DUS x KGNU Metro - December 2024

[00:00:03] KGNU FM 88.5 Boulder, KGNU 1390 Denver. Stay tuned for Metro.

[00:00:42] Support for this program comes from the Upstart Crow Theatre Company, presenting A Christmas Carol, a live radio play, adapted by Joe Landry from the Charles Dickens Classic.

[00:00:52] Performances Thursday, December 5th through Sunday, December 15th at the Dairy Arts Center's Carson Theatre. More information at upstartcrow.org.

[00:01:01] Support comes from the I Have a Dream Foundation of Boulder County, partnering with students and families from first grade to first job in pursuit of a world where every child has equitable access to educational and career opportunities.

[00:01:15] The I Have a Dream Foundation is a Colorado Gives Day participant. More information can be found at IHaveADreamBoulder.org.

[00:01:35] Denver Urban Spectrum, sharing stories about people of color since 1987.

[00:01:40] Hello and welcome to Expanding the Narrative on Metro, a show by Denver Urban Spectrum that amplifies the voices and stories of the community. I'm your host, Ruby Jones.

[00:02:07] At Denver Urban Spectrum, our mission is to inspire, educate and empower audiences while bringing awareness to important issues.

[00:02:16] We recognize, advance and preserve stories about people of color with reliable community reporting and editorial content featuring refreshing views and news you can use.

[00:02:28] Stay tuned to hear all about this month's issue of Denver Urban Spectrum.

[00:02:32] Happy Holidays! December is here and Denver Urban Spectrum is thankful for your support all year long.

[00:03:07] Thank you for tuning in each month to hear community updates and information direct from our wonderful publication.

[00:03:14] Our cover story this month features three Colorado chefs who have spent decades transforming the culinary scene with their tasty innovations and delicious creations.

[00:03:25] Chefs Scott Dura, Chef Donald James and Chef Daniel Young were featured on the cover of Denver Urban Spectrum eight years ago.

[00:03:33] And now they're back with exciting news for Denver foodies.

[00:03:36] In a few moments, you'll hear from the chefs and learn what they're whipping up in kitchens across the front range.

[00:03:43] This is a joyous time for many, but for some, the holiday season presents a lot of challenges.

[00:03:50] There are people struggling with mental health and seasonal depression.

[00:03:54] Some are grieving the loss of loved ones and others are experiencing economic difficulties that could literally leave them out in the cold.

[00:04:01] In this month's publication, contributor Latrice Owens highlights several service agencies in the Metro Denver area that are working to alleviate hardships for people experiencing homelessness during the frigid winter months.

[00:04:15] We can all chip in to help make the holidays brighter for our neighbors, even if all we have to offer is our time or expressions of love to show that we care.

[00:04:24] One of this month's articles features the feel good story of a man who is raising his son who has Down syndrome after the loss of his mother.

[00:04:35] Contributor Kristen Aldridge spoke with the filmmakers and cast of Color Book during a screening at the 47th annual Denver Film Festival.

[00:04:44] The screening was particularly special for the film's co-star Jeremiah Daniels, who is from right here in Colorado.

[00:04:51] Jeremiah has Down syndrome, and the screening occurred right after October, which is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and right before one of Denver's largest and most meaningful events.

[00:05:01] On November 16th, the Global Down Syndrome Foundation hosted the Be Beautiful, Be Yourself Fashion Show, an elegant event that welcomes hundreds of people to the city each year.

[00:05:17] One of the foundation's biggest supporters, musical mastermind Quincy Jones, served as an international spokesperson promoting its initiatives in support of the C family and people with Down syndrome around the world.

[00:05:32] Sadly, the renowned music producer and artist passed away just weeks before the annual event.

[00:05:38] As celebrities and global ambassadors walked the red carpet before the big show, they discussed the foundation's impact in their lives and the lives of others.

[00:05:47] I had the opportunity to speak with John C. and his daughter, Michelle Witten, who co-founded the organization with her parents when her daughter was born with Down syndrome.

[00:05:59] They shared their appreciation for Quincy Jones and expressed gratitude for his unwavering support throughout the years.

[00:06:06] I also spoke with the 2024 Quincy Jones exceptional advocacy awardee, actor Woody Harrelson, who was recognized for his role in the 2023 film Champions.

[00:06:18] Here are a few clips from the red carpet.

[00:06:21] I'm here with my beautiful father, John C., who really made all of this happen.

[00:06:30] Well, we are so honored and humbled to have Quincy as our spokesperson.

