Vol. 83 - No. 13 by The Omaha Star

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Nebraska’s Only Black Owned Newspaper Vol. 83 - No. 13 Omaha, Nebraska

Friday, June 25, 2021

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Redefine the Game Institute Host 2020 and 2021 Graduation Classes By Sheila Fields MBA CPLC Redefine the Game (RTG), a management and career advancement program, hosted its annual graduation celebration for the 2020 and 2021 cohort participants on June 17, 2021, at the Venue. Graduates successfully completed an 11-month learning program based on the book, Black Faces in White Places, by Dr. Randal Pinkett and Dr. Jeffrey Robinson. The event is the result of on an institute that was born out of an Empowerment Network Leadership Conference and ultimate collaboration between BCT Partners and the Empowerment Damita Byrd, CDP Director Network. Damita Byrd CDP, Director of Culture, Diversity of Culture, Diversity, and Inclusion for BCT Partners, is the visionary and catalyst for the Inclusion for BCT Partners Redefine the Game Institute; she helped to establish Omaha, Nebraska as the inaugural l city for the first RTG cohort which has gained national notoriety. Dr. Randall Pinkett, CEO of BCT Partners, said, “RTG was created for such a time as this and the world is saying that it is time for a new generation of leaders to lead our society into a new tomorrow.“ He believes that RTG has challenged participants to strive to deeper levels and to live with a calling , purpose, and congruence. “For whom much has been given to you, much will be required,” Pinkett expressed.

There’s A New Troop in Town Girl Scout Troop 48563 was open for business in early May for girls in the North and Northwest Omaha community. Co-Leader Dr. Cynthia Gooch-Grayson and the cadre of Troop Support have enjoyed working with the girls and providing them with the Girl Scout Leadership Experience - a collection of activities and experiences they will have as they earn badges, go on exciting trips, explore the outdoors, create Take Action projects that make a difference and more. Gooch-Grayson shared “I participated in Girl Scouts as a child and had amazing leaders throughout the years like my mother Belle Gooch, along with Mary Frazier, Aquilla Simpson, Rosalie Williams, Betty Butler, Lillian Bell-Dacus, Marta Nieves and Sallie Hadley.” Gooch-Grayson served on the board but longed to do more. “How could I not provide such an opportunity that was provided to me? Since we began, we have involved the girls in a Girl Scout Investiture Ceremony, held meetings via ZOOM, participated in an outdoor activity, and earned badges and patches. Most recently, the girls were involved in an exercise learning about Juneteenth and another about learning their family histories.” A multilevel troop, the volunteers are intentional with beginning small and focus on friendships.

Publisher’s Pen By Terri D. Sanders

Redefine the Gam Institute Graduates of Cohort 1, 2, and 3. Chris Rodgers, a member of the institute inaugural class said, “There are three things that I got out of the cohort - a road map with lights, practical theory to figure out my way, and a safe room to really talk about experiences that we all had which gave me a renewed inspiration. It resulted in a network and a familial connection.” He stated, “ I know if I’m looking for people to put into a position, I can grab people from the RTG program with confidence.” While the event provided an opportunity for cohort members to reconnect, supporters of Redefine the Game Institute were on hand to applaud their efforts: • American National Bank • Omaha Public Power District • CHI Health • Creighton University • Omaha Police Department Graduation allowed supporters to offer reflections on the impact of the program while recognizing their respective employees. “Return on investment. As Omaha is the first to do redefine the game, we are the first to reap the rewards.” said, Todd Schmaderer, Chief of Police City of Omaha. “ The police department has sent employees to each cohort and the department has already seen promotions. Out of the six participants, Sherie Thomas, a member of the first cohort, has been promoted to Captain and Ana Colon has been promoted to Deputy Chief.” He noted that all other police department cohort attendees are making strides in the department as well. Wende Kotouc, Co-CEO and Co-Board President American National Bank , said “There are a lot of important strategic decisions that you make as CEO and in the last three years we have had a lot of changes. I knew that it would be a quality program. What I did not know was how it was going to impact me; we view you as incredible strategic assets. We have several David Preston, Jr. Homigraduates and this year American National was able to act cide Detective, and Anton promotions and career path changes because we saw the won Finch, Sgt. In Internal emotion, spirit, and drive that is fostered in the RTG institute.” Affairs, offer their perspec Dr Jeffrey Robinson, Co-founder of BCT Partners, announced tive as graduates of the the unveiling of a new book, Black Faces in High Places, which program. will be released in January 2022. The new book will build on the knowledge gained RTG and focus on performance the highest levels of the organization. “ We have the opportunity to not only succeed in our companies, but also in our communities.” Dr. Robinson insisted. He encouraged RTG continued on page 8

Next Issue: July 9, 2021

Information due: July 2, 2021

Like Marvin Gaye sings: “What’s Going on?” Native Omaha Days July 26- August 2, 2021,events are as follows: Wednesday, July 28, 2021, Native Omaha Days Gospel Fest, will be held at Morning Star Baptist Church, 2019 Burdette Street, featuring outstanding gospel singers from the Omaha area. David Turnbo Photography Friday, July 30, 2021, Stroll Down Memory Lane, 24th and Burdette to 24th and Ohio. Reminisce about the Good Old Days. Saturday, July 31, 2021, Native Omaha Days Parade, 30th and Lake to 30th and Sprague Streets. Beginning at 10AM. Saturday, Southern Blues Concert, Malcolm X Foundation, 7-11PM, featuring Pokey Bear and others. For those who have been wondering and calling, there it is, so make your plans accordingly. I am guilty of not having a sports reporter covering the swim trials that were held in Omaha this week and a Black female swimmer was outstanding. Charge it to my head not my heart. If a sports reporter wants to come forward and give me all the details on getting credentials and I write the check, I will be glad to address such. Help a Sister out please. We have an outstanding paper and we are looking to do more. In the next issue we will talk with the FIRST BLACK FEMALE Principal of Omaha Central High School. My friend, Elise Dionne Kirksey. We are making history here in Omaha! Do you have articles you would like to see in the paper, send them in. In the month of July the Omaha Star Priniting company will come alive, stay tuned!

Did you know? You can make a tax deductible donation to the Mildred D Brown Memorial Study Center? The Omaha Star Printing Company is coming soon? We have a program for young writers? Want answers to these questions, contact: publisher@omahastarinc.com

Native Omaha Days July 26, 2021 August 2, 2021

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Page Two

LOCAL NEWS

THE OMAHA STAR

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Terri D. Sanders - publisher@omahastarinc.com Business Hours: Monday – Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Member of the National Newspaper Publishers Association Mildred D. Brown: Founder, July 9, 1938 Dr. Marguerita L. Washington: Publisher, 1989 - 2016 Phyllis Hicks: Publisher/Managing Editor, 2016 - 2019 Terri D. Sanders, Publisher Barbara Reeves: Retail Distributor THE OMAHA STAR believes that America can best lead the world away from racial and national antagonism when it accords every man, regardless of race, color or creed, his human and legal rights. Hating no man, fearing no man in the firm belief that all are hurt as long as one is held back.

MCC Honored At 2021 Nebraska Cte Conference

The Metropolitan Community College Early Childhood Education program was honored at the 2021 Nebraska Career Education Conference earlier this month, which was held virtually June 7-9. The program received the Outstanding Postsecondary CTE Program Award for exemplary student success. Offering an associate in Applied Science, the Early Childhood Education program at MCC prepares students for education or human services careers, while giving them college credit that they can take to a four-year institution if they choose to do so. During the three-day conference, event participants selected from over 75 breakout sessions where they had the opportunity to collaborate, engage, learn, and reconnect with CTE colleagues to advance their high-quality CTE programs. National leaders presented on topics focused on ensuring all students have equitable access to high-quality CTE programs, social emotional learning resources, and teaching strategies to engage learners virtually and in person. Several award recipients were recognized during this year’s conference. More information about each award, as well as the award recipient biographies, can be found at education.ne.gov/nce/ nebraska-career-education-conference/awards. The 2021 Nebraska Excellence in Career Education Award Winners The Elaine Stuhr Leadership and Advocacy Award Dr. Lloyd C. Bell, Emeritus Professor, UNL

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NCE Distinguished Partner Award Scott Volk, Vice President/COO, MetalQuest Unlimited, Inc.

