Diverse Fort Collins (DFC) Action Committee invites you to attend one of two informational meetings at 7 to 9 pm on Tuesday, September 15 or 7 pm to 9 pm Monday, September 28 via Zoom.
Attendees will have the opportunity to share volunteer interests and what actions they want the committee to focus on.
DFC is dedicated to advocating for antiracism and racial equity, and offers a website to provide resources to the community related to antiracism, racial equity, diversity, and inclusion.
The purpose of the DFC Action Committee is to enable action around racial equity and work toward dismantling systemic racism in our Northern Colorado community.
We intend to partner with local anti-racist organizations and co-create inclusion with local partners.
The Action Committee also acknowledges intersectionality and aims to address multiple levels of social injustice in its work. (For a better understanding of intersectionality, see this Kimberly Crenshaw speech).
The September 15 info meeting has occurred.
The September 28 info meeting has occurred.
We look forward to seeing you at one of these meetings and working to promote racial justice!
Victoria Baumgart, Co-Lead, DFC Action Committee Amanda Mansfield, Co-Lead, DFC Action Committee Katherine Valdez, Founder & Executive Director, Diverse Fort Collins
Rabbi Hillel Katzir of KRFC Radio Fort Collins interviewed Katherine Valdez, Mia Donley and Victoria Baumgart of Diverse Fort Collins for the “Faith In Progress” public affairs program.
They discussed Diverse FoCo’s origins, purpose and goals; how the national landscape has changed since the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and many others, and the subsequent worldwide peaceful demonstrations in support of the #BlackLivesMatter movement; and upcoming opportunities to advance racial justice in Fort Collins.
(Register for the Sept. 15 or Sept. 28 Action Committee information meetings here.)
The interview will air at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15 on 88.9 FM (listen live here) and will be available as a podcast afterward. Watch the video.
Video Available of Sept. 3 Town Hall on Action & Allyship
Fort Collins Interfaith Council and World Wisdoms Project presented the fourth and final Town Hall on Thursday, Sept. 3 from 9 – 11 a.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST).
The event began with a talk on allyship amd action, followed by seven-minute presentations by Diverse Fort Collins, Northern Colorado Intertribal Pow Wow Association, The BIPOC Alliance, Fort Collins International Center, The Family Center/La Familia, and New Eyes Village.
Founder Katherine Valdez represented Diverse FoCo.
On our News page, read about the 2021 City Manager’s Recommended City Budget, the call for volunteers to serve on the new Colorado Redistricting Commissions, and check out links to NPR’s Code Switch andother resources.
And here’s a new post that summarizes the reasons for #BlackLivesMatter (Thanks to Denise for sharing this):
“The following is an EXCELLENT summary. Pass it on to those who you think are open, but don’t yet understand…
Don’t really get all the BLM stuff?
Hope this helps:
400 years ago white people enslaved black people.
And sold them.
And treated them as less than human.
For 250 years.
While white men built the country and created its laws and its systems of government.
While 10, 15 generations of white families got to grow and flourish and make choices that could make their lives better.
150 years ago white people “freed” black people from slavery.
But then angry white people created laws that made it impossible for them to vote.
Or to own land.
Or to have the same rights as white people. And even erected monuments glorifying people who actively had fought to keep them enslaved.
All while another 5, 10 generations of white families got to grow and accumulate wealth and gain land and get an education.
60 years ago we made it “legal” for black people to vote, and to be “free” from discrimination.
But angry white people still fought to keep schools segregated.
And closed off neighborhoods to white people only.*
And made it harder for black people to get bank loans*, or get quality education or health care, or to (gasp) marry a white person.
All while another two to three generations of white families got to grow and pass their wealth down to their children and their children’s children.
Present day:
And then we entered an age where we had the technology to make PUBLIC the things that were already happening in private– the beatings, the stop and frisk laws, the unequal distribution of justice, the police brutality (in the south, police began as slave patrols designed to catch runaway slaves).**
And only now, after 400+ years and 20+ generations of a white head start, are we STARTING to truly have a dialogue about what it means to be black.
