On December 26, 2025, our community gathered at the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theater for Kwanzaa’s opening celebration and the Circle of Wisdom (COW) Induction to honor those whose steady and quiet contributions strengthen us all. The COW ceremony recognizes elders who selflessly guide, mentor, and uplift the community by freely sharing their experience and wisdom.

On this night of Umoja, Daryl Walker, Portia Malone, and Roslyn Washington entered the Circle of Wisdom, joining 70 other elders—both living and transitioned—who embody service, integrity, and purpose in our community. Their inclusion underscores our core message: wisdom is alive among us and present in all who serve, lead, and nurture, whether still with us or remembered in spirit.

The Circle of Wisdom also honored the life and legacy of the late Purnell Steen, whose music united and uplifted our community. His memory serves as a reminder that the wisdom and joy of our elders endure, resonating in our shared experiences and celebrations.

2025 Circle of Wisdom Inductees:

Daryl Walker is a Sacred Music Theologian whose work blends scholarship, spirituality, and social justice. Known as Minister Walker, he holds a Master of Divinity from Iliff School of Theology, grounding his ministry in ethics, liberation, and community care.

For decades, he has served as a minister of music and worship leader, including as former Director of The Spirituals Project at Lamont School of Music and co-leader of No Enemies, a Denver collective blending music and activism. He is now the Minister of Music and Worship at Park Hill United Methodist Church, using music to foster healing, reflection, and hope.

A Denver native, Portia Malone is a trusted community leader whose professional expertise and love for culture have strengthened countless organizations across the city. A graduate of Regis University, she brings more than 20 years of experience in accounting and financial stewardship, sharing her skills with groups that serve and protect the community.

Her service includes leadership roles with the NAACP–Denver Branch, Denver Metro Fair Housing Center, and AAUW–Denver Section. A life member of the National Council of Negro Women, Portia is Corresponding Secretary and stays active with the Denver Kwanzaa Committee. Her volunteer work with the UMOJA African Dance Troupe, Colorado Black Arts Festival, and Denver Center for African Art reflects her belief in unity, cultural pride, and intergenerational connection. She lives by the principle: “Enter to learn; depart to serve.”

Roslyn Washington’s life exemplifies community service. A retired Denver Public Schools educator, she has spent over 50 years as an actress, director, and teaching artist, sharing her gifts through performance, mentorship, and activism.

Her work includes founding membership in the Eulipions Theatre Company, over 30 years as an emcee and volunteer with the Black Arts Festival, board service with the Chinook Fund and the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), and lifelong membership at Shorter AME Church. Guided by the principles of Kwanzaa, she believes our gifts are meant to be shared and that challenges can become stepping stones for growth—both for ourselves and for the community. Inspired by this vision, she continues to lead by example, lighting a path for others to find purpose and unity.

As we step into 2026, let’s live with purpose and make our days, choices, and connections more meaningful. Let’s focus on making our lives better—finding joy, learning from experiences, and turning challenges into stepping stones.

Let the Nguzo Saba (the collective name for the seven principles)  guide us: stay united, use our gifts, care for one another, and keep building our community together. May this year be one where the wisdom we honor becomes action, our lives become fuller, and our community becomes stronger, kinder, and more loving.