The Ednium Podcast

Our guest this week is Brayan Montez-Terrazas, the winner of 'The Creator of the Year' award at our 2023 Homegrown Awards.

Denver-based artist, Brayan Montes-Terrazas is better known by his alias YAMZ. Under his brand, YAMZ, Brayan’s unwavering identity-driven art stresses the importance of putting marginalized voices at the forefront of our conversations and the stories we tell.

He is driven by the essential need to tell the stories of his identity as an undocumented, queer person of color. Using art and design as the vessels, Brayan demonstrates to others that they are not alone in the fight toward equity, justice, and sound mental health.

While he continues to develop the YAMZ: World of Color as both an art-based brand and community-driven organization, he maintains the principle that when we uplift marginalized identities through art we can heal, provide business solutions, and bring each other up - because representation matters and we must strive to build equity in the art and design fields.

Some of Brayan's clients include Nestle, New Belgium Brewing, Door Dash and Microsoft XBOX.

In this podcast episode, TeRay speaks with Dwight Jones, the Executive Director for the Office of Children Affairs in Denver.

Dwight Jones boasts a distinguished career spanning education and the private sector. He has served as Interim Superintendent and Senior Deputy Superintendent of Denver Public Schools, Senior Vice President at McGraw-Hill Education, and offered strategic guidance at Discovery Channel's Education Division. Notably, as Superintendent of Clark County School District, Las Vegas, he raised academic standards for over 320,000 students. Jones, the former Colorado Commissioner of Education, revamped state standards, narrowed achievement gaps, and spearheaded the Colorado Growth Model. With extensive experience in superintendent, curriculum, and development roles, Jones is a renowned national speaker, published author, and Senior Advisor to Whiteboard Advisors in Washington, D.C. Throughout his illustrious career, he has received numerous prestigious awards, including the AASA Distinguished Service Award, NAACP's Heartbeat Award, and induction into the Troops to Teachers Hall of Fame.
Join us as as he brings us along on his journey to becoming a leader in education and his views on the importance of balance in education, the value of teamwork, and the impact of parental involvement and high expectations on student achievement.

Our guest this week is Liloni Ramos, the winner of 'The Leader of the Year' award at our Ednium 2023 Homegrown Awards. Liloni is a 4th generation Coloradoan and 3rd generation Denverite who grew up in Denver’s Harvey Park neighborhood. Being raised by her mother and grandmother, Liloni understood the power of education, service, and human connection at a young age. Having attended Denver Public Schools, she experienced firsthand the educational disparities in the public school system. Motivated to enact change, she pursued a Bachelor’s in Human Development & Family Studies at Colorado State University (#ProudToBe), where her fervor for equitable access to education ignited. Transitioning to higher education to delve deeper into educational inequities and support first-generation college students, she shifted away from kindergarten classrooms. Now, as the Program Manager of Gary’s Piton Fellowship, Liloni utilizes her diverse educational background to nurture Denver's future leaders. Holding a Masters in nonprofit management from Regis University, she actively engages in community committees and boards, such as The Denver Foundation’s Advisory Committee for Community Impact and the Reisher Alumni Program Board. Inspired by her nieces and nephews, Liloni is dedicated to fostering success for future generations.

For this week's episode, we had with the opportunity to sit down and talk with Dianne Myles, the CEO of Dope Mom Life. Dianne found her passion for storytelling and community. Her team fulfills the company's mission daily to tell authentic, impactful stories that shift viewers' perspectives and garner engagement. Dianne's life experiences have given her a unique opportunity to be a powerful messenger and connector. Dianne prioritizes spending time with her two adult children, DJ and Tiara, who attend CU Denver, as they are her world. She also spends countless hours volunteering for organizations and serving on boards. Dianne is also a celebrated business leader in the community, having won several awards, including a Heartland Emmy.

