| Dear District 9 Neighbors,It is too easy to ignore the whitewashing of our history books, news stories, cultural centers, and national parks – and yes, even the White House – and take solace in the belief that the cleansing of our nation’s full, rich history from these spaces is temporary and that this grim moment will pass. We cannot wait until the individuals who now hold political office leave and then hope that our cherished values and necessary truths snap back into place. Those who are censoring our history will only become more emboldened, and those who need exposure to historical facts (including many that are painful) will be denied their full measure of education. Our shared values – constitutional and human – are under attack today. We, the people, must unite in our efforts to promote truth and justice for all residents in our community, and we must do it now. That is why celebrating Black History Month is essential. It is our annual opportunity to immerse our communities in the rich history of the African diaspora. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| In the West Indies, we celebrate griots. A griot is a revered West African hereditary storyteller, musician, oral historian, and diplomat who preserves genealogies and traditions. Their minds and souls contain archives of our people, which they pass down through generations. We are storytellers: spoken word is our means of transmitting our history and culture. Knowledge flows from generation to generation through the stories that our elders pass along to our youth. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Today, storytelling can serve as a powerful way to counteract the erasure of facts, identities, and stories from public spaces. My grandmother was a griot. She was a historian, storyteller, and, by profession, the Manager of Elections on St. Thomas. As a child, I loved sitting in a circle to listen to my grandmother and elders sing and speak in their loud, deep West Indian voices, regaling us with stories of generations long past. They often shared the tales of Bro Nanci. Bro Nanci is a spider, similar to the heroine in Charlotte’s Web. Bro Nanci wove messages on their spider web and employed song and dance to recite centuries of history from West Africa, through slavery, to our emancipation in 1848 (17 years before U.S. Emancipation), to the present day. My grandmother was a quintessential griot. I loved her dearly and learned the art of storytelling from her and the many elders in my community. |
|
| We have griots in our Denver community as well. I revered Opalonga Pugh. As a storyteller and historian, I often had her speak at large conferences at the former financial services company where I worked. In an hour, she would have executives and back-office associates alike in a trance, singing and dancing as they immersed themselves in the active storytelling of Black History. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Dr. James “Dr. Daddio” Walker was another Denver griot. We held his celebration of life and repass at Macedonia Baptist Church this weekend. Dr. Daddio was best known as the first Black man to own a radio station west of the Mississippi, our very own Power KDKO 1510 AM, right here in Five Points. |
|
| As the conscience of the community, he was more than a radio personality. His decree “Unity in the Community” helped to pull a fractured Five Points community together. His lasting legacy includes the creation of the Colorado Black Authors Guild and the annual Black Authors Book Fair. I encourage you to read his autobiography, Radio in My Soul: The Journey of James “Dr. Daddio” Walker. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| As a true griot, Dr. Daddio understood how the power of our people's spoken and written word not only preserves “Unity in the Community” but also roots us in our shared history. Your District 9 office had an action-packed month. Here is a little of the big trouble we got into over the last 30 days… |
|
| National Western Stock ShowEach year, your District 9 office, along with the National Western Stock Show, hosts the Denver Mayor & Denver City Council Dinner at National Western. It is one of the few times officials from the executive and legislative branches gather to break bread, laugh, and talk. I love this event because it brings people together. Thank you to Council Member Sawyer and Director Doheny for joining us in this picture at the National Western. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Stock Show ParadeThe Stock Show parade down 17th Street is another fun event. Before being elected, my team at TIAA would walk down 17th Street each year to watch the parade. It is a hoot to be riding in one of the stage coaches now and see some of my former TIAA colleagues waving from the sidewalks. Thank you, Mayor Johnston, and Council Pro Tem Romero Campbell, for joining this amazing team at the Stock Show Parade. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Community Office HoursHuge thank you to Cake Crumbs in Park Hill for hosting our January Community Office Hours! Thank you also to the neighbors who attended this casual morning event with me to discuss any topic of their choosing. Please join me at our next Community Office hours at Birdcall in Five Points. On February 20th, I will be at Birdcall from 1:30 - 2:45 pm. This is a casual opportunity for us to connect about your neighborhood and other city issues. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| MLK MaradeThe MLK Marade is often an endurance event, where temperatures can hover close to zero degrees. However, this year, we had balmy temperatures most of the morning. |
