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THE ACUMEN March 2024
CARING FOR THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY A Conversation With Mile High United Way’s Vanecia Kerr
BY DR. ANGELIC COLE
BY CHARLENE TAM A BRIDGE TO BETTER HEALTH
BY ELYCIA COOK EMPOWERING COLORADO YOUTH
BY DEMEKE ASHEBO ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE
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Colorado’s official health insurance marketplace
Connect for Health Colorado is proud to honor and uplift local Black-owned businesses.
The only place to apply for financial help to lower the costs of health insurance.
The Acumen 855-752-6749 • ConnectforHealthCO.com
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CONTENTS
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20 TRAIN FOR THE FUTURE Explore Emily Griffith’s technical training in crucial industries. 26 SUPPORTING OUR YOUTH Big Brother, Big Sister Colorado shares the power of mentorship. 12 COMMUNITY SUCCESS Learn from Mile High United Way’s Vanecia Kerr about what determines success. 6 BULLETIN BOARD Get an inside look at the lives and interests of the Board Members of the CBCC. 32 A HEALTHIER COLORADO Anthem is helping Colorado employees and their families stay covered.
38 BUILDING A LEGACY
44 ENGINEERING ADVANCES Smoky Hill Engineering LLC goes beyond technical expertiseto create solutions. 52 SAFEGUARDING FUTURES Lisa Williams Agency helps families in Colorado protect what they value most. 42 BREWING PARTNERS Molson Coors announces a new partnership aimed at Black brewers. Wells Fargo is committed to improving access to capital for Black women in business.
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54 ON THE MOVE
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Highlighting our Black businesses’ impact to the community.
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Contributors
Editor Alisha Harris, Original Account Strategies Photographer Shameka McBoat, McBoat Photography Contributing Writers
Demeke Ashebo, Makisha Boothe, Patricia Chacon, Angelic Cole, Elycia Cook, Angela Davis, Darryl Hudspeth, Dale Hunter, Richard Lewis, Michael Nordman, Anna Smith, Charlene Tam, Kelly West, Lisa Williams, Dawn Woods-Sapp Contributing Member Companies
Lisa Williams Agency
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President’s Corner
Celebrating Women’s History and the Impact of Women Entrepreneurs
Dear Reader: Every year since 1987, the month of March has been designated by Congress as Women’s History Month. The President issues an annual proclamation on Women’s History Month, highlighting the progress the Administration has made on behalf of women and girls, and federal agencies announce new programs, initiatives and funding opportunities for women owned businesses. The last four years have been exceptionally difficult for everyone, though especially for women. As a result of the pandemic, rising costs and supply chain disruptions, a record number of women left the workforce to care for children and loved ones, to establish a stronger work-life balance or because they felt underappreciated in their roles. While many women left jobs during the pandemic, data suggests that some of them did so to start their own businesses, with 80% of women who started businesses did so from scratch, as opposed to buying another business or franchise. More than half also launched their ventures solo, which is double the rate of men who did the same. A bright spot has been that many new businesses started by women are started by Black women, who have been the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs in America even before the start of the pandemic. Despite the difficult challenges that women continue to navigate, they are returning to work and starting businesses. There are more resources to support the growth of women owned businesses now than ever before. In March 2023, the President announced ongoing and additional resources for women owned businesses, including an expansion of the Women’s Business Center (WBC) network. This expansion has brought the total number of WBCs to 160 across the country to assist women entrepreneurs through mentorship, technical assistance, business development
and financing opportunities. The SBA’s network of additional resource partners, including SCORE and the Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) offer a strong portfolio of resources that women entrepreneurs can access to help grow their businesses, including the SCORE resource hub for women entrepreneurs. As women continue to start more businesses, it is crucial that they have access to the resources and tools they need to be successful. The increased investments in resources that help them start their businesses and in policy issues that acutely impact women, such as paid leave and increasing access to affordable healthcare options, will be strong determinants to their success.
More power to Women,
Dr. Angelic Cole President & CEO Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce
“My mission in life is not merely to survive but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” Maya Angelou (1928-2014), memoirist, poet, civil rights activist.
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Bulletin Board
A 2018 Disparity in Contracting study for the City and County of Denver Revealed that disparities clearly still exist in the use of minority and women owned firms in city procurement practices, and affirmed the need to utilize contracting practices that are race and gender conscious. Similar findings were made in a 2023 study analyzing disparities in State procurement practices. This is where organizations like the Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce (CBCC) step in. For nearly two decades, I’ve been privileged to support the CBCC’s mission of empowering the African American community in these spheres. My own corporate stint was brief, and despite abundant success and recognition, my time in corporate American was marked by layoffs that ultimately led me to entrepreneurship. RTL Networks, Inc. emerged from adversity, born after back-to-back lay-offs within a two- year span. Having recently been awarded full custody of my now 3 year old son, and was juggling a new home I had just purchased before being laid off, and single parenthood. This was motivation to pour every ounce of determination into building RTL Networks, Inc. Today, RTL Networks stands as a multi- million-dollar enterprise, renowned for the quality of our services, high client satisfaction and our steadfast commitment to the community. Our accolades speak volumes: • Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Mountain Desert Region) [2019] • Ranked on Inc Magazine’s “Inc. 500” List of Fastest Growing Private Companies in the Us [2010] • Multiple appearances on Inc Magazine’s “Inc. 5000” List of Fastest Growing Private Companies in the US • Black Enterprise Magazine: “Top 100” List of Largest Black-Owned Firms in USA [2014] • 9 News Business Leader of the Year [2011]
We invite you to learn more about the dynamic CBCC board members.