[00:06:40] And we expanded our whole universe in terms of needing of support and help.

[00:06:48] So we are eternally grateful for Quincy's advocacy and commitment and forefront in supporting the organization that we have for Down syndrome.

[00:07:05] And my dad has actually been taking it really hard the last couple weeks.

[00:07:09] Yeah.

[00:07:09] And it's been even hard to focus on the event.

[00:07:12] And we are dedicating tonight to Quincy.

[00:07:15] And we didn't have a lot of time, but we do have a short commemorative video for him tonight.

[00:07:22] And we could not do this without him.

[00:07:23] When he met Sophia, he jumped in feet first when she was born and said, how do I help?

[00:07:29] And he was like, he was really annoyed that there wasn't funding.

[00:07:31] And he's like, we're going to change that.

[00:07:33] And, you know, he's so positive that I felt we were going to change that.

[00:07:37] I didn't know, but he gave us the confidence to do it.

[00:07:40] I feel happy to be here to support Global tonight.

[00:07:46] Well, I just think it's an extraordinary organization that's doing important things and helping people who need to be champions sometimes.

[00:07:56] And so I think it's a beautiful thing.

[00:08:00] And Michelle and Global and all of this excitement and all of these happy faces are a real testimony to what great stuff is going on here.

[00:08:12] The Global family and to have to hang out with several of our friends family from the movie here with the Global family.

[00:08:22] This is this is a really special night.

[00:08:25] The December issue of Denver Urban Spectrum acknowledges the results of the 2024 presidential election with reflections from the community.

[00:08:40] Contributor Thomas Holt Russell provided a recap of the election results.

[00:08:44] John Celestan, program director for the local media associations, Bloom Lab provided a personal response to the elections with a glimpse into his thoughts as a father who was searching for the right words to say to his son in the midst of political turmoil.

[00:08:59] And finally, Denver Urban Spectrum publisher Rosalind B Harris penned this creative poetic response.

[00:09:12] Teardrops, the day after the votes were counted. Falling teardrops. They fall for excitement. They fall for joy. They fall for compassion. They fall for anger. They fall for sadness. They fall for pain. They fall for love.

[00:09:30] It is the morning after and snow has fallen in addition to tears. As I sip my coffee, the tears fall into my cup one at a time.

[00:09:40] Changing the taste of my amaretto flavored latte from excitement to compassion, from joy to anger, from pain to sadness, and ultimately to love.

[00:09:52] The tear of excitement reminds me of my trip to Chicago and the day Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the nomination to run for President of the United States.

[00:10:04] That tear represents the sheer disappointment from women like me, a black woman who has observed several presidential candidates and elections, who has witnessed civil rights, civil upheaval, and civil pain.

[00:10:18] The tear of compassion falls for women who fear the loss of freedom, for the rights to their bodies, for those who dream of owning a home without difficulty, and for those who aspire to start their own businesses but now feel it is out of reach.

[00:10:35] Its saltiness dissipates into the swirl of the whipped cream. The tear of joy falls in unison with the shared sentiments of many.

[00:10:44] Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.

[00:10:47] Win with women. Win with black men.

[00:10:49] White dudes for Harris.

[00:10:51] White women answer the call.

[00:10:53] Artists for Kamala.

[00:10:54] Republicans for Kamala.

[00:10:56] Loud white men for Kamala.

[00:10:58] The Indian American Impact Fund.

[00:11:00] The Bison Pack.

[00:11:02] Latinas for Harris.

[00:11:04] Native women plus Two Spirit for Harris.

[00:11:07] AAPI Victory Fund.

[00:11:09] Out for Kamala Harris.

[00:11:11] LGBTQ plus Unity.

[00:11:13] And many others.

[00:11:15] In the shape of a star, the tear of joy glistens as I remember the support of people all over the country.

[00:11:22] Taylor Swift.

[00:11:23] Lady Gaga.

[00:11:24] Will I Am.

[00:11:26] Mick Jagger.

[00:11:27] Christina Aguilar.

[00:11:29] Katy Perry.

[00:11:30] Rihanna.

[00:11:31] Jennifer Lopez.

[00:11:33] Madonna.

[00:11:34] Cardi B.

[00:11:35] Bad Bunny.

[00:11:36] Ricky Martin.

[00:11:38] Eminem.

[00:11:38] James Taylor.

[00:11:40] Stevie Nicks.

[00:11:41] Willie Nelson.

[00:11:43] Brittany Sear.

