Biographical

Aaron, Henry Baseball player, the man who broke Babe Ruth’s record

Abdal-Rahman Sayyid, Montbello Coach

Abdul-Jabar, Kareen, NBA basketball star, writer, coach

Abernathy, Rev. Ralph David, Civil rights leader

Adams, Sam, Rocky Mountain News sports columnist

Addo, Emmanuel, Northern Colorado Player

Adjmi, David, Playwright

Affalo Aaron, Basketball Player

Aguabella, Francisco Cuban percussionist

Alexander, Earl, Master of Music

Alexander, Milroy, Executive Director, Colorado Housing & Finance Authority

Alexander, Ted, Denver jazz musician

Alf, Johnny song writer, pianist, singer 

Ai, Poet

Ali, Amani, Spirituals Project executive director

Ali, Ben, Founded Washington, D.C. eatery, Ben’s Chili Bowl diner, in 1958

Ali, Muhammed, Professional boxer

Ali, Rashied, Free-jazz drummer

Allen, Betty, Mezzo-soprano and arts educator

Allen, Eugene, Butler, Served Presidents Fot 34 Years

Allen, Malik Denver Nuggets player

Alford, Harry C., Co-founder, President/CEO Natl Black Chamber of Commerce

Allen, Ethel “Miss Ethel” see also Anderson, Ethel, Owner, Ethel’s House of Soul

Alston, Charles, Painter, sculptor`

Alston, Linda, Montbello teacher, author

Alston, Will and Roz, He Deputy Comm. Dir to Gov. Ritter; She aid to Michael Hancock

Amin, Idi, President of Uganda

Amos, Emma, Painter

Amos, John, actor

Anderson, Alston African American short story writer, poet, novelist, jazz critic

Anderson, Carl, Denver formerly homeless man

Anderson, Daisy, Oldest living Civil War Union Army widow; Denver resident

Anderson, Darrell, Artist

Anderson, Eddie “Rochester” Starred in the Jack Benny Programs

Anderson, Ethel see also Allen, Ethel

Anderson, Fred, Tenor Saxophonist

Anderson, Marian, Opera singer; first Black performer at Metropolitan Opera, New York City

Anderson, Michael Phillip, NASA astronaut

Anderson, Thomas Jefferson, Composer

Anderson, Walker, Pioneer Denver bricklayer

Andrews, Benny, Painter

Angelou, Maya, American Poet and Author of Several Books

Anikulapo-Kuti, Fela, A Nigerian revolutionary of song and afrobeat pioneer

Ansbacher, Henry, Denver filmmaker

Anthony, Carmelo, Denver Nuggets basketball player, Olympian

Aquino, Manuel, Dr. Denver Doctor

Archer, Dennis W., President of American Bar Association 2003-2004

Armstrong, Louis, Jazz musician

Arrow, A Soca Musician

Arsenault, Marcel, Entrepreneur

Ashe, Arthur, Only Black to win U.S. Open, Ausdtralian Open, Wimbledon in tennis

Atkins, James A., Denver civil rights leader, author and humanitarian

Austin, Lloyd J. Army Lieutenant

Ayers, Michael Perry, Executive Director, Denver Black Arts Festival

Bailey, Champ, Broncos Cornerback 

Bailey, George Morrison, Grandson of George Morrison; pianist, Stuttgart, Germany Ballet

Bailey, John, Candidate for Denver City Council

Bailey, Philip, American musician; lead singer with Earth, Wind & Fire; East High School  grad

Bailey, Sharon, Ph.D., Denver School Board of Education, 1988-1995

Baker, David N., Composer, professor of jazz

Baker, Edward L., Jr., Medal of Honor recipient; born in Wyoming

Baker, Ella, Civil rights, human rights activist starting in 1930s

Baker, Josephine, American expatriate and actress

Baker, Ulysses Hallard, Denver policeman and detective

Baker, Vernon, Last Living Black Medal of Honor Winner from WWII

Baker, William “Slim,” Colorado Slave Narrative

Baldwin, James, Writer

Ball, James Presley, Pioneered Black photography

Ball, Lance, Denver Bronco Player

Banks, Tamara, Denver television personality

Banks, Tyra The Tyra Banks Show premiered on September 12, 2005

Banneker, Benjamin, First Black named to a presidential commission

Bannister, Edward M., Painter

Barnes, Ernie, Painter

Barnes, Ernie, Artist and former player for Denver Broncos

Barrino, a Tried and True Diva

Barrett, Leonard, PHAMLy actor

Barry, Marion S. Jr., Four term Mayor of Washington, DC

Barry, Odell, Colorado’s first Black mayor, Northglen

Barthe, Richmond, Sculptor

Baskin, Inez, Covered sit-ins, cross burnings & bus rides, Montgomery AL with MLK, Jr.

Basquiat, Jean-Michel, Painter

Bates, Gladys, Educator Who Fought Tirelessly for Civil Rights

Baxter, Arthur R., Jr., Model, private detective

Baumfree, Isabella (Sojourner Truth), She is remembered for her work in the abolitionist and woman's rights movements.

Baylor, Don, Colorado Rockies manager, 1997-1999; Colorado Rockies hitting coach

Beals, Alan, Middle school student

Bean, Robbie Lee Dr.  , Founder of Lift Every Voice

Bearden, Romare, American Black artist and writer

Beckwourth, James P., Legendary mountain man; Denver resident in 1859

Bellamy, Bill, Comedian

Benjamin, Regina, M.D., U.S. Surgteon General, 2009-

Bennett, Estelle, Singer with the Ronettes

Berry, Chuck, American guitarist, singer and songwriter

Berta, Dina, Rocky Mountain News marketing columnist

Bethune, Mary McLeod, Educator and civil rights leader

Bethune, Thomas Green (Blind Tom),  Learned 7,000 pieces of music, mainly classical

betts, donnie l., Denver filmmaker

Bey, Dawoud, Photographer

Biden, Joseph, Jr., Vice-President of U.S., 2009-

Bieniemy, Eric, Hot Rant Inspired CU’S 1990 Championship

Biffle, Jerome C., Colorado’s first Olympic gold medalist

Big Freedia  Actress

Biggers, John, Muralist

Billups, Chauncey, Denver Nuggets basketball player

Bishop, Ezekiel, of the Denver East Football Team

Blackburn, Robert 1920-2003  Printmaker

Blair, Omar, Tuskegee airman; First Black president of Denver School Board

Blake, James Hubert “Eubie”, Composer, lyricist, pianist of ragtime jazz & popular music

Blanchard, Renee, Denver candidate for state legislature

Bland, Bobby “Blue,” American singer of blues and soul

Bland, James A., Musician and song writer including “O Dem Golden Slippers”

Bledsoe, Gary, President of The Texas Naacp

Bledsoe, Julius C., Baritone, first Black artist to gain regular employment on Broadway

Blige, Mary J., American rec ording artist, record producer and actress

Blomberg, Denice Washington, KPOF radio personality

Blount, Herman Poole, see Sun Ra

Bluford, Guion, NASA astronautBlythe-Perry, Sandra, Director of Inter-Faith Task Force

Bo, Eddie (Edwin Joseph Bocage), New Orleans R&B pianist and singer

Boatner, Edward, Composer of many concert arrangements of Negro spirituals

Bogans, Robert, Denver mayor’s security detail

Bok, Francis, Anti Slavery Activist 

Bol, Manute, Basket Ball Player and Activist

Bolden, Charles F., Jr., NASA astronaut; Chief of NASA

Bond, J. Max, Jr., One of a few Black architects of national prominence

Bonds, Margaret, Composer, pianist and musical director

Booker, Chakaie, Sculptor

Booker, Marvin l. possibly killed by jail guards

Bowman, Craig, Public school teacher and newspaper columnist

Boyd, Jesse Langston, Jr., Minister and civil rights leader; Shorter Community AME Church

Boyd, Wynn L., Composer

Bracken, James and Lil, 60th wedding anniversary

Bracket, Stephen, Mc/Songwriter

Bradford, Mark, Artist

Bradley, Jack, First Black member of the Denver Symphony Orchestra

Brashear, Carl M., First Black U.S. Navy Master Diver

Braun, Carol Mosley, Former Senator

Brewster, W. Herbert, Black Baptist minister, composer, dramatist, singer

Brice, Carleen, Denver novelist

Brisco, Ken, Mentor with Youth Options Program

Brodnax, Maceo, First Black Univ. of Denver basketball player; 1st Black referee at HS level

Brooke, Edward, First Black man elected U.S. Senator

Brooke, Richard Norris, Artist

Brooks, Shelton, Composer of “Some of These Days” for Sophie Tucker, 1911

Brown Albert Greenwood, convicted of abducting, raping and killing 15 year old Susan Jordan

Brown, Carlinhos, Singer, songwriter and percussionist from Brazil

Brown, Alisha, Community Leader

Brown, Aunt Clara, Early Colorado pioneer and heroine

Brown, Coco, Denver blues and gospel singer

Brown, Cris, Nominated for Three Academy Awards

Brown, Derrick, Senior VP Wells-Fargo Bank, jazz fushion vocalist & band leader

Brown, Ernest, Tap dancer

Brown, Frederick James, Artist

Brown, George L., First Black Lt. Gov. in U.S.; 1st Black CO state legislator

Brown, Jalil, Colorado Cornerback

Brown, James, American entertainer; “Godfather of Soul”

Brown, John, Civil War era abolitionist

Brown, Marion, Free Jazz Saxophonist   

Brown, Ronald H., Secretary, U.S. Commerce Department

Brown, Sunjia, Owner of Brown’s Palace child-care, Denver

Brown-White, Carneice, She used a peanut character to teach history and nutrition

Bruce, Blanche K., Second Black to be elected to the U.S. Senate

Bruno, Austin, Homeless

Bruton, David

Bryant, Kobe, Basketball player for Los Angeles Lakers; Olympian

Buchanan, Lucille Berkeley, First Black female graduate of Univ. of CO-Boulder, 1918

Buckhalter, Correll, Broncos running back

Buckley, Vikki, Colorado Secretary of State

Buckner, Rev. Dr. Janice, Founded Ambassadors for Christ Journey Through Love

Bufford, Henry, Colorado Slave Narrative

Bunch, John, Jazz Pianist

Bunch III, Lonnie,

Bunche Ralph J.

