Vol 82 - No 6

Humanities Nebraska Elects Edgar Hicks

Humanities Nebraska (HN) has elected new members for its Council and Foundation boards of directors.

Edgar Hicks has over 50 years of grain marketing experience, including 35 in Nebraska communities such as Clarks, Central City, St. Edward, and Omaha, where he now resides. Currently a director at CFO Systems LLC, he has served on various USDA panels and was chosen to be on Governor Dave Heineman’s Nebraska Rural Development Commission and the Executive Committee of the Nebraska State Grange. Hicks serves on the board of directors for No More Empty Pots, the Mildred Brown Memorial Study Center, and Whispering Roots. He is a co-chair of this year’s African-American History Challenge, and is a founding member of Carver Grange of Omaha.

Edgar Hicks

From DeWitty to Audacious, Nebraska – Former Slaves Are Historic Great Plains Homesteaders

When former First Lady Michelle Obama was campaigning in 2007 alongside her husband during his quest to become the nation’s first African American president, she spoke to MSNBC’s Mika Brzezinski about the importance of leaders in the Black community having historically taken enormous risks to benefit the next generation.

“This is nothing compared to the history we come from. So our view is, we’re doing exactly what we were told to do by our leaders, by our elders – that you get the best education you can get, that you work hard, that you bring that education back and that you give back and that you push, you push the next generation to be better. That’s what we’re doing.”

Today, “Descendants of DeWitty Project” are telling truths of Nebraska History, Black History. A blending of voices creates time, place, and circumstance of the descendants’ stories surviving a horrific time in American history.

For, it was William Parker Walker, born a slave in 1858, escaped slavery using assisted strategies of the Underground Railroad.

Mr. Walker’s bold determination shaped the lives of many from the date of birth to the present.

The Project’s mission, curated by the great-great-great-grandchildren of William Parker Walker, Omaha’s Artes Johnson and siblings Denise Scales, Maurice Johnson, and Avis Roper, is promoting and keeping the memory of the founders of DeWitty, Nebraska, alive through research, education, and outreach. Hence, ‘expanding the American narrative, from exclusion to inclusion,’ said program manager David Roper. ‘Europeans were not the only people seeking the so-called ‘American Dream,’’ he said.

Achieving the Project’s mission is being met through a live entourage of actors who set forth life stories of Mr. Walker, his family members, and other settlers. Escaping slavery’s cruelties, it seemed necessary to possess the skills: An Astrologer, following major constellations like the North Star; A Meteorologist, determining the optimum season for escape; and A Strategic Planner, making way to freedom with the help of the Underground Railroad.

William Parker Walker worked in

tandem with Harriet Tubman helping others escape to freedom.

Keeping in mind the Project’s mission, the repertoire of actors representing DeWitty’s early settlers, perform in period custom, recite picturesque scenarios and facts about the descendants. Performers stood by poster-sized original portraits depicting their character. Performances divulged hidden history with drama and hints of light humor. But, amazingly, you will arrive at a common conclusion: Audacious clearly describes the history of DeWitty to Audacious, Nebraska.

Escaping to North Buxton, Ontario, Mr. Walker helped form a new community. He was a knowledgeable person adapting to freedom, marrying, and raising a family throughout life like no other. He worked, among other things, as a veterinarian, postmaster, and later skilled cooper, making wooden barrels. Hungering for a better life, with the promise for land, 17 families traveled from Buxton, Ontario, to North-Central Nebraska. They knew about the

From the iPublisher Pen

By Terri D. Sanders

At the time of this writing, the ability to move freely on this planet is changing hour by hour. From Federal to State to City there are rules in place to “flatten the curve” to lessen those who are exposed and affected by COVIN-19 / Coronavirus It is my suggestion that time is used to sharpen the tools in your belt, tackle that spring cleaning, clip those bushes in the yard and most importantly love on those who are in your home. Call a friend you have not talked to in a while. Read that book that has been on the shelf. Try the new recipe. Computer challenged? Sit down and do some cyber learning. This time in is a gift, use it wisely.