Founder, President, CEO RTL Networks, Inc. Founder, Board Chair RTL Foundation
Meet Richard Lewis Board Member
I moved to Denver in the spring of 1999. I had just separated from the US Air Force after a decade of service as a Communications Officer, where I served in various global locations, but I had no experience in corporate America. I was a new parent to a 10 month old son, and in a new city where I did not know a soul and I desperately needed a job. I share this personal journey because I firmly believe it’s not unique. Our communities are teeming with talented, hardworking individuals yearning for opportunities to advance professionally and support their families. However, the reality is: African Americans face disproportionate challenges in corporate America, encountering barriers to employment and advancement, hindering their economic progress. Studies consistently reveal disparities in hiring and promotion rates for African Americans. And if that were not enough, numerous assessments prove that contracting opportunities for African American-owned businesses also lag behind.
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• BOARD OF DIRECTORS AYA Foundation • BOARD OF ADVISORS CO Association of Black Professionals in Engineering and Science (CABPES) • BOARD OF ADVISORS Colorado FutureTek • PRESIDENT’S COMMUNITY CABINET Metropolitan State University • FORMER COLORADO COMMISSIONER & CHAIR Colorado Civil Rights Commission • FORMER COLORADO COMMISSIONER Business Experiential Learning (BEL) Commission • FORMER BOARD OF DIRECTORS and BOARD CHAIR Denver Branch of the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank • FORMER BOARD OF DIRECTORS and BOARD CHAIR Colorado Youth at Risk • FORMER BOARD CHAIR Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce • FORMER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS Black Resiliency in Colorado (BRIC) • FORMER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS Colorado Forum • FORMER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS Denver Metro Sports Commission • FORMER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce • FORMER EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER Denver Council of The Boy Scouts of America Through board service, we are able to learn a lot about how successful non-profits operate and why unsuccessful non-profits struggle, while providing my own operational insights
• Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce’s David E. Bailey Small Business Advocate Award [2011] • Minority Businessperson of the Year, by the SBA (Colorado Region) [2008] • Minority Business Champion of the Year, by the SBA (Colorado Region) [2008] • MLK Jr. Business Social Responsibility Award [2011] • Cisco Systems Small Business Partner of the Year (Public Sector) [2011] • Department of Defense/Pikes Peak Region: Small Business of the Year [2006] My company and I are honored to have received so many local and national accolades recognizing both business excellence and deep commitment to community engagement. However, the accomplishments themselves are not what is truly important. What is important is that we can use this success and these accolades as a “springboard” to be involved in the community, elevate others, and forge opportunities that enable other businesses and future generations to flourish. My military service instilled in me a powerful ethos of “service before self,” a guiding principle that continues to shape my actions and decisions. As an entrepreneur, I’ve been fortunate enough to contribute to the fabric of our community in meaningful ways, serving on numerous boards and establishing organizations dedicated to empowering those on the margins of society. Organizations where I serve (and have served) include: • BOARD OF DIRECTORS Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce • BOARD OF TRUSTEES Denver Mile High United Way • BOARD OF DIRECTORS Denver School of the Arts • BOARD OF DIRECTORS Rocky Mountain PBS
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and in many cases, a much needed minority perspective to support the building of a more equitable society—one where opportunities abound, regardless of race or background. My journey is a testament to the transformative power of entrepreneurship and community support, and it’s a journey I’m honored to share and continue alongside the CBCC and countless others striving for a brighter, more inclusive future. This vision of a more inclusive future is what inspired me in 2006 to create the Urban Leadership Foundation - ULF CONNECT Leadership program (formerly known as Chamber Connect), an intense 10 month leadership training experience designed to help participants become more effective, well rounded, and influential leaders in the areas of business, politics and community leadership. As an entrepreneur, I habitually identify and develop solutions for unfulfilled needs in the community, and the need for a program like this was immense. While there were numerous developmental programs in other communities, the African American community had no programs to identify, harvest and nurture up and coming
professionals in this manner. Therefore, I designed a program to address this need using some conventional strategies, but also adding some unique features to “speak to” some of the specific challenges in the African American community. I also inserted sufficient fundraising opportunities to ensure financial viablity. Joined by former State Senator Angela Williams, who at the time was a fellow CBCC board member, we “pitched” the program to the CBCC for support and permission to operate as a CBCC program. Angela and I dedicated the first two years to teaching the program, sharing our insights and experiences. We also utilized our extensive networks to establish strategic partnerships with key organizations, including the Denver Downtown Partnership, Daniels Fund, and the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, further enriching the program’s offerings and impact. Like many startups, the Chamber Connect program initially faced funding challenges. However, thanks to my entrepreneurial success, I was able to fund the program until it became self-sufficient. Eventually, the CBCC transitioned the Chamber