The United States provides opportunities for free expression of ideas. The Omaha Star has its views, but others may differ. Therefore the Omaha Star ownership reserves the right to publish views and opinions by syndicated and local columnists, professional writers and other writers whose opinions are solely their own. Those views do not necessarily reflect the policies and position of the staff and management of the Omaha Star newspaper. Readers are encouraged to email letters to the editor commenting on current events as well as what they would like to see included in the paper. Those emails should be sent to: publisher@omahastarinc.com and must include the writer’s name, address, email address and telephone number. The ownership has editorial rights and does not guarantee that all submissions will be published. Please be advised that the Omaha Star ownership does not employ staff writers who charge for preparing and submitting articles for the general public. Should you encounter such, please advise Terri D. Sanders at 402346-4041.

NCE Outstanding Business Partnership Awards Nebraska Council on Economic Education (NCEE) Behavioral Health Education Centers of Nebraska (BHECN)

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Summer 2021 Schedule Summer 2021 is in full swing and Do Space has created engaging summer programs to keep the entire family learning and connecting through the Summer Passport, Project Kits and in-person classes at Do Space! Please find all things summer and media opportunities below: Summer Passport. Code, make, learn and explore this summer with Do Space’s Summer Passport. The curated Summer Passport provides a free resource to inspire our community’s youth in everything tech-related! The physical passport is available for pickup now at Do Space and online via Beanstack. Summer Project Kits. To inspire creativity in the minds of our youth, Do Space is bringing back the popular take and makes! Check out the full list of projects and release dates below (projects to may be picked up at Do Space after release date): • July 5th o Solar Bug o LED Key Chain • July 19th o DIY Platform Game o Light Up Magic Wand Do Space is OPEN! The technology library has brought many classes, such as youth classes, fully into the building. Youth classes are Monday-Wednesday at 5 p.m.. • Mondays: focused on computer programming and design • Tuesdays: focused on coding • Wednesdays: maker-based classes, with each class holding 10 families. Families can view the lesson plan and register on the Do Space calendar.

How Businesses Can Give Back Meaningfully Without Utilizing Big Bucks The COVID-19 pandemic curtailed some businesses’ ability to contribute to charitable causes. The crisis affected the bottom lines of U.S. small businesses in particular, many of them on a modest budget to begin with, preventing some of them from being philanthropic or as giving as they would like. But there are ways to give back to the community and help those in need without breaking the bank, and those efforts are highly important at a challenging time in our history, says David Radlo (www.davidradlo. com), best-selling author of Principles of Cartel Disruption: Accelerate and Maximize Performance and an internationally-recognized expert in leadership, growth and innovation. “As a leader or team member, it’s great to give back in a proactive, meaningful way to improve the world,” he says. “It combines the ideal use of people, process, and strategy towards transforming sustainably for a new and better world.” “You can help make the world a better place by first examining how you can contribute based on your skill set. You don’t have to dish out millions to be of service. You have skills and other resources that people need. The key is having leadership and management walk the talk by making it a priority and part of the culture to give back with time, talents,

The Omaha Star Is Your Paper

June 25, 2021

and contacts in a systematic way.” Radlo suggests ways companies can give back in impactful ways that don’t involve money: • Offer pro bono services or discounted products. One way for employees or business leaders can lift the disadvantaged is to offer their expertise or services at no charge, or provide products at a discount. “Whether they donate time to mentor, teach new job skills, or provide free services, they are helping people who otherwise might not have gotten the assistance they need,” Radlo says. “That’s making a real impact on people.” • Hold volunteer days. “A company that truly wants to make giving back part of their DNA and their brand recognition needs to devote company time to those causes,” Radlo says. “Consistency reveals sincerity to the public. An entire company or large representation of it showing up to help a community cause has a lasting impact, as long as it’s not a one-off.” Radlo also thinks it’s a positive for the work culture if the company offers employees paid time off for volunteerism. “If you’re going to present giving back as a highlyvalued part of your business,” Radlo says, “then you need to show how important it is to everyone employed by you.” • Organize office drives. An

effective way to give back without giving up many hours on the job is generating an employee-run drive to collect food and clothes donations. “You need good organizational skills to plan and implement the steps to make it happen,” Radlo says. “You build a team in which you have people sorting donations, getting the word out on social media and making the distributions. Small businesses build tight bonds with the communities they serve, and community-focused drives strengthen those connections.” • Share your network of contacts. Radlo says a successful professional’s well-constructed network can be a treasure trove for meeting others’ needs – by putting them in touch with your key contacts. “Most people view networking as a means toward their own personal gain – ways to increase their contacts and opportunities for career growth,” Radlo says. “But it offers a quick pipeline to solutions to a variety of needs. You know people with different specialties and you can be the facilitator, bringing a struggling person or group together with your contacts and making a difference.” “Giving back in time, talents, and contacts is crucial to sustainably transforming the world,” Radlo says. “There are many areas where you can make a difference, so get in the game.”

Omaha Star Publishing Dates 2021 Month

Info due

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Focus

JULY 7/2/21 7/9/21 Stem Code Like a Queen / King 7/18/21 7/23/21 AUGUST 7/30/21 8/6/21 Native Omahan’s Welcome Home 8/13/21 8/20/21 SEPTEMBER 8/27/21 9/3/21 Education Back to School 9/10/21 9/17/21 OCTOBER 9/23/21 10/1/21 Harvest Time Canning and Freezing 10/8/21 10/15/21 10/22/21 10/29/21 NOVEMBER 11/5/21 11/12/21 Gratitude Being Thankful 11/19/21 11/26/21 DECEMBER 12/3/21 12/10/21 Self Care Caring For You 12/15/21 12/24/21 www.theomahastar.com 402-346-4041 PO Box 3393 Omaha, NE 68103 publisher@omahastarinc.com

June 25, 2021

LOCAL NEWS

THE OMAHA STAR

Page Three

Girls’ Inc mass vaccine clinic initiative leads to increased vaccination of North Omaha residents During this COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen a disproportionate impact of disease, hospitalization, and death among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color across the country, mirrored here in Omaha, Nebraska. The communities most impacted by COVID-19 are North and South Omaha, which comprise significant Black and Hispanic/Latino communities respectively. There have been numerous discussions about the

causes of these inequities, which ultimately are related to underlying structural racism causing differential access to health care resources. What was truly disappointing however, was knowing that these communities at higher risk because of structural vulnerabilities, witnessing the disproportionate impact of illness and death, and then seeing the same map a year later, five months into mass vaccination campaigns. The least vaccinated areas are

Rate of Covid-19 infections. Image Source: Douglas County Health Department In March, a collaborative of health care workers and community members were collectively dissatisfied with the vaccine roll-out and the significant gaps in vaccine access to North Omaha. We committed to increasing vaccine access to minoritized communities, focusing on the North Omaha community. We subsequently developed connections with the health department and Nebraska Medicine to launch a vaccine clinic at Girls Inc. in North Omaha that ran from March

Rate of Covid-19 infections by Zip Code. Image Source: Douglas County Health Department

27 to May 16. Through our Girls Inc. vaccine clinic initiative, we provided more than 5,000 vaccines, and 37% of vaccines were administered to North Omaha residents. We evaluated the total number of fully vaccinated people through this initiative – 2,476 people (36% from North Omaha). Of these, 23% were Black (Douglas County demographics 11.1% are Black), 15% Hispanic/Latino (Douglas County demographics 13.4% are Hispanic/Latino), 0.4% American

Photo credit: Kent Sievers

Indian/Alaska Native (Douglas County demographics 0.8% are American Indian/Alaska Native), 6% Asian (Douglas County demographics 4.6% are Asian), and 58% White (Douglas County demographics 67.9% are White). The most important take-away from this initiative was that the people of North Omaha wanted the vaccine – once there was a convenient location in their community, they showed up!

