Vol. 83 - No. 6 by The Omaha Star

75 CENTS

Omaha Star

The

Proudly Serving Our Community for Over 80 Years

Dedicated to the Service of the People that NO Good Cause Shall Lack a Champion and that Evil Shall Not Go Unopposed

Nebraska’s Only Black Owned Newspaper Vol. 83 - No. 6 Omaha, Nebraska

Friday, March 19, 2021

75 cents

Family of the Week:

Archives of The Omaha Star

From time to time we will feature a family from our digital archives. Some you may know and some you will be introduced to. Enjoy our look back…

2021 Native Omaha Days Festival The Native Omaha Days Organizing Committee is diligently working on activities for this year’s Native Omaha Days Festival. The event will take place on Monday, July 26 thru Monday, August 2, 2021. The Committee fully supports all measures to protect the health and welfare of our community and beyond. We will closely monitor the situation with COVID-19 and make decisions based on the guidelines and recommendations from the Douglas County Health Director and other health professionals. Please visit the Native Omaha Days Festival website for ongoing updates: www. nativeomahadays.org

Three “Legacy Leaders” Recognized By Bacon On House Floor For Black History Month

Graves Family above Skinner Family to the right

Next Steps for Love’s Include Youth Programs The North 24th Street Business Improvement District (BID) and Association have chosen jazz musician, Dana Murray to provide music programming and education to the North Omaha community at the former Love’s Jazz building at 24th and Lake Street. Dana Murray, a native of South Omaha, studied music performance at Berklee College of Music in Boston. As a professional percussionist, Mr. Murray has shared the stage with musicians who span the musical spectrum including Omaha’s own Preston Love, Wynton Marsalis, Norah Jones and Aloe Blacc. In 2005, Dana returned to Omaha to raise his son and to teach as a music instructor at Omaha Burke, Bellevue East and at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Dana recorded and released his debut album Negro Manifesto in 2018. He currently produces music from his home where his professional studio is housed. “It is an honor and privilege to be given such an opportunity. Youth development through music has been my greatest passion in life. The once vibrant, beacon for music, art and culture can shine once again on North 24th Street. This will not belong to me... This belongs to the community. Let’s get it!” says, Dana Murray. While the goal is to reopen the former Love’s Jazz building and provide music education and performances for the community, there are still several steps involved prior to reopening. The North 24th Street Business Improvement District will serve as the master lessee of the three bays and is currently defining the terms of the lease with the City of Omaha. “Now that we have determined who will run programming, our next step is remodeling the space. Our timeline for reopening will consider renovations and how the coronavirus plays out.” says LaVonya Goodwin, Board President of

On February 20 in a ceremony at Compassion in Action, Inc. 2001 North 35th Street, Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) presented Ella Willis, Teela Mickles and Bettie McDonald with copies of the Floor Speech he delivered to Congress on February 4. The remarks, recognizing them for their contributions to Omaha as part of Black History Month, are made a permanent part of the Congressional Record. Willis is the head of Neighborhood Action and Fact Association and she has been working diligently in the Omaha community for decades. Mickles is the founder of Compassion in Action; a faith based, non-profit organization that serves individuals confined in the state correctional facilities and families affected by incarceration. McDonald is the

co-founder of Native Omaha Days; a weeklong home-coming event that celebrates the community’s historical and cultural legacies. Rep. Bacon sought input from the community for this recognition through a committee that consisted of Terry Sanders, publisher and president on the Omaha Star; Thomas Warren, executive director of the Urban League NE; and Marcus Bell, president of 100 Black Men Omaha. “We can never thank these three incredible women for the impact they have made in the community, but they will forever be remembered in the history of our nation because of their inclusion in the Congressional record,” said Bacon. “I also want to thank the committee for their work in helping us identify and select the honorees this year.”

Dana Murray the BID. “We also want the community to know that this space is under new organizational management and is not in collaboration with the former Love’s Jazz board.” says Goodwin. The City of Omaha terminated its lease agreement with the Love’s Jazz and Arts Center board of directors in October 2020 after a series of lease violations. The BID plans to ensure that the music history of North 24th Street and Preston Love’s role in that history remains a part of the programming. There has been no decision regarding a name change on the building, and the BID plans to support Dana Murray’s programming from an advisory role with the goal of the program running as its own nonprofit in the near future. Pastor Ralph Lassiter, BID Board Member and President of the BID Association stated, “Our decision was not easy; however, I am confident that we are moving closer to our vision of North 24th Street becoming a premier destination that is family-friendly, rich in history, culture, heritage and a base for economic development. I encourage the community to support Mr. Murray as he strives to have a positive impact on our

Next Issue: April 2, 2021

Information due: March 26, 2021

Love’s continued on page 5

Publisher’s Pen By Terri D. Sanders

I don’t know about YOU but now there is HOPE for small gatherings, travel, and hugging famDavid Turnbo Photography your ily due to the massive roll out of vaccines for COVID19. That does not mean that you can stop wearing masks, washing your hands and maintaining social distance, because COVID-19 is NOT over. We are rounding the corner to the end of Women’s History month. I advocate that we celebrate Women as well as Black History every day. Let that sit right there… This paper states: “Dedicated to the Service of the People that NO Good Cause Shall Lack a Champion and that Evil Shall Not Go Unopposed.” Exactly what did Mildred D. Brown mean by this statement as the manifesto of the Omaha Star? “No Good Cause Shall Lack a Champion”

Native Omaha Days July 26, 2021

August 2, 2021 CDC guidelines will be observed for this celebration. Mark your calendar.

means the GOOD news, we are champions of the GOOD news, no matter the size of the act. “Evil Shall Not Go Unopposed” means that injustice shall not reign. In this day and time, the “politics” of our nation, our state, our city, and our institutions are in peril. In my opinion the wheels seem to be in reverse. The forward movements that have been made looks like the reverse moonwalk. Do not let it happen. I was recently in a meeting and it was pointed out how in the past what progress had been made. We seem to think that we need to recreate the wheel and rework the work. How about studying history and see what changes were made for the better and reinstitute THAT. Updates are great and necessary, but the core is the same. You do not know where you are going unless you know where you have been… Our local elections are on the horizon. We have the right, so VOTE. Study the issues and be informed. April 6, 2021, and May 11, 2021, are the dates for voting in person. Mail in ballots are an option. Whatever you do, VOTE. You have no room to complain if you are not part of the process, VOTE. Be safe…

VOTE:

April 6, 2021 and May 11, 2021

Page Two

LOCAL NEWS

THE OMAHA STAR

March 19, 2021

THE OMAHA STAR, INC. Salem Baptist Church to hold THE VOICE OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY

Editorial and Business Office 2216 North 24th Street Phone: 402.346.4041

MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 3393 Omaha, NE 68103

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Terri D. Sanders - publisher@omahastarinc.com Business Hours: Monday – Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 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

Salem Baptist Church (3131 Lake St.) Omaha E c o n o m i c Development, Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue, Inc., Heart Ministry and Hy-Vee Foods are partnering to sponsor a community basket giveaway Saturday, March 27 from 10 a.m. until supplies are exhausted. “We praise the Lord for His manifold blessings and we are grateful to serve as His stewards to provide food to those in need across our community,” said Senior Pastor Selwyn Q. Bachus. The event will take place in the church parking lot. Church volunteers will distribute the food baskets from the circle drive of the church. Salem Baptist Church respectfully requests that all participants wear masks to protect themselves and others during this event. Each food basket will include food items such as cereal, milk, canned green beans and corn, tuna, pasta, spaghetti sauce, peanut butter, jelly and meat donated by Heart Ministry.