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Connect program into its independent foundation now known as the Urban Leadership Foundation , where it thrives today, continually transforming the lives of exceptional individuals, who either possess proven leadership skills or show immense potential, are being shaped into the leaders of tomorrow. In addition, the program has given its future leadership a stage and opportunity to showcase their talents and commitment to the community and as a result, the program is now performing at a level impossible to envision during the formation phase. This is why it is so important that we have business success in our communities… so we can use this knowledge, success and these accolades as a “springboard” to be involved in the community, elevate others, and forge opportunities that enable other businesses and future generations to flourish. More recently, this ever-present desire for a brighter, more inclusive future for all, was the inspiration in establishing the RTL Foundation . The mission of the RTL Foundation is to provide and support educational opportunities in the areas of entrepreneurship, history, and technology. The entrepreneurship portion of this mission is facilitated via the foundation’s first-of-its- kind, BIPOC Non-Profit Development Center (BNDC), which provides a collaborative space and programming to support minority-led and servicing nonprofit organizations. The history portion of this mission is currently facilitated by the African American Timeline , which is also first-of-its-kind. The BIPOC Non-Profit Development Center (BNDC) is a groundbreaking endeavor, as we have not seen examples of what we are doing anywhere else in the country. This unique collaborative space and its enriching programs are dedicated to bolstering minority-led and -focused
nonprofit organizations, fostering a nurturing ecosystem where these vital entities can thrive. Located in the historic Five Points neighborhood of Denver, Colorado, the BNDC stands as a beacon of innovation and support. At 2900 Welton Street, it not only offers crucial office space but also serves as a dynamic hub for minority lead and serving non-profit organizations. By connecting these groups not just physically but also through shared goals and visions, the BNDC cultivates a vibrant community presence. At the center is a cradle of empowerment, offering seminars, speaker events, and training led by local and regional experts. These sessions, available at minimal or no cost, are meticulously designed to hone leadership skills and organizational prowess, ensuring every participating group has the tools to succeed and contribute meaningfully to the community. In a landscape where for-profit incubators and coworking spaces abound for multiple sectors, the BNDC breaks new ground by providing deeply discounted office space specifically tailored for minority- led nonprofits. This pioneering approach has welcomed our inaugural cohort of 23 organizations, composed of on-site and virtual memberships. Over two years, these organizations will benefit from the RTL Foundation procured programming,
Image: African American Timeline.
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designed to elevate them into more efficient, more impactful and more sustainable entities, poised to have greater impact in the community. The BNDC is not just a place; it’s a movement towards creating a more inclusive, empowered, and connected nonprofit sector, ready to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. In an exciting parallel initiative, the RTL Foundation unveils the African American Timeline, a groundbreaking project that offers a comprehensive look into the African American experience in North America. Beginning in 1501, with the arrival of the first enslaved Africans, and extending to the current day, this timeline encompasses nearly 200 pivotal moments that celebrate the resilience, culture, and indomitable spirit of African Americans—a narrative too often marginalized in conventional historical accounts. This exceptional timeline, available at www. AfricanAmericanTimeline.org , transcends the conventional to become a living homage to the contributions and enduring legacy of African Americans. It serves not only as an educational tool but also as a bridge connecting past and present, encouraging a deeper understanding and appreciation of this rich heritage. All proceeds from the timeline sales further the RTL Foundation’s mission, amplifying its impact. Designed to complement any setting, the timeline is offered in a variety of formats including posters, canvas prints, acrylic, brushed metal, and more, ensuring that it can be a striking addition to both indoor and outdoor spaces. The current edition concludes in 2024, but in keeping with our commitment to ongoing education and remembrance, it will be updated annually every February in honor of Black History Month, capturing new milestones and stories of significance.
This initiative represents more than just a timeline; it is a vibrant, living document that honors the past, informs the present, and inspires future generations. As we look to the future, the RTL Foundation remains steadfast in its mission to uplift and empower through education and collaboration. By providing a home for minority-led nonprofits at the BNDC and enriching the public’s understanding of African American history through the African American Timeline, we are laying the groundwork for a more inclusive, informed, and interconnected community. We’re thrilled to keep building on our partnerships with the Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce, alongside other allies and passionate individuals committed to fostering growth across all communities. I hope the sharing of my journey has offered you some insight or inspiration as you navigate your path to personal achievement and making a difference in the community. Wishing you nothing but the best on your journey!
