The history of Denver Public Schools follows the challenges and accomplishments made by individuals within Denver’s Black and African American community. Despite historical oppression, trauma, discrimination, and legal exclusion, contributions made by trailblazers within the Black and African American community stand as essential lessons today. It is important to explore history to deepen personal awareness. As awareness is deepened, commitment to keep this history relevant will uplift and enrich a personal experience and journey that is meaningful.
Barney Ford was inducted into the Colorado Business Hall of Fame, 90 years following the end of his life.
During his lifetime:
Servant to Community and Sacred Heart
Julia Greeley made a difference. She survived cruel oppression of her mother’s slaveholder. She succeeded beyond the slaveholder’s whip that injured her. Julia Greeley did not let her circumstances set her back! She worked to help others and sacrificed under circumstances that were impossible. She lived at 1421 28th Street in a small room.
More than 1,000 people attended her funeral. Her life was a testimony. She earned approximately $1.00 per week. She walked through alleys and dark streets to help others at night to deliver food and clothing in zero-degree weather in order to spare families the stigma of receiving support. Julia Greeley was unable to read and write. She gave to others, even when she did not possess great wealth. Half a century after her death, many gave testimonies of her sacrifices. The red wagon was full of goods for others and the clothing that she gave to those in need so freely. No matter what, her heart for the community came first. The Sacred Heart community exists today and remembers Julia Greeley.
John T. Gunnell was the first African American/Black to sit in the Colorado State Legislature. He held a seat that was crucial then, and significant in today’s landscape.
Frederick Douglass’ son Louis Henry fought in the 54th Infantry, a military regiment with blacks only
“Should I fall in the next fight killed or wounded, I hope to fall with my face to the foe.”
Lewis Douglass and Frederick Douglass, Jr., sons of the famous abolitionist Frederick Douglass lived in Denver.
Leadership of Fire Captain Biffle Fire Captain 1925
Nathan Biffle’s role as a firefighter at Fire Station 3 in the Five Points neighborhood was significant. Fire Station 3 was the only Denver station open to African American firefighters in the segregated fire department. Biffle had to fight for his role as captain, but was finally promoted to become one of the first African American captains in the Denver Fire Department. Firefighters saved lives and maintained community safety and order. Take a moment to think about the risk, struggle and sacrifice that others conquered for you to succeed. Belief, Brilliance and Perseverance lived and thrived in the heart and soul of our trailblazers.
First African American/Black School Principal. She was a teacher at Whittier Elementary School for 28 years.
Hattie moved to Denver in the 1900s and attended East High School. She was the first African American to win an Academy Award for her role as “Mammy” in the 1939 film Gone With the Wind.
Graduate of Manual High School
In 1920, Clarence Holmes opened a dental practice at 2602 Welton Street in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood. While not the first licensed African American dentist in Colorado, a distinction that belongs to Dr. Ernest McClain (licensed in 1907; practiced until 1948), Holmes was the first African American dentist to join the Denver Dental Society. He practiced dentistry in Denver for 56 years. Clarence was a graduate of Manual High School, attended Ebert School and was the first African American member and founder of the Cosmopolitan Club. He also helped to found the NAACP.
Marie L. Greenwood, namesake of Denver Public Schools’ (DPS) Marie L. Greenwood Academy, is highly regarded for breaking down racial barriers throughout her storied career in the school district. Marie Greenwood began her teaching career at Whittier Elementary School in 1935 as one of the first African-American school teachers in Denver, and remains very active in the DPS community.
Marie Greenwood became the first black teacher in an all-white school. Greenwood Academy was named after her and opened under the leadership of principal, the late Stan Reynolds.
First elected African American female to the Denver Board of Education in 1965. The Noel Resolution in 1968 was passed to integrate Denver Public Schools. She was Chairwoman of the African American Studies Department at Metropolitan State College (now known as Metropolitan State University of Denver) and taught sociology.
East High School Student & Educator
Gold Medalist at the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games.
Outstanding athlete in the state of Colorado, USA and the world.
Gentleman, scholar, WWII officer and hero, Tuskegee Airman, outspoken Past President Board of Education, Owl Club member (forever), Lifetime Sertoman – this is just the beginning.
Omar D. Blair graduated from Albuquerque High in 1936, one of six black graduates out of a class of 600. He attended the University of California in Los Angeles prior to entering the Army Air Corps (now known as the United States Air Force).
