Black History Month: Honoring William Whitsell, the First African American Coloradan Male
matt.wiggins@boulderchamber.com
In honor of Black History Month, the Boulder Chamber is pleased to acknowledge William Whitsell, the first African American male born in Colorado, according to the Denver Public Library. William’s parents were likely freed slaves who journeyed to Colorado in search of jobs building the railroad. At the time, Colorado had a burgeoning mining industry in the mountains in need of manual labor, which is probably why William’s parents settled in Central City. William was born on February 24, 1866, in Central City when Colorado was still a territory. Sometime later, William and his parents moved to Denver and resided on land that eventually would become the future home of Union Station.
As an adult, William worked as a brick molder and mason, contributing to the construction of numerous downtown Denver projects, including the Clock Tower. William attended public school in Denver, was an active member of his church and known to support his local community. William died at age 77 and was buried on March 10, 1944, in Fairmont Cemetery. In September 2023, Parks and Recreation commemorated a park located at 40th and Kirk in Green Valley Ranch with his name.
On February 3, 2024, William Whitsell was posthumously inducted into the 2024 Blacks in Colorado Hall of Fame along with Adrian Miller and Charles Thomas Smith. In a 9News video, Damon Jones, the great, great-grandson of William Whitsell, spoke at length about his grandfather and his distinction as the first African American male born in Colorado. Despite his accomplishments, Damon Jones acknowledged that his great-great-grandfather was probably unaware of the significance of his birth and the impact he would have on the generations of African Americans to come.
On February 3, 2024, William Whitsell was posthumously inducted into the 2024 Blacks in Colorado Hall of Fame along with Adrian Miller and Charles Thomas Smith. In a 9News video, Damon Jones, the great, great grandson of William Whitsell spoke at length about his grandfather and his distinction as the first African American male born in Colorado.
Despite his accomplishments, Damon Jones acknowledged that his great-great-grandfather was probably unaware of the significance of his birth and the impact he would have on the generations of African Americans to come.
William Whitsell’s impact upon the city of Denver skyline and the surrounding communities is undeniable and a testament to how Colorado’s rich history has directly benefited from its diverse population. It’s not inconceivable that William’s success as a brick mason paved the way for other African Americans to enter the construction trades allowing them to work and enjoy a standard of living that was otherwise unattainable. Those workers undoubtedly rented or purchased homes, supported local businesses in their community, and contributed to the vibrant way of life that we enjoy today.
Much has changed since William Whitsell was born in Central City. More Black business owners are working diligently to develop, nurture, and grow their businesses, hiring employees and providing goods and services that benefit their surrounding communities. Given the current economic environment, it has become harder than ever to start and maintain a business. In support of Black business owners, the Boulder Chamber launched the Equity Amplification Program in March of 2021, providing a forum that leverages Boulder Chamber programming to support the future growth and development of Black businesses. Equity Amplification Program members receive a one-year complimentary membership in the Boulder Chamber, along with special networking engagements and business support services. In 2024, the Equity Amplification Program will provide more focused support to help its members better address those issues that constrict their growth and development.
During the most recent EAP meeting, those in attendance participated in a team activity in which one business owner shared a challenge confronting her business. Yvette Rollins, owner of YJR Management (follow Yvette on Instagram @YJR Events) shared her need for social media support to help grow her business. Yvette, who assists other businesses to plan and execute their own promotions stated that she “is so busy assisting her clients, she has limited time to promote her business on social media platforms given her limited resources.” Over the course of the next hour, the EAP asked clarifying questions of Yvette before making recommendations for her consideration. One member suggested that Yvette investigate contacting the local universities to secure a college student who might assist with her social media efforts. At the conclusion of the meeting, Yvette committed to securing a college student to manage her social media presence.
In future meetings, the Equity Amplification Program will identify other opportunities to provide support for their businesses in a manner that honors William Whitsell, the first African American male to be born in Colorado. Working to acknowledge, support and celebrate the efforts of Black owned businesses the Equity Amplification Program hopes to make a similar impact by encouraging and supporting other African Americans to start and grow a business as a sign of self-empowerment that benefits both the individual and our community.
If you know a Black business owner in Boulder County encourage them to contact the Boulder Chamber and inquire about the Equity Amplification Program. With your support and theirs, we can create a little Black History of our own.