Emerge Colorado is dedicated to doing the work alongside Black women to remove the barriers they face when running for office. And right now, Black woman elected officials are making history across Colorado. We are proud to highlight the incredible work of our alumnae below who are tearing down barriers and working to better their communities; will you join us by following their digital pages to stay up to date on their work?
Jennifer Allen-Thomas, Commerce City Council Ward 2 | Facebook
Jennifer Allen-Thomas is a healthcare professional who currently serves on the Commerce City Council. She continues a family legacy as the first Black woman to sit on council, following her father, James Allen, who was the first Black man elected to the same position.
Jen Bacon, Colorado State House District 7 | Facebook, Twitter
Jen Bacon is a former Emerge Colorado board member serving her first term in the state legislature this year after four years on the Denver school board. She is a leader and advocate for education and housing justice.
Regina English, Harrison School Board Vice President | Facebook, Campaign Page
Regina English currently serves on the Harrison School District 2 Board of Education in Colorado Springs. She is a long-time community activist and youth mentor. Her motto is “Stay Ready So You Don’t Have To Get Ready”! This year she is running for Colorado Springs City Council District 4.
Leslie Herod, Colorado State House District 8 | Facebook, Twitter
Leslie Herod is the first openly-LGBTQ Black woman elected to the state legislature and is currently serving her third term. She continues to shatter glass ceilings and drive historic legislation in her role to support working families and vulnerable communities.
Dominique Jackson, Colorado State House District 42 | Facebook, Twitter
Dominique Jackson is currently serving her third term in the legislature. In her first two terms, she sponsored 20 bills that were signed into law, with half of them championing environmental and housing justice.
Shontel Lewis, RTD Board of Directors District B | Facebook, Twitter
Shontel Lewis currently serves on the RTD Board of Directors and works as the Associate Director for the Community Engagement Strategy and Advocacy team for Denver Public Schools. She has a long history of community activism and is passionately working to bring equitable access to transportation services in Colorado.
Naquetta Ricks, Colorado State House District 40 | Facebook, Twitter
Naquetta Ricks is Colorado’s first Liberian immigrant elected to the Colorado State Legislature. As a freshman legislator, Representative Ricks is working on groundbreaking legislation to implement an immigrant legal defense fund in Colorado.
Dr. Cheryl Wink, Englewood City Council | City Council Page
Dr. Cheryl Wink is the first Black woman elected to Englewood City Council. She immigrated from Jamaica to Englewood where she engaged in over a decade of community service before running for city council. As a software architect and statistician, she brings valuable business experience to her leadership.
Dr. Margaret Wright, Pueblo School Board Vice President | City Council Page
Dr. Margaret Wright is the first Black woman to be elected to the Pueblo School Board and became the board’s Vice President in 2019. In addition to her work in education, Margaret is an author, ordained pastor, and CEO of Collaborative Educational Supportive Services, LLC in Pueblo.
Emerge Colorado needs your help to continue elevating the leadership of Black women across Colorado. Follow these women’s pages and pledge to give money, time, and support to Black women candidates in 2021 and beyond. Thank you for your support!