In this episode of the Straight-Up 30, host Ross Izard talks with Derek Okubo, former Executive Director of Denver’s Agency for Human Rights and Community Partnerships, about why community engagement is essential to effective local government. Derek shares how Denver’s approach to human rights and community partnership has deep historical roots, what it looked like to lead the agency under Mayor Michael Hancock from 2011 to 2023, and why the best solutions come from doing work with communities, not for them. The conversation also highlights how community-led efforts shaped real policy outcomes in Denver and why preserving history, including the story of Amache, matters for civic progress today.

What we cover:

• Why community engagement matters in local government
• How Denver’s human rights and community partnerships work in practice
• Why communities are diverse and not one-size-fits-all
• Examples of community-led solutions, including Denver Days and COVID vaccination outreach
• Preserving history through Amache and why it matters today
• How community voices can drive local ordinances and real policy change

About the guest:
Derek Okubo served from 2011 to 2023 as Executive Director of Denver’s Agency for Human Rights and Community Partnerships, overseeing community-focused offices, advisory commissions, and citywide partnerships. He continues to serve the community through multiple boards and Japanese American civic organizations, including efforts connected to Amache and Japanese American history, now a National Historic Site.

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