This week, our podcast features Dr. Jamal Bowen, winner of 'The Dream Investor' award at the Ednium 2023 Homegrown Awards. Dr. Bowen, a dedicated father and community advocate, founded "Empowering Community Entrepreneurs" in 2016 to mentor young adults in business. He played a key role in the Women’s Situation Room during elections in Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire in 2017, promoting women's empowerment. Dr. Bowen's commitment to education is evident in his roles at the Community College of Denver, where he served as Dean of Instruction and Program Chair, offering valuable workshops and training. His partnerships with organizations like SparqU and Energize Colorado underscore his commitment to community development. Recognized for his contributions, Dr. Bowen received the Post-Secondary Educator of the Year award in 2020 and an Honorary Doctorate in Public Service in 2021.

Welcome to the New Year edition of the Ednium podcast! Tune in as the Ednium team reflects on the numerous triumphs and shifts of 2023, and dive into the new aspirations we've established for our growing team and Ednium in 2024!

In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with a few of our graduates from Leadership Launchpad cohort 4: David Martinez, Kiara Chavez, Angelica Granados, and Hanna Celis. Together, we reflect on our experiences in school and life beyond the classroom.

Join us as we dive deep into candid conversations, sharing personal stories, and exploring how our educational journey shaped us. From the highs to the lows, we unpack it all.

Kelly Brough worked for former then-Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper from 2003 to 2009, finishing as his chief of staff. Brough later worked as president and C.E.O. of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce from 2009 to 2021, and chief strategy officer at Metropolitan State University of Denver from 2021 to 2022.

Kelly Brough is a candidate in the 2023 Denver Mayoral Election finishing in second place in the initial round of the election on April 4.

Michael C. Johnston is an American educator and politician who served as a Colorado state senator representing the 33rd district from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he was a candidate for governor of Colorado in 2018.

Mike Johnston is a candidate in the 2023 Denver Mayoral Election finishing in first place in the initial round of the election on April 4.

Dr. Smith is the Deputy Superintendent of Schools for the Denver Public Schools. He returned to Denver Public Schools in January 2022 after serving as the Superintendent of KIPP Texas Dallas Ft. Worth. Dr. Smith previously served as an Instructional Superintendent of Turnaround and 6-12 schools, as well as the Regional Instructional Superintendent of the Far Northeast region of Denver. 

Dr. Smith has also served as the Executive Director of School Turnaround and Instruction for the Adams 14 Schools District, and as Turnaround Principal in the Denver Public Schools at Montbello and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Early College. He has more than 22 years of experience in public education and began his career as a Title 1 teacher for small schools and institutions at the Savio House Educational Center, a school for adjudicated youth. He has served as a Teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, Executive Director, Instructional Superintendent, and Superintendent across both elementary and secondary schools during his career.

Theresa Peña has an extensive career in the public and private sector. She retired in February 2022 from Denver Public Schools where she was the regional coordinator of outreach and engagement for the Food and Nutrition Services team. Prior to joining DPS Theresa worked with Hunger Free Colorado, the Colorado Children’s Campaign and the City of Denver. Theresa was elected to the Denver Public School Board of Education as an at-large representative in November 2003 and was reelected in November 2007 for a second four-year term; she served as president of the board for four years from 2005-2009. Before serving on the DPS Board Theresa worked for IBM and US WEST where she had a successful career in marketing, human resources, operations and finance.

Theresa is a Denver native. She is a graduate of Pomona College where she received a BA in sociology and Cornell University where she received her MBA with a concentration in finance and marketing. Theresa has two children, both graduates of Denver Public Schools, and her husband is a veterinary ophthalmologist. Currently Theresa is the vice-chair of Prosperity Denver Fund and a board member of UC Health. She is a former board member of the Denver Scholarship Foundation, the Public Education Business Coalition, the Denver Preschool Program, the Latino Community Foundation of Colorado, the Mayor’s Latino Advisory Council, the Colorado Community College System and A+ Colorado.

