Editor’s note: In recognition of our 20th anniversary, some DUS contributors shared their views on what the Denver Urban Spectrum means to them.
 AJ Clemmons
Writer
The Denver Urban Spectrum elevates voices too often ignored and silenced. It validates the importance and "newsworthiness" of a community that has always been an integral part of Denver 's heritage.
 Darvi Brooks
Writer
The Denver Urban Spectrum is an elder that fills you up. It’s a reminder of our very existence in times of change and camouflage. The Denver Urban Spectrum is ours, and we must never let it go. It is a voice of the African-American community and of people of color.
 Emily Mukasa
Writer
The Denver Urban Spectrum has been a good starting place for my writing since graduating from Metro State two years ago. I feel so comfortable contributing to DUS because the publisher, editors and fellow writers let you be yourself. People respect other peoples' opinions, even when they have theirs', which makes it a good atmosphere to embrace.
I am so grateful to Rosalind “Bee” Harris and Ta'Shia Asanti, the first editor I worked with during my first days at DUS, for their patience. I am so grateful for the opportunity and I'll never have any regrets no matter what because writing for DUS has been an awesome experience. Even in the future, it will be my home because of the love and memories I will always reserve for it.
I thank everyone writing and working for this paper, too. God bless you all.
 Pat Duncan
Photographer
What does DUS mean to me? It means opportunity. What started out as passionate for photography has blossomed into a career due to the encouragement and support of Bee Harris.
 James Michael Brodie
Baltimore, MD
Copy Editor
The Urban Spectrum is my roots. It is my connection with my childhood and the old neighborhoods. It allows me to return home and see how the world I loved has evolved. It allows me to watch friends grow into leaders of the community, even though I cannot be there with them. It has allowed me to share in the pain and the victories of a region that continues to influence my world view.
In reading through its pages I become a part of those who claim Colorado as home and long to return. It makes me proud to be a Rocky Mountain man when I brag about my hometown and about the greats who also hail from my state: Phillip Bailey, Dianne Reeves, Hattie McDaniel and many, many more.
It is also the place where my writing career began. Bee Harris took a chance on me and gave me the confidence to pursue journalism as a profession, to write books, to speak out. I would not enjoy the success I have today without the grounding and experience I gleaned from my day with the Spectrum.
Thank you, Bee.
 Linda Y. Brown
Writer
The Urban Spectrum is one of the best ways to find out what's going on in the African-American community and with other people of color in Denver and the important issues which affect all of us.
 Jan McNutt
Writer
Writing for the Urban Spectrum has been a wonderful experience for me. I love Bee and truly admire her vision and efforts in keeping this publication going strong for twenty years. One of my favorite things about being a part of the Urban Spectrum is the heated and varied discussions bantered about at our writer's meetings which lead ultimately to an always unique issue – created with stories both controversial and pertinent to the moment – and, giving recognition to the colorful threads that make up the fabric of our community.
 Karon Majeel
Interim Managing Editor
The Spectrum represents freedom and opportunity: the freedom that comes from creative expression and another opportunity to serve my community. The Spectrum informs, entertains and connects the dots between people of color. I am humbled and honored to be part of this work.
 Sara Whitney
Production Assistant
Bee and the Denver Urban Spectrum embraced me in my hour of need and ignited my passion for journalism. Working with such a diverse team has broadened my abilities and compassion for all peoples of color, and it has helped me define my sense of self. Thank you for every leap of faith you’ve taken with me, Bee; I couldn’t have done any of it without you or the Spectrum.
“The Urban Spectrum”
By Lisa Marie Martinez, Writer
It was time for a change
Time to hear the new hum,
That told me seek & find
Who’s beating that new drum…
That followed the beat of
My heart’s pure desire,
And just set me ablaze
Filled my Spirit with fire!
Burning me to the core
Giving me energy…
It ignited my thoughts,
And with pen set me free!
It began with “Hello”
“How are you doing now?”
“Are you in a new show?”
“Taking another bow?”
I said “Bee I just finished
A project you see?”
“Now it’s writing for you
That’s been calling to me”
“You know I can Speak
For I’ve done it before,
But it’s time that I walk
Through one more open door.”
And now time has passed
And she stands quietly…
As I say who I am
And what inspires me.
I say “I’m an artist
And give medical care.”
I say “I make time
Gifts-of-giving, I share.”
But, it’s at this time
Bee decides to convey,
That I left something out…
Something I didn’t say.
She said “You’re a writer!”
“You can own up to that!”
It brought tears to my soul,
As I listened and sat.
And she smiled as she spoke
All those words to my heart…
She gave me a new path
To pursue my new art!
It was then that I knew
Where the humming came from.
It was then that I knew,
Who was beating that drum?
It was Him guiding me
Where He thought I should go…
It was Him telling me
“This is how you should flow.”
“Make a difference”, He said
“And do it honestly
And know that it was I
Who then led you to Bee”
So with pen in my hand
And with love in my heart…
Spreading “Colorful” News
Has become my new art!
I’m so blessed to have heard
The beating of that drum
And to make a difference with
The Urban Spectrum.
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