of free speech.”

That sentence does nothing to explain what the “woke virus” is. The first part supports the suppression of free speech, and the second part of the sentence supports free speech. So, Musk supports the burning and banning of books for un-American people by mentioning the institution of slavery. Then, on the other hand, he supports free speech to the rightwing groups, who use his platform to sprout violence and attempt to overthrow the nation. That’s not un-American?

When pressed just a little, Elon was asked when all the wokeness started. Elon stated that it had been going on for a very long time, and that the schools and universities indoctrinated students. He told a supposedly true story of an elementary student who, when asked who George Washington was, answered that he was an enslaver.

As an interviewer, I would have asked Elon the following questions: Are you saying she only knew Washington as an enslaver instead of a president? Are the schools purposely leaving out the fact that he was president? If so, what schools are they? Do we have a generation of people walking around who did not know he was the president? Is this the best single example you can give of how the woke virus is destroying America? Lastly, and most importantly, did George Washington own enslaved people?

Would it offend Musk, Maher and others like them if I add that fact into the story when I tell my Black children and grandchildren the story of America? What is wrong with teaching kids that Washington was both an enslaver and a president?

Washington was a soldier, a farmer, a husband, a father and an engineer. If we let the right dictate what should be taught, the only part of his life they would eliminate is the fact that he was an enslaver and held people against their will to work in his labor camps to profit from free labor. Should we only celebrate the parts of history that do not offend white people, and ignore the experiences of people of color?

What if an Indigenous American were to write a book about America from their culture’s perspective? That type of violent, racist, depraved true history book would not fit well with the MAGA people. It would be banned; not because it is untrue, but because of someone’s guilt trip about how they feel about themselves. American history books are being banned in favor of a whitewashed, sanitized version of history. They not only want to whitewash his-

Again, the far-right has co-opted another phrase, and changed its meaning to “Black culture.”

Op-ed by T. Holt Russell

tory and lie to their own people, but also want it for the rest of us. Freedom of speech? This sounds much like Stalinist Russia to me.

Maher applauded Musk’s example instead of challenging the senseless statement from a man whose only advantage over mere mortals is that, even though he’ll eventually drop dead like everyone else (cryonics be dammed), he can send his remains into space. Maher punched Musk’s ticket and said, “That’s right, that is exactly the woke mind virus.”

This is all they got? A little girl mentioning that President George Washington enslaved humans, and the image of a nonexistent world was shattered for those who believe their grip on power is evaporating.

Last year I attended a board of education meeting for a school district in Colorado Springs. The purpose of the meeting was to reach a referendum on ensuring critical race theory would not be taught in the district. My argument was that no school in the district was teach-

ing critical race theory, and to my understanding, no teacher had requested or expressed any interest in teaching it.

I explained to the crowd that they were rallying against a term they had superimposed meaning to. They call teaching about slavery in any form part of a leftist conspiracy to promote un-American values. This is what they call critical race theory, but to me it is simple: it is called American history.

All histories have warts. Pretending those warts do not exist and punishing those who want a much clearer vision of history, is not only wrong but extremely dangerous. America cannot afford to have two separate concepts and visions of history. The truth does not take sides.

We need to call things what they really are. When Republicans blame an issue on the “woke culture” or “woke virus,” ask them to define what that means. When people speak about critical race theory, ask them exactly what part of history they think should not be

taught in class. Make them say it directly. We do not want them to hide behind dog whistle words and terms.

Challenge people to be explicit in their meanings. For the record, make them proclaim their racist views in public instead of hiding behind the terms associated with Black culture. Let’s put it all on the table. The earlier we confront this “woke” narrative for what it really is, the better it will be for America..

Cableland Home Foundation

Recognize Mayors of Denver First Spouses

Unveiling of the Historic First Spouses Wall

That aspiration was fulfilled last month with the recognition of 42 past First Spouses of Denver.

When asked what she wanted her legacy to be as the First Lady of Denver, Mary Louise Lee said it was to recognize and honor Mayors of Denver First Spouses.

The Cableland Home Foundation unveiled its historic First Spouses Wall on June 20 as a testament to the enduring strength, resilience, and progressive spirit of women who served as the First Ladies of Denver.

Held at Cableland, the reception with more than 200 special guests, began with a welcome by Event Chairs LaTonya Lacy and Jay Finesilver, both with the Foundation. Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock followed with remarks on how the role of a First Spouse is a thankless job that included overlooked contributions.