Omar has continuously proclaimed that “The kids are what it is all about.” He courageously demonstrated this commitment while serving on the Denver Board of Education for two terms and was elected as the first African American to serve as President of the Board. Prior to his school board service, Omar served as Commissioner of the Denver Urban Renewal Board during which time he and his colleagues initiated the 16th Street Mall project that is a national model of renovation and beauty.
Omar has been honored many times, as demonstrated by dozens of plaques and certificates. In 1984 Omar received an honorary doctorate from Metropolitan State College of Denver, “Doctor of Public Service” for years of service to education. On April 26, 2003 the city of Denver recognized his lifetime of service by naming the African American Research Library the Blair-Elvin Caldwell African American Research Library.
First Black mayor of Denver, serving from 1991 -1993
Mayor Webb was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives in 1972, and served in President Jimmy Carter’s Dept. of Health, Education and Welfare. He served on Governor Richard Lamm’s cabinet as Executive Director of the Department of Regulatory Agencies. Webb was the city auditor in 1987-1991. Although he was a relatively new candidate to many, his “Sneaker Campaign” allowed him to knock on doors and introduce himself to Denver residents as candidate for mayor of Denver. Mayor Webb was mayor of Denver from 1991-2003. His leadership as mayor is noted for:
DPS Board member from 1996 — 2001
DPS Board member from 1993 — 1996
The years that I spent serving on the Denver School Board were a unique and challenging time for me, and there are many experiences during that time that I hold closely. There was so much to learn, and in that space I was able to learn a great deal about leadership. Learning to be an effective leader among the diverse group of people who made up the Board, and then being able to work with the most precious gift of all – children – was truly a once in a lifetime experience!
These are the memories most dear to me:
1.Teamwork: We were a diverse group of people, coming together around a common purpose. The Board was seven individuals, and during that time, I came to have great respect for each of them. In this context you would wonder, why are we here? It certainly was not the salary ($0). It wasn’t for popularity either, as you certainly could not please everyone – and at times, it felt like you couldn’t please anyone.
It may sound like we were in a bunker and needing to protect each other. But as a team, we were also able to take what we heard from voices, including children, that we encountered along the journey. And of course, we were informed and provided with resources from knowledgeable educators. Once policies and programs were put in place, the confidence was there – not to micro-manage, but there was confidence all the way around in what we were doing.
2.Collaborative Decision Making (CDM): The basic idea was that students, parents, teachers and administrators could be at the same table. The City-wide general meeting to kick-off this endeavor was such a positive experience! So much of what we desired was to shift the idea of decision making from the bottom-up instead of from the top-down. At that time, it seemed like a risk worth taking. And for the community and those that knew their neighbors and the role the school played, it also made great sense for the community to be involved.
3.Value: People in other positions of authority did not understand when I would say the most important position was to be a member of the Denver School Board. I felt it was the most important task that a person could have. But anytime you were talking about children and youth, then it also becomes a great responsibility. While I was on the Board, the lifting of court-ordered busing and re-drawing of school boundaries would take place.
We also had a teacher’s strike and this brought about a feeling of distress in me, because I had come to know and respect so many teachers. But on the other hand, we had to face the facts on the amount of funding that was available. We also had to be strong because we had to make sure that the funds were not being used to over-pay administrators. Some relationships were not quite the same following the strike.
In summary, being on the Denver School board was a truly memorable experience, one that I feel very fortunate and grateful for to this day.
Thank you for the opportunity to share,
Rev. Aaron M. Gray
As a distinguished Colorado State Representative, Wilma J. Webb served six terms in the Colorado House of Representatives and introduced and passed bills to establish Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Her accomplishments also include:
Wilma J. Webb was not only the First Lady of Denver, she was:
DPS Board member from 2001 — 2009
Kevin Patterson has served as Chief Executive Officer of Connect for Health Colorado since April of 2015. He previously served as chief administrative officer and interim chief of staff to Gov. John Hickenlooper and has an extensive history of public service. Kevin brings a strong understanding of local, state, and federal government and stakeholder engagement to this role. For his time at Connect for Health Colorado, Kevin has been focused on improving the customer experience so they can focus on health insurance with tax credits implications. Kevin has held many senior leadership roles for the city and county of Denver. He was elected to the Denver Board of Education in 2001 and 2005. Kevin graduated with a B.A. in Teaching from Sam Houston State University and holds both a Master’s of Public Administration and a Master’s of Urban Regional Planning from the University of Colorado at Denver. Kevin is known as a collaborative non-partisan problem solver for Colorado issues. He currently serves as a board member with Mile High United Way and with the Keystone Policy Center. Kevin also serves as a member of the Denver Zoo’s Leadership Council. Kevin was named as one of Denver’s Most Admired CEOs by the Denver Business Journal in 2020.