Wash your hands, drink water, eat properly and rest. What a great time for some self-care. Yoga, meditation and listening to your own thoughts can be beneficial. Documentaries can be entertaining and educational for you and your family members. My point is stay in the house: self-isolation/ quarantine/self-monitoring. You are not only protecting yourself but you are protecting the community.

People are rushing to stock up and paring down on non-essentials. One thing is that knowledge is power. It is essential. Keep your children engaged. The Omaha Star Staff and Friends will remain true. Are there articles that you would like to submit? Are there subjects you want to see covered? Are you a writer and would like to submit articles or receive assignments? Are you a photographer that would like to shoot for the paper? If you answer yes to any of these questions then contact us: publisher@ omahastarinc.com.

Do you have a subscription to the Omaha Star? If not then you can send us a check or subscribe online: https://theomahastar.com/ how-to-subscribe/ How about a gift subscription for a relative or friend? The Omaha Star is a community newspaper. We report on subjects of interest to the Omaha Community. We have had a presence for 82 years and looking forward to continuing to serve our readers. If you would like to make a donation to the Omaha Star you can do so through The Mildred D Brown Memorial Study Center, a 501(c)3 organization. We look forward to serving you. Stay well.

f d mentally especially our stu“Home is where my heart lives so as much as a point to be present in community spaces interacting with community members.

d to be made in Lincoln come t d I shouldn’t it’s on all of us to change our community. I’ll also be one phone call t superman but I believe it’s important to always engage r f d r community unapologetically. Our state legislature also needs young voices that come from diverse backgrounds to make the d d life for all Nebraskans. I’ve also been told that I’m too humble or too quiet, quite frankly I believe we have r anyone to brag about anything. I’m also a natural lisk when it’s needed. The one promise I will make to our community is that I’m t for our community. To take our district into the future Terrell McKinney needs your vote on May 12, 2020,

To learn more about his campaign take some time to visit the website www. peopleforterrellmckinney.

This is when they had to make the difficult, but correct decision to postpone and cancel games. This means no March Madness or NBA for the foreseeable future, so fans were in a panic. This is peak season for basketball fans, so this was a bit much to take. But for the Omaha metro fans, we had a sliver of hope: the state tournament.

The Nebraska State Tournament went on as planned but limited the crowd to just immediate family and media. Nebraska was one of only four states in the country that chose to go forward with their state tournaments, all with restricted crowds. This still caused a stir,

Funeral services were held 10 am Saturday, March 7 at New Beginning

Arrangements by Thomas Funeral

Mr. Herman S. Smith, age 65, passed away Monday, March 2, at his Survived by son: Torey Smith; siblings: Linda, Shannon, Fern Smith, Stephanie Barnes, Karen Johnson, Louis, Robert, John, Omaha, & Kenneth Smith Bermerton, WA; Funeral Services were held 12:30pm

Interment: Omaha National

Arrangements by Thomas Funeral

Epps, Christian Education Director of Zion Baptist Church, t

“The work of the church in meeting the needs of those commitment and selfless love of volunteers. We appreciate f

Arts in Leadership from Grace University. Mr. Eason is Creighton University. He has over 15 years of experience d d

and Young Adult Director with Salem Baptist Church in r touring artist while living in Los Angeles, CA. Mr. Eason f Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Lambda Pi Eta (National Honors Society) and as an affiliate of the NAACP. In his t

Domanic Brown is a choreographer, teacher, and dancer, who began teaching himself to dance as a child. Since then, he has studied Tap, Jazz, African, Modern/Contemporary,

In his career he has danced with celebrity artists such d Green, Tricia Miranda, Carolyn Dorfman and others. Omaha. He has been a part of the Moving Company

movement at South High School’s dance program and is Director of the school’s dance company La Fuerza. Brown d

Retirement and the effects of aging come with a lot of changes, but at least one thing

“Whether you’re retired or not, the IRS is still going to be interested in your income,”

“That said, though, there are tax rules that are specific to older Americans, so it’s

For many Americans, including deduction is so high – $12,200 for a single person and $24,400 for a married couple filing jointly. But you can get an even higher standard deduction if either you or your spouse is 65 or older, and a still higher deduction if either of you is blind. “If you aren’t itemizing, then you want to make sure you’re getting the maximum standard deduction that you are allowed because that’s going to impact how much of your income is taxed,” Orestis says.

