Black History in the Denver Metro Area

The journey of Black History and the history of minoritized and marginalized groups, individuals and communities cannot be lost as time goes by. The era of greatness and contribution continues. Although some will consider Black History, just that - history, DSST pushes against that ideology and narrative. Instead, we continue to spotlight Black pioneers in the Denver Metro Area, of the past and present, to help our community recognize and value the history within our own backyard. Black history is not relegated to the southern states nor the east coast. Black history’s presence and contribution stretches from “sea to shining sea” and most definitely within the “purple mountain’s majesty”.  Here are examples of Black History in the Denver Metro Area showcasing entrepreneurship, STEM, education, sports, politics, arts and entertainment. 

Entrepreneurship

 Madame C. J. Walker of Denver in 1907 developed  and marketed her hair-straightening method and created one of the most successful hair products businesses in the nation. In 1911, the Denver Star reported, “She stands today as the richest Negro in America. And she made it herself.”

Hulett Maxwell – Pharmacist and Drug Store Owner: Hulett Maxwell was one of the first African American pharmacists and drugstore owners in Colorado.  He and O. L “Sonny” Lawson were co-owners of Radio Pharmacy, located in Five Points at East 26th and Welton streets. Atlas Drugs was their competitor on 27th and Welton Streets.  The Radio Pharmacy was a successful business for more than 50 years. Hulett received his pharmaceutical training at the Denver College of Pharmacy (Capitol Pharmacy).

L. “Sonny” Lawson – Drug Store Owner and Community Activist: O. L. “Sonny” Lawson, a Denver native and co-owner of the Radio Pharmacy was also known for his role as a district executive for the Democratic Party.  He served in that key position for more than a decade. On August 9, 1972, the park at 24th and Welton became the first park in Denver to be dedicated to an African American: Sonny Lawson Park. The park’s early history hosted Negro League games; it was the first ball field in Denver to do so. Sonny Lawson used his influence to help create jobs for African Americans, and made sure politicians followed up on their campaign promises.

Film

 Hattie McDaniel The youngest daughter of two formerly-enslaved parents and drawn to the performing arts from an early age, McDaniel followed her older brother, Sam, and became a performer in his travelling comedy troupe. She would become the first African American to win an Oscar for her role as Mammy in Gone with the Wind.

Politics, Civil Rights & Education

Wellington Web was the first African American Mayor of Denver. The Webb family relocated to the Northeast section of Denver, where the imposing six-foot, five-inch youth became active in sports. Webb was an all-conference basketball player at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado, in 1960. He obtained his B.A. in sociology from Colorado State College at Greeley in 1964 and his M.A. in sociology from the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley in 1971.

Elvin Caldwell – Politician and Organizer: His tenure in Colorado’s political arena contributed to many changes for African Americans in Colorado. He was recognized as one of the most significant African American policymakers in Colorado history. He was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives from 1950-1955. In 1955, he became the first African American to serve on a City Council seat west of the Mississippi. He was seated on the Denver City Council for 28 years (seven terms), fulfilling five years as president. 

Ada B. Evans – Mayor of Fairplay, Colorado: In 1974, (a biennial election) Ada B. Evans was declared the winner of the mayoral race in the Town of Fairplay with 65 votes.  Her opposition secured 49 and 45 votes respectively. She campaigned on paving Fairplay’s streets, and later ran unopposed for mayor in the 1976 election.  Evans was the first African American female mayor to be popularly elected in Colorado.

Edna Wilson Mosley – Civil Rights Activist, Educator and Youth Advocate: The name Edna runs through Edna Wilson Mosley’s family. Her mother was Edna, She had a grandmother Edna, a daughter Edna, and a granddaughter Edna.  Her sister-in-law is the mother of Congresswoman Maxine Waters (California).  Edna Mosley left her own mark on Colorado, and was a civil rights specialist for Colorado’s Civil Rights Commission. She borrowed $1,000 from a credit union (keeping that tidbit of information from her husband) to help finance the start of a women’s bank in Denver in the Equitable Building on 17th Street. Along with 49 other contributors, Edna Mosley and the organizing group raised $50,000 to establish the bank. At that time she was the only African American on the organizing team. She also served on the Board of Directors of the profitable bank. Edna Mosley was married to John Mosley, a highly respected and original Tuskegee Airman.

Jessie Whaley Maxwell – Principal: Jessie Whaley Maxwell was the first African American principal in Colorado. She was a teacher at Whittier Elementary School for 28 years. She taught kindergarten and third grade. In 1955, she became principal of Columbine Elementary School in Northeast Denver.  The Jessie Maxwell Award for Excellence in Administration was established in her honor by Black Educators United.  Jessie Whaley Maxwell was married to Hulett Maxwell, the aforementioned pharmacist.  

Jerome Biffle – Olympic Gold Medal Winner: Jerome Biffle won the gold medal in the 1952 Olympic Games at Helsinki, Finland in the long jump competition. That victory made him the first track star to be inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, class of 1968. In 1983, he won the Robert Russell Memorial Award as the outstanding amateur athlete in the Rocky Mountain area, and in 1959, he was named, along with another Olympic hero, Jesse Owens, to the Drake Relays Hall of Fame.

Other Prominent Denver Natives