As visitors step off the elevator and onto the third floor of the History Colorado Center, the “Owl Club of Denver: Legacies of Excellence” exhibit brightens the room, with photos and artifacts speckling the walls.
A pink wall titled “Belles of the Ball” pops out with a picture and description of the esteemed African American debutante cotillion. Raven Faber, a debutante from the graduating class of 2004 who is now a business owner and holds two degrees in structural engineering, said being a debutante—or “deb” for short—was the first time she ever felt like she was a part of something in which all the other women were Black.
“I don’t think I really understood why it made me feel so good. Historically these cotillions are for white women of high status, and it was not welcoming for Black women,” Faber said. “It felt good to be a part of something with people who looked like me. It really showed me that sort of togetherness is important and I started seeking that out intentionally even within spaces and institutions that are predominantly white.”
The Owl Club of Denver was founded in 1941 by eight African American men in the Denver community. The Club celebrates the community’s academic excellence and provides a safe space to acknowledge its accomplishments.
In 1951, the Club hosted its first annual Debutante Ball, and since then they have presented over 1,000 of Denver’s African American women as Owl debutantes.
“The Debutante Ball is a stellar event where we honor intelligent young women in a public forum for their character, scholarship, leadership, and community service,” wrote Owl Club President Alonzo Butler on the website.
“More importantly [the debutante cotillion] are uplifting responses to negative stereotypes around African American beauty, character, intellect, and abilities to be successful in society,” as the caption of the “Belles of the Ball” photo in the History Colorado exhibit states.
As visitors continue to walk through the exhibit, a timeline of photographs featuring past debutantes in their striking white gowns appears.
“There were specific requirements for the dress, shoes, and the jewelry. We had to wear the shoes we were going to wear for the ball at rehearsal in order to get used to dancing and curtseying in high heels,” Faber recalled.
Debutantes for the Owl Club are selected based on their morals, character, academic achievement, leadership and community achievements. The process is thorough and requires a nomination from the community.
“At the time, it made me feel really good to be nominated as a deb. It wasn’t an opportunity that every African American woman received,” Faber said.
Within their rehearsal, Owl Club debutantes take part in various activities that allow them to get closer to their peers and create memories. From learning different styles of dance to engaging in stimulating conversation, participants gain an idea of shared community. Being a part of the Owl Club of Denver has long-lasting effects on those who become a part of the community.
“Another aspect of [the cotillion] is that they were offering a scholarship. I knew I needed money for college so I wrote the essay to try and get the scholarship. There were different scholarships with varied amounts, and so I submitted my essay and I won one of the scholarships. It was impactful to me because that was the only scholarship I received where they wrote the check out directly to me,” Faber said.
Faber is still in communication with a few other debutantes who were in the same graduating class as her. Their connection remains strong despite their debut in the Owl Club Debutante Ball being 20 years ago. The Owl Club gives young African Americans the opportunity to build long-lasting connections with others in their community and continue to do so after their involvement in the club is over.
The History Colorado exhibit also aims to highlight various pillars of the community and the work they have done since being a part of the Owl Club. Photos and artifacts from different African American men and women are featured as they describe their contributions to different fields. Some notable names include Ernestine Mcclain Smith and Condoleezza Rice. Being a part of the club is just as influential and memorable for them.
“As a former Owl Club of Denver debutante myself, I benefited greatly from a strong, supportive community of teachers, professors, and family members. They inspired me to pursue my passion for classical piano and international politics,” said Rice in a 2010 letter written to debutantes of that year participating in the ball.
As members of the Owl Club integrate into society, they have been provided with a supportive community to aid and inspire them to reach their future goals.
“When I think about all that I’ve done and places that I know I can go, being a deb was a great accomplishment and it was just the scratch of the surface for all of the future accomplishments I would make later in life,” Faber said.
The History of Colorado Center will showcase the Owl Club exhibit until May 10, 2025; tickets are free for children 18 and under.