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A Leader’s Responsibility to the Community
A Conversation with Mile High United Way’s Vanecia Kerr By DR.ANGELIC COLE
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Photo: McBoat Photography
passed they named the missionary society after her because of her commitment and dedication to the community. She was also engaged in breast cancer awareness throughout the county. My father was less involved in organizations but it was the way he supported young people and encouraged their success that stood out to me. I’m definitely a “joiner” as my husband says. I’m the one who serves on multiple boards of directors and engages with several organizations.
Join CBCC’s Dr. Angelic Cole in an exclusive conversation with Vanecia Kerr, Chief Impact Officer at Mile High United Way, exploring the innovative strategies and personal philosophies driving the industry forward. Cole: What would you say is the primary motivating factor behind your leadership? Kerr: The primary motivating factor behind my leadership is making a positive difference in my community. It’s always been important to me that my work has meaning and purpose. Cole: Who are your role models, and what life- changing lessons did you pick up from them? Kerr: My role models have always been my parents. My mother was constantly looking for ways to help other people. She believed in dedicating her time to organizations guided by a purpose and mission. Often times this was through our church and how we could utilize the resources available to serve others. She was a leader in our church and ultimately after she
Photo: McBoat Photography
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I know I got that from my mother. However, there are other times when I will quietly support others with no fanfare or announcements needed. I just want to do the right thing and I believe I got that from both my parents. They are definitely my role models. Cole: How do you ensure that others benefit from the life-changing knowledge you gained from your mentors? Kerr: I believe that it is important to share what I learned with others, pay it forward, and make myself available to mentor emerging leaders. Sometimes it’s coffee meetings, lunch and other times it’s a phone call. If someone I know wants to chat, I’m happy to do so. We just need to find the time that works for both of our schedules. Cole: What advice do you wish someone had given you earlier in your career? Kerr: I wish someone gave me a little more confidence early in my career. Many would probably not know this based on my interactions today. I’m way more confident and I speak up often when I have something to add to a conversation. When I started my career, I was not very confident. As a first-generation college graduate, I found myself in professional spaces that my parents had not experienced. It was very intimidating at first. It took time for me to believe that my voice should be heard and that my ideas had value. Cole: What inspired you to pursue a career in the nonprofit field & how did you get started? Kerr: That’s an interesting story. When I was in high school and college, my plan was to run for Congress. I always knew I wanted to be in a role where I could give back. When I graduated from college, I didn’t get into the law school I wanted to attend so I decided to pivot and pursue my Masters in Public Administration with an emphasis in non-profit management. I worked full time at a Fortune 100 company while going to graduate school at night. At that point, I still thought I would run for office once I found the city where I wanted to live. Although I was in Long Island, New York (which is where I grew up), I knew that this was not the place where I wanted to live in adulthood.
Photo: McBoat Photography
When the company decided to open an office in Denver, I was asked if I could relocate so I made the move to Denver. I was working in an account management role and began to grow my career where I started taking on more leadership responsibility. (Side note: I ended up meeting my husband, Kevin, three months after I moved to Denver.) Ultimately, I ended up pursuing a role in Community Affairs and this completely changed my career. As I learned more about the non-profit organizations in the Denver community, I realized that I wanted to do more to address the needs in our community. I made the decision in 2011 that it was time to leave the corporate sector and spend the last half of my career working at non-profit organizations that were truly making a profound impact. My husband and I had a family friend who was working at City Year. He was in a C-Level role and as we were talking about the work he did I asked why City Year was not in Denver. This conversation led to an opportunity for me to set up a meeting with the Superintendent of DPS and City Year. I ended up being on the Founding Committee to bring City Year to Denver and when the office was opened, I was offered a position. This was my transition into the non-profit sector and it’s been the most rewarding experience. Just in case you’re wondering if I still have
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aspirations of running for office, the simple answer is no. I realized that I could make a difference in my community at the grassroots level through great non-profit organizations. I don’t need to leave my family in Colorado to enter Congress and spend most of my time in Washington, DC. I love spending time with my husband and 22-year-old son, Kristoff. I have the best of both worlds! Cole: What do you believe to be the most important piece of advice for a leader to follow? Kerr: I believe it’s incredibly important to do what you said you would do and never forget that you are there to serve. In my role, I’m there to support my team and ensure they have the tools and resources to get the job done. Part of my job is to create the strategy, determine how it will be executed and then give my team what they need to be successful. We measure our success throughout the year because measurable impact is important to me. We should continuously be moving in a direction that allows us to level up and get better each year. This work is too important to me. We are impacting people’s lives and implementing programs for the people in our community to be their best selves. Mediocre work is not acceptable. I always aim to be the best at what I do, and I want my team to be their best as well. Cole: How can you inspire others while also maintaining that you continue to be inspired by Mile High United Way’s overall mission? Kerr: Mile High United Way’s mission is to unite people, ideas, and resources to advance the common good. I consider myself fortunate to work at an organization that is so closely aligned with my own values. Our focus is to support the community and provide programs that help advance them by creating sustainability and economic mobility. In my role, I oversee our six direct service programs, our public policy and advocacy, our evaluation and learning, and our grants to other non-profit organizations. It’s a big job but it is so very rewarding. I have an incredibly talented team that exudes positivity, compassion and innovation in spite of the challenges we see each day. I’m inspired when I interact with them and
