b"Dr. Syl Morgan-Smith, Communicator and Community Leader, was one of the first African American tele-vision news anchorwomen in Colorado. She was a weather forecaster, sportscast-er, television talk show host, newspaper editor, and popular radio announcer and newscaster. In 31 years, she honored more than 450 individuals and organizations for excellence in Christian and community service, as the Founder and President of the Colorado Gospel Music Academy & Hall of Fame. She served on many boards of directors including Children's Hospital, First Interstate Bank, and Metro Denver Urban League. At New Hope Baptist Church she serves as an ordained deaconand member of the Majestic Praise Choir.CBRTS GAINING GROUND SUMMITHONOREEStJ ohn Bailey and the Colorado BlacklargerColoradocommunity,regardingPhilWashington,CEO,DIA-Denver RoundtablepresentedaGainingthe known and existing disparities thatInternational Airport, Dr. Ben Sanders, GroundintheBlackCommunity-deserve immediate attention.MayorsChiefEquityOfficer,Malcolm SocialEquitySummit.ThethemeBaileybroughttogether100plusEvans,BoardChairman,ColoBlack Looking Back & Moving Forward wasseniorbusiness,civic,government,Chamber of Commerce, Selena Dunham, expertlycoveredbyelitepresentersclergyandotherpowerfulleaderstoCEO,Classique,MichaelBenitez,VP, withfullaudienceparticipation.Thishonor the past and strategize on bestMetro State Universitys Diversity and annual event was held over four dayspractices for moving forward.InclusionOffice,andBelindaHooks, atfourlocationsbutwithonepur- Exec.VP,MountainPlainsMinority pose:ToeducateandengagetheTheSummitsopeningdayagendaSupplier Diversity Council. African-Americancommuinity,andincluded Denver Mayor Mike Johnston,CONTINUTED ON PAGE 146 11/23 bocnews.com"