B2BxKGNU - July 2025

Get ready for an inspiring lineup of voices shaping history, equity and leadership. This month we hear from Kenneth B. Morris, Jr., the great-great-great-grandson of Frederick Douglass and great-great-grandson of Booker T. Washington, as he shares how he continues his family’s legacy of struggle and progress at the Colorado Trust Eight28 event. We then explore the meaning of economic inclusion with Kelli Kelly, and close with Sade Cooper’s bold vision for how Black women are rewriting the system. Special thanks to The Colorado Trust and the Economic Development Association for Black Communities (EDA) for hosting these conversations highlighting legacy, empowerment and the urgent call to build a better future for all.

This episode of Back2Basics is centered on the power of storytelling. From Joy-Ann Reid’s keynote at the Colorado Health Foundation Symposium on why storytelling is our most powerful tool, to celebrating 50 years of the National Association of Black Journalists and honoring Colorado pioneers Sandra Dillard and Greg Moore, to marking the first anniversary of the Colorado Ethnic Media Exchange, we explore how stories connect and change communities.

In this episode of Back2Basics, host Brittany Winkfield shares powerful reflections from a two-week international leadership journey to Senegal and Ghana with the Urban Leadership Foundation of Colorado. From the emotional visit to Gorée Island's Door of No Return, to meaningful conversations with Ghanaian leaders and scholars, we explore how reconnecting with African history and culture reshapes leadership and identity. We discuss shocking historical truths and the importance of storytelling and cultural awareness. This episode invites listeners to reflect, remember and lead with purpose featuring Ọbádélé Bakari Kambon, PhD.

This month we celebrate Black fatherhood and the power of presence. We reflect on the third annual Daddy Daughter Dance, hosted by Back2Basics and Al Your Pal, and hear powerful tributes from local fathers Nathan Roston and Tedmund Taylor. This episode also honors Juneteenth as a time of remembrance and joyful resistance, highlighting Black Music Month with a cultural experience abroad at Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour in London. A global tribute to Black country, Black womanhood, and reclaiming space with pride.

This month we celebrate graduates and the principles of perseverance and quality education. We hear from Carlotta Walls LaNier, one of the courageous Little Rock Nine students and get a history lesson from the 1950s. The episode also highlights the Collaborative Journalism Summit in Denver, showcasing Colorado's thriving collaborative media ecosystem and the important role of trusted messengers in community news featuring Vera Idam-Osuokwu from Afrik Digest Magazine and Adriana Lacy from Influencer Journalism.

This episode of Back2Basics focuses on the theme of "innovation and impact," defining them simply as the spark and the direction for positive change. We hear from Maxine Harris, founder of Maxx Impact Group, on her business journey. The Local Media Association Annual Summit in New York City highlights discussions around AI and a live demonstration of Google's NotebookLM. Announcing the Colorado Association of Black Journalists' annual Awards and Scholarship Reception on Saturday, May 3, 2025, celebrating excellence in journalism and introducing scholarship recipients.

There’s lots to celebrate in this episode of Back2Basics on Metro, including the 198th anniversary of the Black Press, and the future of media and storytelling. We hear from futurist, Crystal Washington, at Denver International Airport’s 30th-anniversary celebration and highlights from the Knight Foundation Media Forum, where leaders discuss shaping the future of our communities. Plus, we spotlight the Colorado Ethnic Media Exchange, a collaborative effort bridging information gaps for diverse communities across Colorado. As we honor the legacy of Black-owned media, we also hear from NNPA President and CEO Dr. Ben Chavis on the State of the Black Press and a celebration of women!

This episode of Back2Basics on Metro, hosted by Brittany Winkfield, highlights Black leadership in Colorado in honor of President’s Day. Winkfield speaks with five influential presidents of Colorado-based organizations who are shaping history today. Karen McNeil-Miller (Colorado Health Foundation) – A champion for health equity, ensuring marginalized communities have a voice in shaping health policies. Dr. Ryan Ross (Urban Leadership Foundation of Colorado) – A mentor and advocate for Black professionals, emphasizing the importance of representation in leadership. Dr. Angelic Cole (Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce) – A leader in economic empowerment, supporting Black entrepreneurship and financial equity. Senate President James Coleman (Colorado Senate President) – A trailblazer in policymaking, advocating for education, economic development, and social justice. Micah Smith (Colorado Association of Black Journalists) – A leader in media representation, working to amplify Black voices in journalism and storytelling. Each of these leaders is carrying the legacy of Black history forward every single day. Their work in philanthropy, leadership development, education, and policy is proof that Black excellence is thriving in Colorado. The question now is—how will you step up and continue the legacy?

Today, we celebrate the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In the spirit of Dr. King, our conversation today connects to his dream of uplifting marginalized voices. Dr. King once said, 'Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and inhuman. I’m tackling a critical story that sits at the intersection of journalism, community trust, and equity. All values that are near and dear to me. Recently, Colorado Public Radio’s investigative series on Caring for Denver has sparked heated debate. While it raises important questions about transparency, it has also left many nonprofits—particularly those serving communities of color—dealing with accusations and bias. These organizations are pillars of culturally responsive mental health care, services in which my family has personally benefited, and are now defending their legitimacy in ways that feel deeply unjust. I sat down with Angell Perez who is the executive director at Colorado Circles for Change, Kenneth Crowley who is the founder and president of the Crowley Foundation, Wendy Talley a Denver resident and tax payer and Jason Vitello who is the Equity and Community Development Manager at Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition. Together, we discuss how we can advance truth and healing and why it’s critical to hold journalism accountable without losing sight of the communities that most need our support. Happy Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

Did you know the longest-running hip-hop radio show in the world lives right here on KGNU. The Eclipse Show has been broadcasting since May 22, 1978. For decades, this show has been the heartbeat of hip-hop culture. It’s more than just music; it’s a legacy. Hear from the show’s creator, Steve Chavis, along with Becky Taylor who was there at the beginning and Deep Rock Dave who is one of the current hosts of this game-changing radio show. 🎙️ #back2basicsmag