DISCLAIMER

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.

Pick up your copy of the Omaha Star at these convenient locations: Baker’s Supermarket

7312 N. 30th St.

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Big Mama’s Kitchen

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Chubb’s Finer Foods

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Cubby’s Old Market

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Easy Drive

2423 Grant St. 402-348-0631 March 19 & 26 Fried and baked fish available. Call in order for carry out. 11am-6pm

Mt. Calvary Community Church

5112 Ames Ave, 402-457-4216 Every Friday beginning Now to April 2, 2021 Whole or Catfish Fillets. Carryout ONLY. 4pm-8pm

challenges for all Americans, and most particularly Black Americans. The goal of this essay contest is for students to join the Omaha Community Council on Racial Justice and Reconciliation and engage with our local memorialization efforts to repair, heal, and concretize the history of racial violence in our community. By writing about a chosen local or national theme or topic involving racial violence and social inequity in America, students will join thousands of other students in EJI’s ongoing conversation about our nation’s history and legacy of racial injustice. We have set up a website to help guide students through the essay process. The website can help you choose an essay topic, walk you through the guidelines, and help you submit your essay. Essays must be submitted electronically. Once you have chosen a topic and have completed your research, your essay will need to be between 800 and 1000 words. For further details and contest rules, please consult the flyer that is included in the advertisement section of this edition, as well as visit the website at http://bit.ly/ EJIessayomaha. In addition, readers may go to the Human Rights & Relations Facebook page [https://www.facebook. com/humanrights.omaha] and view a 3.5 minute web commercial about the essay contest, as well as read about other opportunities and services provided to the public. We greatly encourage students to seek the guidance of teachers to help edit your essay. The deadline for essay submissions is midnight, April 30th, 2021. EJI officials will determine the winners of the competition. Tentative plans are to announce 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners during a Juneteenth event OCCRJR will be hosting on June 18th at the Douglas County Courthouse. For further information, Omaha Public Schools students should contact Lindsay Behne at 531-299-6704. NonOmaha Public School students should contact Franklin Thompson at 402-444-5049. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. This is a great opportunity for you to have your voice heard and earn some scholarship money in the process.

By Dr. Franklin T. Thompson Omaha Department of Human Rights & Relations The Omaha Community Council on Racial Justice and Reconciliation (OCCRJR) in partnership with the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), a national organization out of Montgomery, AL committed to challenging racial and economic injustice, would like to announce a scholarship contest open to 9th - 12th-grade students attending Omaha area public schools. This Racial Justice Essay Contest is a great opportunity for students to get involved. The contest is co-sponsored by the City of Omaha Human Rights and Relations Department and various public schools located within the greater Omaha metropolitan area. EJI has documented more than 6,500 African American victims of racial terror lynching killed between the end of the Civil War in 1865 and World War II. At least 5 African American victims of racial terror lynching are documented to have been killed in the state of Nebraska alone, of which at least two are reported to have been lynched in Douglas County: Mr. George Smith (1891) and Mr. Will Brown (1919). 2020 has pulled the sheets back on racial injustice in the United States, and it has hit close to home in our community. OCCRJR and EJI want to give students a chance to write about how America’s history of racial injustice has impacted their own lives through an essay writing contest with prizes totaling at least $5000 for winning participants. Essays should explain the chosen topic using a specific local or national historical event and imagine solutions for a future free from racial injustice. EJI acknowledges that our national history of racial inequality and economic injustice has created continuing

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Great Plains Black History Museum 2221 N. 24th St. Hy-Vee Supermarket

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Hy-Vee Supermarket

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Phil’s CASHSAVER A cost Plus Food Outlet

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Youngblood’s Barbershop $40.00 IN TOWN

St. Benedict The Moor

High School Racial Justice Essay Contest

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.

Omaha Area Fish Fry Events

community basket giveaway

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4011 Ames Ave $50.00 OUT OF TOWN

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Name Address City/State/Zip Phone E-Mail address Mail To: The Omaha Star Newspaper PO BOX 3393 Omaha, NE 68103 Please include payment with order

Cox and Nebraska Furniture Mart Education Heroes Awards Nominations for Education Heroes is open Cox and Nebraska Furniture Mart have partnered together to celebrate Omaha’s Education Heroes. Nominations for the Education Heroes program are being accepted March 1–31. The Cox Education Heroes programs serves to honor local education heroes in the greater Omaha metro this spring. Nominations are encouraged as an opportunity for individuals from Nebraska and Iowa to celebrate their favorite teacher or school employee — paraprofessionals, administrative and custodial staff, nurses, counselors and learning specialists. Fifty (50) selected honorees will be featured online and will receive a prize package consisting of a $250

gift card to Nebraska Furniture Mart, a personalized trophy award, plus “Education Heroes” t-shirts for staff members at their school. Nominees must work in a K-12 school district within the Cox Communications Omaha service area, which generally includes Omaha, Bellevue, Ralston, LaVista, Papillion, Bennington, Westside, Gretna, Elkhorn, Millard, and Valley, Nebraska; and Council Bluffs, Crescent and Pottawattamie County, Iowa. School district procurement decision makers such as superintendents, principals and IT department leaders are not eligible. To nominate a hero or to learn more about the program, visit www.coxeducationheroes.com

Omaha Star Publishing Dates 2021 Month

Info due

Pub Date

Theme

Focus

APRIL 3/26/21 4/2/21 Personal Finance Who is Your Financial Consultant 4/9/21 4/16/21 MAY 5/7/21 5/14/21 Writers / Authors Nebraska Authors 5/21/21 5/28/21 JUNE 6/4/21 6/11/21 Graduates High School / College Graduate / Professionals 6/18/21 6/25/21 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

COMMUNITY NEWS

March 19, 2021

For my Friend, A tribute

By Angela Green Garland

In honor of all my melanated girlfriends who hustle hard and hold up the sky, I would like to propose a new holiday or celebratory period. My proposed holiday would be an amalgamation of Black excellence, Black History, Black Entrepreneurship which we highlight in February and a mash up of Women’s History Month which we celebrate in March. . These days would honor and celebrate the daily feats and tasks we accomplish with little to no fanfare to support, uphold and transform our family, friends and community. I will call this period of celebration when the new year is barely sixty days old and the earth is the process of renewing her spirit, when daylight savings times snatches edges, and the sun does a ﬂirtatious dance that hints of more glorious days to come “Black Girls Magic Days.” The theme song is entirely mood based and will vary from day to day, hour to hour or minute to minute, because...yeah... “Black Girl Magic!” Will the DJ spin feelings of Classy, Bougie or Ratchet? Who knows. Well, this year’s inaugural celebration of Black Girl Magic Days will honor my friend and Soror, Terri D. Sanders. She is truly an Omaha Star! Possessing Black Girl Magic was not enough to for my Sister, Soror, Girlfriend Terri, she is “an Omaha Star” who is now the Publisher of

“The Omaha Star.” Terri D. Sanders is a Native Omahan, Creighton Alum, Delta Sigma Theta member, entrepreneur, “Jacqueline of All Trades”, wife of Daniel (deceased), Mother of Daniel, Symone and Averi and will be honored as a part of St. John AME (African Methodist Episcopal) Church’s 6th Annual Dream Keeper’s Award. For her entire life, Terri has been the ultimate “Dream Weaver.” As a little girl, she worked in her parents beauty supply store stocking and delivering hair care products, supporting the American Dream and her parent’s dream of entrepreneurship. However for many local women Terri’s Dream Weaving ensured our hair was set for the week. In addition, she has owned multiple businesses that celebrated others and their fulﬁllment of life’s various milestones— which included coordinating wedding dreams, bringing birthday celebration dreams to life, organizing community events, and working with budding entrepreneurs wanting to market and build their business dreams. In her most recent role as publisher of “The Omaha Star” – Nebraska’s only Black owned newspaper for over 80 years, Sanders will lead the platform where we share, celebrate, and remember the hopes and dreams of our community. Twice a month, she will facilitate, report on and update our community on our dreams. She is our “Dream Weaver.”