Burel, Alex

Burgess, Denise, President, Burgess Services; Chair, DURA

Burks, Alec, U of C Basketball Player

Burke, Solomon, American Grammy-winning singer and songwriter

Burleigh, Harry Thacker, Classical composer, arranger and professional singer

Burks, Alec, Basketball Player

Burns, Ursula M. Xerox’s New Chief

Burrell, Charlie, Denver contrabass player; One of first Blacks in major U.S. symphony

Burris, Roland, U.S. Senator from Illinois

Burrows, Chelsye J., VP programming, Starz Entertainment

Burroughs, Margaret, Linocut artist

Butcher, Harriet, Denver tap dancer

Butler, Gin, Denver diversity facilitator

Butler, Octavia E., Science fiction writer

Byrd, Cuthbert, Saxophonist with George Morrison, Sr. Orchestra, Denver

Caesar, Shirley, Minister and gospel rock-and-roll singer

Calderon, Lisa M., Legal and social policy direcdtor

Caldwell, Byron S., Director of Peace Corps, Nigeria, 1966-1972

Caldwell, Elvin R., Sr., First Black to serve on Denver City Council

Caldwell, Elvin R. Jr.  President and General Manager of Caldwell-Kirk Mortuary

Calloway, Marie Johnson, Black artist whose paintings based on her memories of South

Cam’ron, Harlem NY-raised rapper

Camby, Marcus, Former Denver Nugget

Campbell, Thomas, Founder and editor of The Denver Independent, orator, organizer, politician

Canada, Geoffrey, Education Activist

Carr, Sam, Delta blues drummer

Carroll, Terrance, Colorado State Representative; Pastor of New Horizon Community Church

Carroll, Troy,

Carter, Jennifer, Gets probation

Carter, John, Doo-wop falsetto with the Flamingos and the Dells

Carter, John Jazz clarinetist, composer and improviser

Carter, Ron, Jaz double-bassist

Carver, George Washington, Educator

Cary, Samuel Edward, Colorado’s first Black attorney

Catlett, Elizabeth, American sculptor and printmaker

Caturia, Alejandro Garcia, Composer of art music and Cuban themes

Cephas, John, Piedmont style guitarist

Chambers, Stephen, Composer

Chambers, Lloyd B. Systems Analyst for IBM

Chapman, Combus Javad “CJ” Chappie”

Chapman, Walter, Colorado Slave Narrative

Charles, Michael Ray, Painter

Charles, Ray, Singer and musician

Cheadle, Don, Hollywood actor; graduate of Denver’s East High School

Checkers, Chubby, Musician

Cheek, James E., Led Howard University amid unrest

Chenault, Kenneth, American Express Chief Executive

Childs, Paul, Denver disabled teen shot to death by police officer

Chinua, Achebe, Nigerian Born Novelist

Chisholm, U.S. Rep. Shirley, Ran for U.S. President in 1972

Clady, Ryan, Denver Bronco football player

Claret, Maurice, Tried out for Omaha Nighthawks

Clark, Alton, Candidate for Denver School Board

Clark, Anna, Colorado Slave Narrative

Clark, Claude, Painter, printmaker

Clark, Edgar Rogie, Composer

Clark, Willie Denver Bronco, guilty in slaying

Clifford, J.R., First Black attorney licensed in West Virginia; civil rights activist

Clifton, Lucille Poet who explored the intricacies of black lives

Clingman, James E. Writer on Economic Empowerment

Clinkscales, Luvenia, Celebrates 100 Years

Clayton, Ronnequa uses Florence Crittenton Services

Clyburn, James, U. S. Representative

Coates, Eddie O., Sr. and Minnie M., Celebrate 55th wedding anniversary

Cobbins, Ryan, Owner and operator of “Coffee at the Point” 

Cohen, Charles Cecil, Composer, Howard U, involved in 1939 appearance of Marian Anderson

Cohen-Vader, Cheryl, Former Denver Bronco football player

Coke, Evelyn, Home care aide fought pay rule

Coker, William, Glenarm YMCA; Kappa Tower

Cole, Freddy, Jazz pianist

Cole, Luke, Court advocate for minorities

Cole J. Rapper

Cole, Natalie, Singer

Cole, T.J., Boulder County magistrate

Cole, Willie, Sculptor

Coleridge-Taylor, Samuel, Afro-British composer, conductor, professor

Colescott, Robert, American figurative painter

Collette, Buddy, Musician Who Played With the Jazz Greats Dies

Collett, Wayne Olympian runner

Coltrane, Ravi, Tenor-saxophonist

Colvin, Claudette, Montgomery AL bus activist nine months before Rosa Parks incident

Conley, Terence, Jazz pianist; former member of Count Basie Orchestra

Conner, Byron, M.D., Denver internal medicine doctor

Cook, LaVerne, Volunteer and Giving Person

Cook, Will Marion, Composer and violinist

Cooke, Sam, American gospel, R&B, soul, pop singer, songwriter

Cooper, Victor, KUVO disc jockey

Cordero, Roque, Composer

Cosby, Bill, Actor, humorist

Cousins, Charles “Brother”, Five Points real estate investor; son of Charles Cousins   Cousins, Charles Lilburn, Denver contractor;, real estate investor

Cowan, Norris, Civil rights activist in Aurora

Craig, Aaron, Sells repaired vacuum cleaners in North Park Hill area

Craig, Lula Mae, First of 100 Black homesteaders, 11 miles from Manzanola, CO, 1915

Craig, Rolan, Among first Blacks to live in Otero County; obituary

Crawford, Hank, Jazz and soul saxophonist

Crews, Terry, Actor

Crite, Allan Rohan, Painter

Cruter, Gilbert, Second African-American athlete at University of Colorado

Cruz, Emilio, Painter

Cullen, Countee, American romantic poet

Cummings, Michael, Textile artist

Cunningham, Arthur, Composer and pianist

Cunningham, Evelyn Civil Rights Journalist

Cutler, Jay, Quarterback (Bears)

Dailey, Mike, Coach of Colorado Rush

Daniels, Lee, Film director           

Daniel, Judge Wiley Y., First Black to be named chief judge at U.S. District Court of CO

Daniels, Tosha, Homecoming queen, Colorado School for Deaf and Blind

Davis, Allison, Educator and psychologist “Dr.”

Davis, Angela, Civil rights and prison reform activist

Davis, Artur, U.S. Representative, D-Alabama

Davis, August playwright

Davis, Danny, Chicago Mayoral Candidate

Davis, General Benjamin O., Sr., First Black  U.S. general

Davis, Hiawatha, Denver District 8 councilman

Davis, Miles, American Trumpeter, Bandleader, and Composer

Davis, Pam, U.S. West installation & maintenance technician

Davis, Robert, Suspect in death of teacher Emily Johnson

Davis, Sammy, Jr., Singer and entertainer

Davis, Shani, speed skater

Davis, Willie Baseball player for Los Angeles Dodgers

Davis, Ulysses, Barber and folk art sculptor

Dawkins, Brian, Denver Bronco safety

Dawson, Andre, Elected to hall of fame, National League most valuable player

Dawson, George, Dallas TX author at age 102

Dawson, William R., Composer

Deauphin, Jean-Prosper Sings songs about despair and redemption

DeCarava, Roy, Harlem photographer

De La Hoya, Oscar Professional boxer  Olympic gold medal champion

Delaney, Beauford, Painter

Demmer, Patrick, Senior Pastor Over Graham Memorial Church of God in   Christ

Dennis, Evie, Ph.D., Denver Public Schools Superintendent & U.S. Olympic Committee VP

Denny, Ruth, Denver civil rights activist, CORE

Denver, General James William, For whom City of Denver is named

Dett, Robert Nathaniel, Composer

Dia, Omar, African immigrant killed at Denver bus stop, November 1997

Dia, Tidiane, Mountain Vista Soccer Player

Dial, Thornton, Sr. Folk artist

Diddley, Bo, Founding father of rock ‘n roll

Dismukes-Sharp, Helen Marie King Johnson, Pioneer Black Denver teacher

Diton, Carl, Composer

Dixie Cups, Popular R&B group

Dixon, Bill, Avant-Garde Jazz

Dixon, Susani N.H., Director of Diversity, Holland & Hart law firm, Denver

Dodson, Antoine Star in musical video

Domingo, Colman, Actor

Domino, Fats, R&B singer

Dorsett, Tony, Denver Bronco football player

Douglas, Aaron, Painter

Douglas, Emory, Minister of Culture, Black Panther Party

Douglass, Frederick, American abolitionist, editor, orator, author

Dow, Harold Emmy Winning Reporter

DuBois, Jess, Five Points and Estes Park artist

Du Bois,  William Edward Burghardt (W.E.B.), Sociologist, founder of N.A.A.C.P.