Image Source: Douglas County Health Department

Truly a collaborative effort Andrea Jones, MD, medical director of the Nebraska Medicine clinic at Girls Inc. location and I (Jasmine Marcelin, MD) led the effort and served as “doc of the day” for each vaccine clinic, being available for community members who had questions, concerns, or medical needs. They also had help from the “Omaha Mocha Docs,” a group of Black women health care doctoral professionals (physicians, lawyers, PhD scientists) dedicated to caring for the Black community in Omaha.

Photo credits: Jasmine Marcelin MD, Andrea Jones MD, Kent Sievers What’s next: We vaccinated more people in the earlier weeks of the initiative, and over the weeks the numbers of folks making appointments and attending the clinics decreased, just as we saw across the country. New data from the Kaiser Family Foundation recently showed community health centers are successful at vaccinating people of color at rates comparable to or higher than their share of the US population. However, this decreasing trend at our mass vaccine site was a hint that our vaccination efforts need to evolve as the community’s needs are evolving. Though this location is complete, we are not finished with this work – we need to take the vaccine to where people are. Our mass vaccination center served a purpose and in some situations are still needed, so there are still many community vaccination sites available with no need for appointments; many of these are at churches, but we need to increase support for community health centers pairing vaccination with primary health care. Now the focus of our community vaccine collaborative is pivoting now to mobile clinics and pop-up clinics set up at community events and local barber/beauty shops, and home visits to ensure folks are getting vaccinated. Children and young adults are another group that need increased

the ones who were most impacted by COVID-19 – North Omaha and South Omaha. There has been a lot of discussion about vaccine hesitancy, however access to vaccines is a more pressing concern. People in our community may have valid concerns about vaccines due to historical and contemporaneous experiences of structural racism in health care, but in the early phases of the vaccine roll out, it was clear that they also had limited access.

The vaccine clinics were run with the joint collaboration with the Douglas County Health Department who provided vaccines and some staff, and Nebraska Medicine, who provided additional staff including vaccinators, lead nurse supervisors Jamie Rudd and Shanda Ross, volunteer coordinator Jaime Harden, and various additional volunteer positions. Without these staff and volunteers, this initiative would not have been successful, and they deserve thanks for sharing their weekends with us to accomplish this goal. The Douglas County Health Department, particularly Kerry Kernen, has continued to engage with the community vaccine collaborative through this process, providing us with data updates and troubleshooting to get vaccine locations up and running. Thank you to Pastor Portia Cavitt for being an authentic and reliable voice of concern and

vaccine efforts, and one of our Mocha Docs Sharon Stoolman, MD (UNMC/ Children’s Pediatrics) has been leading an outreach effort for this age group. We are also increasing the much needed support to the community through answering their questions in various formats, including radio interviews, Facebook Live interviews, and other social media outreach, like using this YouTube playlist answering commonly asked questions. A note from me (Dr. Marcelin): During my time volunteering, I witnessed multiple emotions in people receiving their vaccine – excitement, relief, anxiety, fear, reluctance, but they all did it. The most rewarding times for me during those weeks was walking with folks who still had lingering questions or

advocacy for the North Omaha community. Pastor Cavitt piloted a church/community health center collaborated vaccine clinic with Clair Memorial United Methodist Church and North Omaha Area Health clinic in early March, setting the stage for the success of the Girls’ Inc Clinic and other community clinics thereafter. She also hosts weekly COVID19 conversations via Facebook Live every Tuesday at 5 p.m. on the NOAH clinic page and was at every vaccine event over the two month initiative. Thank you to Carolyn Williamson (Ms. CT) and all the Girls Inc. staff who invited this initiative to be hosted at this location. They were present at each vaccination event, helping community members, stepping in when volunteers could not attend, and encouraging community members to get vaccinated.

concerns but showed up anyway, and getting to look them in the eye, answer their questions, and see them visibly relax as they step up to get their vaccines. This work is mission-driven, and we cannot stop now, because we will not be fully protected unless we are ALL protected.

Page Four THE OMAHA STAR

PRAISE, WORSHIP, DEVOTION, OBITUARIES & INSPIRATION

In the Yellow Pages

Agnes “Carol” Dorsey

Agnes C. “Carol” Dorsey, age 84, passed away June 15, 2021. She was born November 12, 1936 to Lee and Agnes (Carter) Blackburn in Omaha, NE. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Anna Watson and Ethel Freeman. Agnes is survived by her children, Wil Dorsey, Donna Dorsey, Kevin (Lynne) Dorsey, Brenda Dorsey, Daniel Dorsey, Bruce Dorsey; grandchildren, great grandchildren, one great great grandson; and a host of other family and friends. Visitation will be held from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Good Shepherd 90th Street Chapel on Thursday, June 24, 2021. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 AM at Good Shepherd 90th Street Chapel on Friday, June 25, 2021. Interment is in Mt Hope Cemetery.

By Velma J. Sanders

Being less critical and more forgiving By Billy Holland There is nothing wrong with gaining earthly knowledge until it becomes more important and trustworthy than God’s will. In this life, arrogance and selfishness is the result of our fallen and depraved nature. The carnal mind controls our conscience until it is renewed through the power of the Holy Spirit. God commands that we not be conformed to the world, but to be transformed. This happens when our original spirit is changed into a new spirit which allows us to see everything the way God sees it. This is called being born again and is a gift of salvation from the one who loves us and wants to give us eternal life. Every Christian will face spiritual warfare and we must become determined to never compromise God’s truth. We can share our convictions but since each person has free will, only God can change a heart. Instead of trying to tell everyone else how to live, maybe we should spend more time examining our hearts. We learn many things throughout our lives, but not everything we believe is true. Most of our information comes from what others have told us, and the rest from what we’ve learned through the failures and triumphs of personal experiences. The more I research, the more I discover the world is filled with deception and things are not always what they seem. I just want to make sure that my views are not distorted. Some people do not care about right and wrong as long as they have what they need to survive. Asking God for discernment also applies to family and friends and how we have formed destructive thoughts about them. It makes the situation even worse when we gossip and share our stories with others. We have all done things good and bad that people will associate with our character. Unfortunately, many times we have also been guilty of wrongly misjudging people. Maybe we observed someone in a weak moment or heard a story about them that was skewed which caused us to form our opinions in error. Yes, we indeed need to watch how we act and what we say, as we remember not to form our views about an individual based on a few glimpses of their actions. Jesus calls for us to forgive everyone and have more understanding and compassion because we all have our times of weakness and make a lot of mistakes. How many times have we acted ugly and given someone a bad first impression of us? The consequences we all must be accountable for is that even when we ask God to help us forgive, it is nearly impossible to forget. We are quick to make our case when someone offends us and wanting revenge is common. Many are more than willing to discard a relationship and in some cases even if it’s nothing more than a rumor. We seldom consider that as we are burning bridges, others are doing the same to us. The wounded soul must be repaired like a fractured bone. We cannot proceed in our inner healing without spiritual realignment and as God heals us we must also forgive ourselves. Everyone is born needing to be rescued from sin and the blood of Jesus is the only ransom. Until we receive God’s love and forgiveness, we are unable to know the true meaning and purpose of life. God is truth and the only way for us to know God’s truth is to know Him. I have seen many who have everything life can offer and yet are miserable because they did not have the presence of Jesus dwelling within their heart and mind. As adults, we are convinced we can handle our negative emotions. We learn to hide the pain as we try to heal ourselves and manage our hatred for all the bad things we have experienced. The agony of enduring the daily grind can twist in knots and is not a place of joy or contentment. It’s heartbreaking to know that many individuals live as a prisoner because they refuse to forgive. Bitterness can take root within the heart and cause us to be incarcerated with misery and depression. However, there is good news when we accept the love of Jesus as the key to genuine peace and happiness. We are reminded in John 8:31-32, where Jesus said, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Read more about the Christian life at billyhollandministries.com