The rules for how much – if any – of your Social Security benefit is taxed can be tricky, so you want to be extra careful with that, Orestis says. According to the Social Security Administration, if you’re filing as an individual, and your Social Security benefit plus any other taxable income you have your combined income is more than $34,000 then up to 85 percent of the benefit may be taxable. For married couples filing jointly, if the combined income is between $32,000 and $44,000, you may have to pay tax on up to 50 percent of your benefits. If your income

plans – as well as other reimbursed medical expenses such as Medicare premiums – as “There can be significant tax (HIPAA), the proceeds from a life settlement are fully exempt from federal taxes if the policy owner is terminally or chronically ill. Those who are not terminally or chronically ill do pay capital-gain taxes on the proceeds from the sale, minus the amount in premiums

Of course, many seniors aren’t adding anything to their IRAs or 401(k)s. Instead, they are regularly withdrawing money to pay for monthly living expenses. But if you’re still working, you can increase your contributions, which can both reduce your tax bill now and give you an even larger nest egg when you do retire, Orestis says. The IRS limits how much you can contribute each year, but that limit increases once you turn 50. For example, for both traditional and Roth IRAs, people younger than 50 can’t contribute more than $6,000 “The important thing to remember is that you may have options at tax time that you

easy to feel frustrated and bored. We’ve ule changes can be frustrating. It’s important to remain flexible and seize the opportunity to take care of things within your control.

sible, social distancing should not disrupt your sleep-wake cycle, working hours, and daily activities.

others in need. Add more fruits, vegetable, vitamins, and proteins to your diet (most adults in the United States do not consume enough fruits and vegetables). Get 2-3 meals a day.

Definitely go out in nature as much as possible. Only half of American adults today get enough exercise.

lead you to indulge in binge eating or alcohol and drug use. Don’t oversleep, but do sleep at least 7 hours. Our recent study found that more than a third of Americans sleep less than 7 hours.

and depression due to disruption of routines, isolation, and fear due to a pandemic. If you or someone you know is struggling, there are ways to get help from a distance.

use of technology to finish your work, attend meetings, and engage with coworkers with the same frequency that is required during active office hours. The good news:

The

greatest way to get through tough times is to help support others. Checking on an elderly person, volunteering to pick up items for them, or helping a child with homework (virtually) could be priceless to

experiences. It will be a great way to tell t on how you’ve grown through this experi-

As we are blessed with a new challenge t boredom is a state of mind. Our mind is also where success begins. With that in

lop of flavor. Locally, Nigerian spinach called Efo Shoko, literally translated as “Lagos is so well beloved. This dish can be adapted to appeal to both vegetarians and meat eaters, without losing its rich depth of flavor either way. In this recipe is vegan, but feel free to

red and green peppers, onion, garlic and Roma tomatoes. While stirring, add spinach, seasonings, and broth or water. Cover the pot, turn off heat, and allow to steam until all

Rory Gamble – First African American to be UAW President

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia

The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) is one of the largest and most diverse unions in North America, with members in virtually every sector of the economy.

Representing nearly 1 million current and retired members of all ethnicities and backgrounds in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the UAW has never had an African American president.

Until now.

“I was sitting at home and brainstorming on things that I needed to do, and then the phone started to ring,” stated Rory Gamble, a welder fixture repairman, who joined the UAW in 1974 when he worked at the Ford Motor Co. Dearborn (Mich.) Frame Plant.

“The local NAACP chapter president called, and others,” noted Gamble, who in December was named the 13th president of the 85-year-old union.

“It hit me then that, ‘Hey, you’re the first African American president,’” Gamble recalled. “It struck me like a rock. It’s a great accomplishment.”

Gamble observed a distinct and frequently-used quote that dates back to Winston Churchill: “With great power, comes great responsibility.”

“There is a great weight that comes with being the first African American presi-

dent,” Gamble said.

“I want to be an example where no one can question my leadership and not use anything against another African American brother or sister to prevent them from being able to ascend to a position like this.”

