Uncovering Denver's History of Segregation Part 1: The History of Five Points-Whittier

Did you know that real estate appraisers once described Whittier as one of the highest-quality Black residential neighborhoods in the US? Or that Cherry Creek and Lower Downtown used to be significant Black enclaves? Learn the history of the Five Points-Whittier neighborhood, from the early twentieth century to today with the Redress Movement. 

The Redress Movement envisions a society where the harm done through segregation has been remedied and repaired, where all of our citizens live in well-resourced neighborhoods, all of our community members have equal access to home ownership, and where what zip code you were born into no longer determines the shape of your life.

This three-part discussion series highlights the Redress Movement’s efforts to combine archival materials in DPL’s collections with other existing sources to produce a detailed local history of segregation in Denver. Each event proceeds chronologically through various eras of that history from the early twentieth century to now. But each event will also be designed so that those only unable to attend every discussion will still be able to understand how material covered corresponds to the larger timeline of segregation discussed in the series. Redress Movement senior campaign organizer Kevin Patterson, who will deliver the programming, will also be able to speak to attendees about how to get involved in local efforts to redress segregation.