The Historic St. John’s AME Church will be honoring Mrs. Terri D. Sanders the publisher of The Omaha Star, Nebraska’s Oldest Black Newspaper, with the Dream Keeper’s Award. The Dream Keeper’s award is an annual event honoring outstanding individuals who exhibit servant leadership that focuses on the growth and wellbeing of people and the community in which they live. “Do everything in love” Corinthians 16:14-NIV Please join our church family and friends as we honor Mrs. Terri D. Sanders Sunday, March 28, 2021, Worship Service - 11AM Live Streamed via Facebook: h t t p s : / / w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / StJohnAMEOmaha/

Sherita White & Shanece Hunter

Judith Obodougo

Page Three

Dream Keeper’s Award

Omaha Section-NCNW Recognizes Female Entrepreneurs The Omaha Section-National Council of Negro Women, Inc., will recognize four female entrepreneurs who started a business or offered new services in 2020 during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Special recognitions will be made at the Virtual Harambee African American Female Entrepreneur Recognition event on Saturday, March 20, 2021 from 9:00am to 10:30am via ZOOM. Sherita White and Shanece Hunter are both nurses, and it was no surprise when they decided to start A Nurses Touch Staffing Agency, LLC. They are dedicated and passionate about serving others in healthcare. Starting a nurses’ staffing business was creative, innovative, and fulfilled a critical demand in the community. Judith Obodougo established God’s Got Your Back, LLC, in February 2020. The pandemic hit her business and she was forced to close provisionally. Because of her resilience, she re-opened to sell women’s accessories, health and wellness products. Judith also started the Judy Talk Show in January 2020 to educate and empower young women. Martine Quartey opened Advance Tax Solutions, LLC, during the Pandemic and pivoted to innovative programs providing free business training via social media and in-person to overcome obstacles to remain open and serve her community. FREE EVENT. To attend you must register in advance. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the meeting. Use the following Facebook event link: https://www.facebook.com/ events/1358879964473820/ Omaha Section-NCNW is a 501c (3) non-profit organization that leads, develops, and advocates for women of African descent as they support their families and communities. Email us at os.ncnw@gmail.com for more information,

THE OMAHA STAR

Martine Quartey

Past Honorees: 2016 - Dr. Don Benning* 2017 - Ms. Kathy J. Trotter 2018 - The Bears Coaches: Mr. Michael Carter & Mr. & Mrs. Jimmy* & Gracie Smith 2019 - Dr. Jerry & Drs. Ramona Bartee 2020 - Mr. Preston Love, Jr. * Deceased

City Of Omaha: Notice Of Public Hearing On Monday, April 12, 2021 at 2:00 PM the Planning Department will conduct a Digital Public Hearing. The purpose of this hearing is to provide citizens, public agencies, and other interested parties and overview and opportunity to comment on the 2020 Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) and the planned future use of the Love’s Jazz Building, located at 2508 N 24th St Omaha, NE 68111. This is in line with guidance from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts’ directives to allow for digital public meetings. This meeting will consist of a presentation about each topic followed by time to ask questions and provide comments. Information about how to connect to the meeting will be available on the Community Development Division’s website at planninghcd.cityofomaha.org City of Omaha continued on page 5

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Page Four THE OMAHA STAR

PRAISE, WORSHIP, DEVOTION, OBITUARIES & INSPIRATION

Looking forward to a glorious reunion By Billy Holland I went for a quiet walk the other day, to relax and sort through my thoughts like the stacks of messages and notes on my desk. While gazing at the clear sky and breathing in the cool air, it dawned on me that it’s been almost five years since my dad passed away. Honestly, it seems like yesterday. I realize that many people grew up without a father or a mother and I’m very sympathetic about that. Thank God, there are great stepdads and stepmoms that have stepped into difficult situations and have been a much-needed tower of strength and stability in the life of a child. We realize that everyone who manages to enjoy a normal life expectancy will eventually outlive their parents. This means that most of us will be required to go through the heartbreak of saying goodbye to those who were always the center of our universe. Whether you have already walked through this valley or if this event has not yet happened, we will most likely be left to continue in our winter years without our mom and dad. It does feel strange when I think that my dad is no longer here. I remember the first few months after he passed that sometimes in the evenings, I would pick up the phone to call him. When I would come to my senses, I not only realized he’s not there, but he’s never coming back. These are the moments we begin to understand how fragile life is and how we take our blessings for granted. As we grow older, we begin to accept the reality that our parents will not always be with us along with being reminded of our own mortality. When other

people lose a parent we have sympathy for them, but we will never truly know the pain until we go through this personally as we are more closely connected to our mother and father than anyone else in the world. I was glad that I made the extra effort to call and visit with my dad often and I encourage everyone to do the same while you still can. It’s only natural to feel a sense of loneliness and miss hearing their voice and listening to their thoughts. You will eventually notice that you have some of your parent’s traits and quirks but that’s alright because it makes you feel closer to them and appreciate them more than ever. You will always be filled with their memories as even the simple things like your dad mowing the yard and watching his favorite team or your mom putting the food on the table and giving you a big hug. There is a poem by Diana Der-Hovanessian called, “Shifting the sun” and she expresses so beautifully about losing a parent. Here is one of the lines, “When a parent dies, you lose your umbrella against bad weather, they take your childhood with them and your sun shifts forever.” I cannot communicate as eloquently as she, but just as we will follow in the natural cycles and seasons of life and death, we are also filled with hope and joy to know this life is not the end of our journey. For those who are born-again in Christ, our salvation includes the exciting and encouraging promise that one day we will be reunited with our parents forever. Read more articles and stories at: billyhollandministries.com

New Normal: If It’s Free, It Ain’t for Me Dr. James L. Snyder

fraudulent companies that extracted money from my account. She then explained to me the new normal for online transactions. According to her, when you apply for some free gift and only have to pay the shipping, you expose yourself to some fraud scheme. She then explained to me that she could reverse all of these transactions and turn them over to the bank’s fraud department, and they would take care of it. In a few days, those transactions disappeared from my account. I then understood what my grandfather used to say, “If it’s free, it ain’t for me.” I can only trust God. “O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me” (Psalm 7:1). God will never scam me. Dr. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God Fellowship, 1471 Pine Road, Ocala, FL 34472. He lives with his wife in Silver Springs Shores. Call him at 352-687-4240 or e-mail jamessnyder2@att.net. The church web site is www.whatafellowship. com