Gamble accepted the job after his predecessor, Gary Jones, resigned amid a corruption scandal.

Despite the cloud of suspicion left behind, Gamble observed that the union must continue to move forward.

“Being an African American already means you have a great deal of responsibility and so I want to make sure that the way I carry myself will keep the doors open for others to follow,” Gamble expressed during an exclusive interview with NNPA Newswire.

“I’ve been blessed. I was able to come up during a time where there was a lot of activism. Unlike today, where a lot of our brothers and sisters get caught up in the digital world, I came up when everything was more hands-on and personal,” Gamble continued.

“You couldn’t hide behind a keyboard. You had to get up and see people and look them in the eye. Looking folks in the eye shows that you have a lot more of yourself invested.”

That doesn’t mean Gamble is technologically challenged.

“I had to get social media because you have to engage and keep up with the times,” he said.

“I’m very personal, and I love engaging with the members. I try hard to make sure that our union doesn’t get away from that even though we have this digital and electronic stuff. That’s fine, but the downside is that it can be icy when it comes to human relationships, so I like the eye-to-eye contact.”

Gamble, 64, started his UAW career as a welder fix-

ture repairman.

Before that, he was a defensive tackle at Northwestern High School in Detroit, where he credited his father, a former elected officer of Local 600, as an early mentor.

In 1975, Local 600 members elected Gamble to serve as a plant trustee.

From 1976 to 1979, he was the local’s alternate benefit representative and, later, he served as a bargaining committee chair.

In 1988 Gamble earned an appointment as staff director and administrative assistant for Local 600’s president, with responsibilities for third-stage grievance agendas for all Ford Rouge plants and as editor of UAW Facts, the local’s newspaper, according to his biography.

He was elected delegate to the UAW’s 32nd Constitutional Convention and served on the Constitution Committee.

Since 1987 Gamble’s assignments have included local union health and safety coordinator, employee support services program, education director, civil rights coordinator, fitness center coordinator, and family services and learning center coordinator.

He has served as director of Local 600 Ford units, including Dearborn Engine and Fuel Tank, Dearborn Truck Plant, Milan, Industrial Athlete, and Dearborn Frame. Other assignments have included retirees’ liaison and coordinator of the Rouge Rehabilitation Center.

In 1998 and 2003, Gamble served on the UAW-Ford National Negotiating Team.

From 1993 to 2002, he was elected for three terms as the local’s recording secretary.

Gamble was elected first vice president of Local 600 in 2002 and re-elected in 2005.

In 1999 Gamble received the Spirit of Detroit award; the 2006 Horace L. Sheffield Jr. Humanitarian Award; and the 2008 Minority Women’s Network (Detroit chapter) Man of the Year award.

“Labor unions have raised the standards of living, that’s pure and simple,” Gamble

observed.

“If someone’s family gets into a major health scare, the family could be put into major financial jeopardy. So, the union has provided employees with job security, increased wages and enhanced health care benefits. You can plan for your kids to attend college and other important milestones that you might not otherwise be able to do if you didn’t have that protected status that unions provide.”

Gamble continued: “I have never sat across the table from a CEO of any major company who didn’t have a contract with that company that guarantees their wages and benefits and even a golden parachute. That same worker will tell the worker in the plant on the floor that they don’t need a union, but every major CEO has his wages and benefits contracted. That’s a big irony.”

Gamble also noted the UAW’s relationship with the Black Press of America had spanned decades because the union and publishers share a common belief in social justice and civil rights.

“People need to know how important the Black Press is and how important the union is,” Gamble said. “Both have accomplished so much together. We do this by making sure that we use all of the available resources to educate our people and let them know how important and relevant the Black Press and the union is especially when they are functioning together. The things we’ve accomplished to uplift society and our people, in general, is something we need to continue to do together.”

The True Cost of Home Ownership

The decision to go from renter to homeowner can be exciting. But there’s more to homeownership than your down payment, closing costs, and any other upfront expenses you’ll need to cover – like the cost of moving, and fees to set up or transfer your utilities. To make a financially healthy decision about homeownership, plan ahead for the true cost of ownership before buying your new home.

