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Dahlia: Urban League honors supporters at fundraiser

Published July 6, 2006 at midnight

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When Whitney M. Young Jr. served in a segregated U.S. Army company during World War II, he probably never dreamed that his efforts as a go-between for white officers and black soldiers would be the catalyst for a career in race relations.

As executive director of the national Urban League from 1961 until his death in 1971, Young is considered a pioneer in building race relations by bringing social activism into the mainstream during the Civil Rights movement.

The Urban League of Metropolitan Denver continues to build race relations by helping blacks and other residents of metro Denver attain social and economic equality and self-reliance.

The league's major annual fundraiser, the Whitney M. Young Jr. Awards Dinner, supports the local chapter and celebrates the achievements of those who make a difference for blacks and others in the community and beyond.

The recent awards presentation was the 60th annual celebration at the Adam's Mark Hotel.

The McKinley Harris Distinguished Warrior Award was presented to state Senate President Pro Tempore Peter Groff by Harris family representative Gaylene Harris.

The award, named for the late social activist, is given to someone who has demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of others through activism, volunteerism and charitable or educational support.

Groff is the founder and executive director of the University of Denver Center for African American Policy, a nonprofit organization that aims to improve the lives of blacks through academics, public discourse and community and public service.

Groff also is a lecturer in DU's Public Policy Program; editor of the center's Web site, , and its blog; executive producer and host of Ascent Live, an Internet radio show; and co-author of Standing in the Gap: Leadership in the 21st Century, a guide on leadership in American politics.

The Denver Weekly News and one of its writers, the Rev. Dr. Claudette Sweet, received the Corporate Community Award.

Sweet sang To God Be the Glory in a spectacular mezzo-soprano voice before she accepted her award in front of more than 650 supporters, including her proud publisher, Lenore Alexander.

The Community Award was presented to Dr. Syl Morgan-Smith, founder and president of the Colorado Gospel Music Academy & Hall of Fame, which has honored more than 500 black heroes and leaders since its inception 35 years ago.

The Volunteer Award went to Michael Thompson, who oversees the financial affairs of wealthy clients as a career but volunteers for community causes and serves as vice president of the Urban League Denver Young Professionals.

The Director Emeritus Award was presented to two former Urban League directors: Bob Allen, a senior VP at CH2M-Hill and chairman of the Urban League board of directors, and Olivia Thompson, vice president of corporate excellence at Coors Brewing Co. and a league board member since 1999.

Guests enjoyed a rendition of the Black National Anthem performed by Jon Shockness to open the evening's festivities; a presentation by Unique Williams, a member of the League's NULITES (National Urban League Incentives to Excel and Succeed) Youth Leadership Summit; and a performance by The Spinners.

A video presentation about the Urban League produced by Larry Alexander and a presentation about the League's Hope Online program narrated by CFO Christopher Hall were other highlights.

Proceeds from the dinner will benefit programs such as the Hope Online Learning Academy Co-Op, or Hope Co-Op, a K-12 virtual charter school for at-risk students.

Denver neighborhood liaison and mistress of ceremonies Tamara Banks welcomed guests including her boss, Mayor John Hickenlooper; the Rev. Edward Holmes, who conducted the invocation; Alice Langley, president of the Urban League Guild, who was the dinner committee co-chairwoman with co-chairman Chuck Freije, general manager of the Adam's Mark; Mile High United Way President and CEO Mike Durkin; Geneva "Mac" Owens, wife of the late Sebastian Owens, the Urban League of Denver's CEO for 25 years; former Urban League CEO Larry Borom, who served as the league's leader for 16 years; City Council President Elbra Wedgeworth; state Rep. Rosemary Marshall; Aurora Councilman Ryan Frazier; Happy Haynes, Hickenlooper's liaison with the city council; Linda and Don Childears; Pikes Peak Urban League CEO Deborah Wilson; and Lauren Casteel, daughter of the late Whitney M. Young Jr.

Urban League of Metro Denver President and CEO Sharon Alexander-Holt had plenty of fans at the fete, including her mother, Mary Catherine Alexander; nephew, Brandon Johnson; sister and brother-in-law, Lynette and Barry Booker; sister-in-law Judith Alexander, Larry Alexander's wife; and family friends Brandi Raiford and James Gaskin.

For more information about the Urban League, call 303-388-5861.

Dahlia Jean Weinstein is the society writer. or 303-892-2882