White privilege doesn’t mean you haven’t suffered or fought or worked hard.
It doesn’t mean white people are responsible for the sins of our ancestors.
It doesn’t mean you can’t be proud of who you are.
It DOES mean that we need to acknowledge that the system our ancestors created is built FOR white people.
It DOES mean that Black people are treated at a disadvantage because of the color of their skin.
It DOES mean that we owe it to our neighbors– of all colors– to acknowledge that and work to make our world more equitable.
Because Black Lives Matter.
Understanding why we have to say this matters.
Your voice in this movement matters.
Recognizing privilege, power and history matters.
copied and pasted – PLEASE DO THE SAME”
* Learn more about redlining and other unconstitutional practices by joining our discussion of THE COLOR OF LAW: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein on Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. See details and register here.
**Read about how our modern police forces grew out of Night Patrols and Slave Patrols in So You Want To Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo and register for our January/February/March discussions. See details and registration here.
Diverse Fort Collins is a volunteer-driven community project connecting people with resources and each other. We are dedicated to advocating for antiracism and racial equity.
Hello, friends! We have a lot going on this month and next. Join us!
NEW EVENT!TOWN HALL ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 AT 9 A.M. MST [ Here’s the link to the video. ]
Fort Collins Interfaith Council and World Wisdoms Project present the fourth and final Town Hall on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 9 a.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST) featuring local BIPOC (Black Indigenous and Other People of Color) organizations working toward racial equity and dismantling structural and institutional racism: Northern Colorado Intertribal Pow Wow Association, The BIPOC Alliance, Diverse Fort Collins, La Familia, and New Eyes Village.
Diverse Fort Collins founder Katherine Valdez has been invited to speak about the community project’s origin and mission, the launch of its new Advisory and Action committees, recent and upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and its positive impact on the community.
Congratulations to Shawna and Julie who recently won drawings for our book club titles, The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein and There There by Tommy Orange.
Attend our book groups for a chance to win!
COLORADO POLITICS COVERS AUGUST 16 WEBINAR
Colorado Politics reporter Michael Karlik wrote an article on Diverse FoCo’s Aug. 16 webinar “Impact of COVID-19 on the Larimer County Justice System” featuring Judge Juan G. Villasenor, Larimer County’s first Latino district court judge.
Check out Diverse Fort Collins Meetup Group on Meetup
DIVERSE FOCO SEEKS VOLUNTEERS
We’re searching for volunteers to assist us with Event Coordination, Social Media, Website Development, Strategic Planning, and other projects.
Interested? Learn more by emailing your LinkedIn profile to DiverseFoCo@gmail.com with “Volunteer” in the subject line, and tell us which area interests you.
Would you like to start learning to speak Spanish or brush up on your Spanish skills from courses you took years ago?
Are you an intermediate or advanced Spanish speaker who would like to practice with a friendly group of community members twice a month?
Well, you’re in luck! Diverse FoCo is partnering with Spanish teacher Maureen (“Marina”) McCarthy to offer affordable, small-group language classes (no more than four students per class).
Classes meet on Mondays, and start at the beginning of every month. Whether you’re a beginning, intermediate or advanced student, Marina offers a class for you.
Online prices are $25/one student, $40/two students, $48/three students, $52/four students. Four is the maximum per class.
To supplement your studies, Marina also offers participation in a twice-per-monthSpanish ConversationOpportunity via Zoom for intermediate and advanced speakers.
Intercambio is at 5:15 pm on first Wednesdays and third Tuesdays of every month.
A beginners group is starting soon. [Every other Wednesday at 5:15 p.m. starting October 14 via Zoom.]
We welcome native speakers to join to make this an Intercambio!
For more information and to register, contact MaureenMcCarthyCO@gmail.com or call (970) 980-1151
Be among the first to see Diverse Fort Collins news and event announcements. Type your email in the Follow box at DiverseFortCollins.com or DiverseFoCo.com
October 4, 2:00-4:00 p.m. MT. The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein
The New York Times called it “a powerful and disturbing history of residential segregation in America.”