our Executive Team. We have the most amazing CEO, Christine Benero, who leads with her heart and believes strongly in our people and our community. It’s simply inspiring to be a part of this amazing team at Mile High United Way. Cole: How do you prioritize work-life balance, & what advice do you have for junior professionals who are struggling to find balance? Kerr: I’m constantly telling my team that they need to take care of themselves. Our work is hard. It takes a lot of time and compassion fatigue is real. It is important that we find time for ourselves. This may mean something different for every person but we all need to create the right space for self-care. For me, I find time on the weekends to simply relax. Sometimes that may be watching a movie, reading a good book or hiking with my husband and son. Other times I may plan to take a day off during the week and spend time by myself. This may include a relaxing massage and lunch alone. It helps me clear my head to have a day off during the week when my days are usually filled with back-to-back meetings. Alone time for me can be very relaxing and it allows me to recharge. Cole: As an African American woman leader, what do you consider to be one of the most difficult obstacles you’ve faced? Kerr: I have faced many obstacles throughout my career. You have to remember that I’ve been working for a long time. First, I will say that I stared my career in the 90’s doing corporate sales which was a very male dominated field. I don’t have enough time here to explain or share the things I experienced as a woman or specifically as a Black woman in this field. However, I will share that I was definitely passed over for a promotion when I clearly had outperformed my peers on multiple levels. When I moved to another company, I thought that an environment that was a little more diverse in terms of gender and culture would be better. In some ways it was and in other ways, things were way more difficult. Women I thought were going to be supportive were not always supportive, but I also had some incredibly smart leaders who
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Photo: McBoat Photography
“I believe it’s incredibly important to do what you said you would do and never forget that you are there to serve.”
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Cole: How clear is your vision for what the future of community responsibility should look like at Mile High United Way? Kerr: At Mile High United Way, we believe that we all have a responsibility for our community. My vision is clear. It is a collective effort that is linked through collaborative effective results. No one organization or person can address everything happening in our community. I believe we must work together. Our organization has historically and will continue to bring people together to address our community’s most pressing needs. This includes working with legislators, other nonprofit organizations, elected officials, businesses and, of course, the community we serve to learn what they want and need. It takes all of us and I believe we can do this together. Cole: In what direction does Mile High United Way see itself going? Kerr: Mile High United Way continues to be an innovative non-profit organization that addresses needs as we see gaps in our community. A good example is our new Early Childhood Education (ECE) Center that will open in Spring 2024. This center will be only the second employer sponsored childcare in Downtown Denver. We realized after the pandemic that we could do more to serve our community through the space in our building. As a result, we remodeled our first floor to make room for the new ECE Center that will accommodate almost 60 children (infants to 5 year olds). This will be a center for the community and most of the slots are designed for those who need quality affordable childcare. Construction is almost complete and our partner, Mile High Early Learning, will open the center in just a few weeks. This is the type of innovation we are demonstrating in our community and we hope other employers will consider how they use their space to potentially serve their employees and our community. Our vision is to continue looking for opportunities to do things differently while making a meaningful impact on those we serve.
mentored me and showed me how to navigate the corporate world. I also learned that as a leader, my role is to support my team and ensure they have everything they need to be successful. Sometimes it has been tough but it has also been rewarding. I would say that I’ve had more rewarding times than tough times. Some of the people who were supportive didn’t look like me and then there were others who did. I have seen a lot and experienced a lot, but I try to learn from each experience. Cole: What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the nonprofit world today, and how do you see Mile High United Way overcoming them? Kerr: This will come as no surprise but we just don’t have enough resources to address all the needs we see on a daily basis. Mile High United Way is a large non-profit organization in Denver. We impacted over 180,000+ lives and there is still more work to do. We believe it takes a collaborative effort with measurable impact to broaden our scope in the community. This is why we have thousands of partners who work with us and serve as resources for our 211 Help Center. We have six direct service programs that align with our community priorities of Giving All Children a Strong Start, Supporting Education & Academic Success and Creating Economic Opportunity for All. We serve the community directly and measure our progress along the way to ensure we are delivering the type of impact that changes peoples lives for the better. We must continue to increase our resources and we are thankful for those in our community who support our work through donations of time and money. We can overcome the challenges in our community if we continue to work together.
