A group of Denver Public Schools graduates want to change the way the city invests in its talent and future workforce.

One of Ednium: The Alumni Collective’s key initiatives celebrates the achievements of Denver’s homegrown talent – who, as they say, all too often go unrecognized.

Cristina Chacon is Ednium’s Leader of the Year and recipient of the Table Builder Award. We caught up with her when she was hosting a party for the release of a new mixtape from the Youth Empowerment Broadcasting Organization (YEBO). Chacon is Director of Programs and Partnerships at YEBO.

“I love bringing a lot of people together and hearing their stories and learning how they got to where they are,” Chacon said.

Bringing people to the table is what drives Cristina. Especially young people who feel like they don’t belong.

“Young people take advantage of every opportunity that calls them into leadership positions. They want people to hear their voice,” she said.

Cristina grew up in southwest Denver and graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School. She went to Regis University on a full scholarship.

She then served as a teacher at South High, working with immigrant students. Cristina also teaches yoga and healthy living.

“I am a proud Mexican and for me it is great to be part of such a community that wants to thrive and is thriving,” said Chacon. “I love the city of Denver. It has changed quite a bit since I graduated in 2007. But I love the city. I love the hustle and bustle, I love the people, I love the culture.”

And it is her commitment to Denver and its talent that caught the attention of Ednium: the alumni collective dedicated to supporting Denver Public Schools graduates.

“The nominations we received for Cristina truly demonstrated her leadership and character, as well as her commitment to the community,” said Richard Maez, Ednium Associate Director. “She is committed to Denver and she will always be committed to Denver. And we want to celebrate that, that passion for our community.”

The community to which she gives so much cheered and thanked Cristina Chacon on Saturday evening. “It’s truly an honor to be recognized for something like this,” Cristina added.

Ednium also recognized at the 2024 Homegrown Awards: Eduardo Chavez, a DCIS Baker alum, who received the Game Giver Award, and Dawnae Burnette, an East alum, was recognized as a founder. East alum Yazmine Atmore was honored as The Creator, and Stephanie Lopez, MSW, also an East alum, received The Dream Investor Award.

The DPS graduates who run Ednium say after traveling the world they realized how little they knew about personal finance.

So you were the driving force behind introducing financial literacy as a graduation requirement in Denver. Ednium has helped hundreds of DPS graduates through its leadership and networking programs.