Omaha Community Council for Racial Justice and Reconciliation

Today's Summit for Justice and Disparities was excellent! Props to Lincoln Branch and Omaha Branch NAACP, Betty Andrews and team, and thank you to Dr. Yusef Salaam for an inspiring keynote!

There are countless stories waiting to be amplified.

If you know of one, consider nominating someone, or inviting your networks to nominate, an “Unsung Hero.” The story of Charles Jackson French (and many others) encouraged some Creighton folks to create the Unsung Hero Project. Students in a class this fall will create an archive to recognize individuals whose achievements have not been widely recognized due to marginalized status or identity.

Nominees don’t need to be associated with Creighton or Omaha – they can be from anywhere in the U.S. Though the effort seeks to redress the omissions of history, nominees who are still living are encouraged.

To submit your unsung hero, visit creighton.edu/unsung-heroes. Nominations are due August 5, 2024.

Send a message to learn more

WE STILL HAVE DRILL TEAM/ DRUM LINE PERFORMANCE SPOTS OPEN!
*email us at [email protected] / call 531-867-4280 or just direct message!

NOMAFEST 2024 Drumline Competition - 2 P.M.

The first annual NOMAFEST Drumline Competition will bring drumlines from across the city to 24th and Lake streets to perform and compete.

Enjoy a special performance during the battle with Omaha Street Percussion at 2:45 P.M.

Send a message to learn more

We can't wait to see all that Malcolm X Memorial Foundation will continue to do for the community and Malcolm X's legacy

Omaha's Malcolm X Memorial Foundation to receive $20 million grant The Malcolm X Memorial Foundation in Omaha recently received a $20 million grant from the state of Nebraska to expand its operation. For more Local News fr...

Congratulations to all the Equal Justice Initiative essay contest winners and thank you to all who came out to support them last night.

The first day of Black History Month is a great day to recognize four local students who have earned awards from Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) for their essays on racial justice in a 2022/2023 contest:

Patrick Waadah: Omaha Northwest High Magnet
Riyah Foster: Burke High School
Sostaine Nibgira: Burke High School
Emmanuella Houndjo: Burke High School

Students will be recognized and read their essays at an awards ceremony:
Thursday, Feb. 22, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
University of Nebraska Omaha
Room 132, College of Public Affairs & Community Service

The annual State of North Omaha and African Americans Summit is coming up on Jan. 27.

Annual State of North Omaha & African-Americans

https://omaha.com/news/local/omahas-martin-luther-king-jr-day-march-postponed-by-extremely-cold-weather/article_c6f8e118-b2e9-11ee-8099-3b5340e48cf1.html -source=home-top-story

Omaha's Martin Luther King Jr. Day march postponed by extremely cold weather Extreme weather conditions in the Greater Omaha area have caused the Martin Luther King Jr. “Keep the Dream Alive March” and some of the other events celebrating the great man

Visit Great Plains Black History Museum this month to see the Smithsonian's nationally touring "Voices and Votes" exhibition. This Monday, Jan. 15, admission is free from noon until 3 p.m.

We are now accepting submissions for our 6th Annual "Living the Dream" competition for Omaha area 7th-12th graders! This is a music, dance, poetry, and short essay competition and the celebration will be held on Martin Luther King, Jr Day, January 15, 2024, at the Holland Performing Arts Center!

Please check out our website for more information: https://humanrights.cityofomaha.org/living-the-dream-high-school-competition

Event Link: https://fb.me/e/1tM2tnPbl

Steering committee member Barry Thomas will MC the 2023 Tri-Faith Initiative United We Walk event!
If you need another reason to attend, registration is free.

🎤 MEET YOUR UNITED WE WALK 2023 MC: The one and only Barry Thomas! Register for Tri-Faith Initiative's annual fundraiser today and join Barry in sending a clear message: United, we are stronger. United, a more inclusive Omaha is possible. trifaith.org/uww-2023

This month will mark the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington. Great Plains Black History Museum will hold an event on Aug. 26 to celebrate and promote dialogue. Learn more and register:

Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington with the GPBHM 60 years ago Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his historical "I Have A Dream Speech."

https://www.wowt.com/video/2023/07/28/vivian-strong-street-receives-historical-marker-honor-her-legacy/

Vivian Strong Street receives historical marker to honor her legacy Black activism has long been a part of Omaha's fabric as a city; now, there's an extra reminder on Vivian Strong Street.

History is being made today.

Reminder: History Nebraska has chosen to honor the memory of Vivian Strong with a historical marker near The Worship Center, 2021 N. 24th St.
You're invited to the unveiling ceremony, Friday, July 28, at 11:30 a.m.

