Nominations

Nominated By Deborah Sims Fard

“Aminah is a strong proponent for students’ rights, equity, and inclusion initiatives at her school and community. Aminah initiated and organized the first BHM program at her high school in 2019 and received recognition for her film making skills in honor of BHM by the DPS Board.

In addition, Aminah thought it was important to have safe spaces for leadership development for black youth. She advocated and initiated a space for BSA (Black Student Alliance) at her high school and serves as the president of the group. Aminah is a member of the Young African American Latinx Leaders (YAALL) and the Student Board of Education (SBOE).

Aminah currently carries a 3.7 GPA, and volunteers with other local youth organizations. Most important is the care Aminah gives her 83-year-old grandmother, who is currently in hospice. She has a special heart for the elderly and advocates on their behalf when caring for her grandmother.”

My Black Colorado Interview 

What school do you attend and what year are you in school? 

I’m a senior at the Denver School of Innovation and Sustainable Design.

What do you think others would say they value about you the most?

I would say that I’m a pretty positive person; I try not to be negative. A lot of times I’ve been told that when I walk in the room I bring positive energy. I also think people would say they appreciate my knack for leadership.

When you’re not in class what are some things you enjoy being involved with? 

Right now I have a real passion for social justice, so most of my time goes towards the social justice groups I participate in. One of those groups is Young African-American X Latina Leaders where we, the black and brown students from schools all across DPS, reform policies that disproportionately affect us. That’s become something super important to me because I have younger siblings. I’ve been through the public school system my whole life, so just finding ways to make positive changes for them. My friend and I are currently creating a workshop that’s going to help teachers and others in my school to become more culturally competent and what students who aren’t of color could do to make school a more positive environment for students who are of color. In general, I enjoy making spaces for black students and it’s something that I do a lot outside of school right now.

What is the best advice someone has given you recently? 

The most memorable advice would be from my mentor when they said use your talents and don’t put them to waste.

What is one thing that you want to get better at? 

I would say public speaking. I wouldn’t say I’m particularly bad at it, I just think it’s a strength I should practice some more because it’s a very important skill in the field I see myself in – which is social justice, advocacy, and engineering. Especially in engineering, it’s not a well-known space for women of color, so I think using my voice would help in being seen in that field.

What advice do you think adults need to hear to help them connect with the younger generation better? 

Don’t be so close-minded. 

What accomplishments or awards are you most proud of and why? 

I think the Black History month assembly I created back in February is one of my proudest accomplishments to date because my school is not very diverse. I feel like that was a huge changing point in our school culture and community because afterward, you could really feel a shift in everybody’s understanding as to what the assembly was about. 

What role have your parents played in helping you mature, grow, or develop? 

My parents are both advocates. So growing up and watching them do what they do in education has totally shaped who I am. 

What advice would you give to other young people your age who need to hear right now in this season? 

Don’t allow yourself to hold you back. The only thing stopping you from achieving your goals is yourself. I say that because nobody–unless somebody’s literally physically stopping you, which I don’t think that’s the case for many–can really stop you. You’re your biggest motivator and your biggest obstacle. That’s been something I’ve experienced in my life.