Erik Carrasco is a comprehensive health and fitness coach at Abraham Lincoln High School. He started his career in 2013 and has been able to serve every age group in the same content field throughout the southwest Denver area. He has a passion for athletics and helping students develop lifelong healthy habits that will positively impact them for the rest of their lives.

Denver Public School Teacher and Coach | Teacher leader at Generation Teach | Co-Director of Copa Alianza Soccer Tournament Denver

Lauren Sisneros is a Colorado native, born and raised in the San Luis Valley. Lauren is the Executive Director of the Latinas First Foundation. Lauren has a long history supporting educational access in Colorado.  She has worked with universities and the Colorado Department of Higher Education as a pre-collegiate advisor and college advisor working with first generation, low-income students. She also served as the Director of Programs at Prosperity Denver Fund where was responsible for developing and implementing the Fund’s program services working with scholarship organizations. Lauren began her career working for Colorado Legislative Council Staff, the non-partisan research arm of the General Assembly, where she gained policy experience. She later served as a State Relations Manager for Education Commission of the States, a national policy organization.

Lauren earned her Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from CSU-Pueblo and a Master’s Degree in Education from Colorado State University. She later graduated from the University of Denver’s Latino Leadership Institute, a nine-month fellowship program that prepares Latino professionals for elevated roles of influence in Colorado. Lauren is currently participating in Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation's Leadership Program, an 11-month program that aims to transform actively engaged civic leaders into community champions through in-depth experiences with a close network.

Lauren resides in Lakewood, Colorado with her husband and two children, a sophomore at MSU-Denver and a Senior in high school. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring the great outdoors of Colorado with her family.

New year, new faces, same focus. We are excited to introduce the new squad: Richard, Kathe, and Alonso!

Kathe is a Denver native raised by African immigrant parents. She is an East High School Alumni and earned a bachelor’s degree in International Relations with minors in Psychology and Communications from the University of Colorado Denver. After graduating, Kathe started her career in the nonprofit world wanting to serve the communities she grew up within. Helping to create and develop programs, opportunities, and resources for communities in need has become a passion of hers and it is truly seen through her work. Finding her goals and values to be in alliance with Ednium, she joined the team! Kathe is excited to be a part of the team and is ready to help us get to the next level!   

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Alonso immigrated to Denver by himself as a teenager. He enrolled into Abraham Lincoln High School where he later graduated in the class of 2011. Upon graduation he moved on to Western Nebraska Community College where he graduated with an associate degree of science. Alonso then furthered his education at Chadron State College where he later graduated.  Ednium’s vision and mission captivated Alonso’s interests as a member of the Leadership Launchpad Cohort 3. So when he had the opportunity to join the team, he didn’t hesitate.  He is excited to contribute to the betterment of Denver’s social infrastructure, so our youth can thrive.

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A graduate of John F. Kennedy High School, Richard is responsible for all programs including the annual leadership development cohort, research and storytelling initiatives, and policy ideation and implementation. Prior to joining Ednium Richard served as IB Program Manager at George Washington High School, where he led school-wide professional development around equity and authentic student engagement and helped eliminate barriers to increase BIPOC student access and engagement in advanced courses. Additionally he served as the coach for the Student Board of Education team, a policy-focused student organization as well as the GW Powerlifting team. He is passionate about community engagement, volunteering with organizations such as Minds Matter Colorado and the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Program. Richard holds a bachelor's degree in History and Spanish and a masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Denver, and a certificate in Educational Leadership from Colorado State University Global. Richard resides in southwest Denver with his partner and two rambunctious puppies.

D.R. XIX (dee-arr one nine) is a multi faceted creative who specializes in music production, audio engineering, and videography. He's worked with local artists such as A Meazy, Old Man Saxton, Jay Triiiple, Danae Simone, and others alike. His most recent work is on an upcoming compilation album called "Already On: The Verge" set to release on June 17th, 2022. 

