It is with great excitement that Café Cultura publishes this compilation of spoken word, poetry, and lyrics from our partner artists and youth participants in our programs. We hope the finished product will serve as a culturally relevant and engaging resource for our community, and especially our younger sisters and brothers, to find a sense of personal and collective empowerment.
You have probably seen us selling merchandise (t-shirts, earrings, stickers, etc.) to fundraise for our organization. If you didn't find your desired size and/or style, feel free to visit our suppliers @ www.nsrgnts.com
July
13
An award-winning organization....
-2006 Best of Denver (Westword Newspaper):
Open Mic (last time recognition was offered)
-2011-2012 Best Community Parnter (Metropolitan State University's Journey Through Our Heritage program)
-2012 Cesar Chavez Organization Leadership Award
-2012 Spirit of Tlatelolco Art & Culture Award
-2012 Navajo Times' Most Notable People
-2013 Rosa Park's Diversity Community Award
(University of Colorado, Denver)
-2013 Mayor's Award for Excellence in Arts
and Culture (Youth Arts)
-2016 Mayor's Diversity and Inclusion Award
(nominated by Denver American Indian Commission)
-2016 NEWSED Civil Rights Award
-2017 My Brother's Keeper Honoree
-2018 Livingston Fellowship
Community members say...
“I love the safe environment Café Cultura has provided
for youth to express their poetry. What Café Cultura
gives to the Brown & Red communities is
important to ensure our people have a forum to share
our creativity.”
-from 2010 anonymous survey
“I take a group of At-Risk youth and every group
has had a positive experience from it.”
-from 2010 anonymous survey
“My most memorable moment was going to a
workshop…and finding something I didn't know I had inside.”
-from 2012 anonymous survey
“They ([Café Cultura]) provide a format for youth to express themselves in a positive, creative manner…
inspiring words of the next generation of Native Youth.”
-from 2012 anonymous survey
"The program is full of mentors, models, and 'ejemplos'
for our youth to look up to. Each event is full of encouragement and positive feedback. All of the participants have the opportunity to find their voices.”
-from 2014 anonymous survey
"Cafe Cultura is a VITAL organization which
CONTINUES to reach out to Denver's Indigenous/Native community with POSITIVE role-models via education!”
-from 2014 anonymous survey
"Cafe Cultura inspired my kids to write, perform, and grow their creative instincts.”
-from 2016 anonymous survey
"Seeing my friends be able to express themselves
without inhibition.”
-from 2016 anonymous survey
“[I enjoyed] expressing myself through poetry…Overall,
the workshop is great. I learned to not be embarrassed about my culture and be proud!”
-participant in Xpress Yourself Spoken Word Workshop
“I learned to speak my mind and express myself through powerful words. It has taught me life lessons.”
-participant in Telling Our Stories
Poetry/Spoken Word Class
“I will become a better leader. I will be proud of who I
am and push others to do so as well.”
-participant in Words to Actions
Youth Leadership Program
“The kids were really moved and inspired, as was I. You
are starting ripples and influencing kids in ways you
cannot possibly imagine.”
-adult advocate/teacher
We are proud to be supported in part by:
