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.

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!

John Youngquist has been an educator for 35 years in Denver, Aurora, Breckenridge, and Cherry Creek schools. He is a Denver Public Schools graduate, parent, volunteer, former teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent, and is running for a seat on the DPS Board of Education. In his heart he is a principal. He has been a principal for 18 years and for every day of those 18 years he walked up to the school asking himself two questions: Have we done all of the work necessary to make certain that we are safe today? Have we done all of the work that we need to do to ensure that our children will learn well today? John Youngquist Campaign Site: https://www.youngquist4dps.com/

Kwame’s roots in Denver run deep. He was born at Rose Hospital on Denver’s east side and was raised in the Montclair neighborhood. Kwame attributes his successes to Denver Public Schools. His mom has worked with Denver Public Schools as a Teacher, Principal, and Assistant Superintendent for over 37 years. Kwame is also a graduate of Denver Public Schools. He attended Montclair Elementary, Smiley Middle School (now known as McAuliffe), and East High School. With his DPS education, Kwame was able to attend Ivy League Schools, work for some of the top companies in the world, and purchase Tattered Cover. Kwame believes that every student deserves the same opportunities he had in our district.

Charmaine has volunteered many hours to teach reading to elementary school children below grade level. When her grandchildren fell behind during the pandemic, she read the encyclopedia out loud with them every night. They each took turns picking a topic. She started this because they could not identify the United States on a map. Charmaine sees reading as a child’s most crucial skill because it can exponentially increase their knowledge while preparing them for educational achievement. During the many school visits she did in the past year, one of the biggest concerns expressed by school leaders was how the pandemic had affected basic reading skills. As a school board member, she plans to prioritize this by identifying areas where resources are most needed by visiting schools and talking to teachers. Charmaine Campaign Website: https://charmaine4dps.com/about-charmaine

Adam Slutzker is a father of 3 school age children who all attend their neighborhood school—Columbian Elementary. Adam has served the last 2 years as the chairperson of the Columbian Elementary Collaborative School Committee. Adam and his family have lived in northwest Denver since 2019 but have been Denver residents since 2009. Adam has a Master's in Education (emphasis in elementary math and science) from UC-Denver and taught in Jefferson County elementary schools from 2010-2014. Since 2014, he has been self-employed as a realtor, carpenter, and contractor, which allowed him to focus on being the primary parent to his three kids as his wife, attended graduate school and started work as a nurse practitioner. Adam Campaign Website: https://www.slutzkerforschools.org/

Marlene De La Rosa is a 4th generation Denverite and mother of two DPS graduates who is running for the Denver Public School Board to bring focus back where it belongs - on the kids. Marlene has lived in Northwest Denver for almost 30 years with her family going back four generations. Marlene raised her two twin children as a single mom - TaShina and LaPhonso Salas - who graduated from East and North High School. Marlene’s son is now a firefighter and 5th generation homeowner in Northwest Denver, and her daughter works for a non-profit organization. Marlene De La Rosa Campaign Website: https://www.marlenefordps.com/

We are excited to release the first episodes in the DPS Board Candidate Series! This week we are sitting down with the candidates looking to represent District 1 (Southeast Denver). The community has the opportunity to hear the vision and the stories of Scott Baldermann and Kimberly Sia. Whether you live in District 1 or not, we hope you give both candidates the time to hear from them in more depth than you would in other spaces. Support for this series comes from The Denver Foundation: Through gifts of cash and stocks or more complex assets, The Denver Foundation helps generous donors get the most from their giving. Bio (From the Candidate): Scott Baldermann is a parent of two children in southeast Denver. He was raised in Aurora, Colorado and went to public neighborhood schools. He walked to Arkansas Elementary where he was the President of the Student Council in 5th grade. He went to Mrachek Middle School and graduated from Rangeview High School in 1994. From 2016-2018 he was the PTA President at Lincoln Elementary School and was on the school’s Collaborative School Committee for the 2018-19 school year. Scott received his Master’s in Architecture from the University of Nebraska in 2000. He grew up in Aurora, Colorado where he attended his neighborhood schools and graduated from Rangeview High School. He was elected to serve as the District 1 Representative in November 2019. Scott Baldermann Campaign Website: https://scott4schools.org/

We are excited to release the first episodes in the DPS Board Candidate Series! This week we are sitting down with the candidates looking to represent District 1 (Southeast Denver). The community has the opportunity to hear the vision and the stories of Scott Baldermann and Kimberlee Sia. Whether you live in District 1 or not, we hope you give both candidates the time to hear from them in more depth than you would in other spaces. Support for this series comes from The Denver Foundation: Through gifts of cash and stocks or more complex assets, The Denver Foundation helps generous donors get the most from their giving. Bio (From the Candidate): Kim is a lifelong educator and passionate advocate for quality education. She has been a classroom teacher and school principal, held various district-level positions, and served as the CEO of KIPP Colorado Schools and President & CEO of Colorado "I Have A Dream" Foundation. She is also the mother of two DPS students with different learning needs and educational interests. She states her family has been fortunate to select schools for her children that support them to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. With over 25 years of experience as an education leader, problem solver, and passionate collaborator, she is running for the District 1 seat of the Denver Public Schools Board of Education because she believes it is time for a change that ensures transparency, accountability, and an unwavering focus on positive outcomes for students. She is committed to creating an educational system that engages the voices of students, families, educators, community members, and community partners to provide equitable opportunities for all DPS students to learn, grow, and graduate ready to achieve success. Kimberlee Sia Campaign Website: https://www.siafordpsstudents.com/

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