Happenings in and around Historic 5 Points and Northeast DenverAugust 2012

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145 Points newsonLine nowat www.5Pointsnews.com

Shock and Dismay: Aurora Movie Massacre

Greg Goodlow was a crowd pleaser as his group headlined the Annual Juneteenth Festival on welton street. the legendary Charles Burell thrilled seniors at the reemerging Juneteenth senior Luncheon.

Born in 1920, he was the first Black symphony performer in the country. Goodlow and Burell prove music is timeless.

Colorado Turns to Prayerthe Community FACes yet Another ChALLenGinG CirCumstAnCe

With the recent Century 16 Theatre massacre the eyes of the world were centered on Aurora, Colorado. The enormity of the situation required a quick response from the faith community. At Gateway High school, which was a staging area/command post for people looking for information concerning family members, there were people praying for and with grieving families in the parking lot as well as inside.

the Greater metropolitan ministerial Alliance (GmDmA), along with the Aurora ministerial Alliance (AmA), and many other clergy members mobilized a Prayer Vigil for the victims and their families to console and begin the healing process. “Our hearts and prayers go out to the families in mourning and to those individuals yet fighting for their lives. It is important that we who are the Watchmen stand guard with prayer for our communities” said GMDMA President Apostle Leon Emerson. Several hundred concerned citizens attended the vigil, some had direct ties to individual victims and others just wanted to show their support.

–Terrance Hughes

People from across the United States came together to mourn the loss and celebrate the lives of the Aurora Movie Theater victims. Many are still trying to make sense of the massacre and at the same time, determine that they will not allow fear to overshadow their lives.

Everyone can agree that the cinema experience provides a desired escape from reality on an entertainment continuum from love to horror, but never could imagine that the terror on screen would become actualized on July 20th. The photo above captures the disbelief and pain of what transpired on that early morning when a demented suspect took twelve lives, injured fifty-eight others, and scarred the state of Colorado during the midnight premier of The Dark Knight Rises at Aurora’s Century 16 Movie Theater. No one could have foreseen the extremity of the massacre or believed it to be true until they frantically fought to locate their loved ones to ensure their safety. Everyone held hope in their hearts that the individuals who had to run for their lives would not have everything taken from them in a matter of seconds. Those lost in this tragedy will forever be remembered as we come together and take back an experience that belongs to us.

–Arianna Green

5 Points newsProud Recipient of theDr. syl morgan smith

excellence in media Award

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August 2012 8 3

5 Points news Monthly Publication - August 2012

Publisher

brother jeff

editor

brother jeff

layout & design

Cynthia R. Martin

PhotograPhy

Lens of Ansarbrother jeff

A-Team Photography

Writers & researchers

Terrance “Big T” HughesKenneth Drew

brother jeffCynthia Martin Aminah FardAliyah Fard

Arianna R. Green

5 Points News is a publication of brotherjeff.com

2836 Welton StreetDenver, CO 80205

303.297.08235pointsnews@brotherjeff.com

Remember those old-time grandmothers, who no matter how crazy the situation or event would pause, shake their head, and ask: “What Is This World Coming Too? On the other hand, old-time grandfathers didn’t ask questions. They would lean back in their “special chair” and proclaim–This World Is Going to Hell in a Handbasket!

I’m not an old-time grandparent, however, their old-time words have been rac-ing through my head lately, especially in the wake of the Aurora Theater Massacre.

This was one of those rare moments when people didn’t know what to say, or think. Then it happened, just like it always does. The deeds and actions of good people began to overshadow the atrocious deeds of a deep, dark, twisted mind. He-roes emerged; people began to take care of loved ones and strangers. In the wake of tragedy, we seem to care more about one another.

As I express my condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of this hor-rible tragedy, I hope you find comfort in the wisdom of those old-time grandparents. Can you hear them saying: Everything is gonna be alright.” Peace.

–brother jeff

Old-Time Grandmothers Would Ask: What Is This World Coming Too?

One time a guy wrote a name on a bullet and placed it on man’s desk at work. Not only was he fired but charges were brought up against him. the com-pany I work for has a no tolerance policy on stuff like this. They would have been walked out the door.

– Belinda AshtonWill we ever get this right? Unbelievable.

–Helen Lacko Gray

Let’s never forget the meaning of Billie Holiday’s “Strange Fruit” history is what we stand on. The shackles may be gone but the bondage is delivered in secret by those who still hate.

– Harvey McWhorter

My initial reaction came from working for the state for 9 years, and a ten-dency to address the immediate problem at hand. The person who created the hostile environment must be removed immediately and the agency must im-mediately demonstrate zero-tolerance. That’s just specific practical advice for a specific situation. The larger issues you raise won’t, and can’t, be addressed by this bureaucracy or any other. But first and foremost, get that sista the support and justice she must have. The rest of us can debate and pontificate later. Her well-being and peace of mind are what matters most -- in the now.

–Karon Majeel

Responses to Noose being left in Black Woman’s Office

Letters to the Editor

Talkn’ With Dr. DaddioSaturdays 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

5 POInTS neWS Knows Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

July Corrections: In our last edi-tion some of our captions were not updated. 5 Points news, pictured Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority with a Delta sigma theta sorority caption. the letter to the editor, Think About It was written by Denise Wis-dom and not Danielle moore.

Thank you for bringing these er-rors to our attention.

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Doll with Noose left in Black Woman’s Office

Some things are never funny, and especially when it comes to lynching. 5 POINTS NEWS was recently notified about an African American, Colorado government employee who found a doll with a noose around its neck on her office desk. This is not an allegation, no one is denying what happened, and the person

who “hung” the doll is known. All proper procedures have been fol-

lowed, and city, state, as well as federal elected officials have been notified. We are withholding further details and iden-tities for obvious reasons, and will con-tinue to follow this story. We will keep our readers posted. What a shame!

