Kristen is an actress, writer, and producer. She moved to Denver from Dallas, Texas in 2008 and calls the Mile High City her home away from home.

I met Kristen at the Denver Artists of Color meetup, a shared space for artists who identify as POC. I remember she wore a beautiful multicolored headwrap, so I felt it appropriate that she chose to sport a similar fashion to our shoot. The meetup, which Kristen co-founded and co-hosts, is an excellent opportunity to connect with local creatives. If you’re interested in attending the next gathering, join the Facebook group for details. All disciplines and backgrounds are welcome.

Here’s what it means to be Black in Denver to Kristen.

What does it mean to you to be Black in Denver?

To be Black in Denver invites a deep level of community building and relationship nurturing. Because our population is so much smaller than other places I’ve lived, it’s caused me to be really intentional about seeking out like-minded Black folks. That level of intentionality has really yielded these beautiful results and I’ve been able to meet and collaborate with some amazing people.

What do you love most about living in Denver?

The access to nature! The open-mindedness of the people.

How have your experiences in Denver shaped you?

My time in Denver always feels like a portal or a gateway to incredible opportunities.

During our interview, we had an amusing interaction, considering the topic at hand, with a man who thanked us for being Black women. You’re welcome!