In a quiet meeting room of the Ford-Warren Branch Library in Denver, a photographic record of “firsts” that cannot be found in history books is hanging on the wall.
Clutching his violin is Jack Bradley, who became the first African-American in the Denver Symphony in 1940.
Gregory Kellam Scott stares stoically from behind wire- rimmed glasses. In 1993, he was the first black member of the Colorado Supreme Court.
Maj. Oleta Lawanda Crain beams as the first African-American woman in Denver to enter the military in 1942.
To kick off Black History Month, the branch of the Denver Public Library on Saturday added another to the 62 distinguished faces in the “Blacks in Colorado” Hall of Fame – former Northglenn mayor and Denver Bronco Odell Barry.
“I haven’t had time to reflect on what this all means,” Barry said. “I have been inducted in three hall of fames, and this is the most meaningful.”
Barry was the first black to be elected mayor in a major city of Colorado, to become a charter member of the Rotary International, and to be chosen president of the Colorado Civil Defense Association. He is also known for holding the No. 2 spot in the Broncos’ record books for his kickoff return yardage in the 1964 season.
“Every time we have a first, it has inspired others to say ‘I can do that.’ It’s a celebration – we’re taking another step,” Barry said.
Near Barry’s picture hanging on the wall is the serene smile of another individual, Juanita Ross Gray. A civic leader and former Ford-Warren library employee, Gray played a part in compiling the original 41 photos in the Hall of Fame displayed in 1973.
Since her death in 1977, the Juanita Gray Community Service Award is given annually by the library to begin Black History Month. Inductees into the Hall of Fame often attend the award presentation.
“I have been coming to every one,” said Juanita Gray’s husband, George Gray. “I’m very proud the library established that for the contributions she made. … I’m elated she’s being remembered.”
This year’s recipients were Lawrence Borom, chairman the Black Education Advisory Council, and attorney Gary Jackson, who has raised significant scholarship funds for African-American law students.
Besides Gray, there is only one person in the audience who has attended all 19 ceremonies for the service award and hall of fame. B. Louise Dave, 80, has seen almost a third of the pictures raised onto the walls over the years.
“Juanita Gray was one of my dearest friends,” Dave said. “I come to support her husband and family, and it’s a pleasure to see all these faces honored for their great leadership.”
Staff writer Julianne Bentley can be reached at jbentley@denverpost.com.
