University of Denver Autumn 2025

ALUMNI STORIES

“It’s something we knew we could teach them pretty quickly, and they also proved they can excel at it.”

Photos courtesy Southside Blooms

Take Rashod, for example. When he joined the team at 16, he was struggling in high school and didn’t have many alternatives for his future education or career. Now, at age 20, he’s a manager and one of the team’s best florists. “It’s extremely rewarding to see that a kid can get an opportunity in their own neighborhood to have a better life,” Blackwell says. Southside Blooms has plans to open its second flower shop in North Lawndale this fall and, from there, Blackwell hopes to bring flower farms to as many neighborhoods across the city and country as possible. He also hopes to see some of his staff start their own businesses, whether that be a flower shop, a farm, or something else. Blackwell credits his time at DU for grounding his bold vision in something practical and helping him see that he could make a significant impact as a leader in the nonprofit sector. “At the end of the day, it’s about preserving life in all its forms, and my DU education has helped make that

and one more solar-powered flower farm that attracts all sorts of beneficial insects and birds. It’s like you’re building a modern Garden of Eden in the city.” He says people in the community were skeptical at first, but “once they saw we were serious and started getting traction in the marketplace, they bought in.” Growing opportunities More than anything, Southside Blooms is about people. Young adults who might otherwise struggle to

find work are gaining employment—and a creative outlet.

“A lot of our youth are very creative, and floristry is an inherently artistic endeavor,” Blackwell says.

possible. We’re paving a different path forward in the floral industry and the nonprofit industry—and yielding some pretty amazing results so far.”

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UNIVERSITY OF DENVER MAGAZINE | AUTUMN 2025