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Practical nursing students. (Photo: Emily Griffith)
Emily Griffith Technical College Provides Training in Crucial Industries Emily Griffith Technical College (Emily Griffith), located in Denver, is the public, postsecondary and adult education arm of Denver Public Schools. The mission of Emily Griffith is to prepare students for today’s workforce and tomorrow’s opportunities. The College serves over 8,300 students annually through career and technical education (CTE) certificate programs which offer both apprenticeship and onsite work-based learning opportunities, high school equivalency and continuing education courses. Brief History In 1916, Emily Griffith founded the Opportunity School. More than 1,400 students registered the first week. The school was open 13 hours a day, five days a week and subjects included By ANNA SMITH
telegraphy, industrial millinery, typing, academic subjects and English language classes. Emily Griffith served as the principal of the school for 17 years and retired in 1933 having served more than 100,000 students. In 1934, the school was renamed Emily Griffith Opportunity School to honor her for bringing vocational education to Denver and revolutionizing education throughout Colorado. In 2011, the school was renamed Emily Griffith Technical College to better represent the current mission of the school. Emily Griffith was ahead of her time because she envisioned the school before technical colleges were even a concept. By providing students equal access to education and real-world opportunities, we continue to strive to remove barriers in the education system. What Makes Us Unique • We are a public college offering 19 career and technical education training certificate programs. • We offer one of the lowest tuition rates in
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Apprenticeship Training Division Registered Apprenticeship Programs are industry-driven, high-quality career pathways where employers educate and train their future workforce. Apprentices obtain work experience through paid on-the-job training supervised by industry professionals, receive mentoring and classroom instruction, and earn a nationally recognized, portable credential. Upon successful completion of their training, Apprentices enter into high-wage career pathways and earn college credits transferable to any Colorado community college, Metropolitan State University of Denver or CSU Global. Emily Griffith Technical College is the largest apprenticeship provider in Colorado. The College collaborates with local chapters of national organizations throughout the state to provide 12 Registered Apprenticeship Programs through 16 partners including bricklayer, carpenter, certified line cook, electrician (inside and residential), HVAC, ironworker, pipefitter, plumber, sheet metal, steel fabrication and voice data and video technician. Most registered apprenticeship programs take between two to five years to complete.
Colorado and 100% of our students graduate with no student loan debt. • Most students earn their certificate in less than a year. • We have some of the state’s highest completion and job placement rates for post- secondary education. • We offer day and evening programs. • Students can transfer up to 45 credit hours to a Colorado community college. • Students and apprentices can transfer seamlessly into CSU Global or MSU Denver. • We are the only post-secondary institution in Denver Public Schools (DPS) serving adults. • We are a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) with more than 39% of the student body identifying as Hispanic and 9% are Black. We have three locations in Downtown Denver, easily accessible by public transportation.
Emily Griffith Technical College Today Currently, Emily Griffith offers 19 CTE certificate programs:
• Accounting • Automotive Collision Repair • Automotive Service • Barbering • CAD-BIM • Computer Networking • Construction Pre-
Apprenticeship (high school students only)
• Cosmetology • Culinary Arts • Dental Assisting • Esthetician • HVAC
• Massage Therapy • Medical Assisting • Multimedia And Video Production
• Nurse Assisting • Practical Nursing • Water Quality Management • Welding
Students in the barbering program. (Photo: Emily Griffith)
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Continuing Education Learners can gain a new skill, pursue a passion or explore a new topic in our continuing education classes. Choose from Barbering Crossover, Basic Life Support, Clock Repair, Dermaplane or DIY for the Homeowner. Student-Run Businesses Open to the Public Students gain real work experience at our student-run businesses including Emily’s Salon & Barbershop, Emily’s Café, Emily’s Massage Clinic and Emily’s Spa. These are all open to the public and offer affordable goods and services. Emily’s Café Emily’s Café is run by students in Emily Griffith’s Culinary Arts program under the supervision of the Culinary Arts instructor. It is open to the public for breakfast, lunch and dinner at
In 2023, Emily Griffith Technical College was recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor as an Apprenticeship Ambassador for serving as a champion in promoting, expanding, and diversifying Registered Apprenticeship. English Language Acquisition Classes Emily Griffith has been teaching adults 17 years and older English for more than 100 years. Each year more than 1,800 students from 50 different countries, speaking 66 different languages, come to Emily Griffith to learn English. High School Equivalency (HSE) Exam Preparation Emily Griffith also offers classes to prepare students for the HSE (formerly known as the GED) exams. Adult students master Reading, Math, Science and Social Studies skills required to obtain their high school equivalency.
Massage therapy students. (Photo: Emily Griffith)
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Students in the automotive service program. (Photo: Emily Griffith)
select times throughout the week. Culinary Arts students hone their cooking and customer service skills through real-world experiences serving the public. Breakfast staples include pancakes, French toast, made-to-order omelets and more. Lunch and dinner options include sandwiches, pizza, salad bar, soups and daily specials. All dishes are affordable and delicious. Emily’s Café is open Monday through Wednesday for breakfast from 8:30-9:30 a.m., lunch from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and for dinner on Tuesday nights only from 6:30-8 p.m. The Café is closed when school is not in session. The Café is located at the Emily Griffith Campus in downtown Denver at 1860 Lincoln St. Emily’s Massage Clinic Run by our massage therapy students under the supervision of licensed instructors, Emily’s Massage Clinic offers customers opportunities to relax, reduce pain, tension, stress and anxiety. Services include chair massage, therapeutic
massage, hot stone massage, cupping massage and prenatal massage. Prices vary between $5-$55 for 60 to 90 minutes. A 15-minute chair massage is just $5! Hours at Emily’s Massage Clinic vary by semester; appointments are required. To schedule an appointment, call 720- 423-4816 or email massage@emilygriffith.edu. The clinic is located at the Emily Griffith Campus in downtown Denver at 1860 Lincoln St. Emily’s Salon and Barbershop Emily Griffith cosmetology and barbering students operate Emily’s Salon and Barbershop under the supervision of licensed instructors. A variety of services are offered at affordable prices, including cuts, color, shaves and nail services. Day and evening services are available. Cuts start at $5. To book an appointment or for more information, please call 720-423-4798. Emily’s Salon and Barbershop is located at the Emily Griffith Campus in downtown Denver at 1860 Lincoln St.
