Black, Kendra

Councilwoman Kendra Black

Kendra Black is a proud Denver native. Born and raised in southeast Denver, she grew up working in her family’s small business. She graduated from Denver’s Thomas Jefferson High School, and has a BA and MA in history from CU. She is passionate about southeast Denver where she and her husband grew up and raised their three children.

Every day—as the council representative, volunteer, or citizen—Kendra has worked to improve her southeast community, Denver, the region and the state. She is committed to ensuring that we keep moving in a positive direction for all people and our planet. As the council representative, she worked collaboratively for pragmatic solutions while trying to steer away from extreme positions. She values Denver’s strong economy and continues to support it as well as business development. Recognizing the many historic inequities, she also works to support people and policies intended to help those most in need so that they can succeed and prosper. She works collaboratively with fellow council members and the mayor’s administration to address land use, mobility, housing, infrastructure, parks, equity, climate change, safety, and more.

Kendra is very engaged with her constituents to ensure she properly represents and advocates for them. She works with individual residents, neighborhood groups, school leaders, students and families, and southeast Denver non-profits and religious organizations, as well as businesses. Together, they’ve accomplished many of the communities’ goals around improved mobility options, land use planning, parks, trails and golf improvements, public art and more.

  • Successes include:
  •  PARKS, TRAILS & GOLF: New park in U-Hills North, High Line Canal improvements and underpasses, new Bible and Rosamond park amenities, pickleball courts, and more. Plans are underway for a future skate park in the Kennedy recreation area as well as Wellshire Golf Course’s 100th anniversary celebration.
    MOBILITY: Improved safety for pedestrians and cyclists by adding improved intersection crossings, medians, and bike lanes. Many more improvements are in the works.
  • LAND USE: Balancing the need for housing and redevelopment while preserving our neighborhoods, Kendra worked with residents to create goals and visions for neighborhoods and corridors that will result in better outcomes in the future. She ensured that the Near Southeast Area Plan included U-Hills North and Goldsmith, and advocated for redevelopment at the closed K-Mart and Safeway.
  • SAFETY: Through frequent communication and meetings, Kendra fostered close relationships between DPD and community members to decrease crime and improve neighborhood safety.
  • ARTS & CULTURE: Added public art throughout the district, including sculptures, carving, murals and more, and created and hosted the South by Southeast festival.

    Kendra is committed to serving her constituents, advocating for them and ensuring that they have a voice. She knows that together; we will keep Denver strong and moving in the right direction for everyone. “It has been an honor to serve the city that I love. I am a Denver native and have seen incredible growth and change. I will always be an active community member fighting for Denver and our diverse and valued residents.”