Know the regular fixed expenses

After purchasing the home, there are ongoing fixed costs, such as:

• Mortgage payment (principal and interest)

• Private mortgage insurance (if applicable)

• Property taxes

• Utilities

• Homeowners insurance

• Homeowners association and other community fees (if applicable)

website has more resources on making a spending plan. Plan for ongoing maintenance and repairs

Why Watts Electric?

Alliance Engagement Director (AED)

NTT Security (US), Inc. is hiring an Alliance Engagement Director (AED) in Omaha, NE. Employee may work from home. Apply at https://careers. nttsecurity.com/search/

Though the payments for these items may come at different times (e.g., monthly, quarterly or annually), you should add up the monthly cost of each to understand how they’ll affect you on a dayto-day basis. Make sure to factor these costs – including the monthly amounts you’ll have to save for your annual payments – into your monthly spending plan. Doing this will help you avoid buying a house that you can’t afford, which can happen even if you’ve been approved for the mortgage. You’ll also be able to fully grasp how much you’ll have left over for flexible and discretionary expenses. The Hands on Banking®

Watts Electric Company is an electrical contractor doing business in 6 states. We specialize in Distribution, Transmission, Overhead, Underground, and Substation Construction. Whatever the project requires, Watts Electric has the expertise and equipment to build it. We realize our employees are our greatest asset. We aim to attract, develop, and retain the best talent. We foster a merit-based environment, where employees can determine their own success.

Let us train you!

Watts Electric is seeking Powerline Apprentice. Weeknight travel is typical. Hours range from 50 - 60 hours per week. During outages and due to deadline constraints, weekend work would be required.

Minimum qualifications include:

• Associates Degree in Powerline

• No felony convictions and able to clear a high security background check

• Class A Commercial Driver’s License with no loss of license in 2 years and no more than 2 citations in the past 2 years.

• Able to pass a pre-employment physical, obtain a medical card, and pass a drug screen

• Able to lift / push / pull 100 pounds

• Stand / kneel / bend on uneven surfaces for 13 hours per day

• Able to climb structures up to 120 feet with lineman belt and hooks

• Must be able to see close vision, distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and adjust focus

• Must be able to use hand and reach with hands and arms

• Able to work in confined spaces

• Work 100% outdoors

• Available for overnight travel

• Available for weekend work Benefit

Per Diem

Let us train you!

Owning a home also means planning for ongoing maintenance and repairs. Homeowners may need to budget 1% to 2% of the purchase price of their home on maintenance each year, though that may vary based on the condition of the home. Remodeling rooms or the entire home would cost considerably more.

It’s always a good idea to put money aside in an emergency fund to protect against surprise situations. But some home maintenance and repairs aren’t really emergencies, because you can count on features eventually reaching the end of their useful life – things like the roof or appliance replacement.

Instead of dipping into your emergency fund for these costs, it’s best to set aside a certain amount of money every month specifically for them. You can use a savings account to save for home-related costs, like repaving your driveway or renovating parts of your house. That way, you can reserve your emergency fund for truly urgent situations, such as medical needs or sudden unemployment.

Buying a home can be both rewarding and challenging. Doing your homework will ensure that homeownership is as stress-free as possible, both during and after the purchase.

More information is available on Hands on Banking, a great place to start educating yourself about these costs. (© 2019 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A All rights reserved)

Watts Electric Company is an electrical contractor doing business in Nebraska and the surrounding states for more than 35 years. We tackle a diversified electrical scope of work including airports, roadway lighting, signing, and underground utility construction. We understand that our employees are the greatest asset in the company. We aim to attract, develop, and retain the best talent. We foster a merit based environment where employees are able to determine their own success.

Position Description:

This is a great opportunity to build a career and learn a trade! We welcome applicants both with and without experience. 4 day work-weeks are available part of the year. Weeknight travel is typical. Hours range from 50 – 60 hours per week. During outages or due to deadline constraints, weekend work would be required. Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Equivalency

• No felony convictions and able to clear a high security background check

• Able to clear drug screen

• Valid operator’s license with no loss of license in 2 years

• Higher wages for Class A CDL license

• Able to lift / push / pull 100 pounds (physical required)

• Stand / kneel / bend on uneven surfaces for 13 hours per day (physical required)

• Able to work in confined spaces

• Able to work at heights up to 60 feet

• Work 100% outdoors

• Available for overnight travel

• Available for weekend work

• Must be 18 years of age or older

Benefit Package Includes:

• Wage is determined by experience. Minimum starting wage is $16.00 per hour.

