By On Saturday, February 7th, I found myself walking into the Community College of Aurora’s CentreTech Campus with the kind of excitement usually reserved for weddings and jollof competitions. The African Leadership Group (ALG) was hosting its In-Person Breaking Barriers Convening. As someone who has watched this project grow from a bold idea into a full-blown movement, I knew I was stepping into something truly special.
Supported by Belonging Colorado, this year’s convening wasn’t just another event on the Black History Month calendar- it was the third and most elaborate edition of a project that has quietly become one of ALG Denver’s signature contributions to our community’s cultural landscape.
And trust me, this one hit different.
A Mission Bigger Than a Meeting
The Breaking Barriers project was created to address a truth many of us know but rarely say out loud: Black America and the Black diaspora love each other deeply… but we don’t always understand each other.
African immigrants, Afro‑Latinos, Afro‑Caribbeans, and African Americans often share history, struggle, and skin, yet still find themselves separated by assumptions, stereotypes, and the ghosts of historical wounds. ALG’s Breaking Barriers convening is where we sit down, breathe, and talk through it- honestly, respectfully, and with a lot of laughter in between.
Enter: The Cultural Passport
Now, let me tell you about the star of the day- the Cultural Passport.
Imagine a beautifully printed booklet listing more than 20 partner community organizations (Afrik Digest included, of course). Every time you attend an event hosted by one of these partners, you get your passport stamped. The more stamps you collect, the more connected you become to the full spectrum of Black communities in Colorado.
And yes, there’s a prize. A cool $1,000 for the most stamped passport at the end of the year.
But beyond the cash, the passport is a gentle nudge, or maybe a firm push, to show up for each other. To attend each other’s festivals, forums, cookouts, concerts, and conversations. To stop living in parallel and start living in partnership. This was the first time the passports were printed and handed out, and watching people line up to get that first ALG stamp felt like witnessing the birth of a cultural tradition.
Dr. Ibrahima Seck Takes the Stage
The guest speaker was none other than Dr. Ibrahima Seck, Director of Research at the Whitney Plantation Slavery Museum. If you’ve ever heard Dr. Seck speak, you know he carries history the way a griot carries stories- with reverence, clarity, and a quiet fire. He also joined the panel of four speakers, each bringing their own lens to the conversation about unity, identity, and the work ahead.
Table Talk: Where the Real Magic Happened
One of my favorite parts of the day was the table conversation session. Eight topics. Eight tables. Guests, free to choose whichever conversation called out to them.
I joined a table that was already buzzing with energy. Within minutes, strangers were sharing personal stories, cultural misunderstandings, and those “aha” moments that only come when people speak from the heart.
At the end, a representative from each table stood up to summarize their group’s discussion. Some were serious, some were funny, all were deeply insightful.
Food, Drums, Poetry, and a Whole Lot of Joy
No African diaspora gathering is complete without food, and this event did not disappoint. Caterers from our communities brought their best. The kind of dishes that make you forget your diet and your dignity.
There was also an interactive drumming session that had the whole room vibrating with rhythm, a powerful poetry recitation, and a scenic group photo session that felt like a family reunion.
I met new people. I hugged old friends. I laughed more than I expected. And I left feeling lighter.
Leaving With Hope
As I walked out with my freshly stamped passport tucked safely in my bag, I couldn’t help but hope that everyone else left with what I felt: less ignorance, less division, and more readiness to build bridges. Because if this convening proved anything, it’s that unity isn’t a dream; it’s a practice. And on this Saturday in Aurora, we practiced it beautifully.
