A Guide To Black-Owned Denver
Denver, the “Mile High City” best known for its high elevation, over 5200 feet in the sky, its picturesque Rocky Mountains, professional sports teams the Nuggets, and the Broncos, has a surprisingly rich amount of African American history and culture to explore. According to the US Census Bureau Denver has a population of just over 713,000 people of which 9.9% identify as black or African American. Although the numbers may seem small, Denver is a great city to explore food, neighborhoods, businesses, & museums.
The town is home to annual events that focus on historic and current black culture including the Colorado Black Arts Festival, held annually in July, the Juneteenth Music Festival, and the Five Points Jazz Festival. From spoken word, to visual arts, and theater a trip to Denver has a host of establishments that preserve and enhance the black experience.
Culture & History
Denver’s Five Points area was one of the town’s earliest formed neighborhoods in its history and by the 1930’s the neighborhood was 75% black. It later became known as the Harlem of the West. Today you will find a thriving business district with much to see, do and learn. The self-guided walking tour leads you along the Five Points Plaza where you learn of the shops, entertainment establishments, & businesses that rose and fell in its early days. During your tour you can visit Brother Jeff’s Cultural Center a place for the exploration of performing and visual arts or stop by the Welton Room, known for its specialty craft cocktails and small plates.
The Black America West Museum & Heritage Center is dedicated to the life, times, and contributions of African Americans who settled and developed the Western states. It was founded in 1971 by Paul Steward who as a child always played an “Indian” because he was told there was no such thing as a Black cowboy.
The museum started as a passion project as Steward became a collector of artifacts that told the story of black cowboys. He was a traveling storyteller, going to area schools with his collection that documented the stories he told. In it, you will find hundreds of pieces of memorabilia that speak to the little-known life of black cowboys. Today the museum is open on Saturdays from 10-2 PM. You must plan ahead by paying for a reserved spot for your visit.
Great Eats
Located in Denver’s Five Points Neighborhood, TeaLee’s Tea House and Bookstore has been a staple in the area for the last five years. Owner, Rise Jones who was raised in the area opened the tea house after winning a long battle with cancer with the intention of employing people from the community and circulating dollars within it.
TeaLee’s is a traditional teahouse with African American flair serving high and afternoon tea with sandwiches and pastries as well as tea-infused alcoholic beverages. The bookstore and shop offer goods from local artisans including art, jewelry, and wonderfully crafted teapots and accessories. The shop has a laid-back welcoming vibe that will make you feel right at home.
Welton Street Café also located in the Five points neighborhood is a historic family-owned neighborhood staple that has been serving island-inspired southern dishes for decades. Husband and wife team Flynn & Mona Dickerson opened the café in 1999 and the establishment has been family owned and operated ever since.
The café specializes in dishes that blend cuisine from the southern states to the Virgin Islands with staples like jerk chicken and smothered pork chops. After 22 years at its current location, the café will soon be relocating to a larger place within the Five Points neighborhood, still serving the comfort food that has kept their establishment alive and well for decades.
Denver is popular for its local craft distilleries and microbrew establishments. Rising Sun Distillery owners, Sol and Dawn Richardson have been distilling local favorites since opening their distillery in 2015. It’s no surprise since the business kind of runs in both of their blood. Sol’s grandfather was a bar owner in the ’80s and ‘90s and was influential in starting the City’s Juneteenth celebration, while Dawn’s family distilled moonshine during the prohibition era.
The couple works closely with local growers and organic farmers using flavors that are local to the area for their products. Some of their popular offerings include lavender hibiscus liquor and Pueblo Chile White whiskey both are served at their tap room locations in Denver and Frisco.
Shopping
The Tween Boutique is a new and cool shopping experience for young girls, they offer custom clothing with a purpose. The line is designed around building a positive self-image, with bright and bold clothing that encourages young ladies to shine from the inside out. The location also hosts Tween Experiences, events that offer in-store activities like t-shirt design, selfie reflections, & more. All centered on creating a self-awareness that promotes confidence in creativity, individuality, and smarts.
What started as a vintage clothing store in a small 150 sq. ft. space has grown into a creative streetwear brand. “What we do is curate dope streetwear creatives can live in while building a lifestyle brand that feels good, is full of love, and can be enjoyed by all while breaking generational curses and building empires.” says owners John and Keyonna Chapman when describing what their clothing brand is all about.
The pieces in their collections honor contemporary and historic black figures and tip the hat to their city Denver, Colorado. In the MVMT Collection, there is a beautiful sweatshirt dedicated to Saartjie (Sarah) Baartman, the infamous African who was taken from her homeland in South Africa and put on display in France because of her womanly curves. You will also find pieces dedicated to Muhammed Ali and Phylicia Rashad in her role as the famous Josephine Baker.
What to See
Slam Nuba is an award-winning poetry and spoken word performance troupe that started in 2006 with three friends. The organization is a program of the Pan African Arts Society, and they host a performance every last Friday of the month. The event rotates to various establishments in the area from art galleries to coffee houses. The organization is now run by Executive Director, Hakeem Furious.
In addition to spoken word, the organization has expanded into creating spaces where black and brown folks can perform hip-hop and comedy. Check out their past performances on YouTube and their website to see where the troupe is currently performing.
In Denver’s River North area you will find the RiNo Art District, a blend of design businesses, cultural centers, cafes, street art, and murals. On the loading docks near 29th Avenue and Blake Street, there is a series of murals created by six Black artists. Local African American, artist and gallery owner, Rob Gray of Rob the Art, coordinated this effort. It is his mission to create more spaces where artists of color can display their work in the area including the Five Points Historic District.
Where to Stay
The Cherry Creek Denver Fairfield Inn & Suites offers easy access to popular tourist areas in Denver including the Denver Zoo, and the University of Denver, and shopping at Cherry Creek Shopping Center which is home to attractions like the Dinosaur Gulch, an exhibit for early learners sponsored by the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. The hotel offers free WiFi, views of the scenic Rocky Mountains, a 24-hour fitness center, and an indoor heated pool. The hotel is also located next to Denver’s Light Rail system for an easy and quick ride into downtown Denver. All Marriott Rewards programs are honored at this location.
If you are looking for an upscale experience enmeshed in contemporary design, then the Renaissance Denver Central Park Hotel may be for you. The hotel is located near prime attractions like the Denver Zoo & the Denver Botanical Gardens. It has easy access to downtown and the airport. They are family and pet friendly. The rooms offer views of the Denver skyline and the Rocky Mountains. The property boasts an on-site restaurant and lounge, indoor and outdoor pools, and a 24-hour fitness center.
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