African American Commission

The Denver African-American Commission (DAAC) is tasked with advising the Agency for Human Rights & Community Partnerships Executive Director and the Mayor on issues and concerns that impact and are of importance to the African American community. DAAC serves as a bridge between the African American community and policy-makers and engage in responsible activism for the community.

  • Convener: Forums, communities, community groups, panels, focus groups, inbound information
  • Communicator: Via website, directory, flyers, urban spectrum, other city offices, indirect communication, outbound information
  • Advocate: Talk to policy makers
  • Resource: For mayor and city council

The Denver African American Commission is proud of Denver, its diversity, and its commitment to providing the best atmosphere for all its citizens. 


How to Get Involved

Participate in Commission Meetings and Activities

DAAC meetings are open to the general public. (Find dates and access details in the next section.) We welcome all community members to attend and contribute. Meetings are a way to learn about available public volunteer opportunities for DAAC projects and events.

Some benefits of Commission participation include:

  • Providing an avenue for individuals to voice their concerns, ideas, and perspectives on local issues. Citizens can contribute to the decision-making process and influence policies impacting their daily lives.
  • Fostering a sense of community ownership and empowerment as citizens take an active role in shaping their neighborhoods. Participation allows for exchange of knowledge and experience among diverse stakeholders, leading to innovative and inclusive solutions.
  • Enhancing citizens’ personal growth and skill development, providing them with valuable experience in areas such as leadership, negotiation, event planning and consensus-building.

Apply to Be a Commissioner

Use the link in the right sidebar to submit your application. Once your application has been submitted, please email Staff Liaison Yvonne Yu at yvonne.yu@denvergov.org to confirm your submission.

We encourage individuals to attend at least one DAAC meeting before applying to be a Commissioner.

Other Ways to Get Involved

Individuals can still actively participate in local governance and contribute to their communities by:

  • Joining public hearings and community forums to express their opinions on relevant issues and provide feedback to elected officials.
  • Engaging with community-based organizations, non-profits, and advocacy groups aligned with their interests.
  • Volunteering for community projects and initiatives that contribute to the well-being of the local area.

Commission Meetings

Denver African American Commission Meetings are held the 1st Wednesday of the month from 3pm to 5pm.

The meeting in November has been scheduled for Wednesday November 13th from 3pm - 5pm. Visit our Events Calendar for more information.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://denvergov-org.zoom.us/j/88037922726

Meeting ID: 880 3792 2726

One tap mobile

+17209289299,,88037922726# US (Denver)

Dial by your location

• +1 720 928 9299 US (Denver)

Meeting ID: 880 3792 2726

It is your right to access oral or written language assistance, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability-related accommodations. To request any of these services at no cost to you, please contact Yvonne Yu at yvonne.yu@denvergov.org with three business days notice.


Commission Members

Fatima Thibou *Co-Chair

Fatima Thibou Standing in front of brick wall and smiling for camera Fatima Thibou is an accomplished business professional with extensive customer service, operations, and leadership experience, as well as over ten years of experience in law firm operations. In 2015 she was recognized by Law Week Magazine as one of Colorado’s Outstanding Legal Professionals. As Director of Operations at Legal Help in Colorado, Fatima worked to create long-term strategies to improve productivity and efficiency while developing and overseeing the many processes to ensure high standards of client service.

Fatima’s cross-functional leadership, continuous improvement mindset, organizational, and analytical skills have driven her to develop solutions that push traditional law firm boundaries. She continuously uses this wealth of knowledge and skill to improve business processes and organizational leadership in her work. Fatima leads with a service mindset and is most passionate about leadership development, helping others see and reach their full potential, and self-education. She is focused on social justice and actively involves herself in her community, including through her two terms as DAAC Co-Chair and member of the Commission Legislative Committee.  

Fatuma Emmad *Co-Chair

Fatuma Emmad Headshot in front of a tree Fatuma Emmad is the Co-Founder, Executive Director and Head Farmer of FrontLine Farming. She is President of Mile High Farmers, a Co-Convener for Project Protect Food Systems Workers, a lecturer in the Master of Environmental Studies program at CU Boulder, an appointed member of both the Sustainable Food Council and the Colorado Water Equity Commission, and a two-time Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Fellow.

Fatuma was born in Denver and raised in Denver and Ethiopia. She has worked farming organic and heirloom vegetables, setting up farms for restaurants, and managing multi-acre community farms in Milwaukee and Denver. Before becoming a farmer, Fatuma was a political scientist engaging in issues affecting farming communities. She was the inaugural recipient of the Kathy Underhill Scholarship recognizing her use of advocacy, policy and community engagement to change hearts and minds in the hunger space through a health equity lens. She continues to seek to reframe ideas of food security.

In 2021, Fatuma was recognized by the Black Voices for Black Justice Fund as one of 50 leaders across the nation on the front lines of the movement to build a fair, equitable, and anti-racist America. She is a multiple-time recipient of the Rachel’s Network Catalyst Award for women of color building a better world. 

Tymesha Watkins *Secretary

Tymesha Watkins Headshot Tymesha Watkins is an accredited software engineer, entrepreneur, and activist dedicated to giving back to her community. She has received the Military Order of World Wars Patrick Henry Patriotism Award and several other awards from American Express. In 2022 she launched two retail stores.