[00:11:44] Margo Price.

[00:11:45] Cher.

[00:11:46] Mark Anthony.

[00:11:48] Lizzle.

[00:11:49] John Legend.

[00:11:50] Keisha.

[00:11:51] Bruce Springsteen.

[00:11:53] Neil Young.

[00:11:54] Beyonce.

[00:11:55] And Tina Knowles.

[00:11:56] The star-shaped tear recalls Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Bill Clinton, Jill and Joe Biden, Michelle and Barack Obama, Tim and Glenn Watts, and Doug Hemhoff.

[00:12:09] The relentless tear of anger is unsuspected, forcing contempt and confusion.

[00:12:16] The numbers were confusing, and they shocked the nation, at least half of it.

[00:12:21] The tear is dark, blurring the lines of democracy.

[00:12:24] It blinds the non-supporters, those who turned a blind eye to truth, and those who are still not yet woke.

[00:12:31] With a dim glimmer, the tear spells why.

[00:12:35] The tear of pain flows through the veins of watchful ancestors.

[00:12:39] From a dream deferred to unquestionable hopelessness, the tear is deep and sharp.

[00:12:44] It pierces the soul of many who doubt the possibility of a brighter future.

[00:12:49] The tear of sadness mirrors the heartbreak and the sorrowful eyes of young people who will be disappointed despite their aspirations.

[00:12:56] It mirrors the disheartened who have been let down and the despair of those who will lose opportunities in the years to come.

[00:13:04] The tear of love sees a full heart filled with gratitude, faith, and strength.

[00:13:09] A spirit overflowing with love.

[00:13:11] It glows.

[00:13:12] The light of America's promise will always burn bright.

[00:13:16] As long as we never give up and as long as we keep fighting, the fight of our future will continue.

[00:13:21] United States Vice President Kamala Harris.

[00:13:24] My cup is almost empty, but from the remaining drops of brown-tiered tainted coffee, it radiates a thousand stars for a brighter future.

[00:13:47] Despite the outcome of the 2024 election, Denver Urban Spectrum is here to keep you informed as we navigate the next four years.

[00:13:57] Here in Colorado, voters showed their support for several civil rights protections and made it clear that when a community sticks together, change is possible.

[00:14:07] One positive outcome of the elections here in Colorado was the re-election of Senator James Coleman to the Colorado Senate's 33rd District.

[00:14:16] The impactful senator was then elected to serve as the president of the state senate, becoming the second black man in state history to lead the legislative body.

[00:14:26] Congratulations, Senator Coleman, and thank you for your fearless leadership in our communities throughout your political career.

[00:14:33] Food is a staple at the holiday season. Family gatherings, potlucks at work, and holiday happy hours feature comfort foods and traditional treats that fill our hearts and bellies with joy.

[00:14:48] Contributor Elena Brown cooked up a cover story about three top chefs in Colorado who are taking their culinary creations to the next level.

[00:14:56] Chef Donald James is the familiar face behind the grill at Pit Stop BBQ, and for years he's been filling festival grounds around town with the tantalizing aroma of smoked meats.

[00:15:08] Now, he is preparing for an expansion into a new arena with a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Greenwood Village.

[00:15:15] Chef James will be putting his own innovative twist on traditional Southern classics at the Colorado Creole Cafe, a joint venture with philanthropists and entrepreneurs Dedrick Sims and Richard Lewis.

[00:15:27] Daniel Young is Colorado's very own celebrity chef. He has served the state's top professional athletes, and now he's ready to serve Denver residents and visitors with a brand-new restaurant concept at Denver International Airport called Sunset Loop and his very own fine dining establishment.

[00:15:45] Chef D's restaurant, Homeba, will open in the Golden Triangle neighborhood later this month with innovative offerings for residents at the Park Apartments on Spear and special culinary experiences for all.

[00:16:00] Chef Scott Dura, who is well known for his cannabis-infused creations and co-ownership of the Simply Pure dispensary, is cooking up a Caribbean feast at his Jerk Pit Smokehouse.

[00:16:11] With a menu featuring Jamaican Jerk delicacies, the restaurant offers good vibes and authentic flavors, in addition to providing learning opportunities for aspiring culinary professionals.

[00:16:23] Here are Chef D and Chef Scott with background stories about their journeys to the kitchen and their love of food.

[00:16:57] Chef Scott Dura, who is the best friend of mine.

[00:17:00] Chef D and Chef Scott with background stories about their lives and helping them out in the garden.

