Chloé Duplessis Chosen to Lead Community-Driven Racial Equity Research

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Initial priorities include delving into state archives
and establishing connections in Black communities
historycolorado.org | #HistoryColorado

PRESS CONTACT:
Luke Perkins, Manager of Communications and Public Relations
303.866.3670 | [email protected]

DENVER — December 12, 2024 — History Colorado is proud to announce that Denver-based historian, curator, and artist Chloé Duplessis has been selected as the Colorado Black History Research Program Manager. In this role Duplessis will lead a team of researchers in conducting evidence-based historical research of practices, systems, and policies of the State of Colorado that have harmfully impacted Black Coloradans as required by Senate Bill 24-053 (SB24-053).

“Colorado’s General Assembly has tasked History Colorado with a once-in-a-generation research endeavor and we are grateful to announce that Chloé will join our team to lead this important effort,” said Dawn DiPrince, president/CEO of History Colorado and State Historic Preservation Officer. “Chloé and a team of scholars will pursue evidence-based research into historical racist practices, systems and policies of the state that generationally harmed the lives of Black Coloradans. This effort will include sincere community engagement to ensure that the work is deeply rooted in community knowledge and historically-informed reconciliation and repair.”

In addition to her strong background in this history, Duplessis brings a wealth of experience in administration, leadership, community engagement, and capacity building to the role of Colorado Black History Research Program Manager. She has previously worked with History Colorado and other Denver area cultural institutions to create ground-breaking multi-sensory exhibitions which merge accessible contemporary art with historical interpretation to explore complex themes of race, equity, identity, and spirituality.

“The research we will conduct in the coming years is so crucial because this history has been too-often overlooked but is relevant to all Americans,“ Duplessis said. “By engaging in this work we are honoring the stories of Black Coloradans who have contributed in incredible ways to our state and acknowledging disparities so we can build toward a more inclusive future.”

Immediate priorities for Duplessis and her team include delving into archives around Colorado and establishing connections in Black communities who can help fill any gaps in the State’s record.

“This work has already been happening within the Black community and is led and funded by the people,” Duplessis said. “It is important that we engage with the community and demonstrate our commitment to this work from the start.”

As the program manager of this effort, Duplessis will coordinate closely with the newly formed Black Coloradan Racial Equity Study Commission to thoughtfully fulfill the requirements of SB24-053.

“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to lead this work, and consider it an honor to elevate the stories of our ancestors and elders during this process,” Duplessis said. “Ultimately my team sees this as our offering to the people of Colorado so we can better understand where we have been as we make decisions about where we want to go.”

About SB24-053
Senate Bill 24-053 (SB24-053) established a Black Coloradan Racial Equity Study Commission and directed History Colorado to conduct evidence-based historical research of practices, systems, and policies of the State of Colorado that have harmfully impacted Black Coloradans. SB24-053 is a community-envisioned legislative measure that was carried and advocated for by the Black Caucus at the Colorado State legislature and is funded entirely by grants, gifts, and donations.

Over the next two years History Colorado intends to conduct evidence-based historical research, facilitate community engagement sessions where the public may provide input based on lived experiences of practices, and provide quarterly updates to the Black Coloradan Racial Equity Study Commission. At the conclusion of this research, the Black Coloradan Racial Equity Study Commission plans to hire a third party to conduct an economic analysis based on the research conclusions of History Colorado. This economic analysis is scheduled to be submitted to the Black Coloradan Racial Equity Study Commission and used to draft a final report which will include any recommendations to address harms caused by practices, systems, and policies of the State of Colorado.

About Chloé Duplessis
Artful Accessibility founder Chloé Duplessis creates images that elevate the unknown, illuminate the forgotten, and mindfully address the present. In doing so, she seeks to center the importance of shared history, and erode the social constructs that oppress people of color and those navigating disability. She is a legally blind artist, curator and historian committed to creating work that centers equity, accessibility and healing. With more than twenty years of experience in intercultural engagement, arts administration and advocacy, she has traveled to 9 countries and 24 states in support of her work. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Cultural Studies from The University of New Orleans, and studied art and history at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic. Duplessis is the creator of Denver’s first accessible “I VOTED” sticker and co-creator of the noted “Holding Hope” mural located in RiNo Art District. She is also the 2023 recipient of Denver Mayor’s Award for Excellence in Arts and Culture in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Chloé has been featured in The Denver Post, 303 Magazine, The Independent and on Colorado Public Radio, CBS 4 News Denver, and NBC 9News Denver. She is the founder of Duplessis Art, an arts studio and consultancy based in Colorado.

About History Colorado
History Colorado is a division of the Colorado Department of Higher Education and a 501(c)3 non-profit that has served more than 75,000 students and 500,000 people in Colorado each year. It is a 145-year-old institution that operates eleven museums and historic sites, a free public research center, the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation which provides technical assistance, educational opportunities, and other access to archaeology and historic preservation, and the History Colorado State Historical Fund (SHF), which is one of the nation’s largest state funded preservation programs of its kind. More than 70% of SHF grants are allocated in rural areas of the state. Additionally, the offices of the State Archaeologist and the State Historic Preservation Officer are part of History Colorado.

History Colorado’s mission is to create a better future for Colorado by inspiring wonder in our past. We serve as the state’s memory, preserving and sharing the places, stories, and material culture of Colorado through educational programs, historic preservation grants, collecting, outreach to Colorado communities, the History Colorado Center and Stephen H. Hart Research Center in Denver, and 10 other museums and historic attractions statewide. History Colorado is one of only six Smithsonian Affiliates in Colorado. Visit HistoryColorado.org, or call 303-HISTORY, for more information. #HistoryColorado