On February 29th, 2020, Community College of Denver (CCD) welcomed Denver Public Schools (DPS) students and their families to the Auraria Campus for a day of celebration and fellowship.

In an effort to stress the importance of higher education, male students from DPS in attendance were awarded a $500 scholarship to apply toward their first semester at CCD.

Community leaders Dr. Rolundus Rice, "The Dapper Dean"; Michael D. Sapp Jr., Mayor's Office at City and County of Denver; and Vernon Irvin, Chief Revenue Officier at Everbridge, were special guest presenters. Telling the students stories about their lives and how they overcame obstacles to get where they are today.

Dr. Rolundus Rice in sharing his own story of his “Pilgrimage to Purpose”, spoke to the positive attributes shared amongst black men to encourage the students participants, "DNA is your genetic makeup and here DNA means the Dominate Natural Attributes (DNA) of black men - Resilience, Resistance to Oppression, Intellectual Brilliance, Courage, Musical Genius, Business Savvy, and Military Genius." 

CCD Black Male Summit is a day of celebration and fellowship, encouraging DPS students and their families to learn about CCD and the importance of a college education. In addition to guest speaker presentations, students and family members attended workshops on the following topics:

• Paying for College
• Pathway to the Finish Line
• Life at CCD
• The Barbershop Talk

Following lunch, Veron Irvin told of his journey to success, sharing his celebrity "selfies" to encourage students to keep working hard and pursue their dreams. 

The day ended with a rite of passage ceremony in which all student attendees cross the stage to receive a bow tie and $500 scholarship to support their first semester at CCD.