Lynchings of Blacks was common in the 20th Century and often celebrated at family outings

brother jeff at the Aurora memorial site across from the Aurora Century 16 Theater

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Track stars Carol Smith-Gilbert and Yolanda Hall were among hundreds memorializing Coach Tony Wells

Hope CommunitiesSeeks Projects Which Improve the Community

Hope Communities, a 32-year old affordable housing non-profit, is seeking four projects to improve in the northeast Denver area for their Hands for Hope Day on September 22, 2012. These projects can be a home, yard, school, church or any other need that improves the health and wholeness of the community. The projects range from yard work, painting and cleaning to repair.

since 1999, hope Communities has hosted Hands for Hope Day, an event that brings together volunteers from around the Metro Denver area to make an im-mediate impact on the community by completing service projects. The projects unite Denver citizens around a common cause. Hands for Hope Day is designed

to be a short commitment, long-impact event.

To be selected, please contact Jen-nifer at Hope Communities at 303-860-7747. The property owner should be low-income and be available for a tour of the desired work to be completed. The projects will be awarded August 31, 2012.

Hope Communities is also seeking volunteers. individuals, groups, corpora-tions, religious organizations, civic clubs, schools, and anyone else who wants to help should contact Jennifer at 303-860-7747. Teenagers are welcome provided they participate with an adult (one adult per five teenagers).

For details call 303.860.7747 or visit www.hopecommunities.org.

Remembering Coach Tony Wells

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Cleo Parker Robinson Annual Dance Festival

For over 40 years, Cleo Parker Rob-inson Dance has been conducting amaz-ing performances that showcase incred-ible talent, dedication, and inspiration to the world and her Annual Dance Festival has taken the community by storm.

Her ensemble as well as other ensem-

bles dazzled the audiance.This diverse group of dancers showed

up and showed out from beginning to end leaving the crowd satisfied.

For more upcoming performances be sure to visit www. cleoparkerdance.org.

Cleo Parker Robinson (Left) along with members of her dance ensemble

Hundreds filled the Hiawatha Da-vis recreation Center in memorial tony Wells, the legendary head coach of the Colorado Flyers Track Club.

Coach Wells is internationally known for his expert development of emerging female sprinters. His Colorado Flyers hold virtually every high school record from the 55 yards to the 60 meters! He has been coaching youth, high school and internationally ranked professional track and field athletes for over 35 quality years in the sprints, hurdles middle and long dis-tance, long and triple jumps. He is one of fewer than 25 of the approximately 38,000 track coaches in this country who have earned the Master Coach certification of

USA Track & Field.“After a life of service to our com-

munity, my father passed away early this morning (July 16,2012), said his daughter Susu Vaden. “We were all blessed by his presence and we should all aspire to find and serve our purpose with excellence and passion.”

Since 1974 Coach Wells has been the lead instructor in the sprints and hurdles at the usAtF olympic Development Camp for junior athletes. His national coach-ing assignments include appointments as sprint, hurdles and relays coach for the senior team versus england in 1995 and with the Junior Team in 1994.

Denver Provides Leadership to Olympic Games

Jeff Howard, a senior media consul-tant for the Gomez Howard Group (GHG) and the senior associate athletic director for external relations for the University of Denver’s Division of Athletics and Recre-ation, was invited by the British Olympic

Association (BoA) to implement a man-aging Victory program for the National Olympic Committee’s athletes competing in the 2012 olympic Games. in London, Howard led the BOA’s initiative for pro-actively directing the first 48 hours after an athlete medals.

“When considering who could de-liver the needed skills for our managing victory operation, Jeff was the natural choice,” says British Olympic Associa-tion Director of Communications Darryl Siebel. “Having the pleasure of seeing him in action at previous Games, our athletes and media are fortunate to have one of the world’s best working on their behalf.”

in addition to several prior leader-ship roles at the united states olympic Committee (USOC), Jeff has also di-rected public and media relations for the national Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and began his career with the Denver Broncos Football Club.

August 2012 8 5

One Year After Alonzo Ashley Death at Denver Zoo: Letter to CeO

Family members and supporters hold memorial for Alonzo Ashley at Zoo on the anniversary of his death

July 25, 2012mr. Craig Piper, CeoDenver Zoo2300 Steele StreetDenver, CO 80205-4899RE: Death of Alonzo Ashley at the Denver Zoo 2011

Dear Mr. Piper:i am a Denver native. i grew up in

the Cole neighborhood in the 1950’s-1960. I remember as a child walking to see Cookie the elephant at her special house. I took my neighborhood pals on an excursion to the park after we raised money by selling lemonade and putting on a backyard circus, mostly attended and supported by our parents. I have paddled around the lake and fed the ducks with my child. I’ve cooled off in the fountains and

spent so many happy times at City Park and the zoo.

Last year on the way to mayor mi-chael Hancock’s inauguration party we noticed the police presence at the zoo as we were on our way to the Botanic Gar-dens. never in my wildest imagination would i have guessed that a man was dy-ing at the zoo.

At the time I was part of the Staple-ton Foundation’s “be well” health and wellness initiative. we were trained to inform our community about heart-health and healthy eating. We did this by hosting cholesterol screening in the community. We also had speakers train us in healthy living. so, as an alert community mem-ber I feel confident I can assist anyone from a child to a senior if they were in any type of heart-trouble.