Goosebumps were felt as Mary Louise Lee sang “Believe in Yourself,” before providing personal remarks about the challenges for women who are mayoral spouses.

Five former First Ladies of Denver were in attendance and recognized as First Spouses with a portrait unveiling ceremony and a plaque.

They included Ellen Hart Peña (former First Lady to Mayor Federico Peña, 1983 to 1991); Wilma J. Webb (former First Lady to Mayor Wellington Webb, 1991 to 2003); Helen Thorpe (former First Lady to

now current Senator John Hickenlooper, 2003 to 2011);

Gabriela Cornejo-Figueroa (former First Lady of Mayor Guillermo “Bill” Vidal, January 2011 to July 2011); and Mary Louise Lee (former First Lady to current Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, July 2011 to 2021).

This historic event brought five First Spouses, spanning five decades from 1983, in one location for a public audience for the first time. This tribute acknowledged the invaluable role played by influential women who have supported and shaped the state alongside their mayoral partners. The unveiling ceremony marked a significant milestone in recog-

Mary Louise Lee

Mayor Michael B. Hancock

Jay Finesilver and LaTonya Lacy

Ribbon Cutting

nizing the enduring legacy of 42 remarkable women.

Guests were gifted with a commemorative First Spouse coin..

Editor’s note: For more information about the Mayors of Denver First Spouses, visit www.cablelandfirstspousesproject.org

July 9–September 24, 2023

Desert Rider: Dreaming in Motion is organized by Phoenix Art Museum. It is presented with generous support from the Adolph Coors Exhibition Endowment Fund, The Christensen Fund, U.S. Bank, the donors to the Annual Fund Leadership Campaign, and the residents who support the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). Promotional support is provided by 5280 Magazine and CBS Colorado.

IMAGE: Carlos Frésquez, The Obsidian Ranfla Series #1 (detail), 1999. Spray paint, screen print and oil paint on MDF panel; 13 x 20 in. From the collection of Manuel and Flo Ramos. © Courtesy of Carlos Frésquez.

First Spouses (Left to right): Gabriela Cornejo-Figueroa, Ellen Hart Peña, Wilma J. Webb, Mary Louise Lee and Helen Thorpe.

Photos by Brittany Winkfield

SUMMER THEATRE CAMP

A week filled with techniques and exercises to refine acting skills for a live performance of an original play, Black is Queen, that seeks to find self-love and empowerment in a world driven by social interactions.

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Friday, July 28, 6 pm - Montview Blvd. Presbyterian Church

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To register for the camp, visit our website at www.openingacttheatre.org by Monday, July 10, 2023.

Assumable Mortgage Loans

A Win-Win Solution for Home Buyers and Sellers

By Barry Overton

In the world of real estate, where various financing options exist, assumable mortgage loans have gained significant attention. In our current market where interest rates are teetering around 6.5% to 7.25%, an assumable loan that is in the sub 4% range becomes very attractive to a buyer.

An assumable mortgage allows a buyer to take over the existing mortgage terms and payments of the seller, providing an alternative financing solution that can benefit both parties involved in a property transaction. In this article, we will explore the concept of assumable mortgage loans, focusing specifically on VA loans and FHA loans, and outline the pros and cons for both buyers and sellers. USDA are also a type of home loan that can be assumed. Unfortunately, conventional loans are assumable.

What is an Assumable Mortgage Loan?

Assumable mortgage loans are a unique type of financing that enables a buyer to assume the existing mortgage on a property, essentially taking over the remaining loan balance, interest rate, and repayment terms established by the original borrower. This option can be particularly advantageous in a rising interest rate environment, as the buyer can secure a mortgage at a lower interest rate compared to prevailing market rates.

The Two Main Types of Assumable Mortgage

Loans:

1. VA Loans: VA (Veterans Affairs) loans are assumable mortgages available to eligible veterans, activeduty military personnel, and surviving spouses. With a VA loan assumption, the buyer must meet specific eligibility criteria, including being a qualified veteran or assuming the mortgage as a spouse. The Department of Veterans Affairs must approve the assumption, ensuring that the buyer is financially capable of taking over the loan.

Pros and Cons of VA Loan Assumptions: For Buyers: Low interest rates: Assumable VA loans can be an attractive option for buyers, especially if the original loan was secured during a period of low interest rates.

