Ednium: The Alumni Collective

The Ednium team has partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the San Luis Valley to explore themes of hope, belonging, and long-term impact. Through grant-supported work and our Design Lab process, we engaged in culture conversations and connected with community partners, parents, and staff to better understand how the Boys & Girls Club experience shapes program alumni long after their time in the program. At the heart of our Design Lab is the belief that lived experiences offer valuable insight into what works, what can improve, and how organizations can better support the communities they serve. These conversations are an important part of understanding the lasting influence of youth development programs and how those insights can help shape more meaningful opportunities for future generations.

Nominations for the 4th Annual Homegrown Awards are open through October 25, and we’re inviting our community to help spotlight DPS alumni whose leadership, creativity, mentorship and commitment are creating meaningful impact. This year’s categories include Ednium Leader of the Year, Founder of the Year, Creator of the Year, Mentor of the Year, Partner of the Year and the Legacy Award. Whether they’re building something new, investing in others, creating work rooted in Denver or strengthening their community, we want to hear about the people whose impact deserves to be recognized. Learn more about the award categories and submit a nomination by October 25: https://lnkd.in/eBQBS62F

Join us for Ednium’s Health & Wellness Day, an afternoon dedicated to giving alumni space to connect, recharge and prioritize their physical and mental wellbeing. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience acudetox, participate in yoga and spend time connecting with fellow alumni and community. 📅 October 24 ⏰ 12–2 p.m. 📍 Denver Yoga Center This event is free to attend, but space is limited and RSVP is required. Reserve your spot and spend an afternoon investing in your wellbeing and community: https://lnkd.in/gtugUkjz

The 2026 Homegrown Awards are back! This year, we’re celebrating a little earlier. Join us on Saturday, November 14 at 6 p.m. at the CSU Spur Hydro Building for an evening celebrating Denver’s homegrown talent and the DPS alumni making an impact across our city. Tickets are free and expected to sell out, so we encourage you to reserve yours early. There are also still opportunities to support this year’s Homegrown Awards as a sponsor. Sponsorship is a chance for businesses and organizations to invest in Denver’s homegrown community while receiving visibility throughout the event and across Ednium’s platforms. Reserve your free ticket or learn more about sponsorship opportunities here: https://lnkd.in/eBQBS62F 

For Deidra, gratitude starts with what can be easy to overlook: waking up, having a bed to sleep in, and getting another day to experience life. Her journey has been shaped by trusting that there’s a larger vision at work. Basketball opened the door to college and a scholarship, and the years since have brought new lessons in owning her wisdom, sitting with discomfort, and continuing to grow. Through every season, one question has stayed with her: “What am I doing?” You may recognize Deidra as the MC who brought the energy to our recent Topgolf fundraiser. In our latest podcast episode, we get to know more of the person behind the mic. Tune in to hear Deidra’s story: https://lnkd.in/gVe7A8-p

Nominations are officially open for the 2026 Homegrown Awards! Each year, Ednium’s Homegrown Awards recognize the people who are making an impact across Denver, creating opportunities for others and investing in their communities. Know someone whose work deserves to be recognized? Nominate a DPS alum in one of this year’s categories: Ednium Leader of the Year – Building community, creating opportunities and making a meaningful impact. Founder of the Year – Building a business or organization rooted in Denver with a vision for possibility and innovation. Creator of the Year – Creating art that authentically reflects and represents their Denver roots. Mentor of the Year – Educating, mentoring and consistently showing up for others in their community. Partner of the Year – Elevating alumni voice and supporting Ednium’s community through authentic partnership. Legacy Award – Recognizing someone age 36+ who has built a legacy of lasting impact in their community. This is the only category open to non-DPS alumni. Nominations close October 25, 2026. Help us celebrate the people who continue to show what homegrown talent looks like. Submit your nomination today: https://lnkd.in/giweXgBn

Leadership Launchpad Cohort 8 is officially underway! Our first Community Building session set the foundation for the months ahead, bringing the cohort together to begin building connections and community. At its core, Leadership Launchpad is about supporting Denver’s homegrown talent as they lean into the leadership skills already within them. Throughout the program, cohort members will have opportunities to strengthen those skills, build meaningful connections and explore what leadership looks like for them. We’re looking forward to seeing how Cohort 8 grows together and carries their leadership into their careers, communities and beyond.

What gives our lives meaning, and what do we need to keep showing up for it? In two of our latest blogs, we explore Sense of Purpose and Physical and Mental Wellbeing, two of Ednium’s five domains of alumni agency. While each tells a different story, together they show how deeply connected these areas of our lives can be. Purpose can give us direction, while wellbeing gives us the tools, relationships, and support to keep moving forward without leaving ourselves behind. Through the experiences of alumni, we’re exploring what it looks like to build a meaningful life while caring for yourself along the way. Read both blogs and explore the connection between purpose and wellbeing: https://lnkd.in/gs_mVJmH

What makes a friendship last through different seasons of life? DPS products and Thomas Jefferson High School graduates, best friends Sergio and Cyrus have grown together while navigating different paths in life. In our latest podcast episode, they reflect on a friendship built through shared experiences, vulnerability, respect and the freedom to simply be themselves — and how meaningful relationships give us space to listen, disagree, support one another and continue showing up. 🎙️ Tune in to hear their conversation on friendship, growth and the relationships that help shape who we become: https://lnkd.in/gA6qd3ea

The 4th Annual Homegrown Awards are coming November 14, bringing together alumni, community members, local leaders and partners to celebrate the people helping Denver thrive. Nominations are now open, and tickets are available for those who want to join us for an evening centered on connection, recognition and the incredible homegrown talent making an impact across our city. Learn more, submit a nomination and get your tickets: https://lnkd.in/eBQBS62F