I’m saying this because I blame the death on Mr. Alonzo Ashley on the Den-ver Zoo and the employees, not so much the Denver Police Dept. the day in question was about 96 degrees. Being at the zoo during the day would have been brutal on the healthiest of people. My background would say that a Black man is most likely not to take care of himself to begin with in terms of eating healthy and hydration. I can bet that Mr. Ashley had not drank water every hour he was in that brutal heat. He was probably having a heat stroke. The Denver Zoo employ-ee that I saw being taken by ambulance seemed to be a senior. He probably need-ed hydration, but mostly he probably was terrified of a sick-looking Black man.

I believe that water and shade should have been offered by the Denver Zoo. I’m not sure what type of training employees receive but I hope they are better trained to identify heat stroke victims.

My other big beef with the Denver Zoo is the “New Community Outreach” program you announced last August 2011. You said it would be a place for job training and other opportunities for the “community.” I have looked at the Den-ver Zoo site and have not seen any pro-grams regarding this new outreach. i did not understand that program you talked about last August, but I decided to wait and see what you would do. As the one year anniversary comes about it is eating away at my heart. Why? Because the Denver Zoo can do something simple and do it now and impact the “community.” I propose an Alonzo Ashley cooling off program. it would involve having volun-teers handing out free water at set stations in the shaded areas of the zoo. If people

have been standing in endless lines wait-ing to get into the different exhibits they should be met with cold water when they exit. Not only should adults be offered free water, but the children should be of-fered water as well. In addition signage should be put out educating people on what to look out for when being in the heat or increment weather for that matter. “Drink Water” signs should be posted ev-erywhere. During the month of July the Denver Zoo should give free water bottles out to the “community.”

You don’t need to have an elaborate job-training program, in my opinion. however, a community awareness pro-gram for heat-health is needed. In addi-tion your zoo staff should be made aware of what a sick minority looks like, or for that matter a sick-senior. They could look drunk when in fact they need an ambu-lance. Mr. Alonzo needed some shade and an ambulance. I believe water was too late, but the police did not have to be called in.

I am but one person in this “commu-nity” I don’t want to meet with countless people just have signs and water added to the Denver Zoo. I would like to take my great nephew to the zoo this year, but his parents are boycotting the zoo. So, mr. Piper what can we do and what is the update on your community outreach pro-gram? It seems that working in the heat in an outdoor situation the zoo employees would be trained in the effects of being out in the heat.

–A Denver Native, Helen Rigmaiden

Dr. Pernessa Seele at the University of Denver

There is no Cure for HIV

Dr. Pernessa Seele, founder and CEO of the Balm in Gilead, a national faith-based nonprofit organization, and leading advocate of Black church responsiveness to the AIDS crisis is one of the country’s most prominent voices on issues of HIV/AIDS. She recently spoke at the Univer-sity of Denver.

Known for her frank, straightforward presentations Dr. Seele topic was: Fram-ing Critical Responses to the HIV/AIDS

Pandemic in the African American Com-munity.

“We have some troubling informa-tion. The troubling information is, we still have HIV.” Dr. Seele told the audi-ence. “The troubling information is most people don’t know about, and don’t want to talk about HIV.”

The combination of urban poverty and the HIV/AIDS pandemic affecting African American people disproportion-ately, resulting in African Americans dying at increasingly alarming rates, re-quires a large scale response from the Black church and society at large that is comparable to the Civil Rights Move-ment. Alarming statistics indicate that: African Americans at 12 percent of the country’s population represent as high as 51 percent of those living with HIV/AiDs.

The Greater Denver Interfaith Ini-tiative, the Metro Denver Pan-Hellenic Council, the IIiff School of Theology, and the University of Denver sponsored Dr. Seele’s presentation.

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Arts And cultureBlack American West Museum3091 California Street, Denver, CO 80205(720) 242-7428

Blair-Caldwell African American Library 2401 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(720) 865-2401

brother jeff’s Cultural Center 2836 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(303) 297-0823

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance 119 Park Avenue West, Denver, CO 80205(303) 295-1759

Frederick Douglas Community Building 2745 Welton, Denver, CO 80205(213) 923-2981

Stiles African American Heritage Center, Inc.2607 Glenarm Place, Denver, CO 80205(303) 294-0597

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Support the many businesses and services in and around Five Points.

Cooling Off on a Hot Summer Day

Five Points news captured a young boy cooling off on a hot summer’s day in downtown public fountain. His smile tells

all after running through the water and posing for the camera. It must have been extremely refreshing!

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Joint statement from Gov. Hickenlooperand Helen Thorpe announcing separationGov. John Hickenlooper and his wife, Helen Thorpe, issued the following joint

statement today, announcing their decision to separate: “After years of marriage that have added tremendous love and depth to both of our

lives, we have decided to separate. This decision is mutual and amicable. We continue to have the utmost respect for each other, and we remain close friends. We intend to continue functioning as a family that spends a great deal of time together. In fact, we will embark on our annual family vacation together this week, share meals often, and plan to spend holidays together. You can continue to expect to see both of us out in the community – sometimes together, sometimes solo. Please feel free to include both of us in social gatherings as we will not find it awkward.

“Our chief concern right now is the well-being of our son, so we ask everyone to respect our privacy as we make this transition. While public office made this announce-ment necessary, it will be the only statement we make on this private matter. We want to thank our friends, family, and community for all of the support you have shown us as a couple and as individuals, and for the support we know you will provide as we move forward.”

Both the Governor and Ms. Thorpe want the public to know that neither has had an affair, that they did seek extended counseling, and that this decision is unrelated to the difficult events Colorado has faced this summer. While the Governor will be moving into the Governor’s Mansion, he will also continue to spend time with his son at their private home.