No down payment: VA loan assumptions do not require a down payment, which can be a significant advantage for buyers who may not have substantial savings for a down payment.

Flexible qualification requirements: VA loans generally have more lenient credit and income requirements, making it easier for buyers to assume the loan. For Sellers:

Easier marketability: The ability to transfer a VA loan to a new buyer can increase the pool of potential buyers, making the property more marketable.

Potential assumption fee: Sellers may charge an assumption fee or VA funding fee to cover administrative costs associated with the assumption process.

2. FHA Loans: FHA (Federal Housing Administration) loans are another common type of assumable mortgage. These loans are insured by the FHA, allowing buyers to assume the loan under specific conditions and guidelines.

Pros and Cons of FHA Loan Assumptions: For Buyers: Lower credit requirements: FHA loan assumptions may have more flexible credit criteria, making it more accessible for buyers with lower credit scores or limited credit history.

Low down payment: FHA loan assumptions typically require a lower down payment compared to conventional mort-

gages, allowing buyers to enter the housing market with less upfront cash.

For Sellers:

Broader buyer pool: Allowing FHA loan assumptions can attract a wider range of potential buyers, expanding the market for the property.

Mortgage insurance responsibility: Sellers may still be held responsible for the FHA mortgage insurance premium unless the buyer refinances the loan.

Assumable mortgage loans, such as VA loans and FHA loans, offer unique opportunities for both home buyers and sellers. Buyers can take advantage of favorable interest rates, relaxed qualification requirements, and potentially lower down payments. For sellers, allowing an assumable mortgage can enhance marketability and increase the pool of potential buyers. However, it’s essential for both parties to consider the specific terms, eligibility criteria, and potential costs

associated with the assumption process. Ultimately, the decision to assume a mortgage should be based on individual circumstances, financial goals, and careful consideration of the advantages and disadvantages for both buyers and sellers.

Speak to a real estate professional to see if an assumable loan option may be beneficial for you as a buyer or seller..

Editor’s note: Barry Overton is a licensed Real Estate professional with New Era Group at Your Castle Real Estate. He has been an agent since 2001, and started investing in real estate in 1996. For more information, email: barrysellsdenver @msn.com or call 303-668-5433.

www.dusetnnetwork.net

irst, came the depression diagnosis. Then, a catatonia diagnosis. PTSD and anxiety labels were thrown in the mix, too.

In college, 12 people Natasha Pierre knew had died within six months, and all she could do was talk to the campus priests about how she was feeling. The trauma piled on, and being in New York City during the 9/11 attacks sparked more symptoms.

It wasn’t until the antidepressant medication Pierre was on intensified her episodes that a psychiatrist gave her the most accurate diagnosis, bipolar disorder. Seven years had passed.

She wonders if her diagnoses were rushed. Did the clinicians rush to the easiest conclusion?

Pierre’s experience of misdiagnosis is not uncommon for Black people suffering from mental health issues. There are trends of both over diagnosis and underdiagnoses of Black people, depending on the symptoms. Some clinicians can be quick to diagnose Black Americans with illnesses like schizophrenia that involve psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions. When Black folks express feeling like others are out to get them or being paranoid about police encounters, it can be mislabeled, experts say.

Clinicians “may take something that is relatively understandable given the realities of racism and think of it as psychotic or problematic,” said Natalie Watson-Singleton, an associate professor of psychology at Spelman College.

On the other hand, mood disorders like depression tend to be underdiagnosed among Black people until the symptoms become increasingly severe. Why this happens varies by case, but experts say how Black Americans show depression and anxiety symptoms may be different from how mental health professionals are

How Mental Illness Among Black Americans Goes Misdiagnosed

By Margo Snipe, Capital B

Dr. Karinn Glover, a New York-based psychiatrist, said that with her patients, who are mostly Black and Afro-Latino, there is often disappointment after being diagnosed with depression. There’s a belief that it is a sign of weakness. They start to carry with them a sense of guilt, she said.

“It just does not fit within the model in their mind of who a Black woman should be,” Glover said. She has battled similar personal experience. Others have different expectations of what kinds of stress she could tolerate, and she internalized it, she said. “I may always struggle to figure out what my threshold for stress is.”

Glover does not think Black women present symptoms of depression any differently than other racial groups, but notes that her own experience may make her uniquely sensitive to the pain her clients describe. Anxiety may be different, she said. Black women may be quick to dismiss what they feel due to shame.

trained to spot it, and the social pressures Black people face to remain strong and in control of their emotions — even suppress them — may lead to delays in seeking help.

