Theme: All Together

All Together sounds like a sweet song, but the reality is that the compromise underneath is hard work. But communities grow up through hard choices. All Together is about coming back to our hearts and humanity and letting go of the fear and disinformation that keeps us stuck. It’s about acknowledging our desire to be right and then choosing to do right by each other instead.

And this is the beauty of coming all together: It’s not easy at first, but hard choices now lead to better times ahead. The way forward needs each of us to bring our differences to chart a path, all together

Online
Denver, CO
Denver, Colorado, 80202
United States

Anna Coburn

Podcast Host

Anna Coburn is the producter and host of High Country News’ podcast series “Wildish.” When she’s not producing podcasts, Anna earns money cleaning houses she cannot afford, playing guitar over cocktails she cannot afford, and selling tourists ski passes, which she can also not afford. Still, it’s worth it to fulfill a promise she made to herself at 12 years old: to play in the snow in the mountains of Colorado. Born and raised in Alabama, Anna carefully navigated the South as both religious and closeted. Now, she lives in Gunnison with her deadbeat roommate, a cat named Tombigbee.

Big Samir & DJ Xoomie

Hip-Hop Artist

Antoine "Big Samir" Zamundu is a bilingual artist who brings together hip hop, soul, reggae, and African rhythms. With his eclectic style & his smooth flow (seamlessly transitioning from English to French), and his inspirational, socially conscious music, the Congolese lyricist bridges cultural gaps and sends a positive message. He was born in Brussels, Belgium, but spent most of his childhood in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Much of his music is inspired by memories of his African upbringing. “Big Samir” also performs with his wife, Aja Black, as The Reminders. After getting her certification from Denver DJ School, DJ Xoomie started Live-streaming every Sunday, calling the event ‘Beauty And The Beats’ to highlight two things she's passionate about: music & fashion. She acquired a following, who enjoy her song selections and mixing abilities. She also plays with The Reminders from time to time. Her future, like her energy, is bright.

Greg Bland

Inspirational Comedian

Greg believes in you. Life can be challenging, but he thinks you're a badass and he's darn proud of you. Next time that nagging voice in your head has plenty to say, remember he's got the same voice and he's Deaf! Just stick it through. It worked for him: as a serial entrepreneur with a Masters in Public Administration and an American Sign Langauge comedian, Greg loves to explore how humor can be a great equalizer and bridge-builder between Deaf and hearing cultures. His dog Kallie, who loves to bark, agrees.

Jane Walsh

Elder Crime Expert

Jane Walsh has worked as an attorney in Scotland, England & Wales, and Colorado. In Boulder, she established the Community Protection Division of the District Attorney's office. She prosecuted cases involving elderly victims, people with disabilities, and immigrants. Through this work, she became involved in legislative efforts to protect vulnerable victims. In Denver, as a Senior Deputy, she is Director of Elder and At-Risk Protection. When we’re not in a pandemic, she plays Irish fiddle music in bars around Colorado.

Jeanette Vizguerra

Activista Inmigrante

Jeanette Vizguerra es una orgullosa mujer mexicana, madre y abuela con 23 años en los Estados Unidos como inmigrante. Se mudó a los Estados Unidos para ser conserje, trabajó como organizadora sindical y construyó su propia empresa. Después de ocho años de luchar contra la deportación, hizo pública su historia y buscó refugio en First Unitarian Society of Denver. Fundó Metro Denver Sanctuary Coalition, Sanctuary4All y Abolish ICE Denver. Fue nombrada una de las 100 personas más influyentes de la revista Time en 2017, pero sigue siendo un ser simple y humilde lleno de sueños e ideas.

Steven Dunn

Author

Steven Dunn (aka Pothole because he's deep in these streets) is the author of two novels: Potted Meat (2016) and water & power (2018). Potted Meat was a finalist for the Colorado Book Award and shortlisted for Granta Magazine’s Best of Young American Novelists. It was adapted into the short film, The Usual Route, which played at the L.A. International Film Festival and the Houston International Film Festival, among others. Steven was born and raised in West Virginia, and teaches Creative Writing in the MFA programs at Cornell College and Regis University.

Sukumar Vijayaraghavan

Neuroscientist

Sukumar Vijayaraghavan is a professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. His research on neurotransmitters could one day help explain how the brain responds to drugs of abuse and also the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's disease. He is deeply interested in neuroscience research affects society, law, and ethics. He has a Ph.D in Plant Biochemistry and in his spare time, he moonlights as a standup comic. He’s performed locally and – in the age of zoom – internationally. He hopes to be good at it someday.

Suzi Q. Smith

Artist & Activist

Suzi Q. Smith is an award-winning artist, activist, and educator who lives in Denver, Colorado. She was the founding Slammaster of Slam Nuba and a two-time finalist in the Women of the World Poetry Slam. She has worked extensively with Poetry Slam, Inc., Youth on Record, Minor Disturbance Youth Poetry Slam, and the Lighthouse Writers Workshop. She has a degree in English writing from the University of Colorado at Denver and has published two collections of poems: A Gospel of Bones & Poems for the End of the World.