Small Store Gives Back in a Big Way Hope Tank, a small gift shop in the Baker neighborhood, combines owner Erika Righter's passions: gift shopping and giving back to the community. The store has donated thousands of dollars to local and national nonprofits since 2012. Righter talked to I Am Denver about what the COVID-19 pandemic has meant for business and why it's important to shop local all year long.
A Single Mother's Battle With COVID-19 Single mother Josette Vigil thought she had a seasonal cold. Then she started to wheeze. Within days she was on a ventilator, fighting for her life with COVID-19. Her hope? That her story will encourage all of us to take the virus seriously.
Iraqi Refugee Finds Welcoming Community in Denver Soad Altaai, a refugee from Iraq who emigrated with her family to Denver in 2009 and now works as a translator, says, “It’s a privilege to live in America. It’s the land of dreams. I can make my own dreams here, and I am doing that right now.”
A Model Way to Stay on Track During the Pandemic As a travel writer, the stay at home order brought Rich Grant’s work to a complete halt. To deal with the boredom, he dusted off an old model train set he’s had for decades and set it up in his backyard.
‘Beto’ Mojardin Combines Roots, Culture and Compassion in Artistry From living on the streets to bringing international designers to Denver’s fashionistas, Norberto "Beto" Mojardin proves we all can be proud of our past and embrace our future. Learn about this artist, designer and chef's story in his own words.
How Denver’s First African American Fire Chief Contended With Racism Before becoming Denver's first African American fire chief, Roderick "Rod" Juniel had to sue the fire department just so he could be allowed to be a firefighter. As he went up the ranks, he faced countless acts of racism. His is a story of perseverance, but also of hope.
DPL Librarian: ‘We’re a Steward of Our Collective Memory' Denver Public Library's Western History collection is working to diversify its holdings and has been collecting materials as history is unfolding, from Black Lives Matter protest signs to archiving photos of COVID-19 closures.
COVID Necessity Inspires City’s First 24/7 Shelter for Women In response to COVID-19, the City & County of Denver and area partners immediately transitioned the Denver Coliseum into an auxiliary shelter for women experiencing homelessness. There, women and trans individuals found a safe place to stay. The results surprised guests and service providers alike. See what they said about a model that could change how services are provided in the future.
Whittier Cafe: Where Coffee and Social Justice Are Served “The Social Justice Coffee Shop,” otherwise known as Whittier Cafe, is a gathering place for organizers, community activists, and others working toward positive change in Denver. A trip to the restroom is like attending a mini-protest, with signs from various marches — “Justice 4 George” and “A woman’s place is in the revolution” — stacked against the wall.