A study published last year found that Black women were more likely to report physical symptoms like fatigue and insomnia when they experience depression, as opposed to stereotypical symptoms such as feelings of hopelessness or sad mood. This might lead to underdiagnoses and under treatment, said Nicole Perez, the study’s lead author.

It’s not like a traditional medical examination that might include X-rays and blood tests for a clear diagnosis. Within mental health, different patients can present a completely different set of signs.

Why clinicians miss the signs

“If we’re missing the symptoms, we’re going to be missing the diagnosis,” Perez said.

Experts say bias may be to blame in some cases. Many Black people seek mental health help. Yet, they are more likely than other racial groups to end treatment early, which is often due to distrust or not feeling like a clinician can really relate to them, Watson-Singleton said. That is why many Black patients prefer Black providers. And the gaps in care may explain the delayed diagnoses.

“We don’t take Black folks seriously until their symptoms are worse and more severe,” she said.

But Black people might also be slow to recognize their own stress, anxiety, and depression.

“We may not realize how anxious we are,” Glover said. “Being cool and looking cool and keeping cool is so highly valued in Black culture.” It is scary to acknowledge when you feel like you can’t control your worry, or your mind is racing about what might go wrong in the future, she said.

How misdiagnosis takes shapes often looks different case by case. It varies by setting, experience, and symptoms. Children are not immune. Nekia Wright, an education specialist and sound healing facilitator, says it manifests within the school system.

“The education system is racist, and the special education program is 40 times more racist,” said Wright, as she sat at a coffee shop on the corner of Polk and Pine streets in San Francisco, recounting the trauma her work put her through. Wright switched to teaching only part time after

Experts say the ways Black Americans display depression and anxiety symptoms may be different from how mental health professionals are trained to spot it.

Photo by Telvin Demetre

doctors told her it was the only solution to the stress-induced health issues she was battling.

“The kids are told that being Black is a disability,” she said.

She grew angry on that Sunday afternoon in April telling the story of an 8-year-old boy she worked with. He had been hit in the eye with a stick, and after it healed, his teacher noticed he was less attentive in the classroom. The teacher escalated the case as a behavior issue despite his mother’s explanation of the injury. When Wright reviewed the 30-page assessment, which included an evaluation with a psychologist, she saw the note that the child said he couldn’t see the writing in front of him in class.

But, no vision assessment had been done. Instead, the report concluded he had ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Later, Wright ordered him larger print

text to help him read, and she noticed he sat longer than most kids might.

“No one listened to this mom and this child,” she said, her voice hot with frustration. She worries about how it will affect the child in the long run.

Studies show that Black children are overly represented in special education classes, and the ripple effects of misdiagnosis can have serious consequences. That harm not only leads to stigmatization but impacts how they are seen as they mature and go out into the world.

Black people aren’t being adequately treated for their mental health issues, WatsonSingleton said. The shortage of providers — and barriers to care like insurance coverage, transportation issues, and mistrust of American health care systems — also complicate diagnosis rates and use of treatment, she said. She hopes the increased use of telehealth,

including therapy sessions, as well as the push to grow the number of Black mental health professionals will help curb the issue of misdiagnosis.

Patients having providers who look like them and understand their experience is essential, Watson-Singleton said.

Pierre, who was misdiagnosed before finding the right treatment, believes her experience could have been avoided had providers had more conversations with her about what she was feeling and dealing with.

“I never want anyone to feel as hopeless as I have felt,” said Pierre, who today is a mental health educator. She wants people to know their pain matters. And, that they are not alone.

“Me, too,” she said. “You’re not the only one.”.

Editor’s note: Margo Snipe is a health reporter at Capital B. This story is powered by COLab, the Colorado News Collaborative.

Mourners March from Aurora City Hall with Body of Boy Killed by Police

By Max Levy, Sentinel Staff Writer

surviving his encounter with police, but that the next best thing would be holding police accountable for the shooting. He said the group was demanding the release of all footage of the fatal shooting held by police, as well as an apology and letter of resignation from Acevedo.

So far, police have released the body-worn camera footage shot from the perspective of the two officers who confronted Richardson. It’s unclear what other video exists.