Tymesha is especially passionate about providing Black youth with opportunities to enter the STEM area, advocating for racial equality, and developing platforms which normalize diverse and inclusive environments. She has assisted in forming African American and Women’s employee resource groups and led an ad-hoc diversity and inclusion pipeline committee. In addition to serving as DAAC Secretary and member of the Commission Legislative Committee for multiple years, Tymesha is a Committee Member for both the Denver Sheriff Department Deputy Recruitment Team and the Denver Public Health Community Leadership Team.

Tymesha holds a M.S. in Cyber Technologies from University of Maryland University College, a M.S. in Information Technologies from Regis University, and a B.S. in Aviation Management Technologies from Metropolitan State University of Denver. She participates in the Society of Women Engineers, the National Society of Black Professional Engineers, the Organization of Black Aerospace/Aviation Professionals, and the NAACP.

H. Ray Keith

H Ray Keith Headshot H. Ray Keith currently serves as Associate Director of Teaching and Learning at nonprofit Achieving the Dream. He brings over 25 years of professional experience in higher education, K–12, and nonprofit community-based organizations. At the core of his work is diversity, equity, and inclusion, while improving educational outcomes for students of color through practices that validate and affirm their cultures, identities, and lived experiences.

As Associate Dean of Instructional Intervention and Support of the Community College of Aurora, Ray provided professional development and learning grounded in evidence/research-based and culturally responsive teaching. Ray led development of the college’s Center for Teaching and Learning, and established institutional initiatives and programs designed to eliminate equity gaps for the diverse student body. Prior to joining higher education, he worked in K–12 and co-founded/directed the Boys 2 Men Fatherhood Program.

As an educational consultant, Ray provides comprehensive instructional professional development and learning services to higher education and secondary educational institutions. His expertise includes leading institutional transformation, strategic planning, and advancing student success. Ray has established Equity by Design Teaching Academies, a Community of Practice framework, a Department Chair Equity Academy, and an Equity by Design Leadership Academy at colleges in Colorado, Tennessee, and Minnesota. He serves on the Boards of Bridges of Silence Educational Center and Decades of Love, chaired the University of Denver Black Male Initiative Summit, and received the 2019 MLK Spirit Award.

Karen Roberts Grissom

Karen Roberts Headshot Karen Roberts Grissom is a speaker, organizer, facilitator, and host of various art and community-based events throughout the state of Colorado. Her social justice work over the past 20 years has consistently given voice to marginalized and disenfranchised communities through her creation, development, and participation in programs and events designed to bring awareness and seek solutions to strategically deconstruct generational and systemic injustice through action-oriented, solution focused efforts.

Karen has a long history of public service, working for the Denver Transportation and Infrastructure, Denver Department of Human Services, the Denver Library, and the Colorado State Department of Human Services. She also worked as an Event Coordinator/Media Specialist for CTAT Training at Rocky Mountain Human Services. Among many other artistic endeavors, Karen created, developed, coordinated, staffed, and hosted The Speakout, a bi-monthly open mic spoken word poetry show featuring national and local artists and activists.

Codie Egart

Codie Egart Headshot outdoors Codie is a nonprofit professional focusing on educational equity, mental health, and advocacy. She is the Executive Director of Greater Denver CARES Mentoring, part of a national network recognized as a leader in the recruitment, training, and engagement of Black mentors. Codie leads the strategic growth of Greater Denver CARES, cultivating and developing holistic approaches to mentoring and mental wellness through local and national partnerships. She helped develop social solutions such as the Rising Program, a pioneering community-mobilization movement aiming to propel Black children from impoverishment to independence.

Codie holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She previously worked for the City and County of Denver as a Child Care Licensing Specialist and a Child Protective Services Case Worker, and for Denver Public Schools as a teacher, LLIFE program implementer, and 1:1 instructor for non-English speaking students.

Dr. Alexis Toussaint

Justin Toomer

Elia Martin

Stephanie Laing

Headshot of Stephanie Laing outdoor Stephanie Laing is a dedicated community leader and advocate, currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership at the University of Colorado Boulder, with an expected graduation in May 2025. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Colorado Denver.

As a wife and mother of two amazing children, Stephanie balances her personal and professional commitments with passion. A proud Denver native, she grew up in Park Hill and attended Denver Public Schools, culminating in her graduation from Thomas Jefferson High School—Go Spartans! With a deep commitment to giving back, she has worked tirelessly to earn the respect and confidence of diverse neighborhoods across the city.

In 2023, Stephanie was selected for the Urban Leadership Foundation of Colorado cohort, an esteemed program founded by the Honorable Wellington E. Webb, recognized for its role in nurturing future leaders in business, politics, and community. In May 2024, she was appointed by Mayor Mike Johnston to serve on the Denver African American Commission, where she continues her mission to uplift and empower the Denver community.

As a Captain with the Denver Sheriff Department (DSD), Stephanie is dedicated to recruiting strong candidates who prioritize humanity in their service. Inspired by a family legacy of successful careers within the DSD, she aims to provide mentorship and support to new recruits, ensuring a brighter future for both the department and the communities it serves.