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8 8 5 Points news

We must work together to register every African American and Latino who is eligible to vote in Colorado. Let My People VOTE is a statewide, mulit-cultural, multi-faith, collaborative movement. Join the following congregations and organizations that are leading the movement:

Together Colorado • Shorter AME Church • Agape Christian Church • St. Therese Catholic Church • Campbell Chapel AME Church Masjid Taqwa (Northeast Denver Islamic Center) • NAACP – Colorado • St. Pius X Catholic Church • The House Worship Center

Our Lady Mother of the Church • Epworth United Methodist Church • 9to5 National Association of Women Cure d’Ars Catholic Church • Iglesia del Nazareno • First AME Church Pueblo • American Friends Service Committee

United Church of Montbello • Queen of Peace Catholic Church • Colorado Progressive CoalitionCleaves Memorial CME Church • St. Cajetan Catholic Church • Alpha and Omega Ministries• BrotherJeff.com

August 2012 8 9

How far will some go to control an election outcome? Would they implement poll taxes, intimidate voters, produce literacy tests, or rewrite legislation? Of Course! Political stakes are high. Therefore, voter suppression has and continues to happen. Times and tactics may change, but the original intent remains the same.

Murder was the ultimate form of voter suppression prior to and throughout the Civil Rights era. For example, in 1955, Reverend George Lee, of Belzoni Missis-sippi, used his pulpit to encourage his congregation and community to register and vote. Rev. Lee’s political activism was deemed threatening to the balance of power, and got him assassinated. And who could forget the 1964 “Freedom Summer” murders of James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner? These Civil Rights workers were also targeted and killed for encouraging voter participation.

Voter suppression, in various forms is woven into the nation’s political fabric. The only way it has, and can be stopped, is when courageous people step up, orga-nize, and “shine light” on individuals and policies that deny citizens their rights.

As we approach the November election, voter suppression is being attempted throughout the country, (and yes even here in Colorado). We should all be concerned with attempts by the Colorado Secretary of State using “Inactive- Failed to Vote Sta-tus” as a way to discourage voters. Colorado is certainly a vital state in the upcom-ing election, and the secretary’s “new” voting guidelines are no doubt designed to target low-income, minority, disabled and elderly voters. Why? Because they have the collective power to cast deciding votes in a close election.

As citizens, we should not have to know how many bubbles are in a bar of soap, possess the ability to recite the US Constitution, or need to navigate an obstacle course to see if we are “active” voters.

That’s why I have joined the Let My People Vote coalition, and am determined to help “shine the light of justice” on those who would use modern tricks to suppress our vote.

–brother jeff

Voter Suppression ContinuesnAACP Letter to Secretary GesslerOpposition to Proposed Rule Changes to the Colorado election Rules

Fighting voter suppression, Rev. Towanna Davis and her grandson at a Let My People Vote Rally

Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler

Dear secretary Gessler,My testimony at the Rule making

Hearing, Monday July 23, 2012 mirrors the following comments:

The Denver Branch of the NAACP opposes your proposed new rules 12.4.1(d) and 13.19 targeting “Inactive-Failure to Vote” electorate as restrictive legislation limiting qualified voters access to the electoral process.

the nAACP (national Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is the oldest civil rights organization in the nation celebrating 103 years in ex-istence. Our primary purpose is to fight discrimination and ensure equality among all. The Denver Branch of the NAACP specifically opposes proposed new rules 12.4.1(d) and 13.9 as a form of voter op-pression which will limit the ability of African-Americans, Latinos, seniors, students, military personnel and working adults from casting their votes in any up-coming elections.

As the Secretary of State, it is your role to ensure fair elections among Colo-rado voters not to presumptively limit vot-er participation. As the Secretary of State, you cannot exceed the authority given to you by the Colorado Legislature by cir-cumventing the current law that allows the Clerk and Recorders to send Mail-in Ballots to voters—regardless of whether they voted in the last election. Prevent-ing the Clerk and Recorders from send-ing mail-in ballots to voters overreaches the scope of your authority and dimin-ishes the ability of African-Americans, Latinos, seniors, students, military and working-class Americans from exercising their right to vote. Eliminating the mail-in ballot option not only inconveniences eli-gible voters but resembles Jim Crow laws that utilized grandfather clauses and poll taxes as tactics to eliminate the presence of African-Americans at the polls.

The proposed new rules 12.4.1(d) and 13.19 would adversely affect every citizen, regardless of their race, age or gender who is considered an “Inactive/Failure to Vote” electorate. This translates to unlawfully purging eligible Colorado voters and kicking them off of the voting database --thereby disenfranchising thou-sands of eligible voters.

rita r. Lewis, esq.President, NAACP-Denver Branch

P.O. Box 5705Denver, CO 80217

Your voice matters. Write to: scott Gessler

Colorado Secretary of State1700 Broadway, Suite 200

Denver, CO 80290scott.gessler@sos.state.co.us

LET MY PEOPLE VOTEMore Latinos and African Americans voted in 2008 than ever before. During the past four years, in 34 states, policies have been passed or have been attempted to be passed that make it difficult for Black and Brown voters, young voters and senior voters to vote. LET MY PEOPLE VOTE. WE WILL register and vote, WE WILL not be intimidated, and WE WILL turn out in record numbers for the November election.

LET’S WORK TOGETHER• Let My People VOTE Voter Registration Weekends

In an act of solidarity, Latino and African American churches and mosques across Colorado are registering and register-ing ALL eligible voters in their faith communities. We are standing together in protecting our right to vote. Join us in collectively registering your congregation!

• Volunteer to Register VOTERS We need your help in registering people to vote throughout the community. Attend a short training and begin register-ing friends, family and neighbors!

