I am leaving the race for House District 8 to launch an education nonprofit!

Community,

For over 40 years, House District 8 has been a symbol of Black leadership in the Colorado State Legislature. However, the 2024 elections present a critical juncture where we risk losing this historically Black seat due to a highly contested primary featuring multiple Black candidates. Such scenarios have historically led to the division of votes, often resulting in the loss of Black representation. To avoid repeating this pattern and to prioritize the preservation of Black political power in the state capitol, I have decided to suspend my campaign for the Democratic nomination for Colorado House District 8. This decision transcends my personal aspirations and reflects my commitment to the community and maintaining Black representation in our legislature. I want to thank those who donated to our campaign, endorsed both locally and nationally, and every neighbor that we met on the doors.

In 2019, I had the honor of becoming the youngest Black elected official in Colorado’s history, serving on the Denver School Board. This experience deepened my understanding of the need for greater Black representation in educational and community leadership. Subsequently, I founded the Colorado Black Caucus of School Board Directors, serving as its inaugural President, and continued my commitment to the community by launching the Black Santa Project, which has distributed over 30,000 toys to children during the holidays.

Building on my experience as serving as an elected official and community organizer, I am thrilled to announce the launch of The Center for Advancing Black Excellence in Education. We are an education nonprofit deeply dedicated to uplifting Black communities through the power of education. Our mission is grounded in the conviction that access to high-quality education is not just a right, but the foundation of thriving and resilient communities. We commit ourselves to disrupting the systems that cause educational disparities faced by Black students. Through this work, we will reimagine our K-12 education system and dismantle deeply rooted systems of oppression.

​Our approach is multifaceted: we implement innovative programs that provide vital resources, steadfast support, and strong advocacy, all meticulously designed to cultivate and honor the innate potential within each student. Our work is built upon three core pillars — educating future leaders, advocating for systemic changes in education, and celebrating our communities through philanthropic giving.

​As passionate co-conspirators in the pursuit of educational equity, we are dedicated to fostering environments where Black students are not merely recognized but are also empowered to achieve excellence.

Our founding Board is made up of passionate educators, advocates, and community leaders who are dedicated to advancing Black excellence in education. Our fiscal sponsor and Board Chair will be MiDian Holmes, the CEO of the Epitome of Black Excellence and Partnership. The other members are Michelle Quattlebaum, President of the Colorado Black Caucus of School Board Directors; and Colorado Representative Dr. Regina English.

We are honored to receive support from a wide array of distinguished individuals nationwide. Our mission is backed by State Legislators, Non-Profit Leaders, City Council Members, School Board Members, and Executives from School Board Associations. Such as Colorado Senate President Pro Tempore, James Coleman, Executive Director of the Arizona School Board Association Devin Del Palacio, Executive Director of Ednium the Alumni Collective TeRay Esquibel, and Colorado State Representative & Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon.

Discover more about our initiatives, including Ready to Run, The Black Excellence Project, and The Black Santa Project at https://www.advancingblackexcellence.net

We are kicking off our fundraising with an ambitious initial goal of $30,000 to support our transformational work. Contributions of any amount are invaluable to our mission. The only way we can accomplish this critical and timely work is with your support.

Donate Here: https://donorbox.org/the-center-for-advancing-black-excellence-in-education-1

Join us for our inaugural fundraiser on January 23rd at 6:00 PM at brother jeff’s Cultural Center (2836 Welton St. Denver, CO 80205)

Please use this link to sign up to host a house party so we can share with your networks the importance of this organization. Your support is crucial in our journey to educate, advocate, and celebrate Black communities.

In Solidarity,

Auon’tai M. Anderson, CEO of The Center for Black Excellence in Education