Join us for a lively discussion! Judge Juan G. Villaseñorwill kick off the discussion with a 10-minute talk on his impressions of this best-selling book.
Come with your questions and we’ll tackle them together in small-group facilitated discussions. Prepare by reviewing the Reading Guide Discussion Questions.
Buy the paperback from Old Firehouse Books (20% discount if you mention DFC book group)
Colorado may gain a Congressional seat! Apply to serve on the independent commissions on redistricting.
From the website https://redistricting.colorado.gov/ “Colorado currently has seven seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. The U.S. Census is conducted every ten years, and afterward the U.S. Congress reapportions the number of congressional seats each state has based on population.
“In 2018, the Colorado General Assembly referred Senate Concurrent Resolutions 18-004 and 18-005 to the voters as Amendments Y, which addressed Congressional Redistricting, and Amendment Z, which addressed Legislative Redistricting. Both passed with over 70% approval in the 2018 General Election…”
Information on Candidates in the November 3 General Election
The following are a few candidates whose core values include racial equity, inclusion, and antiracism.
Judge Juan G. Villaseñor, Larimer County’s first Latino district court judge, will give a 30-minute presentation on “The Impact of COVID-19 on the Larimer County Justice System” on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020 at 3 p.m. MDT followed by Q&A
This event will not be recorded. We hope you can join us!
Your gift supports the programming of Diverse Fort Collins, a volunteer-driven community project connecting people with resources and each other.
NOTE: Zoom link will be sent via EventBrite to registered attendees.
Presenter Bio:
Judge Juan G. Villaseñor is a district judge in the Eighth Judicial District based in Fort Collins, CO.
Before his appointment to the bench, he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado and was a public board member on the Colorado Medical Board.
Diverse Fort Collins presents a book group discussion of Pulitzer Prize finalist THERE THERE by Tommy Orange on July 26, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. via Zoom
GUEST SPEAKERS We’ll hear from three Native community members about their thoughts on the novel, and what we should keep in mind as we begin the discussion.
GREGG DEALis a husband, father, member of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, artist and activist. As a provocative contemporary artist-activist, much of Deal’s work centers around Indigenous identity and pop culture, touching on issues of race relations, historical consideration and stereotype.
His first major performance piece, “The Last American Indian On Earth,” covered in The Washington Post Magazine, gained him notoriety and ground as an up-and-coming artist. Earlier this year, the Colorado resident premiered his performance “The Punk Pan-Indian Romantic Comedy” at Fort Collins Startup/Artup Week. A powerful retrospective of his work, “Voice,” was recently exhibited at the Duhesa Gallery in Colorado State University’s Lory Student Center.
AMBER LANE is affiliated with Seneca Nation, Wolf Clan. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from University of Colorado, Boulder with a historical trauma and original language focus. She is an advocate with Herbal Gardens Wellness and a Plan Ambassador for City of Fort Collins’ Our Climate Future. She is a community advocate active in circles from all four directions trying to raise multicultural/national children in Fort Collins.
“Powerful. . . . THERE THERE has so much jangling energy and brings so much news from a distinct corner of American life that it’s a revelation.” — The New York Times
Tommy Orange’s wondrous and shattering novel follows twelve characters from Native communities: all traveling to the Big Oakland Powwow, all connected to one another in ways they may not yet realize.
“The conversation was fantastic!I loved hearing folks’ views and perspectives.”
“I always leave these meetingsfeeling better about the human race.”
“It was a wonderful event. The panel was perfect. Thank you for hosting.”
“I’m grateful for Diverse Fort Collins and the opportunities they’re creating for meaningful interaction between the white population and people of color in our city.”
Diverse Fort Collins is a volunteer-driven community project connecting people with resources and each other.
Let’s co-create an inclusive community! All welcome! All cultures, identities, and abilities.
Sunday, June 28, 2020 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. MDT via Zoom
***This event at CAPACITY and REGISTRATION IS CLOSED***
It’s time to listen.