• Per Diem for overnight stay

• Health insurance

• Dental insurance

• Company paid short term disability insurance

•

•

Minorities and Females are strongly encouraged to apply.

In The Village!

Things to do, people to see, places to go.

CANCELLATIONS:

Please note: Due to precautions for limiting public contact to limit the spread of the Coronavirus the mayor’s office said Omaha will follow the governor’s guidelines and limit public gatherings to ten people or less. The restrictions apply to day cares, bars, restaurants, and fitness centers. However, Omaha’s Eppley Airfield, shopping malls, grocery stores and private offices are not included in this advisory. The new restriction includes bars and restaurants. “We hope that our bar and restaurant owners will be very responsible and they will limit them on their own,” Stothert said

MARCH 20 & 27 - St Benedict Fish Fry, 2423 Grant St. 402-348-0631

MARCH 23 - FAITH*HOPE*LOVE

Election day at Clair Memorial United Methodist Church is CANCELLED

MARCH 28 - Delta Sigma Theta Side Hustle Saturday: Building Business in the

Community, AIM Institute, 1905 Harney St, 2PM-5PM CANCELLED

APRIL 4 - NC100BW Money Matters

2020; Create Your Perfect 20/20 Financial Vision, Metro Community College, Swanson Conference Center, 32nd & Sorenson; 9-2:30PM CANCELLED

APRIL 5 - The Native Omahans Club, Inc., Annual Palm Sunday Breakfast will be held on Sunday, 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM at the Lothrop Social Hall, 3232 North 24th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68110. Dine In or Take Out

APRIL 10 & 11 - ExousiaOmaha (Octavia Standley Ministries International), a monthly Christian Empowerment gathering April 10 (6:30pm) April 11 (10am) Parkway Church of God, 1202 East Browne, Omaha.

NAACP MONTHLY MEETING IS THIRD SATURDAY – CANCELLED FOR MARCH.

‘Virtual Light It Up Blue!’ Marks World Autism Awareness Day

The Munroe-Meyer Institute (MMI) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Autism Action Partnership (AAP) will collaborate on a Virtual Light It Up Blue! celebration on April 2.

This year marks the 13th anniversary of World Autism Awareness Day. Locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, thousands of buildings and other landmarks will be lit up in blue to mark the day and in recognition and celebration of the autism community. Buildings that will be lit up blue in Nebraska will include the Nebraska State Capitol, Woodmen Tower, Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium’s Desert Dome, Creighton Prep’s Bell Tower, and UNMC’s Munroe-Meyer Institute building, UNMC’s Hope Tower and the UNMC walkway over 42nd St.

The organizations will be sharing information, photos and videos on social media throughout the day. There also will be a Facebook live event and contests. All members of the community are encourage to join in the fun using #LIUB2020. You can show your support by sharing how you “light it up blue!” Wear a blue T-shirt, share a message, take a picture next to a building that is lit blue – show your support.

Delta ‘Side Hustle Saturday’

EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED

The Omaha Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. is excited to announce our third annual Side Hustle Saturday, a free event on March 28 from 2-5 p.m. at The AIM Institute, 1905 Harney St. We encourage anyone considering or actively working as an entrepreneur to attend this event! You’ll have the opportunity to visit with vendors, learn about strategies to create and sustain alternate sources of income, and hear from our keynote speaker Bennie Jones.

Bennie is an Omaha native, residing in Chicago since 1980. At the time of his relocation to Chicago, Bennie was employed with Liberty Mutual Insurance. He began his entrepreneurial quest 9 years later.

Bennie is now President and Owner of Risk Management Solutions of America. (RMSOA)

Notable RMSOA clients include O’Hare and Midway Airports, City of Philadelphia, State of Illinois, CVS Caremark, State of Pennsylvania, City of Chicago, State of

Michigan, and PSI Continuing Educational Services.

