SEEN: Urban Leadership Foundation gala
Being a store manager for Sprint proved rewarding for Vernon Tabor, but after completing the 10month leadership program offered by the Urban Leadership Foundation of Colorado, the graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School and Hampton University is poised to make additional dreams come true.
Tabor, who entered college as a Daniels Fund Scholar, said that being an ULF fellow “Helped me improve my servant leadership skills and solidify my dream of becoming an entrepreneur who will be able to provide jobs for the community.”
Tabor is just one of the 33 men and women whose graduation from the ULF’s Class of 2017 was celebrated at a dinner held at Denver Museum of Nature & Science.
Moe Cantrell, the human resources chief of staff for Denver Public Schools, said his experience as a ULF fellow enabled him to gain “a more holistic picture of what runs a city, or the state — like how to introduce and pass legislation, the mechanics of government and the importance of community service.”
“It has been a great way for me to connect with like-minded people who also have influence in what they do,” he added. “I’m going to use the skills I have gained to help support and advance our community.”
Stephanie Cox, a senior implementation analyst for Visa Inc., plans to build on what she has learned to “branch out and be bold as a woman,” she said. “Learning how to become a successful leader, and how that will impact our world, is what I feel has been my best take-away from the fellowship.”
The graduation gala also marked ULF’s 10th year — and the fact that graduates now number 350.
The ULF was founded in 2007 to provide leadership training, civic engagement and advancement services to African-American professionals who are ready to take their place in executive suites, boards, commissions and philanthropic circles.
“At the beginning of the year, I issued a challenge to be great, to serve and to grow,” said Ryan Ross, the ULF’s president and chief executive officer. “The response was multiple service projects that created a family of leaders. As a proud alumnus of the Class of 2008, I can assert that this program has played an enormous role in shaping my leadership abilities and accomplishments, and I know it will do the same for you.”
Former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb, chairman of the ULF board, added: “It is an honor to salute the efforts of the fellows, along with their commitment and dedication to paying it forward to the community, their colleagues and their organizations. I know you will be successful in using your new skills and that you’ll be sure to share this knowledge with others.”
Others in the Class of 2017 were Verlean Adams, a lead with Swisslog Healthcare; Elizabeth Battle, manager of family constituency services for Denver Public Schools; Jasmine Brewer, a social entrepreneur; Leslie Brown, charter support partner for DPS; Gabrielle Bryant, owner of Gabby’s World Media; Shawn Cooper of Family Affair Lifestyle Clothing & Hairshop; Quachelle Copeland, a human resources professional; Jason Delancy, a Realtor, actor, writer, director, standup comedian and founder of Father Against Madness.
Also, Candace Disher, business service network specialist for the U.S. Postal Service; Kinyata Fulton, founder of Remembrance Wellness and Yoga; Lisa Saladino Garife, director of national accounts for Global Synergies; Dawnisha Geiger, associate sales executive for Kaiser Permanente; Candice Hamilton, student equity and opportunity support partner for DPS; Alexandria Harris, who works for Kaiser Permanente and the Denver Weekly News; Wael B. Khalifa, program analyst for the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade; Miguel MendozaHall, senior IT process consultant for Kaiser Permanente; Nicole Monroe, program coordinator for the Denver Department of Safety Gang Reduction Initiative; Leslie Pace, Miss Black Colorado; Shayla Perkins, senior professional research assistant for Kaiser Permanente; Nicky Reid, a professional manager; Manushkka Sainvil, CEO of Chubby Curls Natural Hair Services; Quincy Shannon, a church leader and community activist; Ebonii Shead, CEO and chief visionary strategist for MDM Professionals; John Stokes, assistant proj- ect manager at Mortenson Construction: Dominique Thompson, Miss HunnyComb; Nailah Ellis Timberlake, manager of USA Swimming Productions; Stefanie Trujillo, senior litigation paralegal at Fisher Phillips; Andrea M. Webb, mortgage specialist at Citywide Home Loans; Shaneika Williams, a human resources professional; and Lisa Young, human resources business partner for DPS.