“What we can get is accountability,” Rathod said. “(Acevedo) misled you. He lied to you. He lied to this family.” He and others said they were primarily there to support Richardson’s family, who described the void left by Richardson’s death to those present.

saying that he didn’t think police were justified in firing at him, regardless of what the 14year-old had been doing.

Many called on the police chief to resign, including Rev. Thomas Mayes, who said the group could tolerate the discomfort of marching in the rain but not the consequences of more officer-involved shootings. He encouraged those assembled to remember the events of the shooting.

“Sometimes you die twice,” he said. “You die again when your name is no longer called. So, for this community and for this family, let’s never forget Jor’Dell Richardson and never stop calling his name.”

Police reform activists marched down Alameda Avenue and demanded the resignation of Aurora’s interim Police Chief Art Acevedo on Friday, June 16, preceded by a hearse transporting the body of Jor’Dell Richardson, 14, who two weeks earlier was shot and killed by an Aurora officer.

The march began with a somber series of speeches on the west steps of city hall as light rain fell. “Clearly the sky is crying today,” said Richardson family attorney Siddhartha Rathod.

gun that looked like a semiautomatic handgun.

Once he was tackled by officer James Snapp, a struggle ensued and Richardson was fatally shot by a second officer, Roch Gruszeczka.

Laurie Littlejohn, the boy’s mother, criticized Acevedo for characterizing Richardson as a “thug” and said she was still struggling with the knowledge that she would never see her son go to prom, graduate from high school or start a family.

The crowd of about 200 people chanted Richardson’s name and other slogans, including “Black lives matter,” “jail all killer cops” and “up with the people, down with the police,” as they marched west from City Hall to Abilene Street, before turning around and marching back the way they came.

A hearse carrying Richardson’s body and a pickup truck full of protest organizers led the procession down Alameda, while police vehicles shadowed the march and blocked traffic to accommodate the procession. Some passing drivers honked to show support, while others gestured angrily at the crowd.

Acevedo, primarily through two news conferences, has painted a picture of a chaotic arrest, where police rushed into the aftermath of an armed robbery. Since then, the chief has been criticized for inaccurately describing events, with critics saying he has tried to manipulate the narrative to justify the shooting. Acevedo has said he was not being deceitful.

Richardson was killed June 1 after police say the boy fled the scene of an armed robbery while in possession of a pellet

Rathod said Friday to those gathered on the steps of city hall that the best outcome would have been Richardson

“I loved my baby with everything in me,” she said. “I have to live with an empty room.”

Signs carried by the group bore the name of the Denver chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, and organizers wore T-shirts with PSL logos. Activist Tim Hernandez told the crowd that the march was organized jointly by a “variety of a coalition of folks.”

Responding to comments made during the march, the police department noted in a statement that there are multiple open investigations concerning the incident, which it described as “tragic.”

Richardson’s older brother, Anton, also spoke and called Richardson a “beautiful soul,”

“The department continues focusing on leaving no stone

Continued on page 24

Jor’Dell Richardson

Continued from page 23 unturned to determine the facts surrounding the use of deadly force by a member of our department, and whether or not the force was objectively reasonable and lawful,” the agency wrote in an email Saturday. “Due to these investigations, the department continues to be unable to make additional statements and encourages others to refrain from making further comments as well.”

The march capped off a week of questions from community members and the media concerning the shooting and how it was initially described by Acevedo. For several days after the incident, the chief told the public that Richardson was in possession of a firearm rather than a pellet gun which only resembled a firearm.

He corrected his previous statements June 9, later saying that he identified the item as a gun while looking at it and that he was not told Richardson only had a pellet gun until he asked Investigations Division Chief Mark Hildebrand for an update June 8.

Activists accused the chief of lying to deflect criticism from officers and negatively characterize Richardson. Acevedo has said he would have had “nothing to gain” by lying to the public.

Neither Acevedo nor other police officials previously shared that Gruszeczka was the subject of a lawsuit settled for $100,000 in February. The officer was accused of racially profiling and wrongfully arresting a Black man last year during an arrest in an apartment parking lot.

Police have also said they are limited in the amount of information and evidence they can release while an investigation into the shooting is being conducted by the 18th Judicial District’s Critical Incident Response Team, along with an

internal affairs probe led by the department itself and the armed robbery case involving the other youths who were allegedly with Richardson.

critically evaluate not only the internal investigation conducted by APD and the use of force itself, but also the Department’s efforts in continuous improve

and others at a community meeting June 14, the meeting was postponed at the last minute due to an incident near the start of the event.