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To be sure, phonebooks and yellow pages are not in use as much today as they were in former times. But I encourage you, if you have a phonebook nearby to look under the title “Churches” in the yellow pages. You will discover that there is page-after-page of churches listed. There are many churches. Actually, if you notice as you are driving down the street, you will see that there are churches “everywhere.” Almost, you could say, “A church on every corner.” Why is that? The answers are several, but the main reason is that we are living in the current dispensation of The Church. The timeframe between the first and second comings of the Lord Jesus Christ. The timeframe where the Gospel is preached: that Jesus died for our sins, was buried and rose from the dead on the third day. The Church, prophesied by Him in Matthew 16:18, and inaugurated and birthed by the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. Upon a careful reading of the Gospels, you will notice that Jesus did not have much to say about the church. He simply announced, “Upon this rock, I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” And then, there is only one other mention of the word church and that in relation to discipline (Matthew 18:15-17). He did, however, institute and ordain two ordinances

for the church to keep: Baptism and The Lord’s Supper. Other than these references, Jesus said no more about the church. So how is the church to know what to do; how to act; its structure; its function; its uniqueness in the plan of God, and so much more? It is in the Epistles that these answers are provided. However, in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, Jesus does address the church, in what is commonly called the seven churches of Revelation. These seven churches were not the only churches that existed when Revelation was written. There was the “church in Jerusalem”; “the church at Corinth”; “the church of the Thessalonians,” and others. Although Jesus Christ did not specifically mention these other churches, they are nonetheless represented in these two chapters. Jesus, as the Church’s Head and Founder, Sustainer and Judge, has much to say. He tells us what He commends and condemns; His warnings and His encouragements; His promises and His provisions. In Scripture, seven is the number of completeness. God infinite in wisdom, sums up in the seven churches that which encompasses all others. It matters not what denominational title is attached to a local church, the size of the building, how large the budget or how many people attend, all local churches (pastors and members) throughout the world are represented by the seven churches. I encourage you to look in the yellow pages, but even more so to “Look into the Book,” God’s Word to see what He expects of those of us who are members of the church. Vsanders875@centurylink.net

A Conversation With AJDW

AJDW CONVERSATION as aired on 660AM KCRO is a program that brings together four Black Men from different walks in life. AJDW Conversation comes from using the first initial of our first names in the order from oldest to youngest. (A) Alan, (J) James, (D) David, and (W) Walter. Conversation is what we have every week. Show topics address current events from the national political scene, state and local issues, racial issues, BLM, white superiority concerns, church issues, Family and Marriage issues, voting issues, Sexual preference issues, and Black/White concerns to name a few of the topics we engage. The purpose for doing this type of show is share our thoughts on different topic from our different perspectives. We are 4 black men with different religious backgrounds. The thing that ties us together is that we are all black and that we love God and have a committed relationship with him. We don’t also agree on everything. That’s the thing that makes our program unique. We do go back

and forth and it does get somewhat heated in a respectful way. AJDW is creating an environment where four black men come together to help make conversation comfortable for all men in this community, and given an opportunity to express and be transparent., speaking life changing ideals, appreciating one another and understanding the ways of survival and how to communicate with each other. AJDW is the brain child of David Newson. He wanted to create a platform for African American/ Black men to discuss and share their feelings about various topics to the general public. He wanted to use radio as the platform. He wanted the show to be on Christian radio station, but the show would not necessarily be religious. He also wanted to reach as many people as possible. KCRO was chosen because it reaches into 6 surrounding states. AJDW CONVERSATION is now being broadcast in markets nationally and as well internationally. It is also available via Podcasts as well.

The four men who comprise AJDW CONVERSATION are Alan T. Black, retired from higher education, a song lyricist, certified speaker in the United Methodist Church, and a best selling author. James E. Hunter a local pastor with roots in the Church of God in Christ. Pastor Hunter has 20 years’ experience in radio, spending the majority of his time hosting and producing radio shows at KCRO. He is also connected in the black community working at a non-profit organization serving the highest risk youth involved in gun violence. David Newson, a professional hair stylist. He is also a singer/ song writer and musician, and an ordained Pastor in the Apostolic faith. Walter “Bow-Tie” Williams, a professional clothing consultant and an author, and whose roots are in the Baptist denomination. Please tune in each Sunday and hear from four men whose paths have converged in such a time as this to share, interact and encourage.

THE BLACK PRESS AND THE BLACK CHURCH: Both Born Out of Necessity For Self-Expression And Both Black - Owned. Together, The Press And the Pulpit Can Give Us Full Citizenship Immediately

The “Best Fish in Town” St. Benedict the Moor Friday Fish Fry dates, July 2, July 30, August 6, September 3 and October 1. Meal Includes a fried or baked catfish fillet, green beans, spaghetti and dessert. St. Benedict Social Hall, 2423 Grant St., Omaha, NE 68111, 402-348-0631, 11:00 am - 7:00 pm TAKE OUT ONLY.

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June 25, 2021

THE OMAHA STAR

Page Five

Alpha Kappa Alpha Scholarships The Omaha Alumnae Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha. Awarded (6) $1000 scholarships to the following students in our area.

Dae Johnson

Lauren Burris Burke Creighton Psychology

Niyah Gintz Mercy Florida A&M Pharmaceutical Studies

Lauren Harris Marion Princeton Molecular Biology

UNO Graduate is the First African American to graduate from the Sign Language Interpreting Preparation Program at UNO.

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Jaeden Johnson North Univ of Missouri - KC Dance and Performance

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COMMENTARY June 25, 2021 Native Omahan Dr. Rodney Wead pens his memoir From “minimal survival” beginnings to worldwide bridge-building

Page Six THE OMAHA STAR

Special to the Omaha Star St. Louis, MO – Dr. Rodney S. Wead has never forgotten what it felt like to be poor. As a Lake School fourth grader, he became the family’s primary breadwinner through a part-time job earning $5 weekly as a delivery boy for the old Houston Grocery on 24th Street. Wead was 9 years old and the job allowed him to dodge a street gang that was actively recruiting him. “Daily, I was reminded that indeed we were impoverished. Very few people lived as poor as we did for that one year, 1944-45,” Wead writes in his first memoir, Above and Beyond: How a tall, lanky kid from the Omaha Housing Project spent a lifetime helping others top their dreams The official launch of his book is on Wead’s 86th birthday, June 28, 2021. After that, a limited edition of hard copy and unlimited amount of e-books will be available for purchase on Wead’s website store, https:// aboveandbeyondweadchronicles.com. Wead is scheduled to sign books during this year’s Native Omaha Days. His book highlights the atrocities committed against the poor and especially African Americans in ways that are similar to today’s social injustices. He is proud that such issues are being challenged by a new breed of activism. Wead’s reasons why he chose a lifetime of “work for poor people” is rooted in his upbringing and tragic racial incidents that captured local and national attention. Wead utilized lessons learned from his childhood-to-college athletics background where patience, team play and ‘end game’ goals to help him to develop numerous economic empowerment programs that benefited political and community initiatives. Maintaining a cool head under the pressures of racism was also a byproduct of his athleticsbased intuition. “Omaha was a typical racist city,” Wead acknowledges in his book. Yet, that realization from the time he was a youth, energized Wead from his dire circumstances. Wead shares a lifetime of stories about how he beat the odds against the ills of poverty, discrimination, hatred, police beatings and tragedies such as the death of 14-year-old Vivian Strong. Although not in book, Wead’s recent bout with COVID19 places him in a distinct worldwide category of being among the 10 percent of coronavirus survivors aged 85 and older, according to the physicians who treated him at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. In true Wead style, he analyzed the once flawed national health care direction that particularly harmed African Americans who have disproportionate medical conditions, and other economic disadvantaged groups lacking access to the system. Wead who characterized his COVID experience as one that “I would not wish on my worst enemy,” says U.S. President Joe Biden’s actions have demonstrated leadership to ensure the country and world’s inhabitants are fully vaccinated to protect vulnerable populations.