Dupree, Cornelius, Jr., Texas Prision Inmate 

Doyle, Woody, Actor and Singer

Dullan, Elva Lena Jones, R.N., First Black employee of Denver Visiting Nurses Assoc., 1948

Dumile, Daniel, Nonconformist rapper

Dunbar, Paul Laurence, American poet, late 19th &  early 20th centuries; brief Denver resident

Dunbar, Rudolph, Composer

Duncan, Patricia M., Denver photographer

Duncanson, Robert Scott, Painter

Dunham, Katherine, Choreographer, 1909-2000

Dunlap, Erica, Miss America, 2004

Dunlap, Paul, Boxer

Du Sable, Jean Baptiste Pointe, Founder of what became City of Chicago Duvaliers, Jean-Claude Dictator of Haiti

Dwight, Ed, Denver sculptor; astronaut

Eaglin, Snooks R & B Singer and Guitarist

Easley, Nate, Denver School Board President

Edmonson, William, Sculptor

Edwards, Melvin, Sculptor

Eikerenkoetter, The Rev. Frederick j. II    aka Reverend Ike

Ekundayo, Ashra, Founded Pan African Arts Society

El De Barge First Record in 16 Years Released

Elba, Idris  Star Of HBO Special

Ellington, Duke, Composer, pianist, bandleader

Ellison, Ralph Waldo, Scholar and writer

Ellison, Walter, Painter

Embree, Jon, U of C Football Coach  

Ensley, Charles, Labor Leader and Union Critic

Epps, Archie C. III, Harvard University Dean of Students, 1971-1999

Eubanks, Kevin, Musical Director of Tonight Show and Musician

Evans, Albert, Ballet

Evans, Minnie, Folk artist in crayon

Evers, Medgar, Civil rights activist murdered in 1963

Ewing, Lawrence K., United Way Director of Campaign & Donor Relations

Exline, Brittany, Colo. Springs, 15, Youngest Black female ever accepted to Ivy League school

Fairey, Shepard, Artist is facing criminal charges over his use of Obama photo

Falls, Rev. Josephine, Denver Police Department chaplain

Fard, Brother Jeff, Denver Community Activist

Father Devine, Black spiritual leader

Farrakhan Louis, Nation of Islam’s Leader Minister

Fax, Mark, Composer

Fenty, Adrian mayor of d. c.    

Ferguson, Amos, Bahamian folk artist

Fetchit, Stepin (Lincoln Theodore Monroe Andrew Perry) First Black movie star millionaire

Fields, Arnold  Retired Military

Fields, Rhonda, Son slain before he could testify in a court case

Fields, Ronald, Bronco nose tackle

Fisher, Marian, “Miss Congeniality” at 60 years Old

Fischer, William, Composer

Flanigan, Judge James C., Colorado’s first Black judge

Ford, Barney, Early Colorado/Wyoming pioneer and businessman

Ford, Harold, Former Tennessee congressman

Ford, Justin, Denver Youth of the Year, 2009

Ford, Justina L., M.D., Pioneer Black Denver female doctor

Foreman, Bishop Kevin J., Pastor, Urban Word Church International

Forrest, Vernon, Boxing champion

Fortson, Thomas, President of Promise Keepers

Foster, William P. A Musical Innovator

Francois, Margaret, Loving mother, wife grandmother

Franklin, Aretha, American singer, songwriter and pianist; :”Queen of Soul”

Franklin, John Hope, Historian and scholar of life in the South

Frazier, Joe, Professional boxer

Frazier, Paul, Jr., Student, George Washington High School, Denver

Frazier, Ryan, Aurora CO City Councilman

Freeman, Dan, Denver Musician

Fuller, Meta Warrick, Sculptor

Fuller, Tia, Aurora CO saxophonist

Gaffney, Jabar, Broncos wide receiver

Gaffin, Rainey Legacy Team Softball Pitcher   

Gaines, Lloyd, Supreme Court ruled 1938 that he to be admitted to Missouri law school

Gallagher, Ellen, Painter

Gandhi, Arun, Grandson of Mahatma Gandi

Gardner, Chris, Motivational speaker

Gash, Eugene, First native-born Coloradoan to perform at Carnegie Hall

Gaskins, Eric, Fashion Designer

Gaskin, James C., Veterans Hospitals administrator

Gates, Henry Louis, Jr.   Black scholar at Harvard University

Gatewood, Don, Montbello track coach

Gavin, Kathryn, She mails greeting cards to people who do good things

Gaye, Marvin, American singer, songwriter and instrumentalist

Gebregeorgis, Yohannes, Founded Denver-based Ethiopia Reads

Gibson, Althea, Professional tennis play; First Black to play at Forest Hills

Gibson, Josh, Negro League baseball player

Gillcrest, Cookie, Bronco Player

Gill, Samuel, Colorado Symphone bassist

Gillespie, andre, Dentist at Little teeth Dentistry

Gilliam, Sam, Painter

Gipson, Bernard, M.D., 1st Black board-certified surgeon in CO; 1st chief of surgery  Lowry   AFB

Gipson, Ernestine Wallace Social Worker and Community Leader

Glass, Luther, Candidate for Denver City Council

Goins, Faith, Graduate of Aurora Central HS

Goldberg, Whoopi, Actress and television personality

Golston, Allan, President of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, U.S. program

Gomes, Aijalon American English Teacher

Goodman, Andre, Denver Bronco cornerback

Gordon, Armedia, Division Chief, Den Police Dept.; highest ranking Black woman in police hist

Gordon, Russell T., Printmaker

Gosnell, Kermit, Dr. Abortion Doctor

Graham, Renisha, Saved child from near-drowning

Granderson, Curtis signs his $30.25 million contract

Graves, Anthony, Denver community activist

Graves, Marvin “Hench,” Denver R&B singer

Gray, Emma Daniel, Charwoman at The White House under six presidents

Gray, George, Mason & Commander, Wallace Simpson American Legion Post

Greeley, Julia, Former slave; Den resident; namesake of Julia Greeley Scholarship Award

Green, Al, American gospel and soul singer

Green, Marlon, Continental honors its first black pilot

Green, Micah, Colorado prep baseball player

Green, Michael, Texas Inmate Cleared

Green, Renee, Installation artist

Greene, Myrtle Rose, Real estate developer

Greenwood, Marie Anderson, First Black teacher under contract, Denver      Public Schools, 1938

Greer, Robert, Denver novelist, pathologist and professor at UCHSC

Greer, Tanya, Blood Donor

Gregory, Frederick Drew, NASA astronaut

Grier, Pam,  Actress and Denver native

Griffin, John, Spirit of the Black 14

Groff, Peter, First Black President of Colorado State Senate

Guenveur, Roger, Actor and playwright

Guerrero, Artie, Receives Civil Rights Award

Guerrero, Vladimir, Veteran Outfielder Texas Rangers

Gunnell, John T., First Black legislator in Colorado

Guru, Born Kieth Elam  “Rapper”

Guy, Buddy, Chicago’s “king of the blues”

Hackley, E. Azalia Smith, 1867-1922 Singer – Social Activist

Hackley, Edwin Henry  1859-1940 Poet, Playwright, Activist

Haddock, Doris, (Granny D) Cross-country walker

Haggan, Mario, Denver Bronco Linebacker

Haley, Alex, Author of “Roots”

Hall, Frederick Douglass,

Hall, Henry, “Denver patriarch at age 106 in 1945”

Hamilton, Tanya, “Night Catches Us” Director

Hamlet, Patricia, mother of four

Hamlin, Ken, Colorado syndicated Black talk-show radio host and columnist

Hammons, David, Installation artist

Hancock, Michael, Urban League of Metro Denver and Denver City Councilman

Hancock, Trenton Doyle, Creator of prints, drawings and felt collages

Handy, William Christopher “W.C.”, Blues composer and musician; Father of the Blues