Before the meeting began, city officials screened the bodyworn camera footage of the shooting of Richardson while the family of Richardson, who had opted not to watch the footage, were waiting in a nearby room.

During the screening, around the moment in the video when Richardson is shot and starts crying out for help, a child opened the door to the screening room, which led to the family unexpectedly hearing the final words of Richardson, according to Maisha Fields, daughter of state Sen. Rhonda Fields.

Fields said the family became upset and decided to leave, after which most of the officials also left. A few, including Aurora Rev. Reid Hettich, co-chair of the Aurora Community Advisory Council and lead pastor of Mosaic Church of Aurora, stayed behind.

At a community meeting on Wednesday, June 14, some members of the public asked how many independent entities were monitoring the police department’s response to the shooting and questioned the role of IntegrAssure, which was hired last year to monitor the department’s compliance with a list of mandatory reforms drafted following the death of Elijah McClain.

Jeff Schlanger, the founder and president of IntegrAssure, later wrote in an email to the Sentinel that the actions of the police department would be evaluated by the firm as the probes into the shooting were completed.

“Once the investigations into the tragedy of Jor’Dell Richardson’s death are concluded, the Monitor Team will

ment and transparency,” he wrote.

“The relevant findings and recommendations will be published in an upcoming report. There will, no doubt, be valuable lessons to learn from this tragic incident that will serve to better the Department as we move forward.”

Schlanger said the department needed to learn as much as possible from the incident and question what could have been done differently to have potentially avoid the shooting. He also said the department needed to “strive for maximum possible transparency” when sharing information about officer-involved shootings.

While representatives of IntegrAssure were scheduled to meet with Richardson’s family as well as local elected officials

The council was created last year to act as a liaison between the community and the police monitoring team, though Hettich said the group has come to see its responsibilities as including evaluating the conduct of police and the monitoring team.

When asked how the council was ensuring that the response to the shooting was being handled transparently, he said the group had met with police department representatives the night before, asked questions about the incident and was “fairly critical” of the response by police.

He also said he viewed the council’s role as helping police communicate information to the public as well as facilitating cooperation between police and city management. However, he described the shooting as “outside of the consent decree,”

even though it has generated criticism related to transparency and bias.

“But I know for a fact that the consent decree monitor team has been very engaged in this, and they have identified it as one of the key issues that they will be watching and investigating as this moves forward,” Hettich said.

He said police have told the council that the internal affairs probe could be completed in as little as a few months but pointed out that the official response to other high-profile cases, such as the officerinvolved death of Elijah McClain, is still underway.

Activists who attended the meeting took the opportunity to criticize the response by APD, describing the Richardson shooting as part of a pattern of misconduct by Aurora police.

Jenny Hill, a public health worker active in the Aurora area, said officer Gruszeczka’s agitated behavior during his encounter with Richardson was

representative of a culture where officers aren’t encouraged to regulate their emotions.

“On this video, that law enforcement officer was just absolutely over the top, and training isn’t going to fix that,” she said. “And consent decrees don’t fix that. We have law enforcement that is much more likely to shoot you than to get facts and let you live.”

While Acevedo has not explicitly described the shooting as justified, during the department’s June 9 news conference, he showed reporters a still photo from officers’ bodyworn camera footage that he said showed Richardson reaching into his waistband for the pellet gun before he was tackled.

The department did not send a representative to Wednesday’s meeting and police officials did not speak at Friday’s march. . Editor’s note: This story is powered by COLab, the Colorado News Collaborative.

Hazel Miller on a life of singing as she enters

Since she was in third grade, Hazel Miller knew she would be a singer. The legendary Colorado vocalist and Arvada resident was inducted into the state’s Music Hall of Fame on June 10, capping an exceptional career that has taken her around the world and earned her a place in the hearts of thousands.

Miller, the fifth of seven children, was born in Louisville, Kentucky. Her mother and father were guarded, yet exceptional singers in their own rights.

When Miller was in third grade, a priest at her school named Samuel Viani asked her to join the eighth graders for a Christmas song — a prospect that, to Miller’s knowledge, had never been done. Even at an early age, Miller’s talent was undeniable.

“After that, I knew,” Miller said. “When you’re the fifth of seven children, you’re Joanne’s sister; you’re Carol’s sister; you’re Eddie’s sister. All of a sudden, everyone knew my name. I told my mother I was going to be a singer. She said ‘OK, as long as you go to school.’”

