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Urban Spectrum and friends will celebrate and acknowledge the lives of the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. More than 100 people responded to a call for action to roll out a welcome mat to the survivors now living in Denver. Spectrum of Hope organizers are planning an event to let them know that Denver’s African American community shares their pain and wants to help during the transition of returning their lives to a normal standard of living. Survivors who have been relocated to Denver on permanent and temporary basis will be invited as honored guests to attend Spectrum of Hope.
The festival will be held on Saturday, Oct. 22 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Jackie Robinson Baseball Field at Lowry. It is free to the public, but donations will be accepted at the door.
Comedian Darryl Collier
The all-day event will provide a variety of activities. Entertainment for the whole family will include live bands, comedians, spoken word, drummers, and dancers. To date, participants include Hip Hop Diva Rie Rie and the sultry sounds of vocalist Linda Theus-Lee. Funnyman Louis Johnson will join and support the event as well as comedian Darryl Collier as they take the stage by humor. Ta’Shia Asanti will give a spoken word performance, and The Black Hands Drum Ensemble from Colorado Springs will also lend their talents for the cause.
Singer Linda Theus-Lee
"We want this event to be one of the largest collaborative efforts from the Denver-metro community," said event co-chair Norma Paige. "And from the outpour of support, it looks promising. We are inviting and encouraging everyone to come out and support this endeavor."
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In conjunction with the Spectrum of Hope, the Black Airline Pilots of America and Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. Hubert L. 'Hooks' Jones Chapter (with assistance from the Colorado Department of Transportation) is hosting a ‘Fly In.’ Goods from throughout Colo. and Wyo. will be flown in to Front Range Airport (Watkins, Colo.) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. They will be delivered to the Spectrum of Hope celebration and presented to representatives from the Aurora Community College and Lowry Air Force Base for distribution to the Katrina survivors.
Actress Ta'Shia Asanti
Although the Red Cross is providing services to assist the survivors in stabilizing their lives, the Denver community is planning to provide similar services on a personal and cultural level. Employment opportunities will be made available. Health, education, housing, and childcare information will be offered at community service booths, and counseling services will be available in various areas including spiritual, psychological, and financial.
An on-site clothing center will distribute clothes for the whole family during the festivities and personal care service providers will be on hand. Interactive activities include workout and exercise sessions by personal trainer Rudy McClinon and art classes by the Sankofa Arts Collective. A limited number of retail vendors will sell ethnic goods and wares. Food will be catered by Stick It To Me Catering and the Cherry Creek Retirement Village.
Hurricane Katrina survivors will register at the event and will be acknowledged during a short program. They will also receive a commemorative gift bag. Proceeds from the event will go directly to the guests who attend.
"This event will be like none other. It is a fundraiser, but it is more than that. It is a celebration of hope," said event co-chair and Urban Spectrum publisher Rosalind "Bee" Harris-Diaw. "As African Americans, we are reflections of the survivors. We want them to know they are blessed to be here and we are blessed to have them here. We want them to get to know us and we want to get to know them--and let them know there is hope."
Editor’s note: If you would like to volunteer, participate, or need more information, call Bee Harris-Diaw at 303-292-6446 or Norma Paige at 303-299-9035. Donations made payable to "Spectrum of Hope" may be mailed to: Spectrum of Hope, P.O. Box 31001, Aurora, CO 80041. Donations of good, clean, new and nearly-new clothes may be delivered to 2499 Washington St. by calling 303-292-6446.
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