There's something special happening at Park Hill Elementary and it starts with a simple but powerful invitation: Welcome to the table.
BE-HIVE is a family/educator group doing remarkable work to uplift diversity, equity and inclusion at Park Hill. It serves as a community in motion: curious, committed and deeply rooted in care for every child who walks through those doors.
What is BE-HIVE?
Natasha Gulley, who is a Park Hill parent, kindergarten teacher, and proud BE-HIVE member, captures the spirit of the group perfectly.
"We are so proud to be part of this community," she said, "but we also know there is so much more we could be doing. So much more that we have in our imaginations for what we want this community to look like and what we want society to look like."
That pride, paired with a bold vision for what is possible, is exactly what brought BE-HIVE to life at Park Hill Elementary.
BE-HIVE stands for Black Excellence, History, Inclusion, Values and Equity, and the hive metaphor is entirely intentional. Like a hive, this group operates on shared effort, creativity and resilience. It grew from the roots of Denver Public Schools' 2019 Black Excellence initiative, and has since evolved into something uniquely Park Hill's own: a collaborative space where parents, teachers, and administrators come together around a shared belief that every child deserves to feel seen, celebrated and supported.
The BE-HIVE name itself was also a conscious and joyful choice. Calling the group something like "Black Excellence" or "Equity and Inclusion" can feel formal and adult-facing. The hive metaphor, on the other hand, is something everyone understands, including the kids. Students were invited to help design the logo, making them active participants in the work from the very start.
"All the little worker bees working together for a common goal of goodness and inclusion,” parent and community member Amy Makurumidze shared.
That spirit of belonging and shared purpose is exactly what BE-HIVE was built on, and it is something the whole school community can be proud of. BE-HIVE has brought that belief to life through events and programs and family workshops on allyship, social/emotional learning, and supporting curriculum at home.
One of BE-HIVE's proudest moments has been Culture Night. As Amy reflected, "We are so proud of what we accomplished together."
Families showed up with heirlooms, home-cooked food, and open hearts, proud to share their cultures and equally willing to listen and learn from one another. The event came together in a way that felt both intentional and natural, supported by thoughtful planning that included translators and transportation for families across the community.
"People showed up for each other," Amy said, "and there was so much support."
A Table Worth Sitting At
During a winter afternoon after school in the library at Park Hill Elementary, a group of families, community members and school leaders gathered for the monthly BE-HIVE meeting. The school's principal, Maggie Bixby, opened with words that set the tone for everything that followed: "Welcome to the table. I want to continue getting behind the work that you guys have already put in place. And you have the full support of the whole school."
That kind of institutional backing matters. And the parents and teachers in the room clearly feel it.
Craig Ferguson, a fifth grade teacher, spoke with both pride and purpose: being part of BE-HIVE, he said, carries real responsibility, a commitment to staying curious and continuously learning about your community in order to better support its students. In this day and age, he reminded the room, dialogue is everything.
Another powerful moment in the meeting came from Patrece Hairston, a parent to a third grader and a rising kindergartener, who shared exactly why she shows up.
"I'm in this group because of my own lived experience," Patrece said.
"Walking through as a Black student, my experience as a mom, and raising two biracial kids in a predominantly white educational environment, I want to make sure that we not only hold space to have conversations, because dialogue is critical, but that relationships are at the center of the group and the work that we do," she said.
Relationships at the center. It's a simple idea, and it's everything.
Erika Neale, a kindergarten teacher and parent at Park Hill Elementary, reminds us that there is still so much work to be done. She is passionate about putting equity at the forefront and making every child feel celebrated. BE-HIVE has been a labor of love for her.
"I just love seeing this group grow and evolve," Erika said.
Gwen Mitchell, a parent of a third grader and a ninth grader, reflected on just how far the group has come. She is proud of the growth she has witnessed and the spirit that drives it, what she calls "radical curiosity" and a genuine intention to make sure everyone has a seat at the table. For Gwen, the real magic lies in the way BE-HIVE works across every level of the school community.
"I think it takes an inner system, where it's staff, parents, kiddos, and leadership," she said. "That's where the traction has been so exciting because it is across those levels."
Why BE-HIVE Matters
In a climate where words like "equity" and "inclusion" have become politically charged, BE-HIVE is choosing to stay the course, with pride, joy and accountability. The parents, educators and administrators at Park Hill are unwavering in their commitment to protecting and uplifting the experiences of Black children and families, while welcoming all who believe in building something better, creating a more inclusive, celebratory and equitable school community. And that’s something to be proud of.