Diverse Fort Collins invites you to a thought-provoking online panel discussion and Q&A featuring three Black community members – Saja Butler, Phil Donaldson, and Anthony McGlaun.
The program will also feature musical performances by Mr. McGlaun and Ms. Butler, and a brief history of Juneteenth by Mr. Donaldson.
This is a unique opportunity to hear what it’s like to be Black in Fort Collins – and in America – in the wake of the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and many others, and the world-wide protests against police brutality and systemic racism.
This event will center the experiences of people of color (POC). If you do not identify as POC, we ask that you listen and observe only.
This event is also meant to be a safe space for POC. We may record it – and would announce this at the event – and will decide afterward whether to share the link only with those who have registered.
PANELISTS
SAJA BUTLER is the owner of Urban Monk Studios, a music studio in Fort Collins specializing in Banjo, Guitar, Uke, and Voice lessons as well as Stage Performance and Ensemble Classes for adults. She is also a member of Lois and the Lantern, as well as a solo artist.
PHIL DONALDSON is vice president of marketing and creative at PropelGrowth, a business to business marketing consultancy serving the Financial Technology space. With more than 25 years of experience, Mr. Donaldson has helped companies with branding, content development, creative direction, and media production. He is also an accomplished composer and musician.
ANTHONY P. MCGLAUN is a classically trained tenor who specializes in the music of African American composers of Art Song. Mr. McGlaun is a voice teacher as well as social justice advocate.
About 80 attendees (multiple attendees shared computers)
Testimonials
“The ‘Talking It Out: Being Black in America’ event was so informative and inspiring. Saja Butler, Phil Donaldson, and Anthony P. McGlaun were perfect choices for the panel, so articulate, honest, and encouraging. This was an important and timely event. Thank you so much for hosting.” – Teresa
“That was a wonderful event. I’m so glad I could be part of it. Grew up in the Philadelphia area with Black friends and family, so this is near and dear to my heart. I’m grateful for Diverse Fort Collins and the opportunities they’re creating for meaningful interaction between the white population and people of color in our city.” – Katharine
DID YOU KNOW?
We’ve added more information to our Businesses page, including listings of Black-owned businesses in Fort Collins, and more info to our Resources page, including a section on “What can I do?”
For Black communities, we are experiencing so much hurt, anger, grief, sadness, and fear.
As we think about all the loss and grief we hold for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and many more, we may wonder how we can work through everything that’s happening.
Diverse Fort Collins invites you to this space to process and breath and find healing space in meditation with other Black folx.
Zhalisa Clarke of Luna Vibrations will lead us in a meditation and invitation to process in community.
This event is open to folx who identify as part of the Black community. No meditation experience is required.
The event is free. Donations welcomed but not required and will be forwarded to the nonprofit Food Bank for Larimer County.
Music and Panel Discussion geared toward People of Color (POC) featuring a few well-known Black community members in Fort Collins.
Stay tuned for details coming soon!
Be among the first to hear: receive updates by entering your email in the Follow box.
We have more FREE events on the calendar! Take a look at the following, and see details and registration on the Events page at http://www.DiverseFortCollins.com
Book Group
Diverse Fort Collins book group discussion of THERE THERE by Tommy Orange on July 26, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
“In the days since four Minneapolis Police Department officers killed George Floyd, hundreds of demonstrations have broken out around the country. Race Forward stands in solidarity with the millions who have marched to demand justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and for those Black lives who have been taken prematurely by police brutality. We join their condemnation of all forms of racist violence, whether state or state-sanctioned or from individuals and groups. We join the call for the arrest and prosecution of all four officers involved in this merciless murder…” Read more
Diverse Fort Collins stands in solidarity with our Black and African American community members.
“Every day I think about race. Actually, racism. For the past 12 years, since my son was born, it’s top of mind on a daily basis. I was born to a white mother and black father long before the prevalence of bi-and multi-racial celebrities and public figures.
“I remember taking road trips with my parents and younger sisters to family gatherings in Arkansas. I remember being pulled over by police and my father harassed for being with a white woman.