That she did. Things were lean in the Miller household with her mother raising the family on a $150 per week salary, but their tight-knit bond made up for that.

Miller said she wasn’t particularly aware of social class

Colorado Music Hall of Fame

By Rylee Dunn, Colorado Community Media

before she transitioned from a parochial Catholic school to a public school. There, she faced bullying but was undeterred. “I didn’t know I was broke until I got to public school, and these girls… they let me know in no uncertain terms that I’m from the projects,” she said.

Early career

After high school, Miller enrolled at the University of Louisville and sang in bars on weekends. Newly divorced and with a newborn baby boy in tow, she biked with her son to school, singing all the while. Following the birth of her second son, she changed her focus to music, with the support of her family.

“I went to work at the best nightclub in Louisville, Joe’s Bomb Room,” she said. “I started making real money — $400 a week — and I worked from Thursday to Sunday. My mother treated me like I was

Aretha Franklin. She said, ‘Go do this, we’ll watch the kids.’ I have never known a time where my family didn’t support me.”

She built a strong following in Kentucky but was beginning to outgrow her hometown.

In 1982, Miller recorded the Louisville anthem “Louisville, Look What We Can Do,” which brought her further local acclaim. Still, her sights began to drift elsewhere.

Dana Marsh, Miller’s longtime keyboardist, moved to Colorado in 1982 and stayed in touch with her, later flying back to Louisville for shows periodically.

“I kept telling her about Colorado,” Marsh said. “I said, ‘There’s no one out here like you. I think you would really like Colorado, and they would love you.’”

In 1984, Miller packed up a U-Haul with her belongings, her two sons, a friend’s son she

was taking care of and a friend who was running from her husband.

“I made the four of them a promise; ‘No one will ever live in our house,’” she said. “No one will ever come between us.’ That was that, and I’ve been happily single for 43 years.”

From Kentucky to Colorado

Miller’s sights were set on the bright lights of Los Angeles, but her van had other plans.

Just inside Colorado’s borders, her U-Haul broke down. She Hook the speedbump as a sign, and has lived in the Centennial State ever since.

“To be honest with you, if I’d gotten to L.A., I’d probably have had to go home,” she said. “But God put me in Colorado. And I have had nothing but success.”

Without many local connections besides Marsh, she struggled to gain a foothold in the

Denver scene at first. Then, she began sitting in at the fabled El Chapultepec every Saturday night, and her fortunes began to change.

“People like (fellow Colorado Music Hall of Famer Chris Daniels) took me under his wing,” she said. “There were other guys who worked at the Pec, they would tell me about who was looking for a singer. It was a lot of sitting in for no money, it was a lot of hanging out, trying to let people know who I was.”

Luckily for Miller, her generational voice left a lasting impression. El Chapultepec’s owner hired her to sing with the house band every Sunday night. After a few years of dues-paying, she had formed her own band in 1988, and, in her words, “was rollin’ and never looked back.”

‘Beloved by the people of Colorado’

One of Miller’s first bands, called Rich Relations, earned a reputation in the local scene and was hired to do a Department of Defense tour in the Far East. Her backing band at the time was entirely white, leading to their infamous name change.

“We walked out on stage one night in Korea,” she said. “I said, ‘Hi we are Hazel Miller,’ and these Black soldiers yelled, ‘And the Caucasians!’”

As she tells it, the base broke out in raucous laughter, prompting her to change the name of her band to Hazel Miller and the Caucasians. She changed the band’s name to Hazel Miller and The Collective in the 2000s.

She had yet to gain a larger audience outside of Colorado by the 1990s. That would change after a fortuitous meeting with one of Colorado’s top bands of the era; Big Head Todd and The Monsters.

“We had first seen Hazel at JJ McCabe’s when we were students at Boulder in the ’80s,” Todd Park Mohr, Big Head Todd’s front man, said. “We

thought she was a soul diva and she knew about music we did not.  We invited her to sing on a track called ‘Wearing Only Flowers’ in 1995.”

“Wearing Only Flowers” was released on The Monster’s 1994 album “Stratagem.” Soon after, Miller and Big Head Todd hit the road together.

At first, she just sang backups on the one song but felt like her salary outweighed her contributions to the band. Little by little, Mohr began to incorporate her into more songs.

