Meet Jamal Skinner | Executive Director of the Cultural Enrichment Center of Fort Collins

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jamal Skinner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jamal, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Growing up, I reaped the benefits of a Black community center, the Lettig House, that provided daily after school programming. When Black people are together, there can be healing and the fragmented parts of ourselves that have been repressed can begin to be put back in proper context and place. After George Floyd was murdered in May of 2020, it confirmed the great need to create a Black safe space for our young people in Fort Collins. The Cultural Enrichment Center is a place we can start the journey of redefining ourselves and support one another in embracing who we are. Our young people need time and space to peel back the multilayers of our own identity by being in communion with other Black bodies.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
The Cultural Enrichment Center of Fort Collins is nearly one year old and while I have endless passion for supporting our students, this past year would not have been possible without financial support from individuals in our community. We were blessed with conveniently finding a physical space to rent downtown pretty quickly but not much else came easily. The biggest lesson being learned is by our students who are learning to connect to themselves, to their history, and to the greater Black community. We have seen significant growth, as self-reported by our students, regarding their sense of confidence and sense of acceptance.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Eats- Mo Jeaux’s, Penrose, Cafe de Bangkok, Mt. Everest Drinks- the Forge, Cafe Vino, Elliot’s Martini Bar
Visit- Horsetooth Reservoir, Grey’s Rock, and walk around Old Town

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to dedicate my shoutout to my ancestors, specifically my mom and my best friend’s mom who were instrumental in raising me to love my Blackness.

Website: fococec.org

Instagram: cec_foco

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cec.foco

Image Credits
Image credit to Dyann Diercks