• Protect Our VOTE Protect the vote on election day! Clergy are needed to stand outside polling places, wearing clerical attire. People 16 + years old are needed to be election judges and stu-dent election judges inside polls.

TO GET inVOLVEd, PLEaSE cOnTacT Rev. Dawn Riley Duval 303.588.1611 dawn@togetherco.org William Dickerson 303.330.8311 will@togetherco.org

10 8 5 Points news

Afterthought Theatre Presents: AnnIe

Afterthought Theatre’s production of the Broadway Hit Musical “Annie” play-ing at the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theatre August 17-26th challenges the notion of “type” in every way with their fresh new take on the classic American tale.

We sat down for a Q&A session with the star of the show, Aaliyah Shambe, to discuss her thoughts on her role as Annie!

Q. How did you hear about the audi-tions?

A. I heard about the auditions from Mrs. Stephanie (Stephanie Hancock). she goes to my church and she told me about it.

Q. Had you ever seen the musical be-fore you knew of the auditions?

A. we have the movie at home so i always watch it.

Q. What made you decide to audition for a role in Annie?

A. i wanted to try out her (mrs. Stephanie) plays instead of school plays.

Q. What did your dad say when you told him you wanted to audition?

A. He’s the one who was actually pushing me to audition more and more because I kind of forgot the day and he was like “it’s June 4th!” and I was like

“okay…”, and he was all excited for me to audition and everything.

Q. Do you relate to Annie in any way?

A. I wanted to play Annie because I half way felt kind of close to her because my mom died so she lost both her par-ents. I can’t really explain how I’d feel to lose both parents because just losing my mom is really hard, so i thought i wanted to play her because I thought she’d be a really fun character to play because she’s loving everyone around her.

Q. What would you say to those peo-ple who may not feel that you are right for the part because of your skin color?

A. I’d say that this is a new version of “Annie”. Not every single version of “Annie” has to be a red head kid with freckles even though it’s very specific and that’s what makes part of Annie, “Annie”, I think that people should try out something different. I also read on one blog that the person who made the stage production “Annie” wanted Annie to originally be a black kid so I was like that’s “interesting…”.

Q. What are you most excited to perform?

A. I’m most excited to do the whole entire choreography and singing of “Hard Knock Life” and “Gonna Like It Here”.

Q. What would you say to children who want to be actors like you?

A. you should not give up your dream as an actor or an actress because not all people are fit for one role ya know like I don’t think I’d be fit for a grown up role because you know I’m a kid and everything, and a grown up wouldn’t be fit for the part of Annie like my dad was trying to be Annie (laughing).

For tickets and more information about Annie and other plays by After-thought Theatre, visit:

www.afterthoughttheatre.com

Cleaves Memorial Food Ministry

Members of Cleaves Memorial along with their Pastor Reverend Mark J. Hill and Legendary bassist Charlie Burrell

Legendary bassist Charlie Burrell (back row, 3rd from left) was amongst many com-munity members enjoying the festivities at Cleaves Memorial’s Annual Neighborhood Extravaganza.

every year the Cleaves memorial C.m.e. Church Food and Clothing ministries hosts an event to provide school supplies, services, food and fun to over 200 families and friends in the area. This year they expanded the event to incorporate surrounding community establishments.

New Jerusalem missioNary Baptist ChurChagape

Dr. Calvin Louis Kelly St.Senior Pastor

3400 Lawrence StreetDenver, CO 80205

Phone: 720.775.4305 Fax: 720.535.5824E-Mail: tkelly910@comcast.net

we are not waiting to die, but we are possessing the promise of god.

Come possess the promise with us.

Aaliyah Shambe plays lead role in Annie

August 2012 8 11

Denver Preschool Program tips for preparing for preschool

As they prepare for preschool, some parents tell me they want their young chil-dren to enjoy preschool before they go to “real school.” Others don’t want their preschools “wasting” time playing games at the expense of learning. Neither should worry.

Playing games is one of the ways young children learn, not just their num-bers and letters, but important social skills as well. Learning how to take turns, listen, follow directions and socialize with other children is essential preparation for future classroom success.

As an early childhood educator, i would suggest that families prepare for preschool by arranging visits before school starts to help children become fa-miliar with their classrooms and teachers.

In the week preceding the start of school, talk with your child about what the first day will be like, and practice say-ing good-bye to each other. Have your child practice wearing his/her backpack, an essential school supply. it holds a

second set of cloths (in case of spills or accidents), perhaps some healthy snacks and a water bottle, and, most important, the notes that teachers and families send back and forth. Leave the favorite toy at home – it might get lost.

the mental, physical and social stim-ulation of preschool takes a good night’s sleep and a nap. Four-year-olds need 10 to 12 hours of sleep a day. It helps if young children can take a nap alone at home so they can do the same at preschool.

I serve as chair of the Denver Pre-school Program Board of Advisors because I know high-quality preschool is a smart public investment and the place to start closing the education achievement gap. Preschools participating in the Denver Pre-school Program are independently rated for quality so Denver families can choose the best preschools for their children.

Over 90 percent of the roughly 800 African-American four-year-olds en-rolled in the Denver Preschool Program attend top-quality preschools. On aver-age, these families received $318 per month from the Denver Preschool Pro-gram to help offset the cost of preschool during the 2010-2011 school year. That’s a good investment since, according to an independent evaluation; the vast majority of children leave the Denver Preschool Program ready for kindergarten – social-ly, emotionally and academically.

More information on enrolling your child in the Denver Preschool Program and preparing your child for preschool can be found at www.DenverPreschool-Program.org.