Hanner, Moses, Colorado Slave Narrative

Hansen, Austin, Harlem photographer for six decades

Hardin, William Jefferson, Colorado spokesman for racial justice

Harding, Vincent, Black historian and civil rights activist

Hardison, Li, Denver sculptor

Hardrick, John Wesley, Painter

Harrell, Judge Al, Denver County Court judge

Harrington, Al,  Denver Nuggets Forward

Harris, Barry, Bebop pianist; Barry Harris Trio

Harris, Bernard Anthony, Jr., NASA astronaut

Harris, Bill, Director, Univ. of Colorado Alumni C-Club

Harris, Charles, Colorado Slave Narrative

Harris, E. Lynn, Novelist of gay Black men’s lives

Harris, Marcus Jr.  Track Star, fastest freshman in the nation

Harris, Susan, Colorado Slave Narrative

Harris, Verne V., Public Realty Co., Five Points, Denver

Harrison, EmilynK.  Actress  

Harvey, Lt. Col. James H. III, Original Tuskegee Airman; Denver resident

Hathaway, Donny, American soul musician

Hatten, Keith L., Actor

Hawkins, Walter (Bishop) Passed on July 11, 2010

Haydenh, Palmer, Painter

Hayes, Dora, Celebrates her 100th birthday, 2008

Hayes, Isaac, Singer and songwriter

Haynes, Alberta “Happy”, Denver City Council; President of, Liason to

Haysbert, Raymond V. Sr. Civic Leader  

Heath, William, Electric Tech

Height, Dorothy Irene, National Council of Negro Women, Civil Rights Leader,
03-24-12-04-20-10 Dorothy Irene Height (March 24, 1912 – April 20, 2010)[

Hendricks, Jimi

Henry, Shonnetta, Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year

Henry, Travis, Former member of Denver Broncos

Henson, Matthew Alexander, Explorer and associate of Robert Peary

Herenton, Willie M., First elected Black mayor of Memphis TN

Herod, Leslie, President of Colorado Black Women for Political Action

Herriman, George, Writer, illustrator, cartoonist

Hibbert, Toots, Dka and roots reggae singer

Hickenlooper, John, Mayor of Denver

Hicks, Betina, Colorado Springs  nurse

Hicks, Butch, First minority elected to Westminster CO City Council

Hicks, Brian Kenneth, Gang Kingpin Found Guilty

Hicks, Israel Great Director Dies

Hicks, Robert Leader in armed rights group

Hicks, Rev. Harold,  Mount Carmel Community Church

Higgins, Cory, UofC Basketball Player

Hill, Angel, Forest City, Inc. Stapleton receptionist

Hill, Hugh Morgan, Storyteller known as “Brother Blue”

Hill, Jon Michael, Actor

Hill, Lauryn, Female Rapper

Hill, Renaldo   NFL Veteran

Hill-Young, Kathy, Founder Lowry Family Resource Center

Hilliard, Patsy Jo, Mayor of East Point, Georgia, 1993-2005; graduate of Manual High School

Hines, Gregory, Actor and dancer

Holch, Arthur, Maker of Documentaries   

Holder, Eric H., First Black U.S. Attorney General, 2009-

Holiday, Billie, Jazz singer and songwriter

Hollines, Harry, Manual High School and DU basketball player, 1960s

Hollis, Courtney, East High Cheer Leader 

Holloway, Tammi Terrell, Stapleton Development Corp. General Counsel

Hollis, Curtis

Holmes, Dr. Clarence, D.D.S., Denver dentist and co-founder of Colorado NAACP, 1914

Holmes, Derrick M., Denver watchmaker

Honeywood, Varnette Narritive Artist of Black Life

Hood, Willis, Colorado Slave Narrative

Hooker, John Lee, American post-war blues singer, guitarist and songwriter

Hooks, Benjamin, revives NAACP

Horne, Lena, Singer and actress

Horton, Gladys Co-Founder Motown Marvelettes

Houston, Charles Hamilton, Attorney, Dean of Howard Univ. Law School, NAACP Litigation Dir

Houston, Whitney, American recording artist and actress

Howard, Jeffrey, University of Denver Executive Director of Alumni Relations

Howell, Elizabeth, Celebrates 110th birthday, 2008

Howlin’ Wolf, American blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player

Hubbard, Freddie, Jazz musician

Hudson, Jennifer, singer, Actress, Weight Watchers Reprehensive

Hughes, Eric and Ernest,  Denver relatives of Booker T. Washington

Hughes, Langston, American poet, novelist, playwright

Humphrey, U.S. Senator Hubert H., United States Senator from Minnesota

Humphrey, Ian, Earns Spot at Public Speaking Championship

Hunt, Melvin, Nuggets Assistance Coach

Hunt, Richard, Sculptor

Hunter, Alberta, American blues singer, songwriter and nurse

Hunter, Clementine, Self-taught artist

Hurston, Zona Neale, Harlem Renaissance writer and anthropologist

Hutton-Howard, Angela, Executive Director, Aurora Education Foundation

Hysaw, Niishia, Denver student

Ingram, Ben see Moore, Alfreda Ingram

Irabagon, Jon, Alto saxophonist

Isaacs, Gregory   Singer and Song Writer

Isley, Marvin, Bassist in Family R&B Band

Ivory, Ron, Denver musician

Jackson, Angela, Chicago novelist and poet

Jackson, Bob, Rocky Mountain News journalist

Jackson, Celeste, Denver Public Library spokeswoman

Jackson, Elmer, President, Jackson, Ashby, Goldstine

Jackson, Evelyn

Jackson, Hue, Head Coach, Raiders

Jackson, Imogene

Jackson, James W., Colorado Slave Narrative

Jackson, Jesse Jr. U. S. Representative

Jackson, The Rev. Jesse, Civil rights activist, PUSH

Jackson, Jean, Sr. Community Relations Consultant, Denver Commission on Aging

Jackson, Jim, Director, MLK, Jr. Recreation Center

Jackson, Mahalia, Black gospel singer

Jackson, Michael Entertainer

Jackson, Nathan Lewis, Playwright

Jackson, Oliver T., Founder of Dearfield, Colorado, 1910

Jackson, Stew, Musician

Jackson, Vernsa, Denver milliner

Jackson, Wanda, Fought for Jobs for Blacks   

Jacobs, TaRosa, Fashion creator from thrift shop items

James, Etta, American blues, R&B, sock & roll, gospel and jazz singer

James, LeBron, Basketball star

Jarrett, Valerie, Adviser to President Barack Obama

Jay-Z, Music rapper

Jean-Juste, The Rev., Catholic priest championing Haitian rights in U.S.

Jefferson, Frances E., Regional administrator, Women’s Bureau, UWS Dept. of Labor

Jefferson, Mildred, Anti-abortion Activist

Jefferson, Major Perry H., Intelligence officer, Colorado Air National Guard

Jefferson, Tim, U.S. Air Force Academy football player

Jefferson, William, Former U.S. Representative, Louisiana

Jemison, Mae Carol, First Black woman to travel in space; astronaut

Jennings, Paul, Freed slave, first person to put White House recollections in a memoir

Jennings, Rich, Colorado Comcast Regional Vice President

Jessye, Eva, Composer

Johnson, Bill, Rocky Mountain News columnist

Johnson, Christine, President, Community College of Denver

Johnson, eunice

Johnson, Hall, Composer

Johnson, Jack, First Black World’s Champion heavyweight boxer

Johnson, James P., Pioneering pianist

Johnson, James Weldon, Served as NAACP Secretary for 13 years

Johnson, Jeh C. Pentagon Lawyer  

Johnson, John H., Founder and President, Johnson Publishing company, Chicago

Johnson, John Rosamund, Composer

Johnson, Joshua, First Black painter to make his living by painting, folk artist

Johnson, Kenny, Operates Neighborhood KJ’S Coffee Bar

Johnson, Magic  Lakers Player

johnson, Marsha, Council Woman

Johnson, Nneka, Denver Events Department

Johnson, Rebekah, Dancer

Johnson, Robert, Blues guitarist

Johnson, Sargent, Sculptor

Johnson, Skeet, Colorado State Public Defender’s Office

Johnson, William “Judy”, Third baseman, Negro Baseball League

Johnson, William H., Painter

Johnson, Wycliffe, Reggae composer and producer known as Steely

Johnston, Michael, Colorado Senate Dist. 13 legislator

Jones, Bill T., American choreographer

Jones, Dwight, Colorado Commissioner of Education, 2007-

Jones, Frederick McKinley, Black inventor

Jones, Hank, Postwar jazz pianist

Jones, Larry Denver Rockets Star

Jones, Leyard C., First Black to be apptd to U.S. Treasury Dept in Colorado, 1934

Jones, Lois Mailou, Black artist and teacher

Jones, Lucille Berkley, First Black female graduate of Univ of Colorado-Boulder

Jones, Luther, Sculptor

Jones III, Perry, Baylor’s 6’ 11’’ 235 lbs Freshman

Jones, Quincy, Musician, composer, producer, arranger

Jones, Judge Raymond Dean, “first minority judge in Colorado”

Jones, Sharon, The Retro Soul Queen

Jones, Stephanie Tubbs, U.S. Representative from Ohio

Jones, Uriel, Motowm drummer

Jones, Pastor Vernon, Candidate for Denver School Board

Joplin, Scott, Composer

Jordan, Barbara, U.S. Representative

Jordan, Judge Claudia J., First Black county court judge in Colorado, 1994

Jordan, Grace Jordan, Civil rights activist, teacher, administrator, consultant

Joseph, Marc Bamuthi, Dancer and hip-hopper

Julian, Percy Lavon, Chemist

Kaiser, Jim and Kathryn, Attended Volunteers of America Western Fantasy ‘99

Kalu, Anthonia, Professor, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley

Kanani, Bazi, Denver Channel 9 TV anchor

Kang, Sean, Michael Jackson fan

Karl, George, Nuggets Basketball Player

Karl, George, Nuggetts, Coach

Katz, Dick, Jazz pianist, record producer, educator, writer

Kawhi, Leonard, Played Basketball for San Diego

Kay, Ulysses Simpson, Composer

Keasley, Alphonse, Actor

Kee, Samantha, Athlete

Keeton, Charmaine DPS Administrator @ Hallett Fundamental Academy

Keith, Tom, Comments on Poverty In Aurora

Kelley, Barbara, Denver attorney, Executive Director of the state department of regulatory agencies

Kelly, Andrew J., Celebrated 102nd birthday

Kelly, The Rev. Leon, Open Door Youth Gang Ministries, Denver

Kelly, Leon Sr. Preacher

Kennedy, Ralph, Director of Research and Evaluation Center for African American Health Inc.