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Emily’s Spa Our esthetician students provide spa services under the supervision of licensed instructors. Emily’s Spa offers high-quality skin care services at low prices including facials, microdermabrasion, waxing, makeup application, lash and brow treatments, spray tans and more. Appointments are required; walk-ins are not accepted. Day and evening services are available. Emily’s Spa is located at Emily Griffith’s Branch Campus at 1205 Osage St. in Denver. Furthering Educational Opportunities Through Partnerships Emily Griffith works closely with industry, area school districts, local community colleges and four-year colleges to create educational pathways for our students to have seamless transitions from high school into credit-bearing college programs, into degree-granting programs and into the workforce. For example, high school students can enroll in a recognized
pre-apprenticeship program, transition into a registered apprenticeship program upon graduation, and then into a degree program at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Similar pathways exist for other programs, including the one that Emily Griffith and Arapahoe Community College have to support students in Computer Networking. Emily Griffith also has a partnership with CSU Global providing Emily Griffith apprentices the opportunity to maximize their program coursework and earn industry certifications for transfer credit into CSU Global programs. These are just some of the partnerships the College has created to benefit students and increase educational and career goal outcomes. Over the past 100+ years, Emily Griffith Technical College has educated nearly 2 million students who seek pathways toward long-term career advancement. For more information, visit our website and follow us on social media.
Student in the construction pre-apprenticeship program. (Photo: Adobe)
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Empowering Colorado Youth
How Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado is changing lives. By ELYCIA COOK
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“I chose this journey because as an adult I have always wanted to be the person I needed most as a child. I am a personal testimony of the
BBBSC community including Alumni, whose life reflects a commitment to social justice. BBBSC was founded in 1918 as an innovative, empowering alternative to the juvenile justice system. Since then, the organization has been making meaningful, monitored mentor matches between adult volunteers- Bigs - and youth – Littles - for over a century. As the needs of young individuals evolve, BBBSC acknowledges the significance of adapting its programs to further honor, champion, and provide culturally relevant experiences for youth at every age and stage of their lives. BBBSC also continues to recognize the beauty and importance of authentic, meaningful cross-cultural, and multi-generational mentor relationships to promote social change, acceptance, cultural exchange, and empathy. Understanding that we still had work to do, BBBSC has embarked on an ambitious journey to diversify its pool of mentors, programs, and community partnerships to expand its reach and relevance to impact even more young lives. Quote from Elycia. “Born with every obstacle stacked against me, my childhood mirrors that of the many the youth we serve. With the support of mentors who looked like me, or programs and people who saw me as not broken but full of untapped potential, I am a first-generation high school and college graduate. I am also the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award in Mentoring. In 2021, I was named the first African American CEO in the history of BBBSC. I also understand the importance of cultural competency and relevancy of programs so that they feel inclusive and achieve the best possible outcomes for those served. While change and growth is not easy. It is necessary. BBBSC is doing the work, and it is making a difference.” Reflecting on the changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and the racial reckoning of 2020-2021, BBBSC understood the critical need to prioritize the mental health and well-being of youth, and flexibility in programming to meet young people where they are. With a steadfast commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) principles, BBBSC has placed these values at the forefront of its mission.