A Meazy was born and raised on the east side of Denver, Colorado. Born Alexander Jiles, A Meazy started making music in the 4th grade alongside his best friend and music influence, Darius Campbell. After Darius passed away in 2005, A Meazy created a rap group called 'The Offense' with his brother Taurean. Since then they have dropped several mixtapes together and one solo album a piece. A Meazy's debut solo album titled “The Real Ned Flanders” dropped January 20th, 2015. Since the independent release the classic album has gotten over 17k plays on audiomack.com.In just a few months hit singles like “Antidote”, “Juice” and “For the Birds” has his name buzzing throughout the city as one of the biggest artist to rise out of Denver.

Representative Leslie Herod (HD-8) was elected in 2016 as the first LGBTQ African American in the General Assembly, while receiving the highest number of votes of any candidate running in a contested election. She serves as the Chair of the House Finance Committee, Vice Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, and Chair of the Committee on Legal Services. Rep. Herod also chairs the Colorado Black Democratic Legislative Caucus and the Arts Caucus.

Since her election in 2016, Herod has sent 68 bills to the Governor’s desk, marshaling through numerous pieces of legislation addressing criminal justice reform, mental health & substance abuse, renewable energy, youth homelessness, and civil rights protections. Her legislative agenda underscores her commitment to improving the lives of all Coloradans, especially those caught in the cycle of poverty or mired in the criminal justice system.

Oso Adventure Meals:

Oso Adventure Meals provides a brand of culturally authentic food and beverage products for the everyday adventurer. Current meal brands do not meet the needs of a growing and diverse outdoor market. Oso Meals is diversifying the outdoors by bringing delicious, spicy, and authentic meals to the backcountry. Oso allows customers to take their favorite recipes with them on the go, at home, or off the beaten path.

Felipe Vieyra:

A proven leader with Expertise running large advocacy organizations within the k-12 education space. Felipe serves on multiple board of directors and advises government officials and business leaders throughout Colorado.

Dom Barrera:

Co-Founded The Colorado Food Cluster, which provides healthy and tasty food, economic opportunities, and enrichment activities to over 40,000 families across the state of Colorado.

Jazmin is passionate about disrupting  traditional ways of thinking about water, food systems, our relationship to land, and societal development through a lens of empathy and equity.

Her experience in the professional realms of government affairs, urban planning, and education have helped her understand the mechanics of oppressive institutions.

She uses yoga, the wisdom of herbs, exploring nature, and dancing as ways of reconnecting to her body. She believes breaking ancestral trauma and healing community starts with self. For her, a big part of this journey was to release the expectations of her family to make herself proud. To love and accept all the parts we’ve been trained to judge or hide is a daily practice.

Tay Anderson is a father, community organizer, and educator. He is a product of Denver Public Schools and is a proud graduate of Manual High School.

After working in the Colorado legislature, he dedicated his life to serving students across Denver Public Schools. He became an educator serving in various roles across Denver Public Schools, prior to his election to the Denver School Board. In various capacities, Tay has advised lawmakers, policy makers, and community leaders on issues such as educational equity, gun violence prevention, and human rights. His dedication and service to community has been recognized by multiple organizations like the Colorado Democratic Party, the Denver Public Library, the Shaka Franklin Foundation, and more.

Tay’s passion and enthusiasm for community is deeply rooted in his endless love for his family and the Denver community. His ancestors include individuals like his Grandmother, Bettye Anderson who was an educator for over thirty five years. Overall the Anderson family and extended family has over 100 years of experience in education and service to children across the country.

Tay’s motto is “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Alejandra Venzor is a school counselor at Excel Academy, an intensive pathway school located in Southwest Denver. Ale was born in Chihuahua and raised in southwest Denver. As a first-generation student, she graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School, received her bachelor's from MSU Denver, and later on received her master's in Counseling from CU Denver. Prior to Excel, Ale worked at the Colorado Department of Education where she started as a Youth Advisor and eventually became the Youth Mental Health First Aid Coordinator. Her work ranged from gathering feedback from youth about what was working or missing around accessing mental health services to training school staff from different school districts about the signs and symptoms of mental health disorders. After working behind the scenes for over five years, she decided to go to grad school to be on the front lines of education. Now her work is focused on developing relationships with her students, helping them meet graduation requirements, and having meaningful conversations around exploring different careers.