Divisible Documentary was amazing to finally see this weekend at the beautiful Benson Theatre! It laid bare tremendous injustice while highlighting the courage of those working to dismantle the unjust systems entrenched by redlining. There were many finger-snaps during the discussion featuring Terri Crawford, Schmeeka Simpson, and Dr. Nikitah Imani speaking truth. Steering committee member Dr. Franklin Thompson moderated the panel and Lizzy Barret directed the film.

Look for more free local showings soon and, meanwhile, visit the Undesign the Redline exhibit at University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Last Saturday marked 54 years since 14-year-old Vivian Strong was killed senselessly, sending shockwaves that still reverberate today. Join us on Friday, July 28, at 11:30 a.m. at 24th and Patrick for the unveiling of historical markers that witnesses to her story and lasting legacy.

North Omaha street renamed for Vivian Strong A north Omaha community came together Friday to honor a Black teen whose shooting death by a city police officer more than 50 years ago set off three days of riots.

Heading to a game? Make sure you also visit the current exhibit on Negro League Baseball at Great Plains Black History Museum (not far from the stadium).

TOMORROW:
Friday, June 16, 3-3:30 p.m.
21st and Clark Streets, Omaha

The Omaha City Council approved renaming 21st Street from Clark to Paul Street "Vivian Strong Street" in her honor, which will be made official at this ceremony.

Street parking is available. Due to the nearby College World Series, you may experience traffic delays en route.

New details for the Vivian Strong memorial events:
Street naming ceremony: June 16, 3 p.m., 21st and Clark
Historical marker unveiling: July 28, 11:30 a.m., 24th and Patrick
Please share!

Looking ahead, we highlight these activities and projects:

The Vivian Strong Historic Designation Committee’s efforts to memorialize the 1969 shooting of 14-year-old Vivian Strong are moving forward. Save the date for a street renaming in her honor on June 16 and the dedication of a historical marker on June 28.

Learn about the impact of Strong’s death at a panel discussion during the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation Malcolm X Birthday Celebration.

Divisible Documentaryis set to premiere this summer. Watch for screenings and discussions hosted by various community organizations.

Great Plains Black History Museumhas several upcoming opportunities:
-Charles Jackson French historical marker ceremony, TBD
-60th Anniversary of The March On Washington for Jobs & Freedom ("I Have a Dream" speech event) Saturday, August 26
-Voices & Votes: Democracy in America Smithsonian exhibit, December 1, 2023 to January 2, 2024

To our community:

Thank you for your support of the Omaha Community Council for Racial Justice and Reconciliation over these years. With the completion of the Will Brown and George Smith memorials through the Equal Justice Initiative Community Remembrance Project, our work has shifted into a lower gear.

Though much remains to be done to end racial violence and move toward reconciliation, local groups and individuals have ably taken up that mantle and in many cases have been doing the work for some time (tag them below!). We stand in support of these efforts. Our active initiatives will remain limited as we seek to uplift this work in our community.

As EJI’s Community Remembrance Project or community need evolves, this may change. If so, we will be in touch. Thanks again!

So glad to see this moving forward. Save the date for the renaming ceremony, June 16.

Omaha City Council Approves ‘Vivian Strong Street’ - The Reader The Omaha City Council voted to nominate a portion of 21st Street from Clark Street to Paul Street as “Vivian Strong Street,” after an unarmed Black girl who was shot and killed by a police officer in 1969. Vivian Strong was 14 years-old when James Loeder, a member of the Omaha Police Department...

A lecture at University of Nebraska at Omaha on April 12 will feature Dr. Kathleen Belew's take on the history of white supremacy in the U.S.

Richard Dean Winchell Lecture Please join the Department of History in welcoming Dr. Kathleen Belew for this year's Winchell Lecture, "Understanding White Supremacy: Decoding the Actions of the White Power Movement." This event is co-sponsored by the Department of History, the Fried Academy, Humanities Nebraska, the Nebraska Cul...

BFHWA ANNUAL HEALTH FAIR ‼️‼️‼️

Save the Date, Our Annual Health Fair will take place this year on March 25, 2023. The Health Fair will be at Omaha North High School from 8:00am-1:00pm

We look forward to seeing you there!

Don't miss this important annual update from Empowerment Network on January 28!

The collective journey continues. Progress, Remaining Gaps and Transformational Opportunities. Join us in-person or virtually for the 16th Annual State of North Omaha and African-Americans on Saturday, January 28, 2023. 8:30 am to 1:00 pm. Register Here: https://shorturl.at/bpuF5

On Saturday, Jan. 14, University of Nebraska at Omaha will hold a Martin Luther King Jr. “Teach-In” from 10 am-2 pm in the Weitz CEC. Free registration:
http://eventbrite.com/e/ima-martin-luther-king-jr-teach-in-tickets-498177431107.
Sponsored by the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Metropolitan Omaha & UNO SPHRS (Spirituality, Public Health, & Religious Studies)

Know of other free public events coming up for MLK Jr. Day? Share them here! 👇