Once when I wore a younger man’s suit I would take anything free. I assumed it was my right to get something free. Then I had a conversation with my grandfather. If anybody knew how to squeeze a buffalo out of a nickel, it was my grandfather. But you couldn’t trick him by offering him something free. He said to me, “Son, if it’s free, it ain’t for me.” At the time, I just chuckled and fluffed off this advice. After all, if I’m offered something free I’m going to jump and even dance to get it. I would see a free offer in the newspaper and immediately cut it out and send it in and wait for that free offer to come. But then came the Internet, and everything has changed. When I first started seeing these “free” offers, I jumped at the opportunity. After all, it was the Internet, and you didn’t have to spend any money on postage. After all, you can trust the Internet. Pretty soon, those sunny days were overcome by a dark cloud of rain and thunderstorms. In checking my bank account, I noticed some suspicious withdrawals on my account. I thought maybe I bought something I had forgotten about, so I didn’t give it much thought. Then one day, I noticed in TRADITION • RESPECT • DIGNITY my bank account a withdrawal of $1,699, which took place in California. I was in California, but that was 20 years ago. How I was able to purchase something in California for such an amount of money, I don’t know. I rode my snorting horse to 3920 North 24th St. the bank to see what in the Omaha, NE 68110 world was going on. “Have you ever,” the bank402-453-7111 er said to me, “ordered www.omahathomasfh.com something online and used your credit card?” “I don’t order anything online, particularly that expensive.” She looked at my account very carefully and then Caring for someone with look back at me, “Have Alzheimer’s isn’t easy. you ever used your credit card online?” Reaching us is. “The only time I do is when I am taking advantage of some free product where I only pay the shipping.” “So,” she said rather hesitatingly, “you have used your credit card online for some purchase.” There was a long pause in her office while she continued looking at my account online. “You do know that when you use your credit card online, some people can If you care for someone with Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss or dementia, you are not alone. We’re here day scam that account and use or night — whenever you need us — offering reliable information and support. it to make purchases?” Free 24/7 Helpline: 800.272.3900 Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiver Center: alz.org/care Staring at her, I said, “Who in the world would do something like that?” “Who would do something like that?” Then she read to me from my account the

March 19, 2021

Six Miracles of Calvary By Velma J. Sanders

To the ordinary person, this time of year is in anticipation of the ending of winter (with its cold and snow; boots and coats), but to God’s children, the ushering in of spring is nature’s parable of resurrection. Whether you are speaking of the conception or the birth; the baptism; the temptation in the wilderness or public ministry, everything about Jesus Christ is glorious! And then, there is the cross of Calvary, where the Lamb of God paid sins’ price in full! Triumphing victoriously in His burial and resurrection! The God’s Word, Alive! Bible Teaching Ministry is pleased to announce The Six Miracles of Calvary. Over the course of three consecutive Fridays, six excellent and excited speakers will present one of the six miracles; each one radiating a different glory of the Cross of Christ and His resurrection. These Six Miracles of Calvary sessions are inspired by a book of the same title, authored by William R. Nicholson. This book made such an impression on me when I first read it, many years ago. The Presenters and their topics are: MIRACLE #1) The Miraculous Darkness; Sis. Lillie Holmes (Salem Baptist Church, Omaha, NE); MIRACLE #2) The Rending of the Veil; Pastor Demetrius Watson (New Fellowship Christian Church, Omaha, NE); MIRACLE #3) The Miraculous Earthquake; Minister Jacqueline Reed (Gospel Tabernacle Church, Dallas, TX); MIRACLE #4) The Miracle of the Opened Graves; Rev. Dr. Don Vaughan (Mayhew, MS); MIRACLE #5) The Undisturbed Graveclothes of Jesus; Minister-in-Training Karen Bowen (Salem Baptist Church, Omaha, NE); MIRACLE #6) Revivals to Life in the Calvary Graveyard; Overseer Charles Maxey (Church of the Living God #36, Wichita, KS). The sessions will be held for three consecutive Fridays (March 19, 2021; March 26, 2021 and April 2, 2021); from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Each of the sessions will be held virtually via Zoom. The Zoom website address is: https://zoom.us/. The Meeting ID: 740 774 1626. The Passcode: VICTORY2 (all caps). The Telephone Dial-In number: 312-626-6799 It is my prayer that the Spirit of God will open our eyes to behold Him who brings us through the winter and rain of our natural inheritance in Adam, to new life, resurrection life, in Christ! Yes, it is Jesus that causes, through His victory over death, hell and the grave, the flowers to appear and the singing to come! www.GodsWordAlive.net

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“God’s Word, Alive!” Bible Teaching Ministry presents

THE 6 MIRACLES of CALVARY (Inspired by the book by the same title: Author, William R. Nicholson)

MARCH 19, 2021 - 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

MIRACLE #1

THE MIRACULOUS DARKNESS Luke 23:44, 45

Sis. Lillie Holmes (Omaha, Nebraska)

MIRACLE #2

THE RENDING OF THE VEIL Matthew 27:51

MARCH 26, 2021 - 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

MIRACLE #3

THE MIRACULOUS EARTHQUAKE

MIRACLE #4

THE MIRACLE OF THE OPENED GRAVES

Matthew 27:52 Pastor Demetrius Watson Matthew 27:51 (Omaha, Nebraska) Minister Jacqueline Reed Rev. Dr. Don Vaughan (Dallas, Texas) (Mayhem, Mississippi)

APRIL 2, 2021 - 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Join us on ZOOM https://zoom.us/

Meeting ID: 740 774 1626 Passcode: VICTORY2

MIRACLE #5

THE UNDISTURBED GRAVECLOTHES OF JESUS John 20:6-8

Minister-in-Training Karen Bowen (Omaha, Nebraska)

MIRACLE #6

Telephone Dial-in: 1 312 626 6799

REVIVALS TO LIFE IN THE CALVARY GRAVEYARD Matthew 27:52, 53

Overseer Charles Maxey (Wichita, Kansas)

with Velma Jean Sanders www.godswordalive.net

LOCAL NEWS

March 19, 2021

THE OMAHA STAR

Page Five

Local Girls Selected As Girls Inc. National Scholars

Love’s continued from page 1

young people and the community overall.” What to Expect ▪ Dana Murray’s vision is to empower the community through music and art. The proposed Music and Arts Academy will provide a progressive music education and life skills to youth. Initially, small group classes will be offered with the goal of creating instrumental ensembles. Programming is in the planning and development stages. The BID’s Selection Process • In October 2020, Mayor Jean Stothert tasked the North 24th Street Business Improvement District and Association to “provide the opportunity for Love’s Jazz to once again celebrate music, education and the history of North Omaha.” • There was never an agreement or promise for Preston Love, Jr. to provide programming. • Mr. Love is a board member of the BID Association. • The board of directors evaluated each proposal’s plan to: • Provide youth music education and live music performances • Support the BID’s mission and vision • Support the Village Plan and the Forever North Plan • Support the area’s designation as a 24th and Lake Cultural Arts District • Mr. Love and Mr. Murray both submitted proposals for programming. • Each candidate had two personal interviews with the board. • The candidates also provided written answers to the board’s questions. • During the interview, Mr. Love was asked if he would accept the outcome of the board’s decision. He affirmed that he would. • The board of directors also suggested that Mr. Love and Mr. Murray talk about potential collaboration. The two spoke, and agreed that future collaboration was an option, but that the board would vote for one program. • The board of directors voted by majority for Mr. Murray’s proposal to provide youth music education to the community. • The City of Omaha owns the properties at 2506 and 2510 North 24th Street (the former Love’s Jazz space). Next Steps • The City of Omaha Planning Department will host a public hearing for the former Love’s Jazz Buildings. • Date TBD. • The BID will work with the City on renovations. The North 24th Street Business Improvement District is a quasigovernmental entity made up of 240 North 24th Street property owners and is partnered with the City of Omaha and established by state statute. The BID’s board of directors are all property owners and business owners within the district. On June 2, 2020, the Omaha City Council approved the ordinance for North 24th Street Business Improvement District (BID) by a vote of 6 to 0. The North 24th Street Business Improvement District is established “for the purpose of providing specified activities, work and improvements in the North 24th Street area (Meredith Avenue to the north, 25th Avenue to the west, Cuming Street to the south, and 23rd Street to 20th Street to the east) of Omaha, Nebraska.” For more information go to www. north24thstreetbid.com.

