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On Aug. 29, Denver, like many other cities around the country, was shaken by one of history’s worst natural disasters, now known simply as Katrina. More shocking were the effects that it caused due to the delayed reaction of help from the government, which continues to be a topic of controversy. The outpouring of support around the country has been unparalleled, songs have been produced reflecting the travesty, and in time, we will revisit this nightmare on the big screen or in the privacy of our homes. How it will be depicted will ultimately be determined by who produces it.
Denver’s African American Community Rally to Support
More than 4,000 survivors came to Denver. Many didn’t know where they were headed when they boarded the plane. When they did know, some were disappointed or confused, others were happy and relieved, and some just didn’t care.
The Urban Spectrum was compelled to help the survivors who had been relocated to Colorado. With the support of the City of Denver and hundreds of volunteers and participants, Spectrum of Hope, an all-day community celebration, was held Oct. 22 at the Jackie Robinson Baseball Field at Lowry. The ultimate goal was to help Denver’s newest residents in getting their lives back to normal as much as possible. "We wanted to give our new residents, a Mile High-High Five welcome," said Rosalind "Bee" Harris-Diaw, event organizer and Urban Spectrum publisher, "and let them know we felt compassion for what they were going through."
Volunteer Barbers from the Cuttin' Up
Beauty Academy and Ridgeview
Academy / Rite of Passage
The challenge was contacting the survivors because most had relocated from Lowry.
Through word of mouth, flyers, posters and the media, they came by bus, in cars, and on foot. Without knowing what to expect, 118 families arrived and registered at Spectrum of Hope. Planned in their honor, they received more than hope during the event.
"I only wish this event would have been done before leaving Lowry because it would have given those who thought their situation was hopeless, a whim of hope," said Virginia, who now lives in Montbello, "because this is a great event."
Services and Activities Boosts Spirits
Throughout a six-week planning period, various committees were developed and plans were set to assist the survivors in as many ways as possible. Community service booths ranged from educational opportunities and financial advice to health issues and childcare services. Educators, health officials, and specialized counselors planned to lend their expertise. Clothes were donated, delivered, and prepared for the SOH Women and Men’s Boutiques, and local entertainers practiced to provide a full day of entertainment.
"While staffing the Education and Veterans Administration area, we were surprised at the interest in higher education and some were already enrolled at institutions," said Alton Clark. "The K- 12 group was also well attended. I smiled when I heard one survivor say ‘I was wondering where the Black community was…thanks for this.’"
When they arrived and registered, each person received a gift bag. Surprised by the complimentary contents, one survivor was grateful to receive items such as commemorative pins from the Colorado Rockies and the City of Denver, calling cards from RMES Communications and Qwest Communications, Denver Bronco yearbooks, gift cards from Starbucks and McDonald’s, Six Flags tickets, a variety of health items from Kaiser Permanente, plus many other useful items.
"The people who came to receive gift bags were so grateful, kind of shy, but they had a receiving spirit. I heard one woman say ‘Now this is what community is about’ and another one say ‘I will eventually go home, but in the mean time this is home and I love it.’ It warmed my heart to be a part of such a fabulous community event," said Lynette Fletcher, Gift Bag Committee Chair.
Many of the survivors walked away with clothes for the entire family and most had full stomachs from feasting on complimentary food. Some walked away with new haircuts. Others created small pieces of art, courtesy of the Sankofa Arts Collective, that expressed their feelings of both despair and hope. Still others walked away a little energized after a brief physical workout with Rudy McClinon, while several visited and got to know the participating retail vendors.
Fortunately, one guest visited the right booth. A survivor’s blood pressure was discovered to be elevated to stroke potential. Kaiser Permanente’s Ken Johnson immediately alerted officials and called paramedics.
"I guess we can look at it like maybe we saved someone’s life today," said Chef Donald James of Cherry Creek Retirement Village and Stick It To Me Catering who provided the food for the day.
Entertainers Provide a Sample of Colorado
The cool but sunny Colorado weather provided a fine atmosphere for the full lineup of entertainment planned by Entertainment Chair Pat Duncan who spoke with guitar player and singer Charles, a survivor from New Orleans. "Y’all are a blessing from God. I am so happy that we met." He hopes to get help in finding a job in the entertainment field. Also in attendance was "Piano Man," a blind musician seeking help for his son Cubi, who spontaneously performed at the celebration.
Tamara Banks and two young Katrina survivors
Tamara Banks and CD 104.3’s Becky Taylor shared the stage as they introduced the entertainment, starting with Linda Styles and The Souls for Christ Jazz and Gospel Choir. Female vocalists who graced the stage included Santemu, Linda Theus-Lee, and the very versatile Sheryl Renee. Laughter soothes the soul and there was plenty with the SOH Comedy Explosion with AD, Akwame and Louis Johnson. Katrina survivors were introduced to Denver’s hip-hop scene with Solid, Gubmeat Cheese Experience, Black Thread and Denver’s own hip-hop diva Rie Rie.
In between acts and at the encouragement of Banks and Taylor, the public dropped donations in the SOH barrels near the stage.
The doo-wop sounds of One On One with Ron Ivory & the Miles Apart Band took many of the survivors back to the sounds of the New Orleans. Other entertainment highlights for the attendees included a special performance from the cast of Menopause the Musical, a poem written especially for the survivors by Ta ‘Shia Asante and drumming by the Black Hands Drum Ensemble. DJ Regina Johnson set the backdrop for the stage of entertainment by providing music.
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Thanks to the Black McDonald’s Operators Association, a special guest appearance by Ronald McDonald brought a twinkle to the eyes and smiles to the faces of the children and some of the adults while he performed magic tricks on the stage.
