A Tribute to Dwayne Pride
Editor’s Note: On February 27, the Denver VOICE community was devastated to learn that long-time VOICE vendor and advocate for a number of civic organizations, Dwayne Pride, passed away suddenly from pneumonia.
We are working with members of Pride’s family and some of his closest friends on a celebration of Pride’s life. Currently, that celebration is on hold until we have a better understanding of how the Coronavirus will impact everyone. We will provide an update on our website and social media channels as soon as we have a date for the celebration.
Several of the Denver VOICE vendors, former staff members of the VOICE, and a number of those with whom Pride served on the Denver African America Commission (DAAC) have shared their thoughts and memories of Pride. For this issue of the VOICE, we wanted to pay tribute to Pride by sharing some of the comments we received.
Nathanial Trotter (VOICE Vendor)
A calm, cool brother.
Penny Sandoval (VOICE Vendor)
Dwayne was a nice guy. I really didn’t know him, but he always said hi to me, and I’m sorry to see him go. God be with him always.
Jerry Rosen (VOICE Vendor)
Dwayne pride was a very considerate and polite person. He always had a good thing to say to people. He was very thoughtful.
Brian Augustine (VOICE Vendor)
I don’t know if you could call Dwayne and me friends, but as we got to know each other, we learned to respect the other. To begin with, I thought of him as a hustle. Then I learned about his volunteer work. I saw we had things in common. He wanted to give back as much as I do. I will miss his presence in my life.
Randy Keller (VOICE Vendor)
Of the vendors, Dwayne was perhaps the most attentive and friendliest.
Larmarques “Myesha” Smith (VOICE Vendor)
Dwayne always had whatever I needed and didn’t think twice about it. I saw him the most outside of the office. RIP, Dwayne.
Raelene Johnson (VOICE Vendor)
Dwayne, My Friend, I will miss you. You always brightened my day! You always were willing to help me stamp my papers and carried them to my car for me. The picture of us in the March issue was taken the last time we were together! Rest in peace, my friend. See you in heaven, my friend!
Linette Hildalgo (former VOICE employee)
Dwayne, or Pride, as he was known to many, was a cornerstone of the VOICE family. Thinking of that family without him is very difficult. A vendor and advocate for the VOICE for a number of years, he had relationships not only within the VOICE family, but with many people in the Denver and Boulder communities. He was one of the biggest proponents of the paper and the mission of the VOICE. He regularly brought new vendors into the program and even found volunteers for the VOICE. His passion and belief in the VOICE moved others into action.
He was very active within the VOICE, participating in outreach, workshops, vendor gatherings, and fundraisers. Dwayne was curious and ever a learner. He lived with his finger on Denver’s pulse, always in the know about what was happening in the city. From advocacy and homeless service offerings, to music, arts, and film events. He carried a collection of local newspapers and magazines, flyers, pamphlets, and promo coupons with him. He liked to share these with others. His way of informing others and helping them out.
Dwayne enjoyed traveling outside of Denver, when he was able, to experience different places and events. He’d return after a trip with even more pamphlets and flyers, but also stories about what he had seen and who he had met. He was a special part of the VOICE and he will be so deeply missed.
Pride was appointed to the Denver African American Commission (DAAC) by Mayor Michael Hancock in October of 2015. Commissioner Co-chair Misgana Tesfaye assembled the following comments from others on the Commission with whom Pride served.
Dwayne was always a bigger than life, kind and caring soul. He was always so kind to me and took genuine interest in my efforts and ideas. He was always there when I needed an encouraging word and will be greatly missed by all of us on the Commission.
Misgana Tesfaye (DAAC Co-Chair)
I met Dwayne Pride approximately 25 years ago. The quiet, caring, compassionate demeanor that he exuded then was the same when we reconnected two years ago on the Denver African American Commission. Being a mouthpiece for the community and providing powerful information to the masses was Dwayne’s passion and purpose in this life. He will be sorely missed, but his example of how to live life and love others will be a lasting part of his legacy.
Barry Overton (DAAC Co-Chair)
I had the pleasure of working with Dwayne on several occasions, as he worked for my company whenever I had an available contract that fit his expertise. And what was Dwayne’s expertise? It was connecting with people authentically. It was showing up consistently without a complaint. It was being a man that I could truly count on to do what he said he was going to do ... He never expected anyone to do anything for him; he was willing to work for everything he had. I never saw him with his hand out. I did see him always willing to serve. Truly, Dwayne was a man I respected for his character and his impeccable work ethic.
C. Benzel Jimmerson
I enjoyed serving on the DAAC with Dwayne. He always greeted me with a smile and a warm hug. He had a quiet spirit and was a kind soul. He didn’t feel the need to dominate the conversation in our meetings, but when he chose to speak, everyone listened (because we knew it would be impactful).
Alicia Harvey
Dwayne was a sweet and gentle soul who had an amazing energy. Although he was quiet, when he did speak, his words were always discerning and uplifting. He did not have to be the loudest person in the room to make the most significant impact. Dwayne would greet you with a hug and a smile, and he genuinely cared about how you were doing. I thank God for allowing us to borrow Dwayne’s light.
Dr. Genene Duran
Dwayne’s presence was solid. He was reliable and committed. He wanted to be a part of us, and we welcomed him.
Jeri Ajayi
In the application Pride completed for the DAAC, one of the questions he was asked was, “How would people you previously worked with describe you?”
Pride responded, “They would describe me as an honest and friendly person that is always available for what they wanted.”
The many people who treasured Dwayne Pride as a friend or colleague would agree with this description. ■