SEN. JANET BUCKNER: Honoring my late husband’s contribution to Aurora is Black history in the making

Overland High School was not just a job for my late husband, State Rep. John Buckner, -it was his home. 

John dedicated over four decades of service as a teacher and principal in Aurora , and his influence is still felt. To this day I receive calls and emails from people speaking to the impact John had on their lives. In addition to working in education and the legislature, he was a part of Leadership Aurora, which develops awareness of the Aurora community and encourages greater community involvement. Overland High even honored his legacy by naming their gymnasium after him. 

And now, the City of Aurora will be renaming the street across from Overland High, East Jewell Avenue between South Peoria Street and South Potomac Street, to John W. Buckner Avenue to honor his impact on the students and families of Aurora. 

When I found out the news, I was deeply moved, proud of John, and most of all, I was thankful. Thankful for the community that continues to be appreciative of John’s life-long dedication. Thankful for the honoring of important, Black history, which is engrained in Aurora’s history. And I was, and am, thankful for the opportunity to continue John’s legacy at the Capitol and to serve the great people of Aurora. 

When John was elected in 2012 to the Colorado House of Representatives, he was the first Black person to represent House District 30. He served as the Vice-Chair of the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus and as Chair of the House Education Committee. He always fought for policies to improve our community and support our great state, such as improved teaching for English language learners and fast-tracked education and training programs to support in-demand jobs, 

We come from a family of educators. John, a teacher and principal; myself, a school speech pathologist; and one of my daughters, Joy, taught English and now consults on education issues. Supporting and improving education for Coloradans is in our DNA, and continuing John’s legacy is one of my driving motivations as a state legislator.

It’s why I championed the John W Buckner Automatic Enrollment in Advanced Courses Grant Program, which helps increase the number of students enrolled in advanced placement courses. Traditionally, disadvantaged and low-income students of all racial and ethnic backgrounds who perform well in school don’t enroll in advanced classes at the same rate as their peers. John knew that all students deserve the opportunity to learn at a higher-level, and that those who have access to a rigorous curriculum perform better across multiple areas – including being more likely to graduate high school and complete higher education.

I’ve carried over the mission to lift up Black and historically under-served communities into all areas of my work. From improving maternal health care, to ensuring all Colorado kids have access to quality, free preschool, to making Juneteenth a state holiday, at the core of all of my legislation is a commitment to Black, brown and underserved communities and ensuring they have the resources, recognition, and opportunity they need to thrive. 

John once said that collectively, we are much better than we are individually – and I agree.

I would not be where I am today without the support of the community that I’ve called home since 1975. This community rallied behind me in the wake of my husband’s passing, and continues to uplift me as I serve their interests every day in the legislature. 

This Black History Month, I want my constituents, the people of Aurora, to know that I will always rally behind you, and work to fulfill John’s mission of creating opportunities for each and every Coloradan.

Senator Janet Buckner served several years in the House of Representatives, where she was Speaker Pro Tempore. She was elected to the Colorado Senate to represent District 28, which was redistricted to Senate District 29.