Photo: Chris Daniels & Charlie Burrell | By Janelle Finch, 9News | People in Denver know the historic Five Points neighborhood today looks different from how it did in the past. “Five Points is a historically African American neighborhood,” Stefka Fanchi, CEO of Elevation Community Land Trust, said. “Used to be known as the Harlem of the West, at one point.”
Over time, a neighborhood where Black people lived and congregated, changed.
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The Burrell affordable housing development is one of Elevation CLT’s projects. Fanchi said it aims to create an attainable, inclusive homeownership opportunity for people with connections to the area.
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The Burrell is named after legendary Denver musician Charles Burrell.
Some in the music industry know him as “the Jackie Robinson of classical music” for being the first African American to be a member of a major American symphony.
Fanchi noted his contributions to blazing trails in music as part of the reason the building holds his name.
“We really see him as this living legacy for equality,” Fanchi said. “He did things and was the first to do things in so many ways.”
Burrell said he was “thrilled” to learn about his name being attached to the project.
“I almost fainted,” Burrell said. “I said, ‘Oh I can’t believe this was happening, it’s happening.'”
Burrell said he’s lived in Denver for 80 years and credits many good memories to the Five Points neighborhood.
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Read the whole story here:
https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/affordable-housing-looks-to-bring-cultural-legacy-back-to-five-points/
Photo: COMBO Member Chris Daniels & Charlie Burrell | From Charlie’s Facebook page
New Burrell Housing Looks to Bring Cultural Legacy Back to Five Points Neighborhood