Kerr, Thomas Henderson, Jr., Composer

King, B.B., American blues guitarist, singer, songwriter

King, The Rev. Bernice, First female president of South Christian Leadership Conference

King, Rev Bernice MLK’S Daughter

King, Coretta Scott, Wife of The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

King, The Rev. Martin Luther, Jr., Civil rights activist; including Memorial on National Mall, D.C.

King, Martin Luther King III, Son of The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

King, Seth, Medical Technician and Barber

King, Willie, Alabama blues singer and guitarist

King Family Photographs, Denver family

Kirk, Andy, Saxophonist with George Morrison, Sr., Denver orchestra; Twelve Clouds of Joy

Kirk, Ron, Former Dallas mayor; U.S. trade representative

Kitt, Eartha, Broadway singer and actress

Kizla, Mark  Denver Post Columnist  

Knight, Gladys, American R&B, soul singer, songwriter, actress; “Empress of Soul”

Knight,Joyselyn, Medical Assistant

Knight, Marie, Gospel singer

Kuti, Fela Anikulapo, Patriarch of Afrobeat music

La Belle, Patti, Singer

Lacks, Hentietta Poor and largely illiterate Virginia tobacco farmer

Lacabe, Al, Denver Manager of Safety

Ladd, Carla, Denver Black Pages.com founder

Lamb, Alice, Colorado Slave Narrative

Lambert, Lucien, Composer

Lane, George, Denver Post reporter

Laney, Lucy Craft, Educator

Lanier, Alaynah, Grandview Guard

Lanier, Carlotta Walls, One of the Little Rock Nine; see also Little Rock Nine

Lash, James, Denver artist

Lashawn, Lea Actress

Lawrence, Jacob, Artist

Lawson, Sonny, Denver community leader and business owner

Lebron, James, and his Alter Ego Star in Internet Animated Series

Lee, Consuela Marant, Yolanda, Singer

Lee, Debra l. CEO and Chairwoman Betts networks

Lee, Eric, Ph.D. 

Lee, Mary Louise, Actress, Singer

Lee, Spike, Movie producer

Lee, William F.

Lee-Smith, Hughie, Black painter

Legend, John, Musician

Leonard, “Sugar Rae”, Boxer

Llewellyn, Bruce Harlem Born Entrepreneur Worth Millions

Lewis, Billy, University of Colorado-Boulder Athletic Hall of Fame, basketball, track and field

Lewis, Edmonia,  Sculptor

Lewis, Joe, Professional boxer

Lewis, John, U.S. Representative

Lewis, John, Composer

Lewis, John Henry, Colorado Slave Narrative

Lewis, Junius R., Partner in Golden Chest Mining Company

Lewis, Norman, Black Abstract Expressionist artist, d. 1979

Lewis, Richard, Founder, pres. And CEO of RTL Networks, IT svcs

Lewis, Virginia, Listed in 1900 Cherrelyn, Arapahoe County, CO census

Lightner, Lawrence H., Supreme commander of American Woodmen

Ligon, Glenn, Painter

Lincoln, abbey, great Singer

Lindsay, Matt, Denver Thomas Jefferson High School linebacker

Lindsey, Dottie, rppc undated

Lil Wayne, Influential rapper

Little, Brandon, Broncos Wide Receiver

Little, Floyd, Bronco running back, 1967-1975

Little, Kate, Colorado Slave Narrative

Little Richard, American singer, songwriter and pianist

Lloyd, Brandon, Broncos Wide Receiver

Llewellyn J. Bruce, Prominent Black Business Man

Locke, Alain, First Black Rhodes scholar; book introduced the Harlem Renaissance

Lofton, Kevin, Chair, American Hospital Board of Trustees; Pres. & CEO Catholic Health Init.

Long, Eddie (Bishop) Pastor

Loper, Frank, Colorado Slave Narrative

Lori, Porter,  Aurora CO singer and songwriter

Love, Darlene, American popular music singer

Lovejoy, Mike, Denver International Airport massage service

Lowry, Lt. Francis B., Only Denver aviator to die in WWI; Graduate of Manual HS, 1913

Lucas, Maurice, N. B. A.  Star

Lucie, Lawrence, Rhythm guitarist for jazz greats

Lloyd, Brandon, Broncos Wide Receiver

Lutalo, Ojore, Suing Police in La Junta, CO

Lyle, Ron, World No. 2 boxing heavyweight, 1975

Lynn, Bertha, Denver TV news anchor

Lyons, Rev. Dr. Sandy Leon   Minister

Maal, Baaba Senegalese Singer

Mac, Bernie, Comedian

Mackie, Anthony played in “Night Catches Us”

Madison, Carla, Denver City Council

Malcolm X, Fiery prophet of the 1950s

Malone, Herman, Former chair Natl Black Chamber of Commerce, author

Mance, Julian Clifford “Junior”, Jazz Musician

Malveaux, Julianne, Writer for The Voice

Mandela, Nelson, South Africa statesman

Mann, Earl W., First Black legislator elected in Colorado after 1900

Manuel, James J., Colorado Slave Narrative

Manning, Frankie, Master of Lindy Hope, swing-era dance

Marable, Dr. Manning, Professor of ethnic studies, University of Colorado-Boulder, 1989-1993

Marcelle, Oliver Hazzard, One of greatest players in Colorado baseball & Negro League history

Margetson, Edward, Composer

Marie, Rene, Denver singer

Marie, Teena, R & B Artist

Marley, Bob, Jamaican singer, songwriter and musician

Maroney, Laurence, Arrested in St Louis

Marsalis, Branford, Tenor saxophone; Branford Marsalis Quartet

Marsalis, Winston, Jazz musician

Marsalis, Wynton, Jazz Musician

Marshall, Brandon, Denver Broncos receiver

Marshall, Kerry James, Installation artist

Marshall, Paule, Author

Marshall, Rosemary, Colorado State Representative

Martin, The Rev. Paul, Macedonia Baptist Church

Mason, Judi Ann, Playwright for stage and screen

Massop, Harold, Architect

Matson, Ollie, Chicago Cardinals

Matzeliger, Jan, Patented a shoe-lasting machine

Marvelettes, Motown Singing Group

Maxwell, R&B singer

Maxwell, Jessie, “First Black principal in Denver”

Mayfield, Curtis, American soul, R&B, funk singer, songwriter, record producer

Mays, Willie, Baseball player

McClain, Thomas Ernest, First Black dentist to practice in Colorado

McCloud, Buris, Denver Black photographer, 1945-1985

McCraney, Tarell Alvin, Playwright

McDaniel, Hattie, Denver resident; Oscar for her portrayal in 1939 “Gone With The Wind”

McDonald, Kate, Colorado Slave Narrative

McDonald, Lacey, Denver Thomas Jefferson High School linebacker

McDonald, Vance and Ann, President, Blackiston & Decker, Inc.

McKenzie, Vashti Murphy, First female Bishop of AME Church, Denver

McKinley, Kenny,

McMean, The Rev. James H., New Jerusalem Mission Baptist Church, Fountain CO

McMillan, Terry, Novelist

Meek, Kendrick B. Leading Democrat in Florida’s race for open senate seat 2010

McNair, Ronald Ervin, Ph.D., NASA astronaut

McPhatter, Clyde, Rhythm and blues singer

McQueen, Daniel Mullen Defensive Lineman

McVey, Kennie “Sticks”, Five Points orchestra leader

McWilliams, Irene A., W.P.A. music teacher, musician, churchwoman

Mehretu, Julie, Arrtist

Mengestu, Dinaw, Novelist   

Mercer, Johnny

Micheaux, Oscar, First Hollywood Black film maker

Mickens, Frank, Principal, Brooklyn NY Boys and Girls High School          

Miguel, R&B Singer

Mikal,  6 Year Old Artist

Miles, Mike Superintendent of Harrison D2

Miles, Ron, Musician and Assistant Professor of Music

Miller, Doris, Ship’s Cook 3d Class, USN; First Black sailor in WWII to receive   Navy Cross

