By Iya Ta’Shia Asanti
From the rich history of the Black Rodeo to the dozens of Afro-American jazz artists who have graced Denver stages over the years, the Mile High City has been transformed throughout its history by the work and accomplishments of people of African descent. Whether you’re a first-time visitor to Colorado or a veteran Coloradoan seeking to reconnect with African-American communities, this guide will assist you in getting to know the place that hundreds of thousands of African-Americans call “Home on the Range.”
Follow the links below or simply scroll down the page.
ONE-DAY TOUR
MUSEUMS AND CULTURAL CENTERS
ARTS AND CULTURE
EVENTS
FOOD
SHOPPING
RESOURCES
DID YOU KNOW?
ONE DAY TOUR
Any introduction to African-American culture in Colorado starts in Denver’s historic Five Points neighborhood—the blocks surrounding 28th and Welton—a community immersed in art, cultural expression, literary genius, and distinctive soulful cuisine. “The Points,” as the locals affectionately call it, is also home to the Blair-Caldwell African-American Research Library, a high-tech informational library and research center filled with books and historical data about the presence and contributions of people of African descent to the Rocky Mountain State. Denver’s public transportation system travels right through the Five Points corridor. So, get out your walking shoes, bring your camera, and take the journey through one of the most culturally enriching areas of Metro Denver.
The Five Points Business Association was paramount in uniting early businesses in the area, including barber shops, nightspots such as Casino Royale, art galleries such as the historic Rossonian, and soul food restaurants such as the acclaimed Ethel’s. Some of these businesses are still right there on Welton Street, welcoming visitors with that good community feeling. Walk ’round the corner on 24th and Washington and take a peep at the City’s beautification projects, which include major business offices and community gathering spots such as Kimball Hall and the Urban Spectrum newspaper offices. Your tour won’t be complete until you pick up a copy of Urban Spectrum—Denver’s premiere African-American newspaper—as it provides local news focused on the African-American community as well as a wealth of information on happenings around town.
If you’re hungry, make your way down Welton Street to Blackberry Lounge for ice cream or a hot cup of espresso. Or enjoy a cup of gourmet herb tea, tasty desserts, and sandwiches at the famed Gemini Tea Emporium. And then there’s the infamous Capri Fried Chicken, one of the oldest and best fried chicken joints in the City. Just like Mama used to make!
If you’re into poetry, spoken word, and an occasional live jazz set, Brother Jeff’s Cultural Center and Café—the longest running poetry spot in the community—is the place to be. Often a first stop for new transplants to Denver from across the globe, Brother Jeff’s is where you’ll get the scoop on the local haps and the “Who’s Who” of the Black community. And if you get there on a Saturday night before 8 p.m., you might just get a sample of some of the best catfish in the city!
Back To Top
MUSEUMS AND CULTURAL CENTERS
Africa Agenda
P.O. Box 370894
Denver, CO 80237
(303) 369-5724
www.africaagenda.org
Founded by activist and organizer George Bamu, Africa Agenda unites African and African-American communities for the purpose of dialogue, cultural education, resource development and community building.
African-American Leadership Institute
700 E. 24th Ave. Suite 8
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 299-9055
www.aali-rockymtn.org
AALI offers workshops, events, and conferences in an effort to foster leadership abilities in the African-American community. They also work extensively with Black youth, both male and female. Their impressive team of mentors and workshop facilitators are from Denver and across the United States.
Black American West Museum
3091 California St.
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 292-2566
www.blackamericanwest.com
What started as a small display honoring Black pioneers in the West has transformed into a national collection of memorabilia, books, historical writings, artifacts, and antiques that highlight the too-often hidden contributions of African-Americans to Western arts and culture. This museum is a must-see for every Colorado visitor.
Brother Jeff's Cultural Center & Café
2836 Welton St.
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 293-8879
www.brotherjeff.com
The oldest, award-winning open-mic poetry set in the African-American community happens every Saturday night around 9 p.m. Special speakers, film premieres, jazz bands, and support groups are also on the itinerary.
Moyo Nguvu Cultural Arts Center
1660 Gilpin St. #300
Denver, CO 80218
(303) 377-2511
www.AfrikanArts.org
Moyo Nguvu founder, Dr. Abayomi Meeks, is heralded as one of the cultural groundbreakers of Denver. Moyo Nguvu holds an annual Kwanzaa celebration and has an extensive master level Martial Arts program.