[00:17:01] Chef Scott Dura, who is the best friend of mine and the restaurant industry back then, they started posting that you had to be part of the federation.

[00:17:05] So, I had to go through the steps of full apprenticing to get certified by the Culinary Federation.

[00:17:12] So, I got my training the long way, the hard way, but it's definitely paying off now.

[00:17:19] Today's world, there is no more, even in Colorado, there's no more culinary schools, no more Johnson & Wales.

[00:17:25] Now, guys are being placed into these opportunities just by chance without the training behind them.

[00:17:32] So, early on in my years, I started noticing that African American cooks were getting to a certain level and then bailing out of the industry.

[00:17:40] There was a lot of racism.

[00:17:41] Rather than go through that, drown it.

[00:17:43] I think guys decided, I don't want to do this.

[00:17:45] I stuck with it, managed to break through that glass ceiling and now I try to give back as much as I can.

[00:17:50] My dad was a chef, more institutional, so I would do gigs with him.

[00:17:55] I did all the cooking at home.

[00:17:56] Yeah.

[00:17:57] At the family of six.

[00:17:58] Yeah.

[00:17:58] So, I would get up and make dinner for the family when I was maybe nine.

[00:18:03] As I got older, you know, chefs and people that hired me saw that I had a mat for cooking.

[00:18:09] I think I was the first African American chef in Orange County.

[00:18:12] I took over the Sports Club Irvine.

[00:18:15] It was a $55 million health club in Orange County.

[00:18:17] That was my first real opportunity as a chef.

[00:18:22] That led to me being inducted into the Orden Pirate Chefs Association.

[00:18:26] And I was the youngest inductee in 1992.

[00:18:29] Youngest senior inductee in the history of the Federation.

[00:18:32] Paul Bacuz was a really big influence on me outside of Escarpillet.

[00:18:36] His ability to just keep food in a natural state but cook it properly is a key factor for me.

[00:18:43] In other words, if it's chicken, it should look like chicken.

[00:18:45] I think what I'm doing for Hopper on this particular menu.

[00:18:49] I'm trying not to reach back into the past too much.

[00:18:52] But thinking about how can I bring this menu into the 21st century.

[00:18:56] So, I'm utilizing ingredients that I may have seen a million times but I'm working with them in a way that you're not used to see in a restaurant.

[00:19:03] It's going to be pretty innovative.

[00:19:04] The rest of the tour is the beast.

[00:19:15] You know, it's like being in football and, oh, you like getting hit?

[00:19:19] That's part of the sport.

[00:19:20] That's part of the sport.

[00:19:21] So, yeah.

[00:19:21] So, it's one of those things that's either in your DNA.

[00:19:24] And I've been fortunate because I've never worked in anyone else's kitchen.

[00:19:28] I've learned in my kitchen, grew in my kitchen, and it's always been my kitchen.

[00:19:31] So, on that level, you know, my journey is sort of a little different than others.

[00:19:35] You know, every one of my restaurants has been extremely personal.

[00:19:38] As my brother Rick would say from the root of the two, that we've built them all from the construction inside, outside.

[00:19:45] And so, yes, it's who I am.

[00:19:47] That's probably the best way of putting that word.

[00:19:49] I'm from Boston, you know, I'm Italian, you know.

[00:19:52] So, I was raised by an Italian grandmother who decided in 1943 she wanted to marry a black man in Boston.

[00:19:59] So, she became very independent very quickly.

[00:20:01] She cooks all the time.

[00:20:03] So, for me, it just became just a part of routine.

[00:20:06] And then I took it another step where I enjoyed it.

[00:20:09] So, I mean, so it's been embedded in me since the age of six.

[00:20:12] I've been cooking from a wooden spoon.

[00:20:14] I've been fortunate to have my grandmother and my mother at three of my restaurants.

[00:20:18] She shared all the recipes with me.

[00:20:20] I've been cooking for my family for just about most of my life.

[00:20:24] And I've never made anything that she didn't like.

[00:20:27] My first thing I ever cooked was really funny.

[00:20:30] Her and my mother went to church.

[00:20:31] I think we were like six and a half.

[00:20:33] And in our yard, we had grapes, Concord grapes back in Boston.

[00:20:37] So, I like grape jam.

[00:20:39] So, I was like, what the hell?

[00:20:40] So, went off, picked a ton of grapes.

[00:20:42] Came back, put them in a big pot.

[00:20:44] I threw all my stuffing, what I thought worked and whatever.

