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Colorado organizations that help Black youth are working to make up for pandemic's financial impact

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by Lindsey Ford • Published on
Two local organizations that work toward supporting and inspiring the lives of young Black people hosted a Family Fun Run/Walk to raise money lost throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rocky Mountain PBS

DENVER – On Saturday, September 4, two local organizations that work toward supporting and inspiring the lives of young Black people hosted a Family Fun Run/Walk to raise money lost throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The two Montbello-based organizations, 100 Men Who Cook and Colorado Beautillion-Cotillion, needed to make up for almost two years of funding.

“Our goal was to exposure ourselves to the community and also to provide a fun, festive environment for the community as a whole,” Cheryl Carter said.

As the founder and CEO of the Colorado Beautillion-Cotillion, Carter wanted to engage with the community in an exciting and positive way. To help raise money, the event featured a car show, fun run, pop-up shop, dog obstacle course, self-defense class, yoga and delicious food. 

Family Fun Run provides more than just health and wellness
Colorado Voices
Family Fun Run provides more than just health and wellness

The Colorado Beautillion-Cotillon consists of a six-month training and mentoring program for high school juniors and seniors.

“It has nothing to do with caste or class system,” Carter explained.

In the program, Black teens learn about finance, dining etiquette, and communication skills to help prepare them for college and life after school. The program concludes with a formal gala with dresses often provided by Carter herself.

Tangela Wilhite, who recently graduated from college, participated in the Beautillion-Cotillion program in 2017.  

“Every year I try to come back and support Miss Cheryl in any way I can,” Wilhite said. “I brought my niece out here to see her run. Saturday was amazing because it reminded me of when I was a little girl and when my family would take me to events like this.” 

Wilhite told Rocky Mountain PBS that she appreciates the Beautillion-Cotillion for helping her step into womanhood and teaching her morals that she can apply to everyday life. Wilhite’s 4-year-old niece, Leilah Hardy-Roy, will eventually follow in her footsteps. Wilhite is looking forward to watching her grow up and becoming an intellectual young lady with the help of Beautillion-Cotillon.

Saturday’s event also benefitted 100 Men Who Cook–a yearly fundraising gala that raises money for Visions Performing Arts College Prep, Athletics & Beyond, and the Music & Leadership Institute.

If you missed the Family Fun Day but would like to support the organizations, you can donate to the Colorado Beautillion-Cotillion here and to 100 Men Who Cook here.

Lindsey Ford is a multimedia journalist at Rocky Mountain PBS. You can reach her at lindseyford@rmpbs.org.

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