Special Presentations for Denver Survivors
Spectrum of Hope wanted to provide hope and strength to the Denver Katrina survivors in many areas--financially, spiritually, educationally, and physically. The Hubert L. "Hooks" Jones Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. assisted in fulfilling that mission. After presenting a financial donation and gift cards, representatives presented a certificate entitling a Hurricane Katrina survivor to participate in Phase I of the Mile High Flight Program with the chance to continue and participate in Phase II.
Although Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper was out of town, his presence was felt through the dedication displayed by Tamara Banks, the Mayor’s Neighborhood Liaison. After eight hours of hosting the event, Banks presented event organizers Harris-Diaw and Norma Paige with a proclamation from Mayor Hickenlooper which declared the event as ‘Spectrum of Hope Day.’
Where Do We Go From Here?
As the sun set, there were smiles, tired feet, full hearts, and a few more donations. There was a feeling of accomplishment and a true sense of hope. Hope that Denver welcomed the survivors in a way that will be imbedded in their hearts for years to come. Hope that if they stayed in Denver, went home to the Gulf Coast or relocated to another city, they would know that Spectrum of Hope in Denver cared, really cared, and they are in it for the long haul. Hope that they felt a sense of family.
Spectrum of Hope has come but has not gone. The phone has not stopped ringing with calls of gratitude, calls to donate but most importantly, calls for help.
One such call was from Jacqueline Washington, who has a 20-year old developmentally disabled son. He worked and went to school in Louisiana. Since Katrina, he feels empty and lost – much like his mother. She doesn’t have an ironing board to press his clothes even if he did have a job. Their television has no sound so they read the closed-captions at the bottom of the set. She also misses her microwave and washer and dryer. "People were there in the beginning but for whatever reason, I have not heard from them again," she said. The feeling of disconnect is unbearable.
SOH organizers now know the needs of Denver’s newest residents – jobs, health care, legal issues and financial problems top the list – and plans are underway to help remedy the needs. The donations received at the celebration were minuscule compared to the magnitude of help that is needed. The effects of Katrina will linger on for years to come. And, many of the survivors, like Jacqueline Washington, are now feeling a sense of abandonment. Monetary donations are desperately needed to help make this holiday season – and beyond – somewhat brighter for each and every survivor.
Home for the holidays may not be the same but hope for the holidays is on the horizon.
Editor’s note: Donations may be mailed (payable to Spectrum of Home) to P.O. Box 31001, Aurora, CO 80041. For information on SOH or to become involved, call 303-292-6446. To help with the SOH Holiday Wish List, visit www.urbanspectrum.net or call 303-292-6446 for a copy of the list.
Thanks And Appreciations
Spectrum of Hope organizers would like to thank the following for helping to make this event possible: Mayor John D. Hickenlooper, Tamara Banks (The City and County of Denver); Steve Conklin, Becky Taylor (Smooth Jazz 104.3); Rita McCoy (UPN 20); Brian Crary, Edward Jenkins (PacifiCare); Gillian Conte/The Creative Spirit; The Sankofa Arts Collective; the performers; the gift bag donors; the volunteers; and especially the committee chairs and members.
At the end of a long, fun day . . .
The SOH Team
Aas, Misti
Armstrong, Shirley
Ayers, Perry
Bates, Emily
Batey, Barbara
Batey, Samuel
Beckley, Angela
Brown, Janice
Brown, Eddie
Brown, Melody
Boyd, Dawn Williams
Byrd, Jame
Carter, Cheryl
Clark, Alton
Clark, Debra A.
Cole, Sherie "Rie Rie"
Cole, Terry
Coleman, Malikah
Donald, Elvin
Doris, Bobby
Duncan, Pat
Eliason, Emmanuel
Farmer, Kim
Fletcher, Lynette
Fouther, Angelle
Gill, KA
Gerwitz, Karen
Gray, Claude
Groff, Regina
Hall, Debra
Hall, Karen
Harris-Diaw, Bee
Henderson, Kay
Hernandez-Ramos, Flo
Howard, Heidi
Howard, Vern
Jackson, David
James-Armstrong, Dorothy
James, Donald
James, Lawrence
James, Nicole
James, Talita
Jenkins, Edward
Jeff, Brother
Johnson, Barbara
Johnson, Ken
Johnson, Rochelle
Jones, Perry
Kimmet, Theresa
Ladd, Carla
Latif, Imani
Lewis, Richard
Littlejohn, Helen
Lopez, Anna
Lovejoy, Michele
Louis, Karen
Mallory-Bennett, Marsha
Martin, Tara
McCree-Carrington, Judy
McClinon, Rudy
McCoy, Rita
Miller, Annette Pastor
Napue, Cherrelyn
Osborne, Debbie B.
Perron, Emma
Packer-Riley, Deborah
Paige, Norma
Price, Chauncey
Price, Marquis
Rabouin, Michelle
Reynolds, Albert
Robinson, Renee
Rogers, Terrance
Ross, Ryan
Sanders, Andre
Sherrell, Joe
Simmons, Nathan
Slack, Donna
Smith, Al
Smith, Althea
Smith, John
Sparrow, Betty
Sparrow, Billy
Sykes, Jr., James
Thayer, Lynn
Theus-Lee, Linda
Turner, Connie
Webb, Marilyn
Walsh, Erin
Wheeler, Gilbert
Wheeler, Minetta
Wilhite, Michael
Williams, Linda
Wilson, Leatha
Wright, Dave
Yarbrough, Valorie
Younger, Ron
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