[00:20:46] And they came home and I was in the kitchen, stirring.

[00:20:50] And, you know, my grandmother came over and it was, I mean, I didn't have a top on it.

[00:20:54] It was great crap.

[00:20:56] It was just great juice to do it or whatever.

[00:20:59] And she just went over and just tasted the sauce.

[00:21:02] And I remember specifically, she was like, very good, but we got to teach her how to get the seeds out and what to do with those skins.

[00:21:08] So, that's how she's always taught me.

[00:21:11] And one of the things she's always taught me is, you know, the question, what do you think?

[00:21:14] And I always still say this with most chefs that I work with at Mentor is, taste your damn food.

[00:21:20] I mean, at the end of the day, we all know what tastes good and what doesn't taste good.

[00:21:24] My grandma's always been, if your food tastes good to you, chances are other people are going to like it.

[00:21:28] And a lot of people cook that never taste their food.

[00:21:31] They're based on a recipe.

[00:21:32] And, you know, so from day one and to this day, I'm always tasting my food.

[00:21:38] If it meets my satisfaction, at least I know that's a pretty good standard.

[00:21:41] So, she's pretty much taught me that way versus you should do this or whatever.

[00:21:46] She made her suggestion.

[00:21:47] She's given me her exact red sauce.

[00:21:49] And to this day, mine's pretty damn good, but follow her recipe 100%.

[00:21:54] I still can't.

[00:21:55] And she said, you're not supposed to.

[00:21:57] Pretty much how she really taught me, you know, I just took it from there.

[00:22:02] So, that's my training.

[00:22:03] I went to a culinary school just for classes only and just understand the lingo.

[00:22:08] But, you know, I've just been blessed to have all of my restaurants as my mentor and my educator.

[00:22:14] And with those restaurants came some pretty cool chefs that I learned from.

[00:22:18] Food brings people together.

[00:22:26] To learn more about all three chefs, read this month's cover story at denverurbanspectrum.com.

[00:22:32] For those who need a little extra help during the holidays or at any time of year,

[00:22:37] a local innovator named John Akinboyewa has created a technology-based solution that has the potential to cure hunger worldwide.

[00:22:46] The Hungry app pairs people in need of a meal with leftover food,

[00:22:50] alleviating food waste and creating community connections from the palm of our hands.

[00:22:55] Here's a clip from John's interview with contributor Stacy Noreen as he discusses the way his mobile app can change the world.

[00:23:06] I was born in Nigeria, grew up there, and my family had some good connections with London.

[00:23:14] So I moved to London when I was young for a little bit and moved to the US right after that, shortly after.

[00:23:20] In Nigeria we grew up without electricity.

[00:23:23] And we would maybe two to three months out of the year.

[00:23:27] So you'd grow up like three, four days of electricity from the grid and you might be gone for like ten days

[00:23:32] or it's like on for two hours for every day for the next two months.

[00:23:35] But you know, it's just really, it's shitty for lack of a better phrase.

[00:23:39] And I remember that the times we got grid power, so we're not paying for a generator, right?

[00:23:47] Like a gasoline generator to try to pump some water because we drilled a water well in our yard

[00:23:52] because we got enough money to do that.

[00:23:55] So we did that and it was helpful, but we would buy gasoline,

[00:23:58] which for a country that used to produce the US with like 14% of its crude oil at one point.

[00:24:03] And it's one of OPEC members. Our governance has made it so you don't have good gasoline.

[00:24:09] Like there's no petrol on the streets and it's sad, but we would pump water into our tanks.

[00:24:16] And I remember that the times we got grid power, then it's powerful enough to run the pumps.

[00:24:24] We would pump our tanks and then we'd have the holes pump water out into the street.

[00:24:29] And so people would be able to just grab free water.

[00:24:31] When there was an available resource that really didn't cost you any,

[00:24:35] and it was a very easy burden, which is you got to turn on the pump and just connect it.

[00:24:41] And that was it. It was very minimal.

[00:24:43] Such minimal effort could bring such great value to the community.

[00:24:48] And I only thought of that story.

[00:24:50] I don't think I thought about that since I was a child until somebody was doing an interview with me

[00:24:55] and just talking about, you know, background. They were like, let's just wander for hours.

[00:24:58] And it clicked. That's Hungry app.

[00:25:02] In minimal effort, once the tool is ready for you, we didn't have to create the hose.

[00:25:06] We didn't have to create, invent a pump.