|
| The Marade drew about 75,000 people, making it one of the largest in the nation. Thank you, Council Pro Tem Romero Campbell and Council Member Alvidrez, for marching with me! This year’s speeches often turned to the injustices we witness on our streets, on our TV screens, and in our social media feeds. Fortunately, Dr. King gave us his playbook of nonviolent tactics to resist the efforts by those in power to diminish our rights and freedoms. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Finally, how about them Broncos? I know many of us came from other places and cheer for other teams, but I am a diehard Bronco fan. The whole city was caught up in the excitement of a run through the playoffs and hosting playoff games right here in the Mile High City. I became a Broncos fan before moving to Denver in 1987. I have watched every excruciating Super Bowl loss and every exhilarating Super Bowl win. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| We have a great team, and I’m looking forward to an amazing 2026 season. Now let’s get behind those Nuggets and Avs! It is my honor to serve you as your Denver City Council Member. I will always focus on making progress on the biggest issues impacting you and your families. I will continue to work to earn and maintain your support. Finally, I encourage everyone to embrace their inner griot and never stop telling your story! Darrell B. Watson Denver City Council Member, District 9 |
|
| | 📜 January 206 Proclamations |
|
| ✊🏽 Honoring Denver’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. MaradeProclamation No. 25-2174 honors the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Colorado Holiday Commission and the MLK Marade, recognizing more than 40 years of community leadership and action in Denver. The proclamation highlights how the state's MLK holiday has grown into the nation’s largest MLK march and parade, with about 75,000 participants each year. 📖 Read the Proclamation |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 🤠 Honoring The National Western Stock ShowProclamation No. 25-2173 honors the 120th National Western Stock Show, Rodeo, and Horse Show. This iconic Denver tradition celebrates Colorado’s western heritage while bringing together agriculture, culture, and community. The event draws more than 700,000 visitors from across the country and around the world, contributes about $170 million to Colorado’s economy, and supports Denver students through scholarships. 📖 Read the Proclamation here |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | 🏘️ Neighborhood Planning Initiativeby Dwight Clark, Senior Policy Advisor Council Member Watson is inviting neighbors in Clayton, Cole, North Park Hill, Northeast Park Hill, and Skyland to help guide a new Near Northeast Area Plan. Over the next 18 months, this community-led process will shape decisions about housing, streets, parks, small businesses, and growth for the next 10 to 20 years. 👉 Please sign up and take the survey at DenverGov.org/NearNortheastPlan! This plan matters because it helps the City decide where to invest and how our District 9 neighborhoods change over time. Language assistance and disability accommodations are available upon request. Near Northeast neighbors, this is your city plan, and your voice is critical! |
|
|
| | 🔦 Five Points Business Spotlightsby Darius Shelby, Community Outreach Director A major reinvestment is underway at 2550 Washington Street to provide affordable housing and small-business space in Five Points. Local groups Hope Communities and Goshen Development are working together to preserve long-term affordability while upgrading a mixed-use building near Welton Street. The project hopes to preserve 35 affordable rental homes, condos, and ground-floor commercial space. The revitalization reflects a broader resurgence, grounded in preservation, equity, and community-centered development. 📍 2550 Washington St. Denver, CO 80205 Read more about some of the many exciting Five Points businesses below. |
|
| 🏠 The Hattie Offers Affordable HomeownershipThe Hattie McDaniel is a new, affordable homeownership development in the Five Points. It aims to expand access to quality housing while honoring local history. Named after Hattie McDaniel, the first Black woman and first Black person to win an Academy Award, the project will offer 62 income-restricted condos with community spaces on the ground floor. Displaced residents will receive priority for the units. 🔗 www.thehattiemcdaniel.com 📍 639 29th Street, Denver, CO 80205 |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 🍽️ La Rougarou Opens on Welton St.Rougarou is a new restaurant on Welton that offers bold Cajun and Southern-inspired flavors. The menu features standout dishes like pickled shrimp, catfish, and shareable plates alongside a thoughtfully crafted cocktail list. With a warm, inviting atmosphere, Rougarou is a great option for a relaxed dinner or a night out in the neighborhood. It is quickly becoming a local favorite for its food, service, and welcoming vibe. 🔗 www.lerougarou.com 📍 2844 Welton St. Denver, CO 80205 |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