Bennie was primarily educated in Omaha, attending Howard Kennedy and Druid Hill Elementary schools, Horace Mann Junior High, and North High, and graduating from Dominican Alternative High School. He then earned a BA in Business Administration from Doane University in Crete, NE. Bennie’s journey has not been without its challenges. We encourage you to come out and hear Bennie’s inspirational story, while gaining some great advice and tips on becoming a business owner.

The event is free and open to the public, however seating is limited, so reservations are recommended. To reserve your spot, please contact Soror Elaine Adams at laineegal@gmail.com. Exhibitor booths are also available. For exhibitor space, contact Soror Vanessa Warren at deltawoman96@ aol.com.

You don’t want to miss this event –reserve your seat today!

Spotlight on Missing Persons of Color

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent

The case of Tamika Huston, a 24-year-old black woman who went missing from her Spartanburg, S.C., home on May 27, 2004, captivated Derrica Wilson and her sister, Natalie. Derrica and Natalie noticed how fiercely Huston’s aunt, Rebkah Howard, fought to find her.

Howard went to law enforcement, and then she pitched the story to television outlets and shows like “America’s Most Wanted,” and “Dateline NBC.”

She also pleaded with major newspapers like USA Today.

The media, however, focused its attention on the so-called “Runaway Bride” Jennifer Wilbanks, and Laci Peterson, whose husband Scott would eventually be charged and convicted of her murder.

The Wilson sisters noticed what had become the norm for mainstream media when it comes to the plight of missing women and girls of color: there was little to no media coverage.

Because of that, in 2008, Derrica and Natalie started the nonprofit Black and Missing Foundation with a mission to bring awareness to missing persons of color and to provide vital resources and tools to missing persons’ families and friends.

In addition, the foundation’s goal is to educate the minority community on personal safety.

“Derrica’s hometown is Spartanburg, and we both noticed how Tamika’s family struggled to get any media coverage,” Natalie Wilson stated. “A little while after Tamika went missing, there was Natalie Holloway, and everyone was saying her name,” Wilson said.

“Derrica was a law enforcement veteran, and I am in media and public relations, so we decided to join forces to try and make a difference.

We did some research, and, at the time, we discovered that 30 percent of all people missing were individuals of color,” Wilson stated.

“Now, that number has grown to 40 percent.”

Of the approximately 600,000 individuals currently reported missing in the United States, more than 200,000 are women of color, Wilson said.

According to the FBI, approximately 64,000 black women and girls are missing, despite that specific demographic accounting for approximately 7 percent of the U.S. population.

Because of the efforts of the Wilson sisters over the past 12 years, the Black and Missing

Friends of the Great Plains Black History Museum

At this time, we would like to announce the closure of the Great Plains Black History Museum to the public. This closure is effective now through April 8.

While there has been no known exposure or diagnosis of COVID-19 at the GPBHM, we believe a temporary closure of the museum is in the best interest of our visitors, staff, and the community in general as we all do our part to reduce the risk of spreading in a manner that overwhelms our healthcare system.

The GPBHM will reopen to visitors on April 9. The GPBHM remain committed to serving our community, and at this

time, the best way we can demonstrate that is through closure. We join with so many in Omaha, at the recommendation of our health officials, to ensure we do our part to facilitate social distancing in our community.

We recognize the rapidly changing nature of conditions and recommendations surrounding COVID-19, and therefore encourage everyone to watch your email and the museum’s website and social media pages for additional updates.

As always, thank you for your continued support, and be safe!

Foundation has helped to find or bring closure to more than 300 cases of missing persons of color.

“We have made some inroads,” Natalie Wilson stated. “When we first started, we saw that our community thought that sex trafficking and missing person cases only happened abroad. But people began to realize that it was happening in our community, so with awareness, people in the community have become more aware and vigilant.”

Wilson said she hopes law enforcement and mainstream media begin to take more serious and immediate looks at cases of missing women and girls of color.

“We find that when people of color – men and women – go missing, automatically it’s assumed that there’s some criminal activity involved or they’ve just run away. They are stereotyped and not taken seriously,” Wilson stated.