Two Girls Inc. of Omaha members have been chosen as a 2021 Girls Inc. National Scholars and awarded a Girls Inc. Lucile Miller Wright scholarships. Jayleesha Cooper, a student at Duschene Academy, and Taylor McKesson, a student at Omaha North High Magnet School, were selected for outstanding academic achievements, community service work, and dedication to the Girls Inc. mission of inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. The Omaha girls are two of thirty Girls Inc. National Scholars selected in 2021 from across the United States and Canada. “I have had the privilege of knowing both of these young women since they were in kindergarten,” stated Roberta Wilhelm, Girls Inc. executive director. “They have both immersed themselves in the Girls Inc. Experience and taken full advantage of so many opportunities at Girls Inc. – STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs, literacy, career and college prep, travel, mentors, and more. The national scholarship committee has certainly selected two very deserving girls.” Jayleesha Cooper stated, “I am extremely grateful and honored to have received this scholarship. Girls Inc has always been a major part of my life and being the recipient of this scholarship has shown me that hard work and dedication is key to success. Without Girls Inc. I would not be as well rounded as I am today.” She noted, “I became a leader because Girls Inc. enabled me to find my voice within a society where, many times, the voices of girls are silenced. “Winning this scholarship will help me pursue my dream career as a surgeon. Girls Inc. has helped me value how much hands-on learning makes a difference and supported my journey in trying new things,” Taylor McKesson observed. “When I started at Girls Inc., I saw the words Strong, Smart, and Bold for the very first time. Through the years I have grown up with those words on my back and each time I accomplished something in the program, I contributed to those words. Because of Girls Inc., I have learned how to have a voice, to be strong, and to speak up for what I believe - especially that

girls can do anything! This is forever a part of my childhood. They always say it takes a village to raise a child, and I gladly say that Girls Inc is a part of mine.” The Girls Inc. Lucile Miller Wright Scholarship program was created in 1992, when the female pilot and long-time supporter Jayleesha Cooper gave a bequest for scholarships for young women. Over $6.5 million in Girls Inc. scholarships have made post-secondary education more accessible to high school women and has inspired them to succeed in school and consider a broad range of career possibilities. Girls Inc. of Omaha, Taylor McKesson a 501(c) 3 not-forprofit organization dedicated to inspiring all girls to be strong, smart and bold, provides educational, cultural and recreational opportunities for girls ages 5 to 18. Girls Inc. of Omaha is a national affiliate of Girls Incorporated with two centers in Omaha – the Katherine Fletcher Center in North Omaha with an on-site Nebraska Medicine Clinic, and the Emma Lozier Center in South Omaha. Additionally, Girls Inc. of Omaha operates two transitional housing programs, The Barker Avenue House and Protégé House. For more information please contact Roberta Wilhelm at rwilhelm@girlsincomaha.org or (402) 457-4676 ext. 1223.

City of Omaha continued from page 3

and social media as of Friday, April 2, 2021. Relevant documents will be available on the City Planning Department’s website as of Monday, April 12, 2021. Following the meeting, video will be available on the City’s Facebook page and website for review. The 2020 CAPER details the Community Development Division’s Accomplishments and progress towards the goal of the 2019-2023 Consolidated Plan during the Program Year 2020. The Love’s Jazz and Arts building is owned by the City of Omaha. The City has partnered with the North 24th Street Business Improvement District to operate the building. The future use of this building will continue to provide a space for the arts. The space will be operated by a nonprofit run by Dana Murray, an Omaha native who studied music performance at Berklee College of Music in Boston,

we can do I t! The community goal is to get everyone immunized. Until then, keep wearing a mask, giving space, and avoiding crowds, even if you’ve had your vaccine. Together, we can protect each other and get back to normal.

Learn more at DoRightRightNow.org

has performed nationally, and currently performs and provides music education at Omaha high schools and UNO. Murray’s nonprofit will operate the building as a space for music education and performance with a special emphasis on bringing up the next generation in music and giving youth and young adults an ageappropriate and accessible place to learn, listen, and perform. Individuals requiring accommodations, including interpreter service, Braille, or large print, please contact Nicole Engels at the City of Omaha Planning Department, 1819 Farnam Street, Suite 1111, Omaha, Nebraska, 68183, 402-444-5150 ext. 2024, prior to Friday, April 2, 2021. The Omaha Planning Department will receive comments about the amendments from April 12, 2021 until April 27, 2021. Comments should be sent to hcdcomments@cityofomaha.org or by mail.

HEALTH & WELLNESS March 19, 2021 From Our Table to Yours Grant to promote COVID-19 vaccinations

Page Six THE OMAHA STAR

The Omaha Economic Development Corporation (OEDC) in collaboration with Omaha Public Schools, Woodman Life, Union Pacific Railroad, and Charles Drew Health Center will provide nonperishable and prepared food items to school families to address the food disparities in our community. Several chefs in the area have come together to provide the prepared meals Volunteers From our Table to Yours for From Our Table to Yours Food Program. The monthly collaboration will be on March 27, 2021, for the families of Lothrop Elementary School to be served from noon-3PM at the restaurant in the Fair Deal Village MarketPlace, 2118 North 24th Street. The prepared meals will come through the restaurant and the non-perishable food will be serviced through the Fair Deal Grocery Market. Families are preselected by the school to participate in this program. This is not open to the Prepared Food boxes general public. April 2021 Belvedere Elementary School families will receive the food donations and Skinner Elementary will receive services in May 2021. The North Omaha community has been hard hit by the coronavirus. COVID 19 has created a new stressor for a community that already is economically overwhelmed. PreCOVID, nearly 47% of all families experienced a high degree of economic exclusion, living at/below the Federal Food Box preparation poverty level. Unemployment averaged 13.9%. Working residents were community organizations to support underemployed, working in service (37%) and approximately 250 low income families/ sales (32%) jobs. Nearly 78% of households individuals by significantly discounting have an annual income of $24,038 (68110); bulk purchasing options for food staples and $24,688 (68111). Unemployment claims for providing coupons through the Fair Deal Douglas County for the time period March Village Market. By December 30th, the 21st, 2020 – December 23rd, 2020 totaled number of households served has quadrupled. 864,204. Hardest hit occupations include those To meet the growing need for food within within the service, retail sales and restaurant our community OEDC in partnership with new businesses. Since the onset of COVID 19, and existing community partners organized the unemployment rate in our service area has “From Our Kitchen To Yours”, a program that grown to 18.9% (Douglas County, 3.3%) provides free, prepared and donated meals by Since April, local service providers and local chefs and businesses to families in the community organizations have reported a community. growing number of households with elevated This effort offers some comfort and relief food insecurity challenges. In April, OEDC from the stress and challenges caused by the partnered with several local churches and pandemic.