– Gerrie Howard

Hope Center Director Gerie Grimes

Déjà vu all over again: a brief history of Manual High SchoolBy Jeannie Kaplan, Board of Education, Denver Public Schools

In 2001 Manual became a testing ground for a reform called the small school initiative – three schools in one building. In 2012 Manual is once again becoming a testing ground for the latest school reform called campus co-sharing – two schools in one building. What is Einstein’s definition of insanity? Doing the same thing in the same way and expecting different results. “Deja vu all over again.” Yogi Berra, former New York Yankees catcher.

manual has had three principals in five years. Hopefully, it can retain its school leadership team of Prin-cipal Brian Dale, Assistant Princi-pal Vernon Jones, Jr. and Assistant Principal Becky Martinez have a vision and a commitment to the Manual community that should be allowed to flourish and succeed, and the district should support it.

2011

June

201

2

Aug

ust 2

012

2007

The district announces a co-location “possibility” for Manual with a charter school called GALS (Girls Athletic Leadership School). When GALS began its quest to become autho-rized as a charter school in Denver, it sought a more southern location and was particu-larly interested in a closed elementary school, rosedale. GALs met with strong opposi-tion from DPS around this site, was forced to find its own temporary site and now finds itself in desperate need of another school by 2013 because of its growth in the number of students.

The Board of Education approves a middle school for Manual with some conditions. Manual envisions growing to fill its building with any neighborhood student who wishes to attend; DPS envisions co-locating an all girls charter school in the Manual facility, thus in some people’s view limiting Manual’s ability to expand and to some, limiting the belief that Manual will be a success.

manual reopens with ninth grade and builds each year till 2011 when it graduates its first class in its current iteration.

Co-locations throughout the city have been contentious (Kunsmill-er/West Denver Prep, C3/Merrill, Smiley/Venture Prep, Montbello /various other new schools, north High School/WDP) with the few exceptions where the policy truly bubbles up from the com-munity. (Cole/DSST, MSLA/KIPP). There have been no public hearings about the possibility of co-locations around Manual. The fact that the district has not come up with any other possibility for GALS is troublesome for both schools.

Manual High School has a proud history in Denver. It is one of the oldest high schools in the city and has been home to some of the Denver’s most famous residents. Recently, Manual has also been a testing ground for several unproven educational theories.

In the 1970’s through the mid 1990’s Manual was home to an ethnically and economically diverse population. But when bussing ended in 1995 in Denver, diversity decreased, and since that time Manual has been a poster child for various attempts at educational transformation.

In 2001 Manual participated in the reform of the day – the small school initiative – funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The belief was small schools would improve student achievement, and Manual was broken up into three schools, each with a separate leader on a separate floor. This attempted restructuring did not provide the wished for results nationally, and by 2006 concerns at Denver Public Schools were sufficient to actually close Manual. The small school model disappeared quietly from the national scene. Manual’s students were sent scurrying to other DPS high schools with a promise of individualized mentors to ensure the success of these displaced students. The number of students who gradu-ated and from where and the number of students who dropped out has remained a mystery. And without this data it has been difficult to determine whether Manual’s “hard closure” was a good or bad reform. Is closing a school at year’s end, moving the students to other schools, and re-opening the old school one year at a time good for kids and families?

12 8 5 Points news

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nAACP Statement on Aurora Shooting and the national Conversation on Gun Control

the nAACP, the nAACP Colora-do/Montana/Wyoming State-State Area Conference and the NAACP Aurora Branch released the following statement today in response to the Aurora theatre shootings and the revived national con-versation on gun control:

Like the rest of the country, mem-bers and leaders of the National Asso-ciation for the Advancement of Colored People (nAACP) are truly saddened by the horrific midnight massacre that tragically claimed so many young lives a week ago today in the Cineplex at the Aurora Mall. The NAACP joins with others in sending thoughts and prayers to the victims and the families of those victimized.

We also extend our thanks to the courageously served in the commu-nity’s greatest time of need, including first responders, doctors and commu-nity members like Aurora NAACP co-founder Barbara Shannon-Banister who coordinated the city’s public vigil.

the nAACP is deeply concerned about the rising tide of gun violence that has affected every corner of this coun-try. Too often the addition of an assault weapon turns an already precarious situ-ation into breeding ground for mass vio-lence.

The Centers for Disease Control has identified gun violence as the sec-ond leading cause of death for all young people in this country and the leading cause of death for young African Ameri-cans, particularly young African Ameri-can men. in the last 50 years, more Americans have been killed by guns in their own country than all united states military personnel were killed as a result of wars in other countries. “With the Aurora tragedy,” said NAACP Aurora

Branch President Levester Lyons, PhD, “we are reminded that gun violence is a public health epidemic for which Amer-ica must find a cure.”

For decades the nAACP has stood against the proliferation of guns in our communities. The Association fought for the enactment of federal assault weapons policy in 1994. And in the years since the federal ban was allowed to expire in 2004, the NAACP has con-tinued to speak out to renew it. In 2010, delegates at the nAACP 101st Conven-tion adopted a resolution in Legislative Session, calling for federal attention to the need for stronger gun control.

today, the nAACP again reiterates the spirit of that resolution by calling for: • Limitations on access to guns; • Challenges to the culture of gun vio-

lence; and • Support for legislation that will ensure

greater safety in the face of public acts to intimidate.

no other developed country allows the ease of access to guns possible in the united states. other developed coun-tries require gun purchasers to dem-onstrate compelling need; some have outright prohibitions against possession of the kind of semi-automatic weapons used by the shooter in Aurora. Our na-tion’s history is replete with threats and acts of violence against our leaders. “But with Aurora, the threat comes clos-er to all of us – regardless of where in the country we live,” said NAACP Col-orado/Montana/Wyoming State-State Area Conference President Rosemary Harris Lytle. “Additionally, the need for policy change becomes more obvious.”