Mohr said his favorite performances with Miller have been their stops at Red Rocks over the years.

“There are usually some over-the-top garments involved,” Mohr said, “She just goes for it in every way and people lose their minds hearing and watching her energy and sincerity.”

Fittingly, Miller and Big Head Todd and The Monsters were inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame together on June 10, at their sold-out Red Rocks show.

Karen Radman, the Colorado Music Hall of Fame’s executive director, said that Miller is being honored for her solo work and collaborations with The Monsters, and added that she has been crucial to spreading Colorado music across the globe.

“(Miller) really is seen as one of our key female artists,” Radman said. “When we looked towards her as an artist to honor and celebrate with Hall of Famer status, it was the work that she’s done here and the impact that she’s made in Colorado music, but also to bring that Colorado music and bring that Colorado artistry to other places in the world.”

Miller toured with The Monsters until the birth of her granddaughter in 2001, when she decided to spend more time with her family. Nevertheless, the pair’s collaboration has continued throughout the years.

Continued on page 28

Hazel Miller

Continued from page 27

“We have a close relationship beyond music and have been through a lot together over the years,” Mohr recalled.

Since retiring from touring, she has become one of Colorado’s most celebrated acts. She plays all over the state, always retaining the same energy and charisma which has defined her career.

At Winter Park Jazz one year, Miller sang with one of her heroes; Dianne Reeves, who she considers to be the best jazz singer of their generation.

When asked about Miller, Reeves raved about her nowfellow Hall of Famer, describing her as “our precious treasure.”

“Hazel Miller is a consummate artist beloved by the people of Colorado,” Reeves said. “Over the years she has consistently brought joy, healing and celebration to us all. Hazel has always been and still

remains to be a genuinely loving and caring human being.”

A mentor for young musicians

In recent years, Miller has helped several young Colorado artists get their start, including 20 Hands High, Julia Kirkwood and Blankslate. She said she wanted to be the role model for others that she never had. In her mentorship, Miller channels another one of her inspirations; Bonnie Raitt.

“I want to be like Bonnie (Raitt),” she said. “She resurrected Ruth Brown when (Brown’s) record company dropped her; Bonnie started bringing her on tour. That’s what I want to be to these young kids. These kids call me, ‘Miss Miller, would you come mentor my band?’

“And I say, ‘Well, I’ve got to come see you first, make sure you’re doing something cool,’” she continued.

One of her protégés, Chad Wooten, the front man of country act 20 Hands High, said Miller discovered him in a karaoke bar in Morrison. She told Wooten to form a band and before long, he had taken her advice.

“She said, ‘A voice like yours needs to be on stage,’” he recalled. “She’s a selfless shining light who has been enough to mentor me, as I had zero experience with a band, playing out live, booking. She loves to see others succeed; everyone in every music scene and genre could learn from her.”

Miller said that she especially hopes to mentor young female musicians, who she believes are often undervalued in the music community.

“We get the short end of the stick,” she said. “They play, they sing, they write. I didn’t know how to do any of that. Nobody ever said, ‘You can write your own song.’ Nobody ever said, ‘You can start your own band.’ I started my band because I was tired of getting ripped off.”

‘If I die on stage, I’ll die happy’

While she doesn’t have any regrets from her career, one area that brings Miller sadness is that she has never played for a predominantly Black crowd.

“I love my audiences because they don’t see me as being Black, they just see me as the band they came out to see,” she said. “The only thing that disappoints me - I have never had a Black audience. I can usually count Black people on one hand at my shows. I can go see a Black band, and they’ll have all these people there, and they’ll know me, but they don’t come to my shows,” she continued. “I don’t worry about it anymore, but it does hurt. It’ll never stop hurting.”

Miller recently turned 70 but has no plans to slow down.

“I don’t know how to give it

up. In all honesty, if I die on stage, I’ll die happy,” she said.

All in all, her career has taken her around the globe, bringing the fifth of seven children from Louisville, Kentucky to stages massive and modest. The most important accomplishment from her career, she says, is that she was able to give her children and grandchildren opportunities that she was never afforded.

“My job allowed me to give my boys things that I never had,” she said. “I have been to places that I dreamed of, and I got to see them because I was there singing. I woke up one morning and looked out the bathroom window at Mount Fuji. It was unbelievable — there was snow on it!”. Editor’s note: This article is powered by COLab, the Colorado News Collaborative. It has been edited for space.

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