among racial minority populations

Twenty years of building credibility in Omaha’s minority communities is paying off for Creighton University’s HS-MACA and the Center for Promoting Health and Health Equity (CPHHE). To promote COVID-19 vaccinations, the Douglas County Health Department awarded a second $250,000 grant to the center, which is a community-academic partnership. The grant will support CPHHE education and training of Community Health Ambassadors/Advocates (CHAs) to help enhance vaccination rates among Black, Latinx, Maya, and Urban Native Americans. Overcoming vaccination distrust remains a major challenge due to trust issues over the speedy development of the vaccines and a history of research abuses involving racial minorities. Sade Kosoko-Lasaki, MD, MSPH, professor in the Creighton University School of Medicine and director of Creighton’s Health Sciences-Multicultural and Community Affairs Department (HS-MACA), says that effective CHA education and training last fall, with the first $250,000 grant, was a key basis for the second grant award. The first grant, pre-vaccine, Kosoko-Lasaki says, was used to guide CHAs in how to promote COVID-19 preventive measures such as wearing masks, washing hands and social distancing. The subsequent decline in COVIDpositivity rates in the minority population was encouraging, she says. Similar behavior encouragement will accompany the new grant’s vaccination focus. Also, virtual “town hall” meetings will supplement education, training and information dissemination, sponsored by churches, the Omaha Housing Authority, social agencies and other institutions of influence in minority communities. These gatherings, hosted by Kosoko-Lasaki and project co-leaders, with CHA input, will inform participants about vaccine safety and effectiveness, urging participants to schedule a shot. “The message needs to be very clear that they (community members) can be confident that this is not an experimental thing,” Kosoko-Lasaki says. “Our Community Health Advocates are well placed to do this. We are the only body in Omaha with such a large group of trained individuals who live in these communities, who have built trust in these communities and who can go back and say to them, ‘This time, you can trust the system.’” A major concern, she says, is the low supply of vaccines. Vaccine centers are set up in minority communities, but more are needed. Although CPHHE’s advocacy teams are ready to work, Kosoko-Lasaki says the lack of vaccine doses could reduce their effectiveness. She re-emphasized the formidable task of persuading minorities — especially Black Omahans — that they should lay aside suspicions born of historical experience. “People do not forget the past,” Kosoko-Lasaki says. “We have noticed that lots of minorities do not get the flu vaccine. So, if they are not taking the flu vaccine that has been around for so long, why would they take the COVID vaccine? The problem is deeper than the vaccine. As the national literature documents, this pervasive disparity goes back to the roots of discrimination, of institutional and structural racism. We need to address that problem.” This historical trauma, Kosoko-Lasaki says, emerging from centuries of abuse and punctuated by atrocities such as the United States Public Health Service Tuskegee Syphilis Study and use of Henrietta Lacks’ cancer cells, has generated profound distrust in the health care system that deters people of color from seeking treatment, confiding in their providers and complying with health care recommendations. Given minority communities’ reasonable distrust, based in past abuses, Kosoko-Lasaki says she has no illusions about the difficulty of the task ahead. But, she says, she brings certain advantages to the situation. Grant continued on page 9

PRAISE & WORSHIP DIRECTORY THE OMAHA STAR

March 19, 2021

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”

Page Seven

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

Page Eight

LIFE & STYLE/HEALTH & WELLNESS March 19, 2021 How The Pandemic Opened Doors Bacon Named One of For Creative New Ways Of Learning Bipartisan Legislative THE OMAHA STAR

When the pandemic shut down schools in 2020, parents were forced to pay closer attention to what their children were – or were not – learning, and to take a more active role in their students’ education. It made for an unwelcome disruption in everyone’s lives. But within this homelife upheaval, the disruption of school also provided an opportunity to re-evaluate how learning takes place, and what families can do to make things better, says Emily Greene (www.emilygreene. com), the author of School, Disrupted: Rediscovering the Joy of Learning in a Pandemic-Stricken World. “We’ve gained a new perspective, and this is our chance to update our outdated education system for something better, to shift our mindsets, and to rekindle our children’s joy in learning from the inside out,” says Greene, who herself is a working mother of three children. “I think many of us are beginning to recognize and appreciate new ways of learning that do not necessarily conform to the traditional format of school. Outside of the school building, we’re seeing learning happen anytime, anywhere, with anyone, in formal and informal ways.” But a question arises. If it’s time to rethink education in America, what is the way forward? For Greene, part of the answer involves simply setting aside outdated

ideas about learning and embracing a new way of thinking about what school should be. Parents don’t need to wait for the school board, teachers, or others to act. She says some steps they can take themselves include: • Unlearn outdated beliefs about school. The traditional model of education is over 100 years old, which means people need to unlearn it, Greene says. Among other things, school is viewed as a daytime activity in a brick-and-mortar building where children the same age learn the same things, and tests measure how well they’re doing. “Maybe we flip that,” Greene says, “so that we view learning as an anytime activity where kids of all ages have learning options, creative thinking is expected, and success is measured by curiosity rather than test scores.” Greene says unlearning has three steps. “First, we let go of status-quo beliefs that are no longer valid,” she says. “Second, we replace outdated thinking with a new mindset that could work better. Finally, we rebuild day-to-day life around a new way of thinking about school.” • Nurture curiosity. Children are naturally curious, but structured education doesn’t always allow them to follow their innate desires to know or learn something, Greene says. Parents can help nurture curiosity by asking children questions about what interests them, she says. Parents

should also be sure to listen to their children and elicit questions from them rather than jump in with advice, opinions, and answers. “I remind parents that curiosity is innate. All children are naturally drawn to things they find interesting,” Greene says. “With practice, kids can learn to activate their curiosity to transform everyday learning into a more joyful experience.” • Encourage creativity. Schools don’t kill creativity, but the conformity required at school does smother it, “leaving it gasping for air,” Greene says. “Creativity is stifled by standardization, evaluation, and pressure to conform to the structure of the school system,” she says. Interestingly enough, the pandemic helped show children the importance of creativity and innovation, she says. “They saw stores and restaurants adapt to changing conditions by offering curbside pickup and social distancing,” Greene says. “Many kids watched their parents adapt to a new way of remote working. These things make an impression, showing children that creativity enables us to adapt and solve real problems.” “Through this pandemic, we have all suffered, but we also have learned so much,” Greene says. “The disruption of school gives us the perspective needed to make a lasting difference in the way our children learn. What a waste it would be to just settle back into our old ways.”

