Carl Bourgeois and Sheila King
Civil Technology, Inc.

Civil Technology Inc., a construction management and real estate development firm, has established itself as a trusted advocate of Denver's Five Points District. Founders Carl Bourgeois and Sheila King are recognized throughout the community for the positive impact that Civil Technology has had in revitalizing one of Denver's most blighted urban communities. The company has been the recipient of numerous acknowledgements and awards including: the Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce "2005 Business of the Year" award; the Downtown Denver Partnership "2006 Business of the Year" award; and the "2007 Martin Luther King Social Responsibility" award.

For the past eight years, Civil Technology has organized and promoted the popular "Jazzy 4th of July" festival in the Five Points. Entertainers have included Hugh Masekela, Jonathan Butler, Najee, Alex Bugnon, Norman Brown, Pieces of a Dream, and Brian Culbertson.

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Becky Taylor
After Five, LLC

A native Coloradan, Becky Taylor is a graduate of the University of Colorado in Boulder with a degree in Broadcast Communications, and nearly 30 years experience on the Denver airwaves. Taylor has been featured on Smooth Jazz radio stations nationally, including San Francisco, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Mobile, and has been heavily involved with concert promotions in the Denver area. She has been nominated for a number of national radio awards, including radio personality of the year in 2007, and is a two-time winner of the Colorado Association of Black Journalists Award (1995 & 2000).

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Lu Vason
Lu Vason Presents, Inc.

Lu Vason is an innovative, entertainment leader who is known for promoting and managing unique and significant artists and performers. He has more than 35 years experience as a producer, media impresario and marketing consultant. He is credited with creating the Pointers Sisters, and formed the "Aries Concerts" and the "Jazz Lives Series".

Vason, grew up in Berkeley, Calif. and moved to Denver in 1976. In 1984, his interest turned toward rodeo after noting that there were no Black cowboys participating in regional rodeos. He created the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, named after legendary Black cowboy Bill Pickett, which performs annually before more than 200,000 spectators across the United States.

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Rosalind "Bee" Harris
Denver Urban Spectrum

Rosalind "Bee" Harris, owner, publisher and art director of the Denver Urban Spectrum newspaper, has been "spreading the news about people of color" for more than 20 years.

Harris is active in the community, and has board affiliations with the Colorado Association of Black Journalists, CoLours TV, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, and the Denver Metro Convention and Visitor's Bureau. In 2000, she founded the Urban Spectrum Youth Foundation, a journalism program for youth, ages 13 to 17.

Harris and the Denver Urban Spectrum have been recognized with numerous awards including: the "1995 MLK Humanitarian" award; the "2003 Dr. Martin Luther King Social Responsibility" award"; the "2003 Burger King Everyday Hero" award; and several annual awards from the Colorado Association of Black Journalists.

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Vernon Barbary
Vbass, LLC

Vernon Barbary has become one of Smooth Jazz's premier bass players. He has performed with artists such as Gerald Albright, Bobby Lyle, Marion Meadows, Paul Taylor, Tim Bowman, Kim Waters, Peter White, Jeff Lorber, Eric Darius, and many others.

Barbary was awarded a full music scholarship at Oral Roberts University, and graduated with a degree in music and business. He is an electrifying bassist who now performs with major recording artists and promotes jazz concerts. In the corporate arena, he consults with businesses on process enterprise plans, often serving as project manager or project engineer.

Originally from suburban Chicago, Vernon, his wife Lynn and their two children live in Denver. In 2004, they established Elijah's Rainbow, a non-profit organization, that provides support and funding to families with medically-challenged children.

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Tamara Banks
TazMedia, LLC

Tamara Banks is currently combining 20 years of journalism and her work as a Mayoral Appointee to evoke positive social change in our community and globally.

Ms. Banks is a well known former anchor/reporter at KWGN-TV's WB2 News @ 9. Before coming to Denver she was an anchor/reporter at the ABC Affiliate at KRDO-TV in Colorado Springs. She's also worked in TV and radio news in a number of markets including Dallas and Albuquerque. The Colorado Broadcasters Association, Associated Press, the National Association of Black Journalists and the Colorado Association of Black Journalists, just to name a few, have all recognized Tamara for her journalism work.

She is a media consult and trainer, facilitates numerous civic programs and workshops for organizations, neighborhoods and government agencies.

Ms. Banks is also producing documentary films and videos as well as hosting PBS KBDI-TV's "Studio 12," a provocative hour live talk show taking a close look at relevant issues in Denver, Colorado, the nation and the world. She also hosts Denver's Channel 8 "Issues and Options." Ms. Banks is also the host and producer of a public affairs show, "Clearly Colorado," which airs on Martini 101.5 FM and One 107.1 FM radio stations.

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