Exhibit: The Spirit of "Daddy" Bruce Randolph

The Spirit of "Daddy" Bruce Randolph

An exhibit honoring and remembering the legacy of "Daddy" Bruce Randolph (1900 – 1994)
Community Advocate, Restaurateur, and 1985 Colorado Black Hall of Fame Inductee

On Display until November 29th
Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library
Cousins Gallery – Level 3

The Man behind the Street
Have you ever driven down Bruce Randolph Avenue and wondered, “what’s his story?” Chances are he had to have been pretty special to be named for a street or building. It just so happened that “Daddy” Bruce Randolph was that special and named for both. In 1985 the section of 34th Ave. from Downing to Dahlia was renamed Bruce Randolph Avenue and in 2008 Bruce Randolph School opened to grades 6-12 in his honor.

Daddy Bruce opened Daddy Bruce’s Bar-B-Q in 1963 located on the corner of Gilpin Street and East 34th Avenue. Not long after, during the late 1960s his Thanksgiving tradition was born. Using his time and money he took a truck full of ribs to City Park and simply started feeding the hungry. "I've seen a whole lot of raggedy days myself," he says, chuckling (People, Nov 1985). Through this simple yet powerful act of kindness he was about to feed 200 people.

November 23rd marks the 50th Anniversary of the Thanksgiving food giveaway that Daddy Bruce started, helping feed over 10,000 families in need. The first 25 years of this tradition Daddy Bruce cooked meals on Thanksgiving Day through the generosity of local celebrities and community members. After his death in 1994, the Salem Baptist Church and eventually the Epworth Foundation took over the work of Daddy Bruce creating The Denver Feed a Family program giving away Thanksgiving baskets every year.

Stop by the Cousins Gallery – Level 3 to learn more about the man behind the restaurant and his many contributions to the City of Denver.

For more information about the exhibit contact Ronald Wooding at (720) 319-1491 or email rwooding1@yahoo.com

PLEASE NOTE: Library hours are Monday and Wednesday 12-8 p.m., Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., closed Sunday