Pan African Arts Society/Denver Pan African
Film Festival/Café Nuba
911 Park Ave. West, 2nd Floor
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 298-8188
www.panafricanarts.org
Founded by Cultural Icon Ashara Ekundayo, the Pan African Arts Society is home to Café Nuba: Its Hot & Its Black, the Denver Pan African Film Festival, and the Soil Emerging Artists Gathering. Every last Friday of the month, the Pan African Arts Society hosts their award-winning gathering of poets, community activists, filmmakers, national speakers, and leaders from various cultural communities.
Stiles African American Heritage Center
2607 Glenarm Place
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 294-0597
www.stilesheritagecenter.org
A historical society that provides expansive background of Black history in Denver and State-wide. Open M-W-F 11-3:00 p.m.
Back To Top
ARTS AND CULTURE
Visual Arts 
Sankofa Arts Collective
(303) 394-4069 or (303) 907-4589
A collaborative society of artists of African descent who work in a variety of artistic mediums including painting, sculpture, jewelry, poetry, photo art, and a lot more. The group hosts regular art exhibits featuring Denver’s most distinguished artists.
Theatre
The Denver Center for the Performing Arts
1245 Champa St.
Denver, CO 80204
(303) 893-4100
www.denvercenter.org
The award-winning DCPA features some of the country’s finest theatre productions by African-American writers and artists. A variety of theaters and plays for a variety of tastes.
Shadow Theatre
1420 Ogden St.
Denver, CO 80218
(303) 837-9355
www.shadowtheatre.com
Shadow Theatre is Denver’s only purely African-American theatre company. From an all-African-American Macbeth to Blood Knot, by South African playwright Athol Fugard, Shadow always tests issues of race.
Dance
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theatre
119 Park Ave. West
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 295-1759
www.cleoparkerdance.org
Cleo Parker is the “Theatre and Dance Diva of Denver.” Her organization unveils groundbreaking classical and cultural dance performances year-round. Ballet, tap, modern, African and jazz dance—Cleo’s cutting edge plays and performances keep visitors coming back again and again.
Music
African-American Drumming
Fatu Judy Henderson
(303)772-9775
fatujudy@juno.com
Fatu Judy Henderson is a master drummer who performs songs and ritual dance in Yoruba and Native traditions in Denver and across the United States. Fatu is credited with helping to bring together Blacks with Native American ancestry in Denver. Fatu also conducts ancient sweat lodge ceremonies and teaches classes on the history of African-Americans in Native communities.
Joda and Friends
(303)850-9265
The dancing and performances by Joda and Friends focus on the language and culture of the Yoruba people in Nigeria. Baba Joda, the founder of the group, has helped to bring a strong African dance and drum culture to Colorado.
The Kasbah
15373 E. 6th Ave.
Aurora, CO 80011
(303) 367-0591
www.thekasbahdenver.com
One of the premiere spots for African-American concerts, dancing, and food. It's staff accomodates private functions, specials events, and office parties. The Kasbah's best nights are Friday and Saturday.
Jazz At Jacks
1553 Platte St.
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 433-1000
www.jazzatjacks.com
A top notch jazz club and comedy club located in Lower Downtown. Jazz at Jack's offers a daily happy hour from 5:30-7:30 preceding the jazz or comedic entertainment.
Literature
Bookstores with a wealth of Black literature:
Tattered Cover
Isis Bookstore
Herbs & Arts Bookstore
Brother Jeff's Cultural Center & Café
2836 Welton St.
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 293-8879
www.brotherjeff.com
See listing above (under Cultural Centers).
Mercury Café
2199 California St.
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 294-9281
www.mercurycafe.com
Mercury Cafe is a casual nightclub and restaurant open to all ages. It offers poetry readings and cultural events exploring the arts and politics along with healthy food.
Back To Top
EVENTS (arranged by date)
Denver Pan African Film Festival—April
www.panafricanarts.org
This festival is an award winning showcase of independent and mainstream films. Each film presents itself from the Black experience and includes a variety of guest presenters and independent filmmakers. As well, it includes workshops, panels, parties and an educational youth fest which is held during the last week in April throughout the Denver Metro area.
Denver Juneteenth Celebration—June
Stiles African American Heritage Center
2607 Glenarm Place
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 294-0597
www.juneteenth.com
A local rendition of the national Juneteenth celebration held in honor of the day that enslaved Africans in America were notified of the official end of slavery. The events feature speakers, performing artists, cultural displays, and vendors that speak to Black pride and the honoring of racial equality.