Carlos Villagrana-Juárez is part of the Culture Team, specifically one of three Restorative Practices coordinators at the newly unified West High School. Prior to this role Carlos served as a math intervention fellow for DPS and a social-emotional learning program instructor through the YESS Institute at West Leadership Academy. Currently Carlos is pursuing his masters degree at the Morgridge College of Education studying Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.

Carlos was born and raised in the Westside of Denver and is one of three 1st generation college graduates of his family from Valparaiso, Zacatecas, México. When he is not with his family or friends, or working with the West Culture team, you can find him pouring into his passion of football as one of the coaches for the Cowboys.

Carlos values intentional relationship building with integrity and character in order to assist and bring his community together to empower, guide and provide tools for future generations.

Born and raised in Colorado, Michelle Quattlebaum specializes in addressing communication barriers, building relationships, and forging unique ally partnerships. Michelle has an extensive background in Banking ranging from customer service to management. Ms. Quattlebaum holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication, focused on Intercultural Communications, and a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership, specializing in Human Resource Performance. Through intentional and creative coaching, Michelle has successfully motivated individuals to achieve their professional goals. Using story sharing and creative inclusive workshops, Michelle inspires change and continued self-growth. Michelle’s focus is on changing the world one conversation at a time. Michelle also currently serves on the Denver Public Schools Board of Directors and represents District 4.

Show Notes:

2:00    balance

16:30   the destination

20:30   are we successful for graduating?

38:45   creating a learning environment

43:00  learning vs. checking off a box

Bailey Loving grew up in Denver, Colorado and graduated from Montbello High School. His undergraduate major was in Molecular Biology at The University of Denver, where he had early exposure to Radiation Biology. He then completed his medical doctorate at the University of Colorado, where he further pursued his interest in oncology. He is grateful for the opportunity to train at Beaumont and is excited to further develop his experience using diverse radiation modalities to treat complex cases. He is interested in combining his basic science research with translational research. 

Timestamps:

4:30  what pushed you through your career path

15:10  the process

23:20  what makes a great doctor

31:40  our childhood

37:12  on psychosis

40:30  on sub-evolution

43:50  our reward systems

49:40  expectations

Link to Financial Literacy Specialist position at Denver Public Schools.

https://dpsjobboard.dpsk12.org/ltmprod/CandidateSelfService/controller.servlet?dataarea=ltmprod&context.session.key.HROrganization=1&context.session.key.JobBoard=EXTERNAL&context.session.key.noheader=true#

This week we sit down with Dr. Antwan Jefferson, a Associate Clinical Professor in the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Colorado Denver. In his work, Antwan teaches in the Human Development and Family Relations program and the Urban and Diverse Communities concentration of the Leadership for Educational Equity doctorate (EdD) program. His teaching emphasizes interrogating race, class, and gender arrangements; achieving social justice; increasing an asset-based emphasis on diverse families; and supporting stronger and deeper community engagement in the schooling education of students through the pre-service training of helping professionals and teachers. His research agenda considers the ways that family and community members experience schools and organizations in their communities, including the implications of space, voice, and power in decision-making and not-for-profit organizations and schools. 

This week we sit down with the new Denver Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero. We discuss his story, his process, and how he seeks to lead the district as a whole.  

We get the honor of running it back with the original Ednium Podcast Guest, Alvaro Marquez Gandara who recently served as a campaign manager for DPS Board Member Dr. Carrie Olson.

Alvaro also runs a successful concrete business and brand (Paying Dues). 

We reflect on his experience being front row for the first time during a board election cycle and discuss what it means for our communities to show up.