Jesse Jackson Visits Aurora and Victims

Reverend Jessie Jackson Sr. visited the victims of the Aurora 16 theater shoot-ing and renewed his plea for a ban on as-sault rifles, like the one used to murder 12 and wound 58.

Jackson a witness to the death of his friend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. seemed pained and confused by the massacre as he stood in front of the suspect’s apart-

ment on 17th and Paris, flanked by clergy the nAACP.

“This massacre is an act of domestic terrorism,” Jackson exclaimed.

He also visited the hospitals of many of the victims, and the home of one family to share his condolences and prayed for them in this moment of great tragedy.

–Kenneth Drew

Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr., Clergy, and NAACP visit victims of the Aurora 16 Theater Massacre

Aliyah Fard (12), 5 POINTS NEWS Journalist

Adults Making the World a better Place

the tragic shooting that occurred in Aurora was “to close to home” and made me feel really sad. My first thought was why and how this could happen? The shooter went on a mass shooting frenzy at a movie theater last month, killing 12 people and injuring dozens more.

It sometimes seems that kids should be upset that adults are not making this world a better place for us. Why are peo-ple selling guns! When incidents like this happen, I think it makes kids feel like they

can’t go anywhere without wondering if something bad is going to happen.

Some kids might feel like they can’t trust adults; however, there are safe plac-es where kids can go and be involved in positive things. this summer i did a some cool camps like the Colorado As-sociation of Black Professional Engineers and scientists, Dr. Justina Ford math and Science Camp for girls at the Black American west museum, improv acting at Mizel Museum, dance classes at Cleo Parker Robinson’s Dance, brother jeff’s Summer Enrichment, and After Thought theater Company which will present the musical “Annie.

I participated in all of these programs and have a role in the musical. I think that it is the job of adults to make places safe for us kids. There shouldn’t be drugs and guns everywhere. Adults should be role models and should support positive things that kids do. Please support the cast of “Annie” and me by going to the musi-cal. Go to www.afterthoughttheater.com and check out the new play “Annie” and support young people doing good things.

–Aliyah Fard

Greater Park Hill Sertoma ClubContinues to Serve

The new 5 Points Community Garden receives a donation from the Greater Park Hill Sertoma Club

Left to Right - Engage 8 Executive Director, Tony Pigford, joins Greater Park Hill Sertoma Club, Vice President of Sponsorship, Earnest Reese, as he presents a check to Curriculum Facilitators & Organic Gardeners, Neambe LeadonVita and her husband Ietef Vita. The donation will go toward programming and maintenance of the new 5 Points community garden located at 33rd and Downing.

The Sertoma Club holds high standards for devoting service to mankind, reflected through projects such as sponsoring the hearing project with Denver Health , the Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Marade, and providing meals and toys to deprived families.

August 2012 8 13

500 Support African-American Health in 5K Walk/Run

5 Points News Photo GalleryWinter Park Jazz Festival Destination Health Walk/Run/Learn

The Center for African-American health held the second annual Destination Health 5K Walk/Run and Health Expo on Saturday, July 28 in City Park. This event helped raise more than $35,000 for the Center, which provides much needed health screenings, health education, and disease management programs. more than 500 people participated and 50+ vol-unteers gave their time and talent to en-sure this year’s event was a success.

“Destination Health is an excellent opportunity for the Center for African-American health to promote healthy liv-ing for African-Americans living in metro Denver,” said Grant Jones, founder and executive director. “We can all do a bet-ter job of treasuring our health by mak-ing healthy activities a top priority in our lives.”

With more than 30 exhibitors on hand, participants also had the opportu-nity to learn about healthy choices and receive educational information from a variety of non-profit organizations. Cen-ter for African-American Health Board Member Brother Jeff Fard said, “This event is an example that says Africans

Americans can come out in mass and change a norm by getting up, getting ac-tive, moving around and being healthy.”

On hand to kick off the race were the Destination Health co-chairs, former Denver Bronco haven moses and Den-ver Public Schools’ board member Happy Haynes. “We are trying to create a better appreciation in community of how im-portant our health is,” said Haven Moses, “and to support one another in living a healthy lifestyle so we can be around a lot longer.”

The event wouldn’t have been com-plete without the soulful sound of the mary Louise Lee Band, which rounded out the day with music and dancing. the Center also thanks everyone involved in making the event a success including sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers and par-ticipants. For more information about the Center’s programs and services contact us at 303-355-3423 or visit us on the web at www.caahealth.org

Save the date for next year’s Desti-nation Health – July 27, 2013 – see you there!

Joan Coby Wilson, 68, celebrates as she completes the Center for African American Health 5K Walk/Run

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16-year-old, Gabby Douglas has emerged as a 2012 Olympic Champion and posi-tive figurehead for all girls looking to become a gymnast and Olympian. She has made history after becoming the first African-American to become a gold medalist for the all-around title and has opened the door for other African-American young ladies to follow in her footsteps.

While strangers look in from the outside they would be completely oblivious to the fact that Douglas left her home in Virginia Beach at the age of 14 – only seeing her mother four times in two years – to train with Liang Chow and live with a White host family in West Des Moines, Iowa. Her sacrifice left her self-conscious, a lone Black person in a new place, depicted as the “token” in high-level competitions, and someone who no one saw as a threat. However, those thoughts of doubt from other people did not deter her from her dream of winning gold.