Miller, Hazel, Denver blues and jazz vocalist

Miller, Keith,

Minaj, Nicki   Winner of BET Award

Mitchell, Arlander, Boy preacher, son of Dr. G.H. Mitchell, national evangelist

Mitchell, Willie

Monceaux, Morgan, Baltimore, MD artist

Monk, Thelonious, Jazz Artist

Montgomery, Marv Bronco Player

Moody, James, Jazz Saxophonist

Moody-Adamns, Michele,First Black dean of Columbia College, NYC

Moore, Alfreda Ingram and Ben Ingram, 1918 Mississippi slaying

Moore, Greg L., Editor, The Denver Post

Moore, Jessica A. Died Saving Her Friend’s Life

Moore, Melba

Moore, Nina Henderson, Chair, Denver Starz Film Festival

Moore, Sam, American Southern soul & R&B singer

Moore, Zona, Owner, Zona’s Cafeteria, Five Points

Moran, Jason, Jazz pianist

Morgan, Frank, Jazz saxophonist

Morgan-Smith, Syl, First Black TV news anchor woman in Colorado

Morrison, George and Family, Denver musician and orchestra leader

Morrison-Sloan, Simone, Denver  East High School class president

Mosby, Andrea, Candidate for Denver School Board

Moses, Haven and Joyce, Former Denver Bronco football player

Mosley, Edna Wilson, First Black member of Aurora CO City Council

Mosley, John, Tuskegee Airman

Mosley, Walter

Motley, Archibald, Painter

Mourning, Myrna, Volunteers of America Guild President

Mr. Magic, Disc jockey and voice for hip-hop

Muhammad, John, Convicted sniper attacker, Washington, D.C. area, 2002

Murdock, Marissa Reigning Jr. Miss Colorado World 2010

Murphy, Eddie, Hollywood actor

Murray, Conrad, Michael Jackson’s Doctor

Murray, Darius, Partially paralyzed in shooting with Aurora police, 2009

Murrell, Charles, Jr. “Chuck”; One of first Black law enforcement officers in Colorado

Murrell, Johnnie, Deacon, Friendship Baptist Church

Muse, Reynelda, First female and Black TV news anchor in Colorado

Nation Council of Negro Women

Naves, Larry J. Chief Presiding Judge of Denver District Court

Needham, James Bolivar, Black painter who documented his 60 years in Chicago

Neal, Gloria, Denver radio personality

Neguse, Joe, University of Colorado Regent;Law student

Nelson, Charleszine “Terry” Resource Manager for the BCLibrary

Nene, Denver Nuggett  

Nesbit, Eric broker of year – Colorado Commercial Association of Realtors

Newman, David (Fathead), Jazz & R&B saxophonist

Newton, Cam   Heisman Trophy Network

Ngwenya, Malangatana Mozambican Painter

Nickelson, Jeffrey founder of Shadow Theatre

Nickerson, Camile Lucie, Composer

Nkululeko, Jahsi and Niko, Aurora CO brothers

Noel, Edmond F. “Buddy”, Denver attorney; son of Rachel Noel

Noel, Rachel, First Black member Denver School Board; 1st Black elected Regent CU-Boulder

Norman, Christina, CEO Winfrey Network

Obadele, Imari  Fought for reparations

Obama,  Barack U.S. Senator; 44th U.S. President 2009-

Obama,  Barack Sr., Barak Obama’s father         

Obama, Michelle, Wife of U.S. Senator Barack Obama; First Lady

Obama, Malik, Barak Obama’s brother

O’Brien, Solidad, Television anchor

Odette, Folk singer

Oliver, David, Races In Zurich

O’Malley, Stephanie, Denver Clerk and Recorder

O’Neil, Buck, First Black coach in major league baseball; Negro Baseball League

O’Neil,Shaquille, Oaks, David, Painting Murals on Buildings in Denver

O’neal, Shaquille Basketball Champion

Oona, Park Hill “Dogs Best Friend”

Oher, Michael Pro Football Player W/Baltimore Ravens

Outley, Gwendolyn E., Pediatric nurse, Denver Children’s Hospital

Outterbridge, John, Black artist

Orendorf, Trenton          

Owens, Sebastin Cabot, Director, Colorado Urban League

Owens, Sir Mario, Convicted of murder

Page, Greg, Professional boxer

Palms, Sylvia J., U.S. West V-P of Supplier Diversity

Parks, Gordon, Hollywood director, photographer

Parks, Rosa, “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement”

Patterson, Kevin  (Denver Parks and Recreation)

Pearson, Mike, Rocky Mountain News columnist

Pele, Soccer World Cup Champion

Pendergrass, Teddy

Penson, Greg, Postmaster, Colorado Springs

Perez-Gutierrez, Graciela Afro-Cuban Singer

Perry, Julia A., Composer

Perry, Tyler, Film maker; actor

Peters, The Rev. James D., Pastor, New Hope Baptist Church, Denver

Peterson, Kenny, Bronco defensive end

Peterson, Oscar, Jazz pianist

Peterson-Hall, Jacqueline G., Founder of Clyburn Village, 1st female Black  developer in CO

Pettway, Ann, Kidnapping Suspect

Pettigrew, Andrew, Denver Office of Economic Development

Phillips, the Rev. Acen L., Denver pastor

Phillips, Earl Wendell, Ph.D., Economis; holder of 5 college degrees                 

Pickett, Bill, Cowboy and rodeo performer

Pickett, Wilson, Americab R&B, rock & roll, soul singer and songwriter

Pierre, Lawrence, Owner Denver’s Pierre’s Supper Club & Pierre’s on Madison

Pinchback, P.B.S., Won more high elective offices than any other Black in U.S. history

Pindell, Howardena, Painter

Pinetop Perkins, Delta blues pianist

Pinkney, Fayatte, Singer; original member of The Three Degrees

Pinkney, Jerry, Illustrator

Piper, Rose, Modernist painter

Pippin, Horace, Painter in a naïve style

Platt, Jon, Rapper

Pointer, Marsha Gentry, Former administrator of Denver’s Manual High School

Poitier, Sidney, Actor and author

Polamalu, Troy, Steeler’s Safety

Pollard, Paul Isaac, Jr., Rape suspect

Polite, Carlene Hatcher, American Writer

Pope, Carl Robert, Jr., Photographer

Porter, Amos, Artist/Historian

Porter, Charlene, Denver author

Porter, Lonnie, Regis University basketball coach

Potter, Hillary, Ph.D., Professor, Dept. of Sociology, University of Colorado-Boulder

Powell, Adam Clayton, Jr., American politician & pastor who represented Harlem

Powell, Adam Clayton, Sr., Clergyman, author, father of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.

Powell, Colin, American statesman and retired U.S. Army General

Powell, Crosby, Infected with hepatitis C at Denver hospital

Powell, David, Jr. Shareholder in Ogletree, Deakins Law firm

Powers, Harriet, Textile artist

Preuss, Belle Sanderlin Sampler, Father, William Sanderlin, one of 1st Blacks in Denver, 1858

Price, Florence B., Composer

Price, Ineta, Mental Retardation Specialist, Colorado State Hospital, Pueblo

Prince, American musician

Pryor Wendel, Civil Rights Div., Colo Department of Regulatory Agencies

Pugh, Katiana and Holly, Pre-school sisters, Louisville CO

Pugh, Opalonga, Denver Storyteller

Puryear, Martin, Sculptor

Putney, Martha S., one of 1st women to serve in WAC; Historian on Blacks in Amer military

Qualls, Marion, Photo with Denver policeman, 1948

Rae, Corrine Bailey

Rahming, the Rev. Harry E., Theologian, Episcopal Priest, scholar

Rand, A. Barry, First Black CEO of AARP

Randolph, Daddy Bruce, Denver restaurant owner and activist for low-income people

Randolph, Robert Pedal-steel Legend

Rangel, Charles B., U.S. House of Representatives member

Rapp, Janasia, Representive of National Young Women of Excellence Church Of God In Christ

Ray, Robert, Convicted killer, 23

Raymond IV, Usher

Rebney, Jack “Winnebago Man”

Reddick, Joe, Hip-hop street author

Redding, Otis, Rhythm and blues singer

Redwine Family, Descendants of former slave Levi Redwine

Reed-Amini Alaina

Reese, Joan S., Researched  Denver’s African-American community

Reeves, Diane, Singer; resident of Denver

Reid, T. Oliver, Makes Caabaret Debut at Metropolitan Room

Revels, U.S. Senator Hiram Rhodes, First Black U.S. Senator

Reynolds, Jim, Civil Rights Leader

Rhone, Trevor, Jamaican playwright

Rice, Condoleezza, 66th U.S. Secretary of State

Rice, Norm, Manual HS graduate, first Black Mayor of Seattle WA

Rice-Jones, Rev. Dr. Anne, Jefferson County school teacher, licensed minister

Richardson, Michael, Program director, J.P. Beckworth Mountain Club

Richardson, Terri, M.D., Kaiser Permanente internist; Denver Inner City Health Center

Rillieux, Norbert, Chemical engineer; invented multiple evaporation process for refining sugar

Ringgold, Faith, Painted story quilt artist

Rison, Faye, Ph.D., Professor, community activist, founder Breast Cancer Awareness Project

Ritter, Bill, Governor of Colorado

Rivers, Reggie, Denver Bronco, sports broadcaster

Roach, Max, Jazz drummer

Roane, Arnold and Myrtle, Supporters of VOA

Roberson, Jessie, Manager, Dept. of Energy Rocky Flats Plant

Roberts, Marcus, Jazz Pianist

Roberts, Terrance, named to the “History Makers in the Making Class of 2011”

