Each year, the Juanita Gray Community Service Awards ceremony honors the outstanding contributions of Black Coloradans who have shaped the history and culture of the metro Denver area. This year, 22 nominees from various fields, including education, entrepreneurship, environmentalism, law enforcement, politics, community service, and youth leadership, competed for the coveted award.

A dedicated community committee reviewed 22 nominations and proudly selected five exceptional award recipients who embody the true spirit of service and commitment to enhancing our community. These honorees are:

Darrell D. West

Founder and President of the Major Taylor Cycling Club of Denver (MTCCD), Darrell West, established the club in 2011 to engage local youth in cycling and bike maintenance skills. Since then, MTCCD has expanded to include adult group rides, health resources for the community, and even organized protest bike rides during the police brutality protests, which drew over 300 supporters.

In addition, West commissioned a mural of Major Taylor, the first African American world sports champion (including cycling), which is proudly displayed along the Cherry Creek bike path. A two-term member of the Mayor’s bicycling advisory committee, West lives by the motto, “Leave it better than you found it.”

The Honorable Rhonda Fields

A distinguished public servant, Rhonda Fields’ career began with her work on the Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice. She went on to serve as a State House Representative (2011-2017) and State Senator (2017-2025) for Aurora before being elected County Commissioner for Arapahoe District 5 in November 2024.

Fields’ leadership in health advocacy and criminal justice reform earned her the 2024 Legislative Session’s Leadership Circle Award for her health-related bills, demonstrating her dedication to improving public health policy. In addition to her legislative work, she founded the Fields Wolfe Memorial Fund and serves on various boards, always championing the well-being of her community.

Janet R. Damon

Damon, a history teacher at DELTA High School in Denver, has been named the 2025 Colorado Teacher of the Year. With over 20 years of teaching experience, her passion for education is deeply rooted in her parents’ experiences with limited schooling.

As a literacy advocate, Janet is dedicated to helping families access diverse books and resources to build self-esteem and celebrate cultural backgrounds. She founded Afros and Books, where she leads workshops on culturally responsive librarianship. Janet holds education and library science degrees and creates a supportive learning environment for students, many of whom face significant challenges.

Youth Award Recipients

Arsema Gebrekidan

Gebrekidan is an inspiring young leader whose compassion and quick thinking made an impact when she raised critical ethical questions about a fundraising event for communities near garbage dumps in Ethiopia, her family’s home country. Her curiosity about global issues led her to join Convivir’s Youth Leadership Camp and their Youth Leadership Council, where she earned 133 service hours. Arsema tutors at the Children’s Literacy Center and works with youth at the Tennyson Center.

Active in her community through the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Kidane Mehret Church, Arsema is a humble leader dedicated to making a positive difference.

Patrick Efferson

At just 16 years old, Patrick Efferson from Denver is already making a remarkable impact as a youth leader. A passionate reader since childhood, he wrote a children’s book to promote literacy among Black youth at five. Patrick is involved in several mentorship programs and has received the KTONE Cares Black History Month Essay Challenge award.

He is the youngest member of the Gary Foundation’s Youth Piton Fellowship and serves on the Denver Mayor’s Youth Commission. Despite the demands of his International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Northfield High School, Patrick also participates in sports and skill development.

Congratulations to all of the 2025 award recipients and nominees, whose legacies include established leaders, passionate newcomers, dedicated youth, and community volunteers.

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