James Coleman Archives - Yellow Scene Magazine

Former Denver School Board Vice President Auon’tai Anderson establishes a new education-nonprofit; The Center for Advancing Black Excellence in Education

Guest Contributor — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 14:00:59 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Community,

For over 40 years, House District 8 has been a symbol of Black leadership in the Colorado State Legislature.

However, the 2024 elections present a critical juncture where we risk losing this historically Black seat due to a highly contested primary featuring multiple Black candidates.

Such scenarios have historically led to the division of votes, often resulting in the loss of Black representation. To avoid repeating this pattern and to prioritize the preservation of Black political power in the state capitol, I have decided to suspend my campaign for the Democratic nomination for Colorado House District 8. This decision transcends my personal aspirations and reflects my commitment to the community and maintaining Black representation in our legislature. I want to thank those who donated to our campaign, endorsed both locally and nationally, and every neighbor that we met on the doors.

In 2019, I was honored to become the youngest Black elected official in Colorado’s history, serving on the Denver School Board. This experience deepened my understanding of the need for greater Black representation in educational and community leadership.

Subsequently, I founded the Colorado Black Caucus of School Board Directors, serving as its
inaugural President, and continued my commitment to the community by launching the
Black Santa Project, which has distributed over 30,000 toys to children during the holidays.

Building on my experience as serving as an elected official and community organizer, I am
thrilled to announce the launch of The Center for Advancing Black Excellence in Education.

We are an education nonprofit deeply dedicated to uplifting Black communities through the
power of education. Our mission is grounded in the conviction that access to high-quality
education is not just a right, but the foundation of thriving and resilient communities. We
commit ourselves to disrupting the systems that cause educational disparities faced by Black
students. Through this work, we will reimagine our K-12 education system and dismantle
deeply rooted systems of oppression.

Our approach is multifaceted: we implement innovative programs that provide vital resources, steadfast support, and strong advocacy, all meticulously designed to cultivate and honor the innate potential within each student. Our work is built upon three core pillars – educating future leaders, advocating for systemic changes in education, and celebrating our communities through philanthropic giving.

As passionate co-conspirators in the pursuit of educational equity, we are dedicated to fostering environments where Black students are not merely recognized but are also empowered to achieve excellence.

Our founding Board is made up of passionate educators, advocates, and community leaders who are dedicated to advancing Black excellence in education. Our fiscal sponsor and Board
Chair will be MiDian Holmes, the CEO of the Epitome of Black Excellence and Partnership.
The other members are Michelle Quattlebaum, President of the Colorado Black Caucus of
School Board Directors; and Colorado Representative Dr. Regina English.

We are honored to receive support from a wide array of distinguished individuals nationwide.
Our mission is backed by State Legislators, Non-Profit Leaders, City Council Members, School
Board Members, and Executives from School Board Associations. Such as Colorado Senate
President Pro Tempore, James Coleman, Executive Director of the Arizona School Board
Association Devin Del Palacio, Executive Director of Ednium the Alumni Collective TeRay
Esquibel, and Colorado State Representative & Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon.
Discover more about our initiatives, including Ready to Run, The Black Excellence Project,
and The Black Santa Project at https://www.advancingblackexcellence.net

We are kicking off our fundraising with an ambitious initial goal of $30,000 to support our
transformational work. Contributions of any amount are invaluable to our mission. The only
way we can accomplish this critical and timely work is with your support. Donate Here: https://donorbox.org/the-center-for-advancing-black-excellence-in-education-1

Join us for our inaugural fundraiser on January 23rd at 6:00 PM at brother jeff’s Cultural Center (2836 Welton St. Denver, CO 80205)

Please use this link to sign up to host a house party so we can share with your networks the
importance of this organization. Your support is crucial in our journey to educate, advocate,
and celebrate Black communities.

In Solidarity,

Auon’tai M. Anderson, CEO

The Center for Black Excellence in Education

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The post Former Denver School Board Vice President Auon’tai Anderson establishes a new education-nonprofit; The Center for Advancing Black Excellence in Education appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

A coalition of bi-partisan Black leaders in Denver stands together to condemn anti-Blackness in the 2023 municipal elections.

Guest Contributor — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 20:23:11 +0000

Demanding candidates and media outlets act with integrity and respect towards all community members. Full statement attached.

“As a bi-partisan coalition of Black elected officials, community leaders, and organizations, we stand together to condemn the blatant anti-Blackness that has been pervasive in the 2023 municipal elections in Denver. Including white candidates, independent expenditure committees, and local affiliates of national public broadcast networks. We have witnessed the following behavior that is concerning and must be called out:

The media’s portrayal of Black candidates in this election season has been unbalanced, unfair, and harmful. More specifically, Black women have been scrutinized for their appearance, tone, and demeanor, while their accomplishments and leadership are overlooked and minimized. This harmful stereotype is used to discredit and invalidate their vast experiences, unique perspectives, and human emotions, particularly when they speak out against injustice.
We have seen propaganda that promotes segregationist messaging and seeks to dehumanize the Black vote. This type of messaging is reminiscent of the Jim Crow South, where racist policies and practices were used to disenfranchise and marginalize Black people. We find this type of behavior to be unacceptable and demand that all candidates disavow and cease such tactics.
We have seen commercials and ads that intentionally perpetuate harmful and racist stereotypes of people of color, particularly Black people, portrayed as criminals and undesirables. This perpetuation of negative imagery is not only inaccurate but also perpetuates a dangerous and dehumanizing narrative about our community. While we are grateful this has been called out, we are also concerned that these ads continue to be broadcast across the city and county of Denver.
Black candidates have also been excluded from forums and debates, preventing them from fully participating in the democratic process. This exclusion is a form of voter suppression and is unacceptable in a free and fair election. We must ensure that all voices are heard and represented in the electoral process.

We must recognize that these actions are not isolated incidents but are part of a long history of systemic racism and oppression against Black people in the United States. The legacy of Jim Crow laws and policies is still felt today in our communities, and we must work to dismantle the systemic racism and oppression that still exists.

We demand that all candidates, media outlets, and individuals involved in the electoral process act with integrity, respect, and dignity towards all members of our community and that they commit to addressing and dismantling systemic racism and oppression in our society. We must come together to create a future where anti-Blackness is no longer tolerated or accepted.

In conclusion, we will not stand idly by and watch as our community is subjected to such hateful and discriminatory treatment. We call on all Denverites to cease and desist from engaging in such behavior and instead focus on meaningful and constructive policy discussions that benefit all members of the community.

We also call on media outlets to act responsibly and ethically and to refrain from perpetuating harmful racial stereotypes. We demand that all candidates and media outlets commit to promoting an inclusive and diverse democracy that works towards the betterment of all members of our community.

We urge all voters to join us in standing against anti-Blackness. It is time for us to come together as a community and work towards a future where we can all live in a just and equitable society, free from the harmful effects of systemic racism and oppression.

We are committed to continuing the fight against anti-Blackness and to working towards a better future for all members of our community. We will not rest until justice and equity is achieved for all.

In Solidarity,

Wanda James, University of Colorado Regent, District 1

James Coleman, Colorado State Senator

Jennifer Bacon, Colorado State Representative

Naquetta Ricks, Colorado State Representative

Regina English, Colorado State Representative, and Harrison School District Two Board Member

Auon’tai Anderson, President – Colorado Black Caucus of School Board Directors

Corey Williams, President – Harrison School District Two

Will Jones, Vice President – Mesa County School District 51

Stephanie Mason, Vice President – Aurora Public Schools

JJ Frazier, Vice President – Harrison School District Two

Janice McDonald, Vice President – Cherry Creek School District