Robeson, Paul, Concert singer

Robinson, Dr. Alphonse, At Air Force accounting & finance center, 1950-1969; pianist, composer

Robinson, Bill, Popular Black dancer named “Bojangles”

Robinson, Bobby, Harlem Music Impresario

Robinson, Cleo Parker Dance Ensemble

Robinson, Eddie, Grambling State University football coach for 57 years

Robinson, Eugene, Washington Post columnist; awarded Pulitzer Prize

Robinson, Jackie, Baseball player

Robinson, La Vaughn, Tap dancer and teacher

Robinson, Marian; Mother of Michelle Obama; “First Grandma”

Robinson, Marian Morrison, Daughter of Geo. Morrison, Sr., family historian

Robinson, Pauline Esther Short, Librarian, Denver Public Library, 1942-

Robinson, Smokey, American R&B, soul singer, songwriter and record producer

Robinson, Sugar Ray, Professional boxer

Robinson, Tom, Assistant Commissioner, Colo. HS Activities Association

Robinson, “Weepin” Willie, Blues singer

Rock, Chris, Film maker

Rodney, Lester

Rogers, Carolyn Poet

Rogers, Joe, Colorado Lt. Governor

Rogers, Tierra

Rolark, Dr. Calvin, Founder, United Black Fund

Roldan, Amadeo, Composer

Rollins, Sonny The Great Tenor Saxophonist

Rone, Martin, Colorado Slave Narrative

Rose, Ed, Creator of MLK, Jr. statue in Denver City Park

Rose, LaVonne Cancer Survivor

Rosetta, Sister

Ross, Gertie, Colorado Slave Narrative

Ross, Jason, vehicular Homicide

Rowe, Sandra, Painter

Royal, Eddie, Denver Bronco wide receiver

Rucker, Darius, Country western singer-guitarist

Rucker, Jennie, Ph.D., On founding faculty, Community College of Denver

Ruggles, David, Anti-slavery activist 1830s

Ruffin, David, American soul singer; lead singer, The Temptations, 1964-1968

Russell, Darryl, Counselor to Hundreds of School Children

Russell, George, Jazz Composer, Educator, Musician

Rust, Art Jr.

Rustin, Bayard, American civil rights activist

Ryder, Noah F., Composer

Saar, Alison, Sculptor

Saar, Betyer, Assemblage artist

Saar, Lezley, Assemblage artist

Salem, Peter, Gallant patriot of the American Revolution

Sallee, Charles, Painter

Salley, Quintin, Colorado Academy Grad Goes to Princeton, University

Salley, Ronald, General Counsel to Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche

Sapp, Jeffrey, U.S. Navy all-American football team, 1976; Colorado Springs native

Satchell, Aurmon, Denver Thomas Jefferson High School linebacker

Saunders, Raymond, Painter

Savage, Augusta, Sculptor

Scott, Gregory H., First Black Justice on the Colorado Supreme Court

Scott, John T., Kinetic artist

Scott, Jamie, Released from prison

Scott, Jonathan, Pittsburg Steeler Offensive Tackle

Scott, Joyce J., Sculptor

Scott, Wendell O, Nascar pioneering Black driver

Scott, William Edouard, Painter

Scottsboro Boys, Broadway Musical  

Sebree, Charles, Painter

Sekaer, Peter, Historian

Sellers, Cleveland, Civil rights icon

Senghor, Leopold Sedar, President of Senegal

Seymour, Winfred, International Sectretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters

Shakur, Tupac, Actor, Lover, Poet

Shange, Ntozake Author 

Sharpe, Shannon, Bronco 12-year career

Sharpton, The Rev. Alfred Charles, Founder Harlem-based National Action Network

Shelton, Charlita, President of University of the Rockies

Shelton, Naomi, Gospel singer

Shepherd, Willie, Denver attorney and fundraiser

Sheppard, Justin, Student, Aurora Central High School

Shepard, Willie, Denver Lawyer

Sherrod, Shirley, Agriculture Department Director of Rural Development in Georgia

Shivers, Clarence and Peggy, Endowed African-American Hist & Cultural Coll, Colo Springs

Shockley, Shirley M., Established Denver Bowling Senate

Shoels, Isaiah, Slain Columbine High School student, 1999

Shreve, Sandra D., Asst. Supt Aurora Public Schools, Pres. Of League of Women Voters Denver

Simbo, Tom, Chaplain for Denver Hospice

Simmons, Alvertis, Denver community activist

Simmons, Charles, First Black Commander of an American Legion Post

Simone, Nina, American singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger and civil rights activist

Simpson, Casey, Division Chief, Denver Police Department

Simpson, Lorna, Artist and photographer

Simpson, Russell William, M.D., Montebello Physician

Sims, Linda Celeste, Dancer, Dances At Whitehouse

Sims, Naomi, First Black supermodel

Siskind, Aaron, American abstract expressionist photographer

Skloot, Rebecca Author

Smith, Bessie, Singer; “Queen of the Blues”

Smith, Bruce, Director, Black/African American Cultural Ctr., Colorado State University

Smith, Dave Realtor, Championed many causes for Equality and Social Justice

Smith, DeMaurice, Head of NFL’S Players Union

Smith, Eugene, Gospel singer

Smith, Hale, Composer of classical and jazz

Smith, Jared, Kent Denver Basketball Player

Smith, J.R., Denver Nuggets Guard

Smith, J. T. Enterprising Businessman

Smith, Jimmie, U of C Football Player

Smith, LaQuan Fashion Designer

Smith, Leroy, Five Points businessman, Denver

Smith, Randy, NBA basketball player; 906 consecutive games over 12 seasons

Smith, Rod, Denver Bronco football player

Smith, Stonewall, Colorado Slave Narrative

Smith-Jackson, Minerva, Owner, Minerva’s Hat & Fashion Palace, Five Points

Smith, john, Atlanta Inquirer Publisher and Chief Executive Officer

Smith, J.T. Airforce Veteran and Denver Businessman

Snipes, Kevin, Denver ceramic artist

Snoop Dogg,  Musician

Snowden, Gilda, Painter

Songz, Trey, R&B singer

Sowande, Fela, Composer

Spalding, Esperanza, Won Best New Artist at 53rd Annual Grammy Awards

Spain, Dennis, One of Joblessness in Philadelphia

Sparks, Jordin, American pop rhythm and blues singer, songwriter

Spector, Ronnie, American musician; lead singer of The Ronettes

Speller, Kyle, Announcer at the Pepsi Center, Denver

Spratlin, Dr. V.B., Colorado Slave Narrative

Stanley, Clifford L. Pentagon’s New Chief Of Personnel

Stanton, Alyssa, Rabbi, First Black Rabbi

Staples, Maviis, American R&B, Gospel Singer And Civil Rights Activist

Steam, William O. First Black Denver Police Officer Killed on Duty

Steele, Michael, First Black National Chairman, Republican Party

Steely see Johnson, Wycliffe

Stein, Philip, Muralist

Sterling, Dorothy, Children’s author

Steth, Raymond, WPA printmaker

Stewart, Paul, Expert On Black History   

Stewart, Rodney “Speedy,” University of Colorado Buffalo tailback

Stiles, Grace, Founder, Stiles African American Heritage Center, Five Points

Still, Dr. James, “Herb Doctor of the Pines”

Still, William Grant, Composer

Stith, Tom, All-American at Bonaventure

Stone, Lucy, Crusader for anti-slavery and women’s rights

Stone, Sly, American musician, songwriter and record producer

Stout, Renee, Sculptor

Stovall, Deacon John A. and Ernestine M. Stovall, Member of Zion Baptist Church 1951+ vol

Stowe, Harriet Beecher, American abolitionist, author

Street, John, Mayor of Philadelphia PA

Stuart, Joseph H., First Black Colorado state legislator, 1894

Stubbs, Levi, Member of The Four Tops

Studesville, Eric, Denver Broncos Interim Coach

Sun Ra, Jazz musician

Sutton, Percy E.

Swanson, Howard, Composer

Sweet, Claudette Evette Francois, Denver vocalist and community activist

Sykes, Wanda, Talk show host

Tabor, Billy, Jazz Pianist

Tabor, Michael, Black Panther Member Aquitted

Tanner, Gloria, Colorado State Representative

Tanner, Henry Ossawa, Black artist of religious subjects, genre scenes & portraits

Tappan, Major, D.D.S., Denver dentist

Tate, Penfield III, Attorney; former Colorado State Senator

Tate, Richard

Tate, Valencia Faye, VP, CH2M Hill, Denver

Tatum, Elinor Ruth, Editor of Amersterdam News, NYC

Tatums, Asie, Director, Walter S. Jackson Center

Tatum, Wilbert A., Former publisher & editor Amsterdam News, NYC

Tavarez Shannon, Actress

Taylor, Arie Parks, Colorado state legislator

Taylor, Willie, Jazz Pianist

Taylor, Evelyn Diane, Executive Director, Parents Challenge, Colorado Springs

Taylor, Judy, Editor, Denver Woman, Zenith

Taylor, Koko, “Qqueen of Blues” from Chicago IL

Taylor, Landri, VP Community Affairs, Forest City Stapleton, In; Uran League of Metro Denver.

