Derrick Holmes founded a watch company in honor of 18th-century scientist Benjamin Banneker and now wants to install a replica of his famous wooden clock in every school in America.
Holmes, founder of Banneker Watches, dedicated the second Banneker clock in the nation at East High School on Thursday to honor African-American history.
The first clock was dedicated at Banneker Academic High School in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday.
“It’s important for people my age to know where we have come from and where we are going,” said Jannaye Pogue, 18, an East senior who attended the dedication. “It makes me think that African-American history is being recognized and appreciated more.”
Holmes thinks putting a clock in every school will take up to 10 years. Every February, he will count how many schools have the clocks.
East alumna Allegra “Happy” Haynes, an official with Denver Public Schools, supported placing the first clock in Colorado at the school, whose population is 38 percent African-American.
As a student in 1969, she fought to implement an African-American studies program.
“This representation of the history I sought so long ago makes me very proud,” she said.
Banneker, who was black, carved a working clock that kept accurate time for 50 years. He was also an astronomer and architect.
Holmes, a native of Iowa, started Banneker Watches after founding his first watch company, Marquee Watches, shortly after his move to Denver in 1998. Banneker watches, which have faces crafted from exotic woods, retail for as much as $1,500. Holmes said he felt electrified by Banneker’s success story.
“I hope students get that nothing is impossible,” Holmes said. “The moral of his story is to take what you have and make something of it. It’s a story that resonates, that students can model.”
The Banneker clocks, which cost $500, are installed in partnership with local businesses and corporations.
The clock at East was sponsored by McDonald’s.
Students said they were honored that the clock is being installed at East.
“It gives us the recognition we deserve,” said La’Ricsha Davis, 17. “East is a great school, and they really talk about ethnic issues here. We have teachers who really fight for their students, and this shows that they’re not fighting in vain.”
Staff writer Gabriela Resto-Montero can be reached at 303-954-1638 or grestomontero@denverpost.com.