Denver Black Arts Festival—July
2721 Welton St.
PO Box 300577
Denver, CO 80208
www,denbaf.org
An annual Black arts extravaganza featuring locally and nationally celebrated visual and performing artists, as well as workshops, lectures and celebrity performances by African-American notables. There are also vendors from around the world offering various cultural wares and traditional African-American cuisine.
Denver Kwanzaa Celebrations—December 26-January 1
Brother Jeff's Cultural Center
2836 Welton St. Denver, CO 80205
(303) 293-8879
www.brotherjeff.com
Kwanzaa, a holiday founded by civil rights activist Dr. Maulana Karenga, is celebrated nationally by millions of African-Americans. Denver Kwanzaa celebrations feature various themed events centered around the Nguzu Saba (the Kwanzaa principles).
Sistah Summit
Legacy Entertainment
4610 S. Ulster St., Suite 150
Denver, CO 80237
(303) 771-3513
www.sistahsummit.com
The Sistah Summit is an annual event catering mainly to African-American women in Colorado, but also to national participants. The event, which has been held in Vail and Denver for the last several years, features prominent speakers, well known performing artists, culturally-centered vendors, and more.
Back To Top
FOOD
Blackberries Ice Cream & Coffee Lounge
710 E. 26th Ave.
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 830-3156
Home to great ice cream and specialty coffees, Blackberries also hosts regular community events.
M&D's Cafe
2004 E. 28th Ave.
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 296-1760
Fish, barbecue, and more.
A&A Fish Market & Restaurant
2896 Fairfax
Denver, CO 80207
(303) 399-3730
A variety of fried fish and side dishes.
Pierre's on Madison Restaurant & Catering
3435 E. 28th Ave.
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 322-1512 or (303) 322-0134
Pierre’s is part of Denver’s Black cultural fabric. Pierre’s soul food cuisine is considered by many to be the best soul food in Denver.
The Palm Tree Restaurant & Lounge
1042 S. Peoria
Aurora, CO 80012
(303) 363-6737
Catfish, hotlinks—traditional African-American soul food cuisine.
Back To Top
SHOPPING
Akente Express
911 Park Ave. West, 2nd Floor
Denver, CO 80205
(303)297-8817
www.akenteexppress.com
Akente Express Giftstore is known in Denver as “Little Africa in Colorado” due to its expansive offering of authentic African art and collectibles, bath and beauty products, jewelry and African fabric. Owner and manager Brother Ron is one of Denver’s unofficial but most knowledgeable historians. Akente is a great place for visitors, as your shopping trip is sure to unveil much of Denver’s rich cultural history.
RESOURCES
Brother Jeff's Community Guide
2836 Welton St.
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 293-8879
www.brotherjeff.com
Published by Brother Jeff’s Neighborhood Initiative and Media, this guide appears during the summer and highlights local Black leaders and their work in empowering and uplifting the community. It also serves as an excellent resource for locating Black businesses, community-based organizations, and non-profits in the Denver and surrounding areas.
Denver Black Pages
16748 E. Smoky Hill Road #181
Centennial, CO 80015
(303) 400-5928 or (866) 268-4DBP
www.denverblackpages.com
Denver Black Pages is a membership-based professional networking society for Black business owners and corporate executives. DBP hosts regular mixers and other social events where business owners and the communities they serve can come together, as well as culturally-centered community events, such as their annual Cooking With Jazz event.
Denver Weekly News
2937 Welton St.
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 292-5158
Denver Weekly News is a small but powerful local news resource and community guide. Look for it at local eateries, libraries, schools and corner distribution sites.
Urban Spectrum
2499 Washington St.
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 292-6446
www.urbanspectrum.net
Published monthly in both print and on-line versions, the Urban Spectrum includes extensive lists of local and national cultural events in the Black community.
Back To Top
DID YOU KNOW?
• The first official Kwanzaa Celebration open to the community in Denver was hosted by the Moyo Nguvu Cultural Center.
• Denver Weekly News was the first Black newspaper in Denver. It was founded by the late Cosmo Harris and is still being published today.
• In addition to the many ways Brother Jeff’s Cultural Center serves the Black community, their Café is also famous for its fried fish!
Back To Top