With the blatant erasure of American history happening before our eyes at museums, colleges, and other institutions, there is no better time for our youth to learn and truly experience their roots. This is the premise of the Hancock Heritage Fellowship (HHF), founded by former Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock.
From March to November, 12 scholars from diverse states from Colorado to Florida gathered with community mentors, educators, business leaders, and genealogy experts for a deep dive into cultural history and experiential learning centered on the Black experience. Over months of travel, study, and discovery, they became like family. Journeying through Louisiana, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, and Colorado, they visited historical monuments, plantations, Lincoln Hills in the mountains northwest of Denver, and even toured Tyler Perry Studios.
Thanks to program sponsorships, each student received a $3,450 stipend, allowing them to participate fully without sacrificing summer employment income…