Wead says he has more to celebrate than regret in his life. His new book is an easy read filled with historic facts that will especially engage Omaha area readers who will recognize places and names that will unlock memories. Among the fondest memories are those on Pinkney Street where he co-raised his family and coached Nebraska champions in little league baseball, weekly-Saturday barbershop visits with Dan Goodwin and State Sen. Ernie Chambers, VISTA volunteers coming to the city in the 1960s to help transform north Omaha communities, his initiation and life membership in Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., serving as executive director of the United Methodist Community Centers (including Wesley House), and all service assignments he held during his membership at Clair United Methodist Church. There were several other accomplishments involving Wead that could not fit into Wead’s book. Those include his influence in the formation of what is today known as Habitat for Humanity. With Kwame Ture (Stokely Carmichael) and Black United Methodism leader Dr. Negail Riley, Wead spent years of lobbying the United Nations until it agreed to support fair and affordable housing for all people. In an upcoming, separate writing, Wead will describe how the United Nations’ Conference on Human Settlements – also known as Habitat -- met for two weeks with 132 nations in Vancouver, Canada. Those countries provided full support for the new, global housing initiatives. While Habitat for Humanity and a few other notable accomplishments were briefly mentioned in his memoir, Wead says he saved room to include named and unnamed Omahans who meant so much in his life. Native Omahan and Urban One Multimedia Founder Cathy Hughes, Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Rodgers and community activist Brenda Warren Council, wrote their endorsements of Wead by describing their observations and appreciation for his selfless outcomes. “In one of the most challenging years of the century, Rodney’s story of perseverance, strategy, and tremendous opportunity is right on time,” writes Rodgers. “As Rodney poured himself into community building, I was both an indirect and direct beneficiary of his efforts. Because of his involvement in the purchase of KOWH AM and FM, I and my high school classmates were able to groove to soul music in our homes and in our cars. The degree I earned from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln was due in large part to the scholarship funded by the late Susan “Susie” Buffett and was administered by Rodney through the Wesley House Community Center,” writes Council. The late Susie Buffett’s then-husband, Warren, became a good friend of Wead’s. In the well-known CEO and chairman of Berkshire Hathaway’s latest book, The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life, Buffett referred to his awakening about supporting black economic development. In Wead’s book, in-depth perspective is

provided on how Buffett was a huge supporter of his wife’s investments of several hundred thousands of dollars into north Omaha. It also documents the level of Buffett’s involvement in initiatives he supported. Regarding Wead’s will to establish a black-owned and operated bank, “I shared the vision with Warren Buffett. To my surprise, he was fully supportive of the black community raising its own capital and therefore, creating financial empowerment.” Wead says his community has been kind to him. Accolades in Omaha include the 2018 street named for him in the area where the Community Bank of Nebraska was formed. He harkens back to the area where he grew up in the Logan Fontenelle Homes and attended Kellom Elementary School where he met lifelong friends, St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Gibson, and other families including the Davis’ and Mills’ and Hughes. He is an inaugural Central High School Hall of Fame inductee, and equally recognized by his undergraduate school, Dana College, formerly in Blair, Nebr. He has been fortunate to have countless stories published about his community work in the Omaha Star, Omaha World-Herald and many other multimedia outlets around the globe. Wead also writes about the crucial and loving foundation from his family. The “mother wit” he received from his now deceased Mom Daisy Wead and her mother, his grandmother Annie Green, and his commitment to have dinner with his four children and wife every evening while he was in between meetings and protests during his Omaha days of deep activism. As Wead reflects upon his life through recent virtual, Zoom calls with young activists, family and friends, he says there is so much more work to be done to continue to fight for deserved equality, justice and financial reparations for “our people.” He looks forward to his upcoming return to Omaha to share more about his personal discoveries and hope for a brighter future that he helped to shape. “What’s more, the recent surge of Black Lives Matter protests harkens back to days of similar struggle: the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s, which was a time of great anguish and great hope for the Omaha community, as well as for many Black communities across America. In fact, one year before Vivian was murdered, on May 4, 1968, I was severely beaten at a peaceful protest by plain-clothed Omaha police officers acting as private security officers of the then-American-Party Presidential Candidate and Alabama Governor, George Wallace,” Wead writes. Contributed by Dr. Ann Wead Kimbrough, daughter.

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June 25 2021

COMMENTARY THE OMAHA STAR Summer 2021 is time to celebrate Black culture once again By Preston Love Jr.

After more than a year of unbelievable stress and divisiveness, hate and overt racism toward people of color, we find ourselves in this summer of 2021. We lift our heads above those realities to celebrate and embrace our wonderful Black and African American cultures. The African American culture is rooted in African culture, but for over 400 years, our distinct African American culture has survived and evolved into something wonderful to behold. That culture is found in our remarkable and unique foods, and our diverse music (including slave songs, spirituals, blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, hip hop, rap and more). It includes our rich commitment to the spiritual, comprising many denominations and religions; our art, including performing arts and visual arts, spoken word and written word; a rich history of scholars; and an elaborate fabric of social groups; our intercollegiate sororities and fraternities; all rooted in some form in the African American culture. All of this is on full display in our Black communities, including my beloved North Omaha. These communities have endured all forms of slavery, lynchings, redlining, bigotry, overt racism, generations of voter suppression and poverty, yet, have endured and produced. Our culture is a product of our history and a testimonial to our people and

their strength and resolve. Which brings us again, to the wonderful display this summer of our culture. You can find our people enjoying summer by going to and cooking in the park, feasting on our wonderful food dishes and social gatherings galore. On this weekend of June 19, many celebrations will remember what is called Juneteenth. June 19, 1865, was the day word finally reached slaves in Galveston, Texas, that they had been freed via the Emancipation Proclamation, which was signed in January 1863. The slaves began to celebrate their freedom. The celebrations took many names over the years, including Freedom Day and Emancipation Day, among others. Though initially celebrated in Galveston, Juneteenth has become a national celebration day for African Americans and throughout North Omaha. Racism, redlining and lack of opportunities in Omaha forced a generation of young people, including myself, to flee to other cities, mostly west and north, to seek better opportunities and a better life. This took a tremendous toll on North Omaha and its potential — a brain drain of some of our most talented African Americans and their financial potential. While the escape was comprehensive, many returned home to North Omaha during holidays of summer. That evolved into a tradition that is known as Native Omaha Days in July for celebrations with friends and families. This wonderful display of African American culture often

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includes family and class reunions. This year the “Days” begin in the last week of July, centered at 24th and Lake. Down the road in December, African Americans celebrate Kwanzaa, an annual seven-day celebration Dec. 26-Jan. 1, that focuses on unity, creativity, faith and giving, and celebrates our culture. Each summer, my organization, Black Votes Matter, conducts an annual six-day, all-expenses-paid tour for Omaha high school youth. We visit Memphis, Jackson, Birmingham, Tuskegee, Selma, Montgomery and Atlanta to teach and expose our youth to both their history and their culture, and hope that they learn and respect it, and then return home to become leaders, stay here and prosper. This year the tour will leave July 11, carrying 40 of our youth and 20 adults. Please note the wisdom of the Omaha Public Schools, in that 10 OPS principals will join the tour for two days. It is my contention that better understanding by all of the richness, contribution and potential of the various cultures will serve to mitigate white supremacy, hate and even all forms of divisiveness that we are faced with in our country today.

