Geraldine Grimes

Geraldine “Gerie” Grimes was a committed and highly capable leader who exudes passion for local community and families.  She described herself first as a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and wife of 47 years.  She was deeply dedicated to Denver’s Park Hill neighborhood, where she  lived and devoted time and talent to making a difference. Grimes’ 45-years of community involvement and service is expansive. She  provided leadership for organizations including the Center for African American Health, Denver Early Childhood Council, Park Hill Collective Impact, Inc.; National Black Child Development Institute Denver Affiliate; East5ide Unified/Unido; the Denver Preschool Program Advisory Board; Holly Area Redevelopment Project (HARP), Mayor’s Early Childhood Education Commission; Metro State University Board of Trustees; Colorado Black Women for Political Action; Falcons Youth Organization; and the Police Activities League. She was a Buell Fellow and a PhD candidate at the University of Denver.

Grimes’ life work changed the playing field for all regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, skin color, or marital status especially at Hope Center, where she has worked for 36 years. For the past 12 years, Grimes has been President/CEO at the premiere non-profit which provides early childhood education, and vocational training for adults with disabilities.  Her leadership and guidance made an impact on thousands of individuals. Children are labeled “at risk” by the States definition, a label Grimes believed should be abandoned because every individual comes with strengths first and then areas which may need improvement.

She’s was recognized by the Denver Early Childhood Council as a Founding Board Member in 2017, William Funk Award for Building Stronger Communities in 2014, Mile High United Way – Anna Jo Haynes Caring About Kids Award in 2013, the Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Award in 2013, the Minoru Yasui Community Service award in 2011, the Mary McLeod Bethune Award of Achievement in 2013. She earned a BA in Non-Profit Administration from Metropolitan State University and a MA in Non-Profit Management from Regis University. Gerie passed away in May of 2022.