Reps. Bacon, Moulton & Taylor Reintroduce Legislation to Criminalize Lynching

‘Lest We Forget.’ These are the words etched on the grave of Will Brown, an Omaha man falsely accused of sexually assaulting a white woman in 1919, who was later lynched on the steps of the Douglas County Courthouse during the Omaha Race Riots. According to the Tuskegee Institute, 4,743 people were lynched in the U.S. between 1882 and 1968 of various ethnicities, the majority being African American. Since 1918, there have been over 200 failed attempts to pass anti-lynching legislation. Now, for the second Congressional session in a row, Rep Don Bacon (NE-02-R) has been joined by Reps. Seth Moulton (D-MA) and Van Taylor (R-TX) to reintroduce H.R. 1727, the Emmett Till and Will Brown Justice for Victims of Lynching Act. This bipartisan bill amends the United

States Code to criminalize lynching and provide for enhanced sentencing under existing federal hate crime statutes. In 2019, the language from Rep. Bacon’s bill, H.R. 3536, The Justice for Victims of Lynching Act of 2019, was later amended into Rep. Bobby L. Rush’s (D-Ill.) bill, H.R. 35, the Emmitt Till Antilynching Act, which passed in February of 2020 with a 410-4 vote. “Folks will say, ‘Well, it’s not relevant today; it’s not necessary today.’ But racially motivated killings have continued to occur in the United States since the end of the Jim Crow era. Several high-profile cases in recent years highlight this point.” said Rep. Bacon. “Our country has no room for hate. Antilynching legislation is long overdue, and the passage of this bill will acknowledge

the evil of lynching in our history and will help bring healing.” Rep. Bacon has made it his mission to right this shameful failure, criminalize this act of terror and intimidation, and to bring justice to the victims and their families. However, he recognized that this fight would need bipartisan support in order to succeed and reached out to Reps. Moulton and Taylor. “While we cannot undo the injustices of the past, we can ensure that those committing this terroristic crime in the future will be sentenced accordingly,” added Bacon. “By coming to terms with our own history we can further the just cause of reconciliation and our country can better champion human rights abroad. This legislation will accomplish that.”

Soulful Greens Ingredients • 2 slices bacon, chopped • 1 tablespoon minced garlic • ½ cup onion, diced • 2 bunches collard greens, chopped • 1 bunch red chard, chopped • ½ medium head cabbage, cored and chopped • Sea salt and pepper • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth Yield Serves: 6

Preparation In a nonstick skillet, cook bacon over medium-high heat. Once the fat begins to render, lower the heat to medium and add the garlic and onion. Cook, stirring, until the onion turns brown and is somewhat translucent. Add the collard greens and chard, stirring so they wilt. After about 3 minutes, make a well in the skillet and add the cabbage, stirring to combine. Season with salt and pepper, then add the chicken broth. Lower the heat to a simmer, then cover and cook for at least 25 to 30 minutes. Season to taste with more salt and pepper.

Action Award

Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) was one of six recipients of the 2021 Legislative Action Awards by the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) during a virtual reception and conversation focused on the current challenges and the importance of bipartisanship as a catalyst for durable solutions. BPC says they “established the Legislative Action Award to acknowledge creative and courageous members who breathe life into the legislative process. The award is given to members who demonstrate the skill, grace, and tenacity to foster bipartisanship in a time when it is most needed.” “The six recipients of BPC’s 2021 Legislative Action Awards have demonstrated the courage, creativity, and determination required to make progress in a divided Congress,” said Jason Grumet, president of the Bipartisan Policy Center. “Most Americans want Congress to work. BPC is proud to acknowledge these six legislators who have demonstrated the leadership required to get things done for the American people.” In addition to Rep. Bacon, this year’s Legislative Action Award recipients are: • Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) • Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) • Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) • Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) • Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) “In these contentious times, it is more important than ever to reach across the political aisle and work on legislation to confront problems facing Americans every day. While Members of Congress may verbally spar over language or ideas, we can rise above and engage with those of the opposite party on bipartisan legislation. I thank the Bipartisan Policy Center for their recognition of my work to do just that. Finding areas of consensus is more important than ever if Congress is going to tackle the nation’s most pressing challenges,” said Rep. Bacon. This recognition comes after Georgetown University placed Rep. Bacon in the top 7% of Congress for bipartisanship for 2019. “I made a commitment to the Second District to work across aisle to seek consensus on the toughest challenges facing America,”added Rep. Bacon.

Get your copy of NO,YOU SHUT UP Symone Sanders’ book is on sale in the Omaha Star office for $27.00. This is a copy signed by the author. “Symone’s honest and profound reflection on standing up and speaking out is sure to inspire young people across the country to become the change agents the world needs” Congresswoman Maxine Waters “Sanders has created waves in the political arena and opened doors for those coming up behind her, much like Donna Brazile and other Black women have done for her… The powerful message of her book can be encapsulated by these three sentences: ‘No one is going to hand you power or open the door for you to voice your opinion or your desires. You have to demand it. And part of the way you dop that is saying out loud, to anyone who will listen, what it is that you want, and then backing those words with actions.” Provocative, galvanizing words that should inspire others to take action against the status quo.” Kirkus Reviews Get your copy today. Omaha Star, 2216 North 24th Street, call 402-346-4041.

BUSINESS BITES/CLASSIFIEDS

March 19, 2021

Why Women Should Employ a Financial Advisor ASAP

Grant continued from page 6 “First, I am a black woman, and, second, I have surrounded myself with individuals who have earned each other’s trust over the years,” she says. “And I am not alone. Many of our community partners are people of color.” Education, she says, is the key. “I believe in education,” she says. “When people are educated, then they can reason on solid foundations and come to their own conclusions. That is the process of education. Some people assume communities with disadvantage will not understand. No, such presumptions are racist. They will understand. If you explain, they will understand.” Kosoko-Lasaki says the first grant addressing COVID-19 prevention was successful because CPHHE is an effective community-academic partnership with a solid history of addressing health disparities within Omaha minority communities and collaborating with the Douglas County Health Department. She and John Stone, MD, PhD, professor emeritus (bioethics, medicine) co-founded CPHHE and continue co-directing the center. She says she cannot stress enough that success in any project rests on many years of building trust with communities and demonstrating that CPHHE, and the Creighton University it represents, are primarily concerned with community welfare. She also emphasized that CPHHE projects are developed with and for community partners, including Doris Lassiter, former CPHHE chair, and Richard Brown, PhD, current CPHHE chair. Other Creighton faculty members will join with Kosoko-Lasaki and Stone in the COVID-19 vaccination program. These include Ivelisse Santiago-Stommes, PhD, professor in the Department of Modern Languages and Literature; Kate Nolt, MPH, PhD, assistant professor and Master of Public Health program practicum coordinator; Kelly Dineen, RN, JD, PhD, associate professor of law and director of Creighton’s Health Law Employee will analyze Program; and Jeffrey Smith, ERP/SAP Systems PhD, associate professor emeritus of education. Apply with Metropolitan These faculty members will collaborate with Utilities District at: community partners that https://www.mudomaha.com/ include the Urban League our-company/careers of Nebraska, Doris Lassiter LLC, Lee Brown and An Equal Opportunity Employer Associates, OneWorld “Minority/Female/Disabled/ Community Health Veteran/Gender Identity/ Centers, Nebraska Urban Indian Coalition, and the Sexual Orientation” Omaha Housing Authority.