“I have an advantage because I’m the underdog, I’m Black, and no one thinks I’d ever win. Well, I’m going to inspire so many people,” Douglas stated. “Everybody will say, how did she come up so fast? But I’m ready to shine.”

All those years of believing in herself prepared her to lead the all-around competi-tion from beginning to end, landing her a second gold medal. The first was won with “The Fab Five” gymnastics team who became the first U.S.A. team to take home the gold since “The Magnificent Seven” in 1996.

Interestingly enough, as a young child Douglas was inspired by a member of “The Magnificent Seven” by the name of Dominique Dawes - an African-American woman who won a silver medal with her floor routine. Dawes gave Douglas someone to look up to and instilled her with hope of inspiring others of her own one day.

Now those of you who had the foresight of this young star making history may have already found the hidden message in her last name D.O.U.G.L.A.S. When rearranged it uncovers the words U.S.A. GOLD which reveals her destiny to inspire a nation. “I want people to believe with no fear, learn to enjoy, seize the moment, and trust in what they can do,” says Douglas. That is how she became the 2012 Olympic Champion.

–Arianna Green

USA’s Gabrielle “Gabby” Douglas Takes Home the Gold!

Gabrielle Douglas: First African-American to win the all-around gymnastics gold medal

Jerry Stevens Memorialized “I DID IT MY WAY”

Jerry Lee Allen stevens reached the highest heights while doing it “His Way.”

Stevens received his formal educa-tion in Denver and graduated from East high school. he attended the university of Iowa on a track scholarship. He re-ceived his law degree and practiced law in Denver and became a Judge in Aurora. He pursued a masters’ degree in psychol-ogy through Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara, California.

“I’ve always had a pretty good life. I’ve always been curious and interested in reading. I saw my father read,” Stevens told 5 Points news in an interview

Jerry Stevens December 24, 1946 - July 30, 2012

We nOW KnOW.…IT’S THeFT!

Community Activist Sherron Lewis

Over 360 billion dollars ($360,000,000,000) has been stolen from the Black and Hispanic community, under the guise of what everyone thought were legitimate foreclosures. This figure was reported in the Congressional oversight Panel’s official report of October, 2010.

Banks have all but admitted their conduct that would land the average person in prison for decades. What they failed to disclose however, is that the mortgage loans they were foreclosing on had already been sold to investors, the banks had been paid off and most impor-tantly, the copies of promissory notes the banks were using to foreclose, had been cancelled. THAT’S RIGHT….cancelled, thereby negating any legal right the bank

had to foreclose.60 minutes reported last month in

June just how the whole scheme was or-chestrated. The banks started with simply sending lawyers into court claiming that the instruments needed to foreclose were lost. Then, when that strategy began to fail, they set up forgery mills, companies created specifically for the purpose of fabricating and falsifying documents that the lawyers could then take into court and use to get the court orders they needed to take property and sell at auction.

When it started to be revealed that these documents were fraudulent and had clearly been created out of “thin air”, banks turned to short-sales and loan modifications containing clauses requir-ing homeowners to waive their right to sue the banks if they found out later that the bank had no right to foreclose in the first place.

Why all the forgery and fraud? Be-cause the banks have already been paid at least once for your mortgage loan by investors. simply put, a promissory note works much like a check. You can’t make copies of a check and expect to receive the same amount of money for each copy. The original check is the only check the bank can legally accept. When you take a check to the bank and cash it, you re-ceive your money and the bank keeps the check. When the bank or mortgage com-pany sells your mortgage to investors via wall street, the original promissory note must be surrendered and the bank then receives its money. it cannot attempt to use a copy of the promissory note to col-lect on or enforce the promissory note a

second time. This is precisely why banks can never produce the original promis-sory note in court. this is precisely why fraud, forgery and reproduction of false documents must be used instead because the original is gone……forever!!

In the state of Colorado, it is a le-gal requirement to possess the original promissory note in order to take a home-owner’s property and sell it at a public auction. It is the duty, the function and the obligation of the court to require law-yers to produce the original promissory note when attempting to foreclose. The reason for this is two-fold: 1) the court must establish that they are allowing the legally correct party to foreclose and take a homeowner’s home and; 2) if the law-yer for the bank cannot show the original promissory note, not only to the court but also to the homeowner, the court cannot

even proceed with the case. The deliberate production and use by

the banks of forged and falsified docu-ments to take property from homeowners is a crime. the lawyer is committing a crime by presenting those same docu-ments to the court. The judge is commit-ting a crime by accepting such documents knowing that they are forged and falsified. Bottom line, if banks cannot show that they have the original promissory note, they cannot legally foreclose on your home without it and finally, any foreclo-sure that any court in the state of Colora-do allows to proceed without the original promissory note, is itself complicity in the theft of your home.

Where is law enforcement?? Where are the authorities??

Sherron Lewis 303.995.3892 sher-ron2k@att.net

one week prior to his death. “I’ve always been good at school. It

wasn’t a challenge. I went to undergradu-ate school and didn’t own any money. I went to law school and came out owing about 2,500 dollars. All that was through athletics.”

In 1993, he co-founded the James P. Beckwourth Mountain Club. This was the culmination of a lifetime interest in the outdoors that took him climbing all over Colorado and even in Africa. Jerry would want to climb the highest peaks because he enjoyed the quest, the experience, and enjoyed the challenge.

A seeker of knowledge, Jerry was working on a novel about self-awareness, as well as how to combine his psychology studies with his law experiences. Jerry received numerous honors for his accom-plishments during his career including the sam Cary Bar Association Distinguished Jurist Award.

“Live the life you love and love the life you live,” Stevens said while reflect-ing on his life. “All that I have accom-plished and accumulated is nowhere near the capacity where my mind has been ranging.”

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