Free Ed Poindexter Information Write/email: Nebraska Pardons Board PO Box 95007, Lincoln, NE 68509 ne.pardonsboard@nebraska.gov

Call: Governor Pete Ricketts 402-471-2244 Attorney General Doug Peterson 402-471-2683 Secretary of State Robert Evnen 402-471-2554

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June 25, 2021

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graduates to be strong and courageous. “We have talked to you about purpose and identity; this is your time, and the community needs you to use and leverage the resources that you have been given access to. Use the opportunities and platforms you have gained to make a difference; not just for yourselves but for the entire community.” said, Dr. Robinson. The Redefine the Game Institute has approximately 100 graduates, according to Willie Barney, founder of the Empowerment Network. Members of the RTG program have learned game-changing techniques that not only allow them to thrive in their current environment but will also help them ascend to new levels of leadership. As cohorts build upon each other, a natural network of Omaha’s best will continue to develop where talents and gifts can be leveraged for transformative change in our businesses as well as our community.

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Dr. Jeffrey Robinson, Co-founder of BCT Partners

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PRAISE & WORSHIP DIRECTORY

June 25, 2021

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ALLEN CHAPEL A.M.E.

SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH

Rev. Willie Morris, Pastor 2842 Monroe Street Omaha, NE 68107 Off: (402) 5734-3399 Email: admin@allenchapelomaha.org

Rev. Willie Morris

Sunday School...........................9:00 a.m. Sunday Praise & Worship.....10:00 a.m. Thursday Bible Study..............8:00 p.m. via teleconference, dial-in number 563-999-2090 and access code 576989

Fr. Dave Korth

2207 Wirt Street Omaha, NE 68110 Phone: 402-451-5755

MORNING STAR BAPTIST CHURCH 2019 Burdette Street Omaha, NE 68110 Ph: 402-342-0018

Fr. Dave Korth

Worship Service .............10:00 a.m. Sunday School .................8:45 a.m. Excluding First Sunday Tuesday Evening Service.........7:00 p.m.

“Where Life is for Everyone”

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Live Streaming Sunday Service-10:00am on Morning Star Baptist Church-Omaha Facebook Page

SUNDAYS 10:00 AM

Mass Schedule: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday - 8:00 am in Rectory (2218 Binney) Thursday - School Mass 8:10 am in Church Saturday - 5:00 pm Sunday - 8:15 am and 10:30 am

SALEM BAPTIST CHURCH

awcchurch.org 402-341-1866 5417 N. 103rd St. Omaha, NE

MOUNT CALVARY COMMUNITY CHURCH

Drs. Martin & Lynnell Williams Founders & Lead Pastors

“Jesus is the Light of the World” Bishop Kevin Chambers, Senior Pastor www.m3comaha.org 5112 Ames Avenue Omaha, NE 68104 (402) 457-4216 Church Phone (402) 453-4084 Pastor’s Office

BETHEL MISSIONARAY BAPTIST CHURCH Rev. Dr. Lorenzo S.L. Fincher Senior Pastor 5318 South 30th Street Omaha, NE 68107 Phone: (402) 731-1840

Bishop Kevin Chambers

Dr. Ralph B. Lassiter, Pastor 2602 N. 24th St. Off: (402) 451-8800 Fax: (402) 451-8522 mtmoriahomaha.net pastorlassiter@gmail.com

Rev. Ralph Lassiter, Sr.

Wednesday Bible-Prayer Service 11:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m

Rev. Portia A. Cavitt, Pastor

Sunday School………………………8:45 a.m. Sunday Worship Experience………...10:00 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study….…….…….6:00 p.m.

MT. NEBO MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH “The Church Where Fellowship is Real”

Pastor Terry L. Arvie 5501 N. 50th Street Ph: 402-451-4245 Fx: 402-451-2130 office@mtneboomaha.org www.mtneboomaha.org

Services on Sundays at 8:30 am & 10:50 am 7020 Cass Street, Omaha, NE 68132 402.556.6262 www.fumcomaha.org First United Methodist Church is a welcoming and inclusive community, inspired to grow with and in God.

8:30 am Early Sunday Morning Worship 9:30 - 10:15 am Sunday Morning Breakfast 10:15 - 11:15 am Sunday School 11:30 am Sunday Morning Worship 6:30 pm Wednesday Bible Study 8:00 pm Friday Night Service Noon day prayer Thursday - Saturday

Pastor Kenneth A. Allen

Sunday Morning Worship ...................................9:00 a.m. Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting .....................7:00 p.m. Wednesday Night Church School ......................7:30 p.m. Youth/Children Ministry Focus (Wed.) ............7:30 p.m.

Rev. Kent H. Little, Lead Pastor

Pastor Barbara Mitchell

2215 Grant Street Omaha, NE 68110 Ph: 402-346-1502 Fax: 402-344-2720

Pastor Terry L. Arvie

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Pastor Barbara Mitchell 2404 Fort Street, Omaha, NE 68111 402-455-1800 Church 402-455-3390 Fax

ZION BAPTIST CHURCH Rev. Kenneth A. Allen, Pastor

“Come Get Your Hilltop Experience” Rev. Portia A. Cavitt, Pastor 5544 Ames Avenue, Omaha, NE 68104 Telephone: 402-451-8322 • Website: www.cmumc.net Email: clairumc@cumc.omhcoxmail.com

Weekly Services Sunday Morning Worship Service .....................8:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. Children’s Church (2nd & 4th Sunday) ................8:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. Life Development (Sunday School) .........................................10:15 a.m. Wednesday Word and Worship (WWW) ................................ 6:30 p.m.

MT. MORIAH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

Sunday School .............................................. 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship ..........................................10:45 a.m. Overcomers in Christ......................Sunday 7:00 p.m.

CLAIR MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY Sunday Morning Worship……………10:00 A.M. Sunday School……………………….. 9:00 A.M. WEDNESDAY 11:00 A.M. ~ Hour of Power Bible Study Wednesday is Family Night! 6:00 P.M. ~ Prayer & Praise Service 6:30 P.M. ~ Feast & Fellowship (Light Meal) 7:15 P.M. ~ Discipleship Academy (Classes for ages 5 & up)

PLEASANT GREEN BAPTIST CHURCH

Rev. Michael Chamberlain

THE WORSHIP CENTER

“Where CHRIST is Preeminent and the Word Prevails!”

North 24th Street Church of God “Presenting the Never-Changing GOD to an ever-changing World!”

Pastor Brian Page 5555 Larimore Avenue Church: 402-346-8427 www.pleasantgreenomaha.org

Dr. Stan Rone - Senior Pastor 2021 N. 24th Street • Omaha, NE 68110 (402) 341-4297

Pastor Brian Page

Wednesday: Prayer Power Hour ......................................12:00 p.m Thursday: Youth For Christ ............................................6:00 p.m Prayer & Bible Study ....................................6:30 p.m Sunday: Sunday School.................................................9:00 a.m. Morning Worship..........................................10:15 a.m. Charles Galloway - President, Rev John Deang - Pastor, Dr John Beasley - Elder

HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH

Televised Broadcast Sunday @ 10pm on KPAO Cox Communication channel 22 & Century Link channel 89

Missouri Synod 2721 N. 30th Street 402-453-1583 Sunday School................................10:00 a.m. Church Service...............................11:00 a.m. YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME

ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CATHOLIC CHURCH 2423 Grant St. Omaha, NE 68111 Ph: 402-348-0631 • Fax 402-342-4451 Sunday Mass: 9:00 a.m. Reconciliation: Sunday after Mass or by appointment

JOY OF LIFE MINISTRIES COGIC

Pastors Eric and Cynthia Butler

Rev. Vitalis Anyanike

6401 N. 56th Street Omaha, NE 68104 Ph: 402-399-9628 E-Mail: Jolpastor@aol.com Sunday School..........................9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship......................10:30 a.m. Sunday Evening Worship.......6:00 p.m. Wednesday Night ....................7:00 p.m. Bible Study and Youth Ministries

HOLY NAME CATHOLIC CHURCH

Pastor Eric Butler and Co-Pastor Cynthia Butler

Rev. Dr. Selwyn Q. Bachus

TABERNACLE OF FAITH CHURCH

Sunday School .............................................. 9:30 a.m. Worship Services .............................................. 10:45 a.m. Wednesday Prayer Services ..........................................6:30 p.m. Wednesday Bible Study.....................7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Biblically Based, Family Oriented, Dynamic Fellowship

3131 Lake Street Omaha, NE 68111 402-455-1000 www.salembc.org

Services: Sunday School .................................................... 9:30 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship Experience ......... 11:00 a.m. Word On Wednesday (WOW) ........................ 7:00 p.m.