Mayor of Denver
Michael B. Hancock is an American businessman, author and politician, serving as the 45th mayor of Denver, Colorado. He was sworn in on July 18, 2011 after defeating Chris Romer in a runoff election on June 7, 2011. He was reelected with no significant opposition in 2015. In 2019, he worked to defeat his mayoral opponents.
He is Denver’s second African American mayor after Wellington Webb and a deacon at the New Hope Baptist Church. He is a proud graduate of Manual High School.
DPS Board member from 2011 — 2019
Current DPS Board member
As a classroom teacher, school administrator, lawyer, and parent advocate, Jennifer has committed her career to advancing opportunities through education. Whether through serving as the board chair of a parent organizing group Padres y Jovenes Unidos, facilitating “Know Your Rights” trainings for students, or developing educators on how to engage and make change civically, Jennifer lives out her belief that the best decisions are those made by those most impacted. From a young age, Jennifer’s family instilled in her the belief that education is freedom, and set her on a path to earn a JD from the College of William & Mary, a Master’s in Education from Florida International University, and Bachelor’s in Business Management from Tulane University. Jennifer is proud to have been elected in November 2017 to represent District 4.
Sam Cary was admitted to the Colorado Bar in October of 1919, becoming the first Black attorney in Colorado. Soon thereafter, he set up his law offices in Denver’s famous Five Points area. He was committed to the community. Most of the time, he worked for free. Disbarred in 1926, Cary worked as a waiter for the Rio Grande Railroad until 1935 when he was reinstated. He died of throat cancer in 1964.
Legacy of Sam Cary: Sam Cary Bar Association
Evie Dennis is a leader, innovator, and pioneering advocate for political and legislative change to advance and enhance opportunities for all people in the areas of education, Olympic sports, and amateur athletics.
Dennis came to Denver as a researcher at Children’s Asthma Research Institute and The Jewish National Home for Asthmatic Children. She began her public education career in 1966 as a teacher, eventually moving through the Denver Public Schools system to become Deputy Superintendent from 1988 to 1990 and Superintendent from 1990 to 1994. Dennis was charged with implementing and monitoring the U.S. District Court order to desegregate Denver public schools. Through her dedication to improve and ensure equal educational opportunities for all students and to work with the community through the difficult issues presented by the court’s order, Dennis successfully guided the school system through a complicated and divisive period to create positive alliances between school district, parents, students, teachers, patrons, and community leaders. In addition, she designed and implemented innovative programs to meet the needs of the district’s diverse population, including the Education Advisory Councils, the Denver Energy, Engineering and Education Program (DEEEP), and the American Israel Student Exchange Program.
Learn More: Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame
An African American woman of many firsts
Denver Public School’s first African American librarian.
First African American instructional coordinator.
First educational TV script writer.
First African American principal at Washington Park Elementary School. The school was formerly an all-white school, and was one of the first schools to operate under desegregation.
DPS Board member from 1985 — 1991
DPS Board member from 1989 — 1995, current Senior Advisor at DPS
Sharon R. Bailey, Ph.D. is a native of Denver, Colorado and graduate of Denver’s East High School. She received her undergraduate degree from Princeton University, a master’s degree in interdisciplinary social science and a Ph.D. in public administration from the University of Colorado. Her dissertation, A Journey Full Circle: An Historical Analysis of Keyes v. School District No.1, examined Denver’s struggle to desegregate its public schools from legal, political, and managerial conceptual lenses. She was selected as an associate with the National Center on Public Policy and Higher Education and as a fellow for the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL).
From 1988-1995, she served as an elected member of the Denver Public Schools Board of Education. As a former member of the Denver Public School Board, Dr. Bailey gained valuable and specialized knowledge and expertise in the following areas: early childhood education, public school finance, multicultural education, strategic planning, intergovernmental partnerships, employee contract negotiations, school standards and accountability, educational equity/desegregation law, parent and community involvement. Currently, Dr. Bailey currently works with the school district as the Senior Advisory for Equity Initiatives. Dr. Bailey was primary researcher and author of the qualitative study, An Examination of Student Educator Experiences in Denver Public Schools through the Voices of African American Teachers and Administrators. The findings of her report led to the establishment of the Denver Public Schools African American Equity Task Force. The recommendations of the Task Force now serve as a guide for achieve greater institutional equity for African American students and educators.
