Denver Urban Spectrum (est. 1987) is a newspaper in Denver, Colorado. Founded by Rosalind "Bee" Harris, describes themselves as filling a gap in the market for positive news stories by and about people of color.[2]

Denver Urban Spectrum
Spreading the news about people of color
TypeMonthly newspaper
PublisherRosalind Juanita Harris
EditorRuby Jones
General managerLawrence A. James
Founded1987
HeadquartersAurora, Colorado
CityDenver, Colorado
Circulation25,000
Readership60,000[1]
Sister newspapersGulf Coast Urban Spectrum, Baltimore Urban Spectrum
ISSN1085-634X
OCLC number23866026
Websitehttps://www.denverurbanspectrum.com/

History

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Rosalind Juanita Harris founded Denver Urban Spectrum (DUS) in 1987 to address the lack of positive articles about people of color.[2]

The DUS headquarters had a fire in 1989 that almost shut down the newspaper, but community fundraising helped with the paper's financial troubles.[3]

As a way of supporting youth of color who are interested in journalism, DUS and Harris founded Urban Spectrum Youth Foundation in 2000. The foundation originally offered multi-week workshops, but now offers internships, seminars and other opportunities to middle- and high-school students.[4]

In 2016, DUS developed the Montbello Urban Spectrum Edition as a bimonthly newspaper for the Montbello community.[2]

In 2017, DUS expanded to offer the Baltimore Urban Spectrum and the Gulf Coast Urban Spectrum.[2]

In 2023, DUS launched a podcast network called Expanding the Narrative Network. It is the first network in Colorado to showcase people of color in the community.[5]

Awards and recognition

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DUS gives away awards to celebrate the BIPOC community in Colorado. The "African Americans Who Make a Difference" award is given to 14 people each February.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Denver Urban Spectrum". Echo Media.
  2. ^ a b c d "About Us". Denver Urban Spectrum.
  3. ^ "20 and counting for urban newspaper". The Denver Post. June 24, 2007.
  4. ^ "Urban Spectrum Youth Foundation, a Colorado 501(c)3 nonprofit". Denver Urban Spectrum.
  5. ^ "Black Newspaper in Denver Launches Podcast Network to Expand the Narrative With the BIPOC Voice in Colorado". BlackNews.com. April 24, 2023.
  6. ^ "CBS4's Mekialaya White Honored As One Of 14 'African Americans Who Make a Difference' By Denver Urban Spectrum". CBS News Colorado. February 15, 2022.