“Large enough to serve you, Small enough to know you”

Rev. Dr. Lorenzo S.L. Fincher Senior Pastor

Serving God and One Another in the Spirit of Excellence Rev. Dr. Selwyn Q. Bachus Senior Pastor

2901 Fontenelle Blvd. 68104 Ph: 402-451-6622 • Fax 402-457-6901 Mass Schedule: Mon. - Fri. 8:30 a.m., Sat. 8:30 a.m. & 5:00 p.m. Sun. 8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. & Noon (Spanish) Reconciliation: Sat. 4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. or by appointment Pastor: Rev. Vitalis Anyanike

Dr. Stan Rone Senior Pastor

Sunday Kingdom Academy 9:00 a.m. Worship Celebration 10:15 a.m. Tuesday Prayer Hour 7:00 a.m. & 12:00 noon Wednesday Power Hour (Prayer/Bible Study) 6:30 p.m. Youth and Children 6:30 p.m. www.theworshipcenter24cog.org

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THE OMAHA STAR

LIFE & STYLE/HEALTH & WELLNESS

Migraines are a Health Disparity for People of Color NNPA Newswire Migraine is a neurological disease that affects 60 million Americans and is the 2nd leading cause of disability worldwide. It is an underestimated, underdiagnosed, and undertreated disease despite its heavy burden. However, communities of color, which have been historically, socially, and economically disenfranchised from research studies and treatment are bearing the brunt of this burden. The American healthcare system is riddled with flaws, and headache medicine is no different. The racial inequities in headache diagnosis and patient care have been brought to light by the recent increased focus on systematic racism that impacts health equity. Numerous studies have shown that the rates of migraine diagnosis and treatment vary significantly between Blacks, Hispanics, and Whites. Although prevalence of migraine is similar (14.5%, 14.5%, and 15.5% respectively), Blacks and Hispanics utilize healthcare at a disproportionate rate compared to Whites. When seeking treatment, Hispanics had a lower total number of visits

that result in a migraine diagnosis. Blacks with severe headaches are more likely to get a diagnosis of probable migraine, while Whites get a more definitive diagnosis. Because of disparities in the U.S. health care system, migraine is more severe and more likely to become chronic among Blacks and African Americans. This chronification is unfortunately linked with increased depression and disability, and a lower quality of life. Black, indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) experience stress and adverse health outcomes due to the exposure to racism and racial trauma. A theory, known as racebased traumatic stress, indicates that some individuals experience racial prejudice as psychological trauma. This PTSD-like reaction leads to increased severe headaches and migraine attacks. Research confirms all of these inequities – but an ongoing lack of quality research on BIPOC with migraine means there is still much that is unknown or poorly understood. The Coalition for Headache and Migraine Patients (CHAMP) and its partners realized that meaningful change was required. They created the Disparities in Headache Advisory

No More Empty Pots Announces Relaunch of Community Harvest

Council that has held numerous training sessions and provided seedfunding for new initiatives that promote diversity and equality in headache medicine. CHAMP is one of many patient advocacy organizations participating in National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month. Every June, we spend the month raising awareness and educating the public via a variety of programs and projects held around the country. The theme for this year is “A New Era of Care,” which reflects the surge of innovation in headache and migraine treatments that are dramatically improving lives. June 16th is our first Advocacy Day of Action, supporting a U.S. House Resolution designating June as Migraine and Headache Awareness Month, led by Representative Madeleine Dean (D-PA-4th). This resolution addresses the inequities that BIPOC communities face in health access and quality of care. You can show your support by contacting your Representative in Congress and asking them to co-sign the resolution. Take action by visiting: headachemigraine.org/policy-partners

Locally Sourced | Nutrient Dense | Community Centered No More Empty Pots is teaming up with local small farmers in Iowa and Nebraska to announce the relaunch of its Community Harvest food program. Anyone in Greater Omaha can now purchase a subscription to receive plant-based prepared meals made from scratch and “Community Supported Agriculture” (CSA) shares of seasonal fresh fruits, vegetables and food products like eggs, yogurt and milk sourced from local producers. Individuals, families, groups or companies can subscribe to receive weekly recurring orders of either or both prepared meals at $7/meal and CSA shares at $25/box. Both options are available through pick-up or delivery and managed by the subscriber through an online subscription platform. Community members may also sponsor subscriptions for neighbors who may not be able to afford market price through the No More Empty Pots “pay it forward” initiative called MadLove. “Delicious food brings people together,” noted Shelby Cervantes-Sheard, Hospitality Manager at No More Empty Pots. “Community Harvest allows you to get to know the local families and farms who grow your food. Your subscription reinforces the strength of our food system while giving you the opportunity to try out new foods and learn the value of plant-based nutrition.” Beyond the point of transaction, Community Harvest aims to create a space that meets people where they are in their own local food journey. for subscribers to build a community centered on local food. No More Empty Pots facilitates opportunities online and in-person where Community Harvest subscribers can build community, meet local farmers, share recipe ideas and photos, learn together about the benefits of plantbased lifestyles and share their unique experiences in health or food access. Subscribe now for Community Harvest or show #MadLove to your neighbors by sponsoring a meal or CSA share. Contact Shelby Cervantes-Sheard for more information at ask@nmepomaha.org or call (402) 9333588. About No More Empty Pots No More Empty Pots (NMEP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect individuals and groups to improve self-sufficiency, regional food security and economic resilience of urban and rural communities through advocacy and action. NMEP’s vision is to support communities in becoming selfsufficient, and food secure through collaboration and adherence to our core values of education, stewardship, and sustainability. NMEP serves youth to seniors in educational, hands-on experiential learning. Learn more at nmepomaha.org.

Child Tax Credit Advocates Launch Awareness Day “This Child Benefit is an opportunity to make child poverty a shadow of its former self.” To raise awareness of monthly payments for American families, advocates for the expanded Child Tax Credit launched a day of awareness with the White House on Monday to ensure more Americans understand the benefits of the policy. “If you filed taxes for 2019 or 2020, or if you signed up with the IRS to receive a stimulus check in 2020, you’re good. If you did not, you have to take action,” said Vice President Kamala Harris in her Monday remarks on the child tax credit. “Visit ChildTaxCredit.gov and fill out the simple form. And that’s it. Then, the monthly payments will start coming.” The Child Benefit, passed in the American Rescue Plan in March, will begin disbursements of $250 – $300 per child each month, totaling $3000 – $3600 starting on July 15. 98% of all children are eligible for the payments, and if implementation of the benefit is successful, it is expected to cut poverty by at least 45% according to a Columbia University study. For advocates in Washington of the expanded child tax credit’s extension, which is currently being discussed, an effective rollout of the child-poverty slashing legislation would strengthen their case to make sure the credit doesn’t expire. “This Child Benefit is an opportunity to make child

June 25, 2021

poverty a shadow of its former self,” said Liam deCliveLowe, Executive Director of Humanity Forward. “For parents and children everywhere, we ought to ensure these payments don’t expire.” For those who typically don’t file taxes or have had significant changes in permanent residence or child custody will be able to notify the IRS of their eligibility or changed circumstances using a newly-released web portal. However, awareness of the policy remains low, with recent polling indicating that around half of all Americans are unaware of the monthly payments. According to a poll conducted by Data For Progress, 53% of Americans know little or nothing about the child tax credit. “Those struggling to keep up with their expenses are likely not keeping up to date with the newest changes to federal tax policy,” said Greg Nasif, political director of Humanity Forward. “People must file with the IRS in order to receive the money they’re owed.” Humanity Forward is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization dedicated to building bipartisan coalitions to advance the economic interests and policy priorities of the American people. If you are interested in covering Humanity Forward’s work advocating for direct cash relief, or to hear what we have to say about this one-in-a-half-century policy revolution, please contact our press secretary Greg Nasif at press@movehumanityforward.com or 804-742-2076.