“I remember my mother being called a nigger lover. I remember being taunted as a young person or being preyed upon by older men who considered me exotic. It was awful, and even my parents’ love couldn’t shield me from the ugliness of the world…” Read more
DiverseFortCollins.com is a volunteer-driven community project connecting people with resources and each other.
See the Events page for upcoming discussions and stay tuned for more coming soon.
All welcome. Let’s co-create an inclusive community!
(1) Community Voices Guest Commentary by Judge Juan G. Villaseñor
(2) Free Event! (Webinar) “The Impact of COVID-19 on Larimer County’s Justice System” by Judge Villaseñor on August 16. See details below.
Larimer County’s First Latino District Court Judge: Juan G. Villaseñor
Growing up in Guadalajara, Mexico, I never imagined that I’d be the first lawyer in my family or the first Latino district judge in Larimer County. While my grandmother wanted me to be an architect or an engineer, she would’ve been proud that I became a judge!
I immigrated to the United States when I was 15 years old, to the San Francisco Bay Area. It was a natural choice for my family because my grandfather and several of his siblings had settled there in the 1950s. He’s part of San Francisco’s history: he started La Victoria, the first Mexican bakery in the Mission District, the city’s Latino enclave.
Knowing little English when I arrived to California, it was very difficult for me to adjust to my new country. But one of my greatest traits is adaptability. As an immigrant, it’s an essential trait that you must have to learn to navigate a completely different culture, language, and more. So, I felt that the U.S. was my oyster, waiting for me to explore it. And explore I did!
Before moving to Colorado and Fort Collins in 2012, I lived in several states. At this point, I’ve lived in nearly every region of this great country. I can safely say that Colorado is, by far, my favorite state and the one where I’ve lived the longest. I’ve set roots here: my eight-year-old son is a native, my wife works here as do I, and our two other children go to school here. Fort Collins is an easy place to love, with its many outdoor events and easy access to natural spaces and rivers.
Fort Collins also has been very welcoming. I exclusively speak Spanish to my son, who frustratingly responds back in English, and people who hear us are very supportive and impressed.
But 100 years ago, this community wasn’t as welcoming to Latinos, who had originally settled here in 1858, about 18 years before Colorado was admitted to the United States. Latinos lived north of downtown Fort Collins, in the Tres Colonias neighborhood. It’s widely known that when they visited Old Town, they experienced discrimination. This history is well documented by our own Museum of Discovery and the Poudre River Public Library District: “Store windows displayed signs reading ‘No Dogs or Mexicans Allowed.’ Teachers often sat Hispanic students in the back of the classroom.”
Thankfully, we’ve come a long way since those days. Like the Latino families who settled here, I hope to continue to be part of Fort Collins’ vibrant Latino culture. But more work needs to be done. Latinos make up approximately 12% of Fort Collins’ population and it’s very important to engage them in our amazing community. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fortcollinscitycolorado
As a district judge, I do my part by creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere in my courtroom for anyone who has a case before me. I’m also engaged in our community, giving presentations at Colorado State University and other places. It’s important that young Latinos see someone like them in a leadership role.
I love Fort Collins and what it offers and I’m extremely proud and humbled to serve as a district court judge. For me, every day is an opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives and to serve my community. It’s a duty I cherish and take very seriously.
Judge Juan G. Villaseñor is a district judge in the Eighth Judicial District based in Fort Collins. Before his appointment to the bench, he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado and as a public board member on the Colorado Medical Board.
Judge Villaseñor is engaged in several law-related community activities, like speaking to undergraduate business-school students at Colorado State University. Read more at the Colorado Judicial Branch website.
FREE EVENT online via Zoom! Join Diverse Fort Collins and Judge Juan G. Villaseñor on Sunday, August 16 at 3 p.m. for a 30-minute presentation on “The Impact of COVID-19 on Larimer County’s Justice System” followed by Q&A. Register at www.DiverseFortCollins.com/events
Diverse Fort Collins is a volunteer-driven community project connecting people with resources and each other.
Let’s co-create an inclusive community! All welcome!
Diverse Fort Collins 