How do we know who we are without knowing where we come from? It is imperative that we not start our African-American story with the acknowledgement of a belated celebration of freedom from bondage in Texas (aka Juneteenth, 1865), but to instead begin with a Black-centered narrative of the liberated African-American women. This Juneteenth, let us all pause for a moment to honor them.
Within a quarter-decade of Boulder’s founding in 1871 — six years after the first Juneteenth celebration — came the city’s first Black women. The early African-American women pioneers to Boulder were politically engaged, skilled mothers and hard-working residents who had migrated with their recent freedoms from the Eastern states.
Unfortunately, they were often discriminated against by some of their white community members who had the emotional and mental disorders known today as racism and sexism. Due in part to the intersectional racism and sexism disorder which plagued some non-BIPOC people at the time, Black women experienced many unnecessary challenges to their ability to find security and sustainable housing, employment and basic sustenance in Boulder.
It was not until the Great African-American Migration of the 1950s and ’60s that the Black population of Boulder would increase, giving the white community another opportunity to embrace our excellence. At that time, African-American families like the Georgia Avery household created the Boulder NAACP chapter, which, along with other efforts in the region, began to create an atmosphere in the 1970s and ’80s in which Black women Boulderites were empowered to advocate for racial and gender rights. Two of the many exceptional Black women that lived in Boulder at the time were Wilma Webb, who served as the first African-American woman elected to the Colorado State Legislature (1980-1993), and Alice Faye Duncan, an author, advocate and educator who is an active member of the American Library Association, the National Education Association and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
Into the 21st century, African-American women have made significant contributions to Boulder in areas such as politics, education, business, advocacy and the arts. A few of the many who are manifesting beauty in the Boulder metro area today are:
Ann Cooper, a prominent real estate broker, community stakeholder and Black elder who has lived in the city since the mid-1980s;
Junie Joseph, an attorney who served on the Boulder City Council (2019-2023) and is currently serving as a legislator in the Colorado House of Representatives for the 10th District;
Yvette Rollins, the founder of YJR Management and Events, an influencer, community advocate and organizer;
Regina Smith, who worked to liberate Naropa University as the vice president of Mission, Culture, and Inclusive Community and through Black Womanist Futurism;
Katrina Miller, owner of Blackat Video Productions and co-director of the film This is NOT Who We Are, which provided a necessary critique of Boulder’s racist history, behaviors and current political policies;
Kyesha Lowery, a mentor and advocate raising her family in Boulder for the past decade. She has worked with children and adults to assist in overcoming substance use disorders with various agencies in Boulder County.
The participation and voices of these Black women, and many more, are indicative of the health of our Black community in Boulder.
“The role of Black women in Boulder, like in any community, can vary, and encompass a wide range of roles and contributions,” says Kyesha Lowery, whose children grew up in the Boulder Valley School District. “It is important to recognize that Black women’s experiences are diverse, and their roles can be shaped by factors such as individual interests, educational attainment, socioeconomic status and community involvement.”
Black women in Boulder can, Lowery says, “enlarge the local economy and community by bringing their knowledge and abilities to bear in their specialized sectors. They might participate in community-building projects, social-justice campaigns and grassroots organizations that promote equity, inclusion and constructive change. They may serve as mentors, instructors or administrators as they help mold and direct the next generation.”
Lowery pointed to a number of organizations and initiatives that support Black women in their personal and professional endeavors: the Boulder County chapter of the NAACP, The CU Black Women’s Alliance, The Safehouse for Progressive Alliance (SPAN), Whole Connection and Mental Health Partners.
“The future of Black womanness is comprehensive,” Lowery says. “Increased representation and leadership are important facets, as well as intersectional and holistic approaches to help Black women facing unique and complex challenges of life in Boulder. More expression of culture and appreciation of Black contributions will highlight the variety of Black womanness and foster inclusion. Another facet of the future of Black womanness in Boulder is to build a system where Black women can collaborate and create safe spaces for Black women to be welcome, engage and thrive, specifically beginning around adolescence. Within these safe spaces the importance of celebrating culture should be the primary goal.”
The future is full of optimism.
The Boulder community is blessed to receive the gifts of Black women living here and from this day forward is called upon to immediately see and treat African-American women with the utmost respect. The mothers of this iteration of body, and to all bodies before us, deserve nothing less.
“The future of Black womanhood will be shaped by continual collaborations with Boulder’s Black community and investments in our Black future from the community at large,” Lowery says. “We are here, proud, and not going away because we know that our Black families deserve to exist, maintain, succeed and help grow this beautiful community.”
Anthony Gallucci is a dad, author, activist and professor. He is currently teaching at Naropa University and finishing his doctoral work in psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies researching masculinity from an Afrocentric epistemological lens.
This opinion does not necessarily reflect the views of Boulder Weekly.