Moscato Pound Cake With Grape Glaze Active 20 Minutes. Total 4 Hour 30 Minutes Serves 10 to 12 Moscato gives this cake a lighter, more tender crumb than a typical pound cake while also imparting a subtle sweetness. Freeze-dried grapes bring vibrant color to the glaze; substitute lime juice for Moscato for a brighter pink glaze. CAKE 1. Make the cake: Preheat oven to 300°F. Butter and flour a 10-inch (14-cup) Bundt pan; set aside. Stir together Moscato, lemon juice, and vanilla in a small bowl; set aside. 2. Beat butter in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium speed until pale yellow and creamy, about 5 minutes. Gradually add sugar and salt, beating until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes, stopping to scrape sides of bowl as needed. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition and stopping to scrape sides of bowl as needed. Reduce mixer speed to low; gradually add flour alternately with Moscato mixture, beginning and ending with flour, beating until blended after each

addition. Spoon batter into prepared Bundt pan, and smooth top. 3. Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted into cake comes out clean, 1 hour and 40 minutes to 1 hour and 50 minutes. Let cake cool in pan 15 minutes. Remove cake from pan; let cool completely on wire rack, about 2 hours. GRAPE GLAZE 4. Make the grape glaze: Process grape slices and ¼ cup powdered sugar in a spice grinder or food processor until a fine powder forms, about 30 seconds. Sift through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a small bowl; discard any clumps. Whisk 2 tablespoons Moscato or lime juice, salt, and remaining ¾ cup powdered sugar into grape powder. Whisk in remaining 1½ teaspoons Moscato or lime juice, ½ teaspoon at a time, until glaze reaches desired consistency. Spoon grape glaze over cake. Let cake stand until grape glaze hardens, about 15 minutes. MAKE AHEAD: Cake can be made and glazed up to 1 day ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

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BUSINESS BITES/CLASSIFIEDS THE OMAHA STAR Page Eleven Critical Race Theory and the Follow us on Social Media Whitewashing of America

June 25, 2021

over 100 years, based on limiting the rights of people based on race. It was the essence of the effort in the framing of the U.S. Constitution to count slaves as a fraction of a person rather than as a total human being. Race theory was behind the passage of the 13th,14th, and 15th amendments to the U.S. Constitution in order to ensure that “all people are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights.” It took those amendments to include all people, regardless of race, just as it did with the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Acts of 1965. These legislative and legal acts certainly had race as the basis of the push for equality. The present attack on the concept of critical race theory is another attempt by the same people who brought us Juneteenth

By Dr. John E. Warren Publisher, San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper It was not enough that 47 states have introduced over 500 bills that will limit the time, places and rights to vote in America, as well as allow states to change voter results in those elections that Republican legislatures “feel” had fraud. Without the recent attack on “Critical Race Theory”, it would be possible, for years to come, to show how a racist right wing White America abolished the voting rights of millions of Americans, many of whom happened to be people of color. What is now being called “critical race theory” is not new. It is the very fabric of a legal system which has passed laws for

Race continued on page 12

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YOUTH/EDUCATION NEWS Summer Learning Session at Jesuit Academy

Page Twelve THE OMAHA STAR

By Dr. LeDonna Griffin The young men at Jesuit Academy are engaging daily in instruction focused on the simple decisions and choices to ensure they are healthy academically, spiritually, physically and financially. Following acknowledgement of the Jesuit Academy Pledge and The Prayer of Generosity, one young man volunteers each morning to lead all staff and students in a prayer for our community that is from his heart. Following prayer, students enjoy breakfast and a reflection of the prayer and listen to “Living my Life Like It’s Golden” by Jill Scott as they prepare their minds to live and act out the words of the Jesuit Academy Pledge and the daily prayer. A quick summary of the first two weeks is shared as a reflection from two of our many amazing 7th graders. Langston Griffin (pictured on the right)I love Jesuit Academy summer camp because it gets you out of the house. My summers are usually sitting at home and doing football camps once in a while. This really gets

you out of the house to enjoy summer. We have a money system so if you are a man for others, on time to class, have active participation, meet class goals and prepared for class you get money and redeem it in your checkbook. When the store opens each week you can purchase items such as an Xbox gift card, Playstation gift card, Fortnite gift card etc. I have already bought something! I bought a Playstation gift card. I am really enjoying summer camp and I am thankful for the opportunity to come to this summer camp. Mikhail Ross (pictured on the left) - I love Jesuit Academy summer camp because you get to meet the new students that come into the school. My summer usually consists of sitting at home and doing basketball workouts. This summer camp is much more fun because we are doing more fun things and more activities while also learning. For seventh grade we are going to learn even more difficult things than sixth grade like more complicated subjects. Some of the subjects are math, science, and others. This summer we have a new

June 25, 2021

discipline system called “ The School Store”. We have to earn our money in our checkbook to purchase items from the school store. What we get from “The School Store” is gaming gift cards, chips and snacks, sports equipment, and bikes. This school year we are having a very fun time and I’m so glad to be a part of it. Thank you! This summer session will conclude with an invite for parents to participate in an Open House on Friday morning having students share what it means to “Live Life Like It’s Golden” Mornings: Daily Math, Reading, Character Building and so much more Afternoon: Daily swim, hiking, fishing, canoeing, archery and so much more

Race continued from page 11

as a Federal holiday: to wipe out future discussion of race in our educational institutions. Such an effort in just a short period of time would mean, for example, there could be no discussion of the Tulsa, Oklahoma massacre which many are just learning about 100 years after the fact. There would be no discussion in our schools about Sand Creek or Wounded Knee and the slaughter of countless Native Americans, or the imprisonment of thousands of Japanese Americans during World War II after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and we dropped the atomic bomb on the Japanese - but not on the Germans. If legislatures and school boards can be successful with the abolishment of discussions of race by placing all such discussions under the label “critical race theory”, then we move closer to returning to the America of Jim Crow racism and possibly the apartheid that gripped South Africa with all the horror that came with it. We as people of color must come off

of recess. We must now sleep at attention and prepare to fight on a daily basis with all our thought processes and collective numbers. We must read, watch, prepare to march, speak up and stand; as we did during the civil rights movement which brought us to the limited freedoms of today, but not full equality, yet. Take a look at where you live. Take a look at what is being done to people who look like you and those who agree with you, regardless of their color. Register to vote and get others registered. Check the voting records that are being purged and re-register those who are still living. Look at how you are spending your dollars and learn from the Atlanta, Georgia example of going after those corporate entities that support elected officials, corporations who finance the very people pushing voter suppression and the abolishment of critical race theory. This must be a daily battle with no time outs. Will you get involved?

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Metropolitan Community College affirms a policy of equal education, employment opportunities and nondiscrimination in providing services to the public. To read our full policy statement, visit mccneb.edu/nondiscrimination.