Empowerment with Grace and Gratitude:

Kay McIntosh’s commitment to artistry and empowerment in Denver echoes the creativity of her childhood inspirations. 

In a city of historic neighborhoods, lasting traditions and vibrant communities, Kay McIntosh makes an impact with her creativity, confidence and gratitude— both for where she’s going and for where she’s come from. Having moved from her small Ohio hometown to Thornton, CO, about 10 years ago, the special projects worker and burlesque performer says she’s proud of the new connections she’s made in Colorado. 

Grounded in a New City

“I am still building a community here, to be honest. Being that I moved here as an adult, I had to start from scratch.” McIntosh would describe the word ‘community’ as an actionable commitment and investment. Although hers is still developing, she says that she’s proud of those she’s close to here. 

“During my wedding, my local and national community came together to celebrate my love, and it was beautiful watching everyone connect,” McIntosh says. “It truly highlighted the solid roots and foundations I have with the kind of people that surround me.”

As a transplant, McIntosh says that her perspective on Denver is unique. “I see a lot of people criticize Denver and behave as if moving elsewhere will solve all of their issues. "While Denver does have some differences that aren’t like home, the ‘problems’ I see people reference are actually problems that exist everywhere,” she says. “Denver is what you make it. I do feel that as a black person, you do have to make more of an effort than you may elsewhere. But the opportunity is there nonetheless.”

Expression and Empowerment

McIntosh’s mindset has helped to provide a platform where other black creatives in Denver can flourish. As a performer and creative herself, she has produced a Juneteenth burlesque show for the past two years, meant to showcase black talent. 

“I felt it was necessary [for] black burlesque performers [to] have the space to share acts they may not get to [share] anywhere else on this holiday—and I did not see anyone else providing that opportunity,” she says. “[Denver has] wonderful showcases of black art, but burlesque seems to be one that’s overlooked here. I thought, at the very least, Juneteenth should be a day [where] black burlesque and drag performers get some spotlight.”

McIntosh is also a creator of Verbal Tea, The Journaling Podcast, a journaling-based show where writing prompts are exchanged with podcast guests to promote mindfulness. “The purpose is to encourage spending alone time with your thoughts in a world that demands we publish everything,” she says.

Both podcasting and producing black events have served a deep need and conviction within McIntosh, she says. “Empowering people through honest dialogue and showcasing uninhibited black expression in an art with so many layers just feels right to me.”

"I just want to tap into what I know I can give and share it."-Kay McIntosh

Honoring Hometown Roots

McIntosh’s love of performance and expression is echoed in the vibrant church community she had as a child. “I’m a preacher’s kid, and that is a big part of my story and my heart,” she says. “Growing up in the church forced me to develop comfort with public speaking, and my father often affirmed my way with words.”

Between church conference trips and guest appearances, McIntosh tagged along, slowly growing the expressive spirit that would later fuel her creative endeavors in Colorado. “As I grew older, we would almost volley scriptures and inspirational insight while he developed his sermons,” she says. “Dancing and flagging in church also just made performance feel like this normal thing to me. Podcasting and burlesque performing feel like home because they both consist of those core activities and are both rooted in educating and empowering others.”

Though McIntosh no longer practices religion as an adult, she recognizes the impact that the church left on her definitions of community and gratitude. “The example of community I saw growing up in the church is something I long for and [is something] my heart is wired to attach to in some capacity,” she says. “I think growing up there is why I will still honor my convictions and do it scared … I am just trying to find my place and do my part.”

Beyond the church, she also recognizes the impact left by her sixth-grade English teacher, who built a reading loft in her classroom to “help children enjoy literature and romanticize it—make it a real experience,” McIntosh says. “It was such a simple thing in a small town that made a big difference [in] children’s relationships with literacy. It reminds me that you don’t have to be a big deal to make an impact.”

Lasting Traditions

Inspired by the teachings of those who raised and guided her, McIntosh emphasizes the importance of contributing to change—even if it’s on a smaller scale. “I’d like to not limit myself or talk myself out of ideas I think can do a little good,” she says. “So often people think something is too ‘corny’ or not worth the effort because they have an image of the distance it’s supposed to go. But I just want to tap into what I know I can give and share it.”

Beyond sharing her creativity through podcasting and burlesque, McIntosh plans to share her gratitude by enacting a tradition of saying “Grace”—but not in the typical prayer sense, she says. “I always like to take a moment and voice my gratitude—and the beauty of the moment I’m sharing—with my friends, family and even artistic colleagues in real time. It can be in the form of a ‘toast’ at a party, or just taking the moment to say, ‘I’m so glad we got together because I needed this in my life.’”

Find Kay McIntosh on Instagram at @verbalteatime and @globefroshow, and on Spotify and Apple Podcasts as Verbal Tea: The Journaling Podcast.

Kay McIntosh is a part of Rooted Change's Community Spotlight Series. This initiative reflects the strength, complexity, and beauty of the people we serve, centering voices often spoken about—but rarely spoken to. If you’re eager to share your story, contact emma@rootedchange.co.