Jaleesa McIntosh’s Colorado Favorites: Four of Five Points’ community resources and businesses

July 11, 2024

Note: Direct quotes were edited for typos, to observe AP style guidelines and to fit the listicle structure.

In light of the Colorado Black Arts Festival’s return this weekend, Jaleesa McIntosh is encouraging Coloradans to get to know Denver’s Five Points neighborhood through culture-focused location recommendations.

In an interview, McIntosh, the executive director of the Colorado Black Arts Festival, shared some of her favorite places in Five Points, Denver’s first mostly Black and African American neighborhood. Most of her suggestions are located on Welton Street, which runs through the Five Points area.

1.     The Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library

McIntosh highlighted the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library’s Western Legacy Museum, noting that their exhibits share the history behind some of Welton Street’s buildings and acknowledge Five Points’ major historical milestones.

“One of the places that I'll start off with dives into the history of Welton, and that being the first African American or Black historic neighborhood, is the Blair-Caldwell Library. At that library, I believe on the third floor, is a museum that goes through the history of how a small Black community started in Dearfield, Colorado and then migrated down into Denver, and it touches on how that community expanded into what is called the Mecca of the West. I mean, you have Black doctors, you had engineers, you had amazing DJs, you had awesome performances that came through, some of the greats at the time performing at the Rossonian [Hotel] and things like that, and it tells the story of what you really don't see down there anymore. You see the buildings, which are historic, but you missed the story of how great that space was. And as a native, you would know that story, but if you're moving here, you wouldn't know because you only hear about it. And I think the Blair-Caldwell Library has done a great job of preserving that history.”

2.     Stiles African American Heritage Center

According to McIntosh, Stiles African American Heritage Center is also a museum that focuses on African American history.

“That's a good place for community and just to learn about history.”

3.      Brother Jeff’s Cultural Center

This organization offers health and wellness services to those who need them, and their website said they host arts and culture-focused events that are open to everyone.

“There's Brother Jeff's Cultural Center, always has its doors open to anyone that wants to come in and just check out some of his [Founder Jeff Fard’s] community resources. It's also a food bank for families and individuals in need and just a really great place for community there.”

4.     Spangalang Brewery

According to their website, Spangalang Brewery is a microbrewery named after an essential cymbal rhythm in jazz, which is a significant music genre in Five Points history. McIntosh appreciates the sense of community and live jazz music played there.

“There's also Spangalang Brewery, which is on Welton as well. Great place to have community, listen to live music and just to stop in.”