Donald in Denver: Community Prepares for New Trump Admin

photo credit: Vince Chandler

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Vince Chandler – 919-971-2112

On Eve of Inauguration, City And Community Leadership Discuss How Denver Can Support Marginalized Communities In Second Trump Administration and Reflect On Lessons Learned From The First

Denver, COLO – City and community leadership will hold a public conversation, hosted by the Honorable Auon’tai Anderson, at brother feff’s Cultural Center in historic 5 Points, discussing how the City of Denver and the people who live here can support communities targeted by President Trump’s second federal administration. The panel will include District 9 Councilman Darrel Watson, Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas, Denver School Board At-Large Director Scott Esserman, and Spirit of the Sun Executive Director Shannon Francis. Topics will range from what can we learn from the past to prepare for the future, to can local policy be safeguarded from federal interference, and building community through mutual aid. The event will feature introductions from CU Regent Wanda James and Denver City Councilwoman Shontel M. Lewis, and will feature a curated exhibition of photos from the first Donald Trump era by Denver storyteller and photographer Vince Chandler.

Exhibition opens at 11:00 AM and programming begins at 2:30 PM, press is asked to arrive at 2:00.

“While city leadership in Aurora and other Colorado towns prepare to double down on the kinds of systemic and legal harms perpetuated on Black and brown people, here in Denver we’ve found a rallying cry in mutual aid and community,” says Auon’tai Anderson. “While there is still generations of work to be done, we’ve made progress in our city taking the important first steps, being brave enough to make mistakes and learn from them. This event is an opportunity to come together, reflect on where we’ve been and continue to build toward where we’d like to be.”

Denver, a national bellwether for policy and the cultural anchor for the Rocky Mountain Empire, provides meaningful illustration and insight into how average Americans can impact D.C. encroachment. Once a libertarian cowfolk town, its Wild West personalities pushing and pulling from both ends of the spectrum, the increasingly liberal Queen City of the Plains saw discord and dissent in city streets, community spaces, legislatures, and homes. The “Donald & Denver: Discord & Dissent” exhibition features moments from Candidate Trump’s first public appearance in Denver through the city’s celebration of the inauguration of President Biden. Chandler is a documentary photographer and filmmaker with twenty-five years of professional experience creating art and documentary visuals across the United States whose photos have featured in national newspapers, cable networks, magazines, and international advertising campaigns. Sales from the exhibition will benefit Brother Jeff’s Cultural Center.

“I want to be sure that everyone who is feeling anxious about the immediate future will be able to see and remember one simple thing: We’ve been here before,” says photographer Vince Chandler. “Denver’s positioning as a national political bellwether means we have an inordinate amount of local expertise and experience responding to change. I’m grateful for this opportunity to look back on what the Mile High City has accomplished as we continue to lead and reshape what it means to be progressive in the United States.”

brother jeff’s Cultural Center, Five Points, Denver CO

Located at 2836 Welton St., Brother Jeff’s Cultural Center is located in the historic Five Points District in Northeast Denver and is a space committed to fostering growth, strength, and voice in the community. The center hosts a free community food pantry, as well as a variety of special events and celebrations that serve to ground community throughout the year including Juneteenth, Kwanzaa, and Black History Month activities.

Donald in Denver: Day of Run Of Show

Location: Brother Jeff’s Cultural Center
Contact: Vince Chandler (919)-971-2112

10:00 AM Load-in Begins
11:00 AM Doors Open
1:00 PM Food Arrives
2:00 PM Press Arrives
2:30 PM Programming Begins

Individual Adresses

Introduction and Welcome
brother jeff (5 minutes)
Thoughts on Sankofa:
Councilwoman Shontel M. Lewis (5 minutes)
Promoting Diversity in Higher Education:
CU Regent Wanda James (5 minutes)
Gallery Statement & Panel Introduction:
Vince Chandler (5 minutes)

3:00 PM Panel Begins
40 minute discussion
10 minute Q&A as time permits

Moderator
Honorable Auon’tai Anderson

Panelists:
Councilman Darrell Watson, City of Denver
Director Scott Esserman, Denver Public Schools
Chief Ron Thomas, Denver Police
Shannon Francis, Spirit of the Sun

4:00 PM Event Ends
5:00 PM Complete Clean-Up & Depart