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Business Connection

To advertise your business, please contact The Omaha Star. Call 402-346-4041 or email publisher@omahastarinc.com

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Page Nine

By Michael L. Green The pandemic has been much harder on women than men when you look a t the labor force statistics. Some studies show that women left their jobs at a rate 4 times more than that of men. This does not bode well for their financial future. More than ever women need to be aware of taking control of their finances and their future. Historically the financial services industry has not paid enough attention to women’s financial needs. Even though it’s getting better, I’ve read enough on the subject to realize that it is still an area where financial services need to improve. Women are realizing that they should be more aware of their financial situation in planning their careers and their future, but too often are not getting the kind service and attention they should have. There are several reasons why financial planning is more critical for women now more than ever before. Women typically live longer than men thus they need to plan to have financial resources that will last a longer time in retirement. This is especially critical for single women who rely on one income. Believe it or not, women are better investors than men because they are more measured in their thinking and less reactionary. Men tend to be drawn to risk taking more than women. However, men historically have participated in the stock market more and sooner than women. For this reason, women should seek the services of a qualified financial advisor to gain more knowledge and confidence about investing. Women who leave it to their partners/spouse to handle the finances often are not aware of what decisions are being made. A financial advisor will likely point out the importance of being an active participant in the household financial planning. After having a child, it’s always important to reexamine your financial situation to make sure that your new obligations are adequately provided for. A financial advisor will help point out the areas that need attention. Also update estate plans, like wills, beneficiary designations, and life insurance. An annual financial checkup will help spot these things. Women are more likely to interrupt their careers to be a caregiver to an aging or ill family member. This also leads to less savings put into retirement plans, so less money available when you need it most. With the help of a good financial advisor, you can put together a comprehensive plan that will help you manage the things you’re likely to encounter and thus control your finances better. A well-designed plan more than likely will help you reach your goals. And you’ll understand better how your finances impact all parts of your life and your ability to live well before and into retirement. “You’ve worked hare for your money, make it work for you.”

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Have you heard about the Business Connection?

To advertise your business, please contact Terri Sanders. Call 402-346-4041 or email publisher@omahastarinc.com

YOUTH/EDUCATION NEWS Nelson Mandela Elementary Seeking New Teachers

Page Ten THE OMAHA STAR

Nelson Mandela Elementary is seeking out dedicated, passionate individuals to join our team. We are now accepting applications for a certified teacher in elementary education and physical education. Mandela is a certified and accredited K-5 private, tuition-free school funded by the Lozier Foundation and the Ruth and William Scott Family Foundation. The mission of Nelson Mandela Elementary is to provide quality instruction that demonstrates that all scholars can learn and develop academically, emotionally, socially, and physically. Nelson Mandela Elementary is committed to maximizing the educational success of all scholars and bridging learning and achievement gaps. Team members at Mandela believe in a holistic education, in which scholars not only learn math, reading, and writing, but also skills that teach them to be the

March 19, 2021

best versions of themselves. Families at Mandela are also deeply committed to engagement in the education of their scholars. Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon that you can use to change the world.” These words resonate more powerfully than ever as everyone faces challenges in the world today. In reflecting on this quote, Principal Genevive Core shared, “I fully believe that our scholars will change the world someday, and I am grateful that the team and myself can be a part of their journey.” If you are interested in joining the Mandela team, please visit https:// nelsonmandelaelementary.org/careers/ to find application materials. Your application and resume must be sent to the Principal, Genevive Core, at gcore@omandela.org by April 9, 2021.

Omaha Public Schools Shares Progress of Bond Programs

Since 2014, Omaha Public Schools has renovated more than 69 schools, built five new schools and continues work on five additional new schools

Omaha Public Schools remains on track with the construction of five new schools and upgrades at existing schools throughout the district. The work is part of a $409 million bond program, approved by voters in 2018. “The best thing about this process is being able to improve our facilities for our students,” said Brad Boganowski, Omaha Public Schools bond construction supervisor. “That is our top priority when planning, constructing and completing bond projects.” “The current bond program has been on schedule and on budget since its inception,” Boganowski shared. Signs of progress can be seen throughout Omaha. The 2018 bond program - or phase II – includes two new high schools, two new elementary schools, and one new middle school. In addition to the new builds, nearly 20 other schools are receiving upgrades to HVAC and energy management systems, as well as new or replacement doors, windows, roofs, ceilings and lighting as needed. “These improvements enable Omaha Public Schools to maintain facilities and address capacity needs while ensuring safe, equitable learning environments for all students,” explained Boganowski. The work underway follows the successful completion of the 2014 bond program -- or phase I. The $421 million program supported new construction and upgrades at more than 90 locations where the district serves students. A portion of the 2014 bond was designated for the purchase of land used in phase II to build new schools where shifting demographics indicated a need. “Through diligent fiscal management, the 2014 bond projects were completed on time and under budget allowing for additional improvements within the scope of

the work,” said Boganowski. Streets and 1000 N. Fort Crook Road), one new middle Although the execution and completion of each school (42nd and Y Streets), and two high schools (60th construction site is conducted by various companies, the and L Streets and 156th and Ida Streets) community request for economic inclusion is thoroughly 2018 Phase II Improvements: $409 Million Bond monitored with monthly reporting and aims to promote • Two new elementary schools (1000 N. Fort Crook and increase the participation of Small and Emerging Road and 10th and Pine Streets) Businesses (SEB). • One new middle school (42nd and Y Streets) “Omaha Public Schools wants to maintain a commitment • Two new high schools (156th and Ida Streets and 60th to ensure that these projects are being reinvested back into and L Streets) the community,” Boganowski said. “We meet weekly to • Capital improvements on energy management systems discuss ways to involve them and it’s really important for Omaha Public Schools provides regular updates, video us to continue to achieve this commitment.” tours and project timelines on the bond programs at bond. The district’s Citizen’s Bond Oversight Committee ops.org. (CBOC) also meets monthly to ensure that the bond implementation is completed and consistent with the promises made to the community, managed within the appropriate scope, budget and schedule, and consistent with the priorities outlined in the district’s Strategic Plan of Action. A brief timeline of the development phases is available below: 2014 Phase I Improvements: $421 Million Bond • Fire, life safety, security and technology improvements at many schools • Construction of four new elementary schools (Belle Ryan, Columbian, Western Hills and Gifford Construction continues on a new high school at 156th and Ida Park) and one specialized program Streets. The school is one of five new schools under construction (J.P. Lord) throughout Omaha Public Schools. • Land procurement for two new elementary schools (10th and Pine

Racial Justice Essay Contest The Equal Justice Initiative in partnership with the Omaha Community Council on Racial Justice and Reconciliation (OCCRJR) is pleased to announce a scholarship contest open to 9th – 12th grade students attending Omaha area public high schools where prizes totaling at least $5,000 will be awarded to winning participants. Students are asked to examine the history of a topic of racial injustice and to discuss its legacy today. Essays should explain the chosen topic using a specific historical event(s), explore how the injustice persists, and imagine solutions for a future free from racial injustice. Students are encouraged to reflect on how the topic impacts their own lives and communities.

Path Forward

GET THE SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE YOU NEED TO GET AHEAD.

IT’S EASIER THAN YOU THINK MCC can help you get the training, credentials and education to advance your career, start a new one or finish a degree without missing a beat.

Financial aid and scholarships

Contest Deadline: April 30th, 2021 Detailed information about the contest and essay guidelines can be found by visiting this link: http://bit.ly/EJIessayomaha

Flexible scheduling Affordable tuition Career counseling at no cost Online classes delivered in ways that work for you

Questions or Need Help Getting Started? Please contact: For Omaha Public Schools students: Lindsay Behne Phone: 531-299-6704 Email: Lindsay.behne@ops.org

For students outside of Omaha Public Schools: Franklin Thompson Phone: 402-444-5045 Email: franklin.thompson@cityofomaha.org

ENROLL TODAY. SPRING QUARTER STARTS MARCH 11. GET STARTED AT MCCNEB.EDU OR 531-MCC-2400.

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.