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Connecting People to People - May 2023

Quality journalism that puts community first is more important now than ever. The award-winning Denver Urban Spectrum has been spreading the news about people of color for 36 years. Producing homegrown journalism takes funding, and we need your support. Your donation will help us to keep paying writers, editors, production coordinators, and other important staff. Don't delay, your donation will be much appreciated today!

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Businesswoman Carla Ladd

Supporting Black Businesses and Building Generational Wealth

By Christen Aldridge

Entrepreneurship runs through her blood. “My grandmother was an entrepreneur, her mother was an entrepreneur and my father was an entrepreneur,” says Carla Ladd, a natural-born leader with a passion and heart for working to support Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. “I was born to be an entrepreneur.” Though her father started several different businesses throughout Carla’s life, her mother worked as a registered nurse with the Veterans Administration. “My mom believed in clocking in and clocking out of a job and staying at that job until you retire,” says Ladd, who at 18 years old told her mother that she wanted to work for herself.

Message from the Editor

What You Do Next...

In this month’s cover story, first-time contributor Christen Aldridge talks to Carla Ladd about her work to help build generational wealth in the Black community through entrepreneurship, financial literacy and her not-so-secret little black book.

May is Mental Health Month. In this issue we have two pieces addressing mental health. In her article, contributor Mariam Sylla explores the story behind a new book by mental health counselor Janelle Johnson called, “When Grief Becomes US: Death Loss.” Longtime contributor LisaMarie Martinez connects with two psychologists for a better understanding of how parents and teachers can help students find some type of social normalcy after experiencing yet another traumatizing school shooting.

In line with the health theme for this issue, Aldridge also shines the light on Black maternal health in her article on the importance of doulas and advocacy for Black women, who are often dismissed or ignored in hospitals and other health care settings throughout their pregnancy leading to life-threatening complications. To round out our coverage of health issues, we also have a piece from our COLab partner about the importance of colon cancer screenings in the Black community.

Another long-time contributor, Thomas Holt Russell, shares his personal experience as a tall Black man in America with a “loud” voice in his op-ed on the controversy surrounding Tennessee lawmakers’ vote to expel two of its Black lawmakers for “disorderly behavior” when they voiced their concerns about gun violence.

As we near the end of the school year for many and the season of graduation, DUS extends a special congratulation to six college-bound students who excelled in civic engagement and academic achievement — all exceeding 4.1 GPA — during their high school years at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early College. Please take the time to review our article highlighting their accomplishments to date.

To the students, entrepreneurs, advocates and lawmakers we look forward to seeing what you do next.

And last but certainly not least, DUS has completed its’ next. Denver Urban Spectrum’s Expanding The Narrative podcast network is live! Check it out at www.dusetnnetwork.net and let us know what you think. Enjoy!

Angelia D. McGowan

Managing Editor

Psychosocial Safety and Mental Health Management After Gun Violence in Schools

By LisaMarie Martinez

Sitting in a lounge chair and sipping on a hot cup of chai, after a relaxed dinner, a teacher begins to review lessons planned for the next morning’s class. In another time zone it’s the end of a school day, and as students walk through the school halls they’re thinking about how much homework teachers assigned and worrying about being late for band practice.

Fear of a (Loud!) Black Voice

Op-ed by Thomas Holt Russell

On April 3, 2023, Tennessee lawmakers voted to expel two of its Black lawmakers because they raised their voices on the house floor while protesting for tighter gun control after another tragic school shooting that took the life of children. The official reason was “disorderly behavior.” And "bringing disorder and dishonor to the House.” A third lawmaker, Gloria Johnson, a white female who participated in the protest, was not suspended.