Taylor, Paul, Saxophonist

Taylor, Regina, Playwright

Taylor, Scott, Owner, Salvagetti Bicycle Workshop

Taylor, Susan, Essence Magazine

Taylor, Wilma, Political activist and civil rights leader

Tefay, Yohanes, Grieve for friend

Terrell, Mary Church, One of 1st Black women to earn a college degree, 1884

Thigpen, Ed  

Thomas, Clarence, Justice, U.S. Supreme Court

Thomas, Mickalene, Brooklyn artist

Thomas, Michael, Author and creative writing teacher at Hunter College

Thomas, Mike, Colorado Slave Narrative

Thomas, Tommy, Denver-based blues singer, songwriter, producer

Thomas, Victoria, Actress

Thompson, Aaron, 2009 trial on child-abuse/possible death charges

Thompson, Bob, Painter

Thompson, Don

Thompson, River. Cornerback

Thornton, Roland

Thrash, Dox, Printmaker

Till, Emmett, Youth murdered in Mississippi, 1955

Tillman, Bobby, Beaten to Death

Tisdale, Wayman, Basketball star and jazz musician

Toler, Burl, First Black NFL official

Toomer, Jean, Author

Toussaint, Allen, New Orleans pianist

Tracy, Jack at Celebration of Denver Urban Gardens 25th Anniversary

Traylor, Bill, Self-taught artist born into slavery on a plantation

Triplett, Oscar, Colorado Slave Narrative

Truth, Sojourner, Former slave who fought for abolition of slavery and women’s rights

Tubman, Harriet, American abolitionist

Tukuaku, Will, Plays for the 49ers

Turner, Tina, American singer and actress

Turner, William Foster, Denver real estate broker, Turner Realty

Tutu, Archbishop Desmond, Nobel Peace Prize laureate

Tyson, Mike, Professional boxer

Tshabalala,- Msimangi, Dr. Manto South Africa’s Health Minister

Uggams, Leslie Singer, entertainer

Underwood, Peggy, Secretary to four Colorado governors

Upshaw, Menola, President of the Denver branch NAACP for over 20 years

Van Der Zee, James, American photographer known for his portraits of Black New Yorkers

Vandross, Luther, American R&B, soul singer, songwriter and record producer

Vernado, Arthur, Director of Rocky Mountain Region FAA, Urban League of Metro Denver exec

Verrett, Shirley, Opera Singer of Power  

Villard, Oswald Garrison, American journalist, pioneer civil rights leader

Villarosa, Clara, Owner, Hue-Man Experience Book Store, Denver, 1984-2000

Vogler, Harry, Fundraiser

Walio, Mussa, Receives Scholarship from the Colorado Refugee Youth Scholarship Fund

Walden, Myron, Saxophonist

Walker, Albertina Gospel Singer 

Walker, Alice, American author

Walker, Madame C. J., Beauty products entrepreneur

Walker, George T., Composer

Walker, Gregory

Walker, Jim “Dr. Daddio”, Denver radio personality

Walker, Kara, Artist of Room-Size Tableaux of Black Cut-Paper Silhouettes

Walker, Lucas Rev. Baptist Pastor for Peace

Walker, T-Bone, American blues guitarist, singer, pianist and songwriter

Waller, Florida Pitt, One of the first Black women at Colo. State Teachers College, Greeley

Walters, Ronald, Civil Rights Leader and Scholar

Waring, Laura Wheeler, Painter

Warwick, Dee Dee, Pop singer

Washington, Erwin Vermont, United Airlines pilot

Washington, Booker T., Educator, author, lecturer, founder of Tuskegee Institute

Washington, Dinah, Rhythm and blues singer

 Washington, Denzel, Actor

Washington, Elsie B., Wrote first Black romance novel

Washington, Phillip, RTA veteran

Washington, Reginald “Reggie”, Rocky Mountain Hospital For Children

Watson, Lauren, Denver political and civil rights activist

Watson, Ora, Denver Health addiction supervisor

Watson, Shannon, Mother of two

Watson, Tommy, Author From Five Points

Watters, Muddy, American blues musician; “Father of Chicago blues”

Watts, Irving, Artist

Webb. Anthony, Son of Wellington E. Webb

Webb, Joseph Performer

Webb, Lesa, Artist

Webb. Wellington E., Mayor of Denver

Webb, Wilma, First Lady of Denver

Weddle, Nikki, Montbello High School basketball star; professional basketball star

Wedgeworth, Elbra, Denver City Council member; Denver Health

Weems, Carrie Mae, OPhotographer

Wells, Ida B., Civil rights advocate

West, Allen,  Freshman Congressman from Florida

West, Kanye, Musician

West, Paula, San Francisco jazz singer

Westbrook, Dr. J.H., Colorado Slave Narrative

Wheeler-Bell, Roz, R.N., Denver Registered Nurse

White, Ann E, Stapleton Workforce Center

White, Carlina, Kidnap Victim

White, Charles, Teaches Hip Hop  

White, Charles Wibert, Painter

White, Charlie, Artist, Los Angeles-based

White, Clarence Cameron, Composer

White, Joseph, Composer

White, Lendale, Plays for BroncosWhite, Walter Francis, Chief Executive, NAACP, 1929-1955

Whitfield, Norman, Motown producer

Whitsell, James, “First colored male child in Colorado, 1867”

 Wilkerson, Isabel, A Writer’s Long Journey to Trace the Great Migration

Winchester, Tracy Jenkins CEO of Colours TV

Wilks, Bobby Charles, 1st Black Coach Guard aviator, 1st Black Coast Guard Captain

Williams, Angela, Candidate for State House District 7

Williams, Anthony Charles ll “Tonex”

Williams, Ben, Jazz bassist; Ben Williams Quartet

Williams, Cathay, Enlisted in U.S. Army in 1866 as William Cathan, a man

Williams, Darrent, Denver Bronco  football cornerback slain January 1, 2007

Williams, Fannie, (Mother), She Served as Church Mother

Williams, Jaison Aurora Hinckley High School basketball player

Williams, Juan, Fired by NPR Radio  

Williams, Leni, Dancer, Choreographer, Master Teacher

Williams, Linda J., Pres., African-American Leadership Institute, counselor

Williams, Mary Lou, American jazz pianist, composer and arranger

Williams, The Rev. Murphy C., Pastor, New Hope Baptist Church, Denver

Williams, Natasha, Co-owner, Jamaican Flavor Restaurant, Colorado Springs

Williams, Serena, Professional tennis champion

Williams, R. Seth, Philadelphia District Attorney

Williams, Sheldon, Nuggets Forward   

Williams, Ted, “The Voice”

Williams, Thomas, VP, Teacher’s Insurance & Annuity Association

Williams, Wallace “Bucky,” Player both of Pittsburgh area’s Negro Baseball League teams

Williamson, Martha, Denver-born executive producer, “Touched By an Angel”

Wills, Harry “The Black Panther”, Professional boxer

Willingham, Leilon, signed w/Central Florida

Wilson, A.D, 19th century Colorado cartographer.

Wilson, August, Playwright chronicled ramifications of slavery throughout 20th century

Wilson, Artie,  Mentor to Mays

Wilson, Ellis, Painter

Wilson Bernie, Blues Notes Singer

Wilson, Bishop G.M., Pioneer  female pastor

Wilson, Jackie, Singer; important in the transition of R&B into soul music

Wilson, John, Sculptor

Wilson, Margaret Bush, 1st Black woman to head NAACP board

Wilson, Mary, original member of the Supremes

Wilson, Theo, slam poet

Winans, David Glenn, Patriarch of contemporary gospel music family

Winchester, Tracy Jenkins, CEO of Denver Based Colours TV

Winfrey, Oprah, Will Halt Her Syndicated Show at end of 2010

Withers, Earnest C  Celebrated Civil Rights Photographer

Withers, William Harrison Jr. Musician, singer 

Wonder, Stevie, American singer, songwriter

Woodard, Charlayne, Actress

Woodruff, Hale, Black artist known for murals, paintings and prints

Woods, Tiger, PGA champion golfer

Woodson, Ali Ollie, Singer

Woodson, Carter G., Historian, founder of Negro History Week/Black History Month

Woodyard, Wesley, Bronco inside linebacker

Woolfork, Ron, Denver East High School football coach

Worrill, Conrad Dr. National Chairman Emeritus NBUF

Wortham, J. Wallace, Denver City Attorney

Wright, Barbara Zell, Denver Public Schools teacher

Wright, Bill, First Black to claim a USGA title, 1959, Denver

Wright, Richard, Author who portrayed racism in American society

Wright, Sarah E., Novelist of Black experience

Wright, The Rev. Timothy, Grammy-nominated gospel singer and composer

Wright, William, Colorado Slave Narrative

No biographical clippings

Yarbrough, Dexter, Police Chief, Colorado State University

Yates, Albert C., Ph.D., President, Colorado State University

Yeargans, Hartwell, Master Black printmaker

Yohannes, Daniel, Banker, statesman

York (Lewis & Clark Expedition)

Young, Daniel, Denver chef

Young, Margaret Buckner

Young, Whitney, National Urban League

Zwerin, Mike, Musician and Author