[00:25:08] We didn't, once it's connected and we're doing it anyways for ourselves,

[00:25:11] you're buying the food for yourselves and there's excess.

[00:25:13] And you have an iPhone for yourself or a smartphone for yourself,

[00:25:16] and you already have a data plan for yourself, which is ubiquitous in our world.

[00:25:20] It is truly effortless for you to snap a picture and it pops up on somebody's phone and they come grab it.

[00:25:26] Done. And that's the power of what we created.

[00:25:29] And it only jived with my childhood when I was talking about it with somebody in a bike, you know, working on a bike

[00:25:35] and just thinking about things that happened in my life a few weeks ago.

[00:25:40] So I started Hungry app last year, developing it, bringing it to life slowly.

[00:25:46] It's a thought that's always been in my mind since, you know, I've dug it in the couch for change for food money

[00:25:52] just to realize there is free pizza somewhere on campus, somewhere.

[00:25:56] There's extra food somewhere someone's thrown away.

[00:25:59] If they could just let me know about it in an easy way and then I disconnect from them.

[00:26:03] We don't have to be friends in the same group.

[00:26:05] We don't, you know, it'd be just easy to be smooth.

[00:26:08] And so I'd always had that thought for a couple of decades.

[00:26:11] And I created Hungry app last year. I just went hard on it.

[00:26:15] And we're where we are at now.

[00:26:16] So in eight words, the way the Hungry app works is providers list, Hungry's request, providers accept,

[00:26:27] Hungry's collect.

[00:26:28] At any point in time, you can list as a provider anything.

[00:26:32] A provider could be an individual, a restaurant, a farming community, a college cafeteria, a food court.

[00:26:41] You get the point.

[00:26:41] Truly anybody or entity, a food bank can list.

[00:26:46] And it'll ping anyone's phones around them based on their geo settings, right?

[00:26:53] Their distance settings.

[00:26:54] And you get the luxury of doing that.

[00:26:56] So you can say, I don't have a car, so I just want to get pinged on things a thousand feet away from me.

[00:27:05] And when a provider lists within a thousand feet of you, your phone would ping.

[00:27:10] You would place a request.

[00:27:11] You don't get the location right away.

[00:27:13] Because if they only have one unit available, so like a sandwich and they only have the one or five,

[00:27:19] the five requests they get for the sandwich or the five servings they get, they get to accept.

[00:27:25] And it disappears for everybody else.

[00:27:28] It's spoken for, right?

[00:27:29] It's gone.

[00:27:30] So they list the Hungry requests and then they can accept.

[00:27:35] Once they accept, it shares the location with the Hungry and then they go pick it up.

[00:27:39] They have to take a picture.

[00:27:41] The app requires that you take a picture.

[00:27:43] It's our way of showing the community.

[00:27:45] This is what it looks like.

[00:27:47] This is what you're getting, right?

[00:27:49] For an informed decision.

[00:27:51] And somebody is 800 feet away, just walking or doing their studying or 1.3 miles away as it happened last week.

[00:28:00] And then they go grab it.

[00:28:06] The Hungry app is a great way to make a difference.

[00:28:09] If you'd like to try it out, you can download it from the Apple Store or the Play Store using your mobile phone or device.

[00:28:17] In February, Denver Urban Spectrum will celebrate African Americans who make a difference with an award ceremony recognizing entrepreneurs, educators, service providers, professionals and young people for their efforts in creating a better Colorado.

[00:28:33] Today is the last day to nominate an exceptional individual.

[00:28:38] If someone you know deserves to be nominated, please send an email containing your name, address, email address and the name of the person you're nominating along with their phone number and email address to editor at urban spectrum dot net by today, December 9th.

[00:28:55] And look for information about the awards ceremony event in the January publication.

[00:28:59] As we approach the end of the year, Denver Urban Spectrum is ready to thrive in 2025 with more stories that amplify underrepresented voices and highlight people working to create positive change in our communities.

[00:29:16] From now until December 31st, you have the opportunity to support our local reporting and your monetary contributions will be matched dollar for dollar by Colorado Media Project's News Colorado Needs Grant Match.

[00:29:30] If you would like to donate, please visit www.coloradogives.org backslash story backslash Denver Urban Spectrum.

[00:29:41] Every donation makes a difference.

[00:29:45] Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Expanding the Narrative on Metro and thank you for your support.

[00:29:52] Be good to yourselves and be good to each other.

[00:29:55] We'll see you back here next year.

[00:30:26] Including this one.

[00:30:28] I'm Maeve Conran.