The Denver Chapter of Jack and Jill of America held its 50th anniversary celebration luncheon last month at the Denver Marriott Hotel. Entitled “Celebrating Our Past, Our Present, Our Future… Providing a Legacy for All,” the event honored the chartering members of the Denver Chapter and commemorated the chapter’s contributions to the Denver community.

Motivational speaker Patricia Russell McCloud addressed the more than 500 attendees. As president of Russell-McCloud & Associates in Atlanta , she has been featured in Essence, Ebony and Black Enterprise magazines. A native of Indianapolis, she is a graduate of Kentucky State University and Howard University School of Law.

Also in attendance representing Jack and Jill were National President Jacqueline Moore-Bowles; National Program Director Valeska Buie; Central Region Director Lisa Bobbitt; Member-At-Large Shelly Cooper; Central Region Father’s Auxiliary Chair Greg LaBrie; and South Suburban Denver President Tara LaBrie.

Other guests included U.S. Rep. Mark Udall; State Rep. Terrance Carroll; 2006 Congressional candidate Angie Pacionne; Colorado Democratic Party Chair Patricia Waak; KMGH Channel 7 anchor Bertha Lynn; Coors Brewing Company Director of Corporate Relations Moses Brewer; CH2M Hill Vice President and Director for Diversity Initiatives Valencia Faye Tate; Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce President and former Denver Mayor Wellington E. Webb; and former Denver first lady Wilma J. Webb.

The Denver Chapter of Jack and Jill was chartered in 1956, organized by Isabella Bartholomew. Today the center serves some 70 children from the Curtis Park/Five Points Neighborhood. The center offers early head start, Colorado preschool, kindergarten programs and services for school-aged children.