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'The Power of Intersectionality': Black Denver Natives share their experience as Black professionals

We sat down with three Denver natives who are all professionals to discuss their views and experience in a city that is majority white.

DENVER — During Black History Month, the black journalists at 9NEWS wanted to have real conversations about Denver and their experiences. Mostly because it’s so white and they’re all transplants. So, it’s different than what they are used to.

What’s ironic, those who are transplants have the same experience as the natives. What’s kept them here is it’s home but they are also challenged with making it better for those who are black.

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Dr. Simone Ross is a 6th Generation Coloradan and the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce CEO.

"I think it's the concept of home. I've been here so long that you love your home. I think probably as a professional the thing that I appreciate most about Denver is the tight-knit community and the willingness for people to help you, support you, and to really kind of be sponsors professionally,” she said.

Javon Brame is a 4th Generation Coloradan and an Engagement Manager for CampusWorks Inc.

"Growing up here there is a black community. I was very much so rooted it in the black community. But then they're also we're challenges. I existed in these two worlds, where I go to these predominantly white institutions (PWI) or educational institutions during the day. And then I will come back home and play football with all of my teammates at the Pirates. So, I was constantly code, switching between these various spaces,” he said.

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Charles Gilford III is a multi-racial first-generation Coloradan working for the city and county of Denver under the direction of Mayor Michael Hancock.

"There's an interesting intersection and I bring that up because there are a lot of young people like myself who are multiracial. And where do you find space, because on one hand it's are you black enough? On the other hand, are you this enough,” Gilford said.

Credit: 9News

Ross and Gilford both attended CU Boulder, a predominately white institution. Brame went to Langston University, an HBCU in Oklahoma. Brame and Gilford are members of the oldest intercollegiate African American Fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Ross is a member of the first intercollegiate African American Sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

While their experiences are different, the HBCU or Greek experience helped shape and mold them into who they are today.

“I experience Denver as an adult very differently with that experience. And the way I approach my blackness in the city is much more confident than I say it was before I left,” Brame said.

His experience made him who is today, pro-black, anti-racist, and a philanthropist. And he encourages all black students in Colorado to visit or attend a Historically Black College and University to really learn about who you are and others who look like you.

"It's a celebration of blackness that we don't always get on a consistent basis here. And it's shaped so we are as people. To be able to be in a space where you are the majority and see those differences we're not monolithic they are different experiences of blackness and to be able to see that is something that should be celebrated,” Brame said.

For Ross, her experience as a black professional in her hometown has opened her eyes to realize while she’s made it there are still people and places that won’t accept her because of her skin.

"It's the power of Intersectionality. You've got privilege in so many areas yet instilled by the nature of the color of your skin, your gender, and maybe your level of ability. You still have this long list of areas where you are oppressed,” Ross said.

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