power of mentoring.” -Elycia Cook, CEO BBBSC
“My life is different because of my mentor,” Robert shared looking back at his time as a Little at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado (BBBSC) from 1993-1997. Robert is one of many who have been impacted by the program. “I am a huge supporter of BBBSC,” Robert shared. “Because I am a product of what happens when a caring adult provides a positive relationship over time.” Today, Robert serves as a Director of Diversity, Health Equity, and Inclusion right here in Colorado and was the recipient of the BBBSC inaugural Community JEDI Award (Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion). Awarded in 2022, this is one of many intentional promises to celebrate the beauty of diversity and honor members of the
BBBSC Vice President of Programs Polica Houston introducing Aurora Community College President Dr. Mordecai Brownlee at the 2024 Big Futures Program Kickoff (Photo: BBBSC)
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado Alumni Little Isaiah poses with CEO Elycia Cook and his Big Joe at BBBSC’s graduation ceremony. Isaiah was an intern through BBBSC’s Career Possibilities program and diligently pursuing his engineering studies at Colorado State University. (Photo: BBBSC)
Understanding that mentorship can be a lifeline for many young people, BBBSC has amplified its efforts to bridge the mentoring gap. Shockingly, statistics reveal that 1 in 3 youth lack a mentor or role model— a disparity that BBBSC is determined to address and alleviate. To address this pressing need, BBBSC has adapted its programs to offer a portfolio of mentoring services better aligned with youth needs. Recognizing the power of youth voice, peer support, and post-secondary readiness, BBBSC has introduced group and peer-to-peer mentoring, and college and career readiness wrap around services to these programs as well as their signature 1-1 volunteer adult to youth mentoring programs. One such initiative, the Big Futures Program, is specifically designed to equip high school-aged Littles with the social emotional support, skills, training, and resources they need to navigate the challenges of adolescence and prepare for a successful future. From college and career
readiness to essential life skills such as financial literacy and healthy decision-making, Big Futures empowers Littles to envision and pursue their dreams with confidence, determination, and increased social capital. In 2023, BBBSC welcomed to the staff Polica Houston, a Denver native and a proud graduate of Denver Public Schools, as Vice President of Programs. For the first time in BBBSC history, two people of color are serving on the executive leadership team. Polica is no stranger to the power of mentoring and celebrating Black Excellence. He is the son of one of Denver’s greatest sheroes of our time, Patricia Houston the founder of, “EspeciallyMe” which for over twenty years has shined a light on African American girls, through recognition, celebration, and scholarships. With his background in higher education and K-12 as a teacher and school administrator in the hearts of our communities, he has played an integral role in launching the Big Futures program.
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Quote from Polica on Big Futures. “BBBSC is ensuring youth are provided programming that features first-class experiences and support necessary for achieving a prosperous future. This includes exposing youth to successful professionals who look like them and kindle the wick of intentional action required for post- secondary success.” As a participant in the BBBSC’s Career Possibilities Program, BBBSC Alumni Little Isaiah completed a paid internship with BOA Technology. Under the mentorship of his Big and within the dynamic environment of the BOA internship, Isaiah found inspiration to pursue a career in mechanical engineering. “A lot of people are not exposed to this type of field or work; they don’t know that it’s possible.” Isaiah shared while reflecting on his time at BOA. “You can’t take opportunities that you don’t know about.” Isaiah is currently studying engineering at Colorado State University.
BBBSC Alumni Little Jonathan and His Big Quentin BBBSC Sports Buddies Program. (Photo: BBBSC)
In a significant move to expand its reach and impact, BBBSC acquired the STARS (Students Teaching About Relationships and Success) Program, adding an evidence-informed, cross- age, peer mentoring initiative to their already evidence based 1-1 mentoring programs. Uniquely tailored for youth ages 11 to 18. The STARS Program occurs within schools, pairing Youth Mentors in high school with groups of three to four Youth Mentees who are at least two years (or two grade levels) younger. This strategic acquisition underscores BBBSC’s unwavering commitment to providing diverse and effective mentorship opportunities to youth of all backgrounds. The many benefits of peer mentoring are deep and wide. The greatest being something that BBBSC refers to as MentorLife™ which translates to training youth at an early age to always invest in someone and to always have someone investing in them. In the STARS program many of the youth mentees become youth mentors. Data tells us that these youth are 48% more likely to volunteer in their community as adults. Given that 84% of these youth mentors
BBBSC CEO and Big Sister Elycia Cook with her Little Sister Tay at the live stage production of the Color Purple (Photo: BBBSC)
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BBBSC Alumni Little Isaiah Phorson interning at BOA Technology with other BBBSC Littles (Photo: BBBSC)
are people of color, the adoption of this program is another BBBSC strategy to diversify our future pipeline of adult 1-1 mentors. A participant, James joined the STARS program at age 12. He is now 22 and in the US Navy. “Connection is one of the most important things you can have in life,” he shared. “I do not know what I’d be doing if I didn’t have my mentors in my life.” BBBSC’s commitment to JEDI principles remains steadfast, serving as a guiding star for the organization’s endeavors. By actively cultivating relationships between youth of color and mentors, BBBSC hopes to nurture a more inclusive society, where every individual can flourish.
Despite efforts, BBBSC confronts a pressing challenge in meeting the escalating demand for mentors, especially men of color. With 400 youth currently on BBBSC’s waitlist, 75% of whom are boys, the organization emphasizes the urgent need for representation within its pool of mentors. “You don’t have to be perfect; you just have to be present,” affirmed Elycia, BBBSC’s CEO and an active Big. Looking ahead, BBBSC remains committed to its overarching goal of empowering every young person to graduate high school with a plan for their future and a mentor whose impact will last a lifetime. To join this impactful mission and make a difference in the lives of youth, visit BigLittleColorado.org to learn about the opportunities to get involved. Together, we can build a brighter and more promising future.
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