Learn more about Dr. Bailey here.
Mayor Patsy Jo Hilliard was born on August 20, 1937 in Denver, Colorado. Her father, Elmer Dudley Morrison II, was a chair car attendant, while her mother, Jessie Morrison, was a model. In 1955, Hilliard graduated from Manual High School in Denver, which she attended with her future husband, Asa Hilliard, III.
She took classes at Los Angeles State College and worked as a playground supervisor for the Los Angeles public schools in 1956. Hilliard received her B.A. degree in interdisciplinary social sciences from San Francisco State University in 1976. In 2008, Sojourner-Douglass College in Baltimore, Maryland presented her with an honorary doctorate of humane letters.
Roderick “Rod” Juniel, served as a Denver firefighter as a 26-year Denver Fire Department veteran was tapped Monday to serve as the city’s top firefighter.
At age 51, Roderick Juniel became Denver’s first African American fire chief. He succeeded Rich Gonzales, the city’s first Hispanic fire chief. He was appointed by Mayor Wellington Webb.
Graduate of Manual High School
A Seattle resident for more than 50 years, Rice was born in Denver in 1943, the youngest son of a train porter and a beauty parlor maid. Norman Rice was an excellent high school student, but college began as a challenge, particularly, when he enrolled at the University of Colorado in 1961. Back then, African Americans were shut out of athletics, extracurricular activities and Greek life.
An American R&B, soul, gospel and funk singer, songwriter and percussionist best known as an early member, and one of the two lead singers of the band Earth, Wind & Fire.
Noted for his four-octave vocal range and distinctive falsetto register, Bailey has won seven Grammy Awards. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He attended East High School.
A retired American professional basketball player. He played 17 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
A star at the University of Colorado, he was selected third overall in the NBA draft by the Boston Celtics. A five-time NBA All-Star and a three-time All-NBA selection, Billups played for the Celtics, Toronto Raptors and Denver Nuggets.
Angela Williams is the current Colorado State Senator representing Senate District 33. The Colorado General Assembly is the state legislature of the State of Colorado. It is a bicameral legislature that was created by the 1876 state constitution. Its statutes are codified in the Colorado Revised Statutes.
Born in Denver, Colorado, Fourth Generation Coloradan
His mother carried him at the March on Washington, where Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.
His schoolteacher parents both have PhDs. He grew up in a mostly African American middle class neighborhood in Denver. He graduated from East High School and is listed as one of the richest men in the world.
His community, national and global contributions reach back to his family’s vision to ensure that Lincoln Hills stands as a living legacy for the Black community that testifies to resiliency that is not bound by racism or oppression.
Denver Nuggets Reporter and Analyst
Christopher Dempsey is from Colorado, born in Boulder, grew up in Montbello, and attended Montbello High School before moving on to majoring in journalism at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
His mother is a retired teacher in DPS. Doris Dempsey, Christopher’s mother, is an author of two books pertinent to classroom instruction and has been all over the country to support teachers in classroom instruction. His career of over two decades of sports journalism began in Boulder, Colorado.
Current DPS Board member
Tay Anderson is a product of Denver Public Schools where he graduated from Denver’s Manual High School in 2017. After high school he began to serve the students of Denver as an educator at University Park Elementary and North High School. He has served in the Colorado State Legislature as a legislative aide, where he advised legislators on policy around education, homelessness, gun control and more. Tay has served the Democratic Party in many roles and has been awarded the Murphy Roberts Award by the Colorado Democratic Party for his continuous service to the party. Tay is passionate about making the world a better place than the one he grew up in. He has dedicated his life on protecting women’s rights, African American rights, Latinx rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, Indigenous rights, Muslim rights, and disabled persons’ rights. He has participated in numerous public demonstrations as well as conversations and meetings with school district leaders, state leaders, and members of Congress on social justice issues. Tay gets his passion and perseverance from his mother and grandmother. His grandmother is a retired educator of 35 years. His family is comprised of educators and they have over 115 years of combined experience teaching our students to step into their greatness.
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