When authorities classify a case as a runaway, there’s no Amber Alert, and the media tends to ignore the matter, she said.

“Even if they are runaways, we have to find them within the first 48 hours because we need to understand why they ran away and realize that many are lured into sex trafficking,” Wilson stated.

The Black and Missing Foundation also helps families immediately after they report a missing loved one. “Many times, the families don’t know how to file a police report, and often when the file the report, an officer tells them that it could be a runaway situation or maybe drugs are involved,” Wilson said.

“We tell the families that they know their loved ones, and they know what’s not their behavior. So, we are there for the families to hold their hands or to listen.”

Wilson said the foundation is a voice for the families, and everyone should have a role in bringing awareness to the plight of missing persons of color.

“We have to help,” she said.

For more information about the Black and Missing Foundation, or to donate, visit www. blackandmissinginc.com.

Derrica Wilson and Natalie Wilson

Girl Scouts’ artVenture Auction Offers Unique Art

EVENT WILL BE HELD ONLINE

Girl Scouts’ annual artVenture program allows hundreds of Nebraska girls to ignite a creative spark, express themselves and discover their strength as leaders.

For several months, girls in the Omaha area worked side-by-side with 39 local, professional artists creating works of art that will be sold alongside artist-submitted works on March 28 at UNO’s Mammel Hall, 6708 Pine St.

The fundraiser, open to the public for guests 21 and older, is a silent auction with online bidding and a strolling reception featuring heavy hors d’oeuvres and desserts. The artVenture Main Event is 7-10 p.m. and a VIP Preview Party begins at 6 p.m. Proceeds benefit Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska and support local Girl Scout programming.

As part of artVenture, Girl Scouts and their artist-mentors work as a team throughout the creative process. The hands-on experience, often in artists’ studios, introduces girls to new art skills and provides an innovative glimpse of the business of artmaking. Unique girl-artist collaborations this year included pottery, concrete sculpting, ink drawings with a tattoo artist, baking, embroidery, floral arranging and iron welding.

This year’s featured artist is Dar VandeVoort, who works with a variety of mediums and is known for incorporating puzzle pieces and recycled materials into her artwork. Her featured artVenture piece, created in collaboration with older Girl Scout artists, is titled “Listen to Your Mother” and ties into this year’s Girl Scouts’ conservation theme, “Our Earth, Our Future.”

Virginia Grissom, a lifetime supporter of Girl Scouts who died last year at age 99, is being honored as the Honorary Chair (in Memoriam), and Hannah Fischer Frey of Baird Holm is the artVenture chairwoman.

For tickets and more information, visit www.GirlScoutsNebraska.org/artVenture. About Girl Scouts and the Spirit of Nebraska Council

Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska is the largest girl-serving organization in the state and 19,000 members strong. Nationally, there are 2.5 million girl and adult members who believe that girls together can change the world.

It began more than 100 years ago with one woman, Juliette Gordon “Daisy” Low, who saw the potential of every girl. Today, we uphold her vision of building girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place by helping them discover their inner strengths, passions and talents.

We are the Girl Scouts. We provide the opportunity for every girl to be someone amazing.

To volunteer, reconnect, donate or join, visit GirlScoutsNebraska.org or call 800.695.6690.

Black History Month Art Contest Winners

U.S. Cellular announced the three winners of its third annual Black History Month Art Contest with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands during a recent celebration at the North Omaha Club.

In January, club members created original pieces of artwork in recognition of influential African-Americans that included business people, athletes, historical figures and celebrities. The 10 finalists’ art was displayed at the U.S. Cellular central Omaha retail store throughout February, where the community voted for their favorite.

The winning artists were awarded the following prizes:

• Tyree Banks, age 16 of the North Omaha Club, received $250 for first place on Malcolm X artwork.

• Chu Wab Say, age 13 of the North Omaha Club, received $150 for second place on Rosa Parks artwork.

• Carlos Jacobo, age 13 of the Millard Central Club, received $100 for third place on Harriet Tubman artwork.

“It was our honor to showcase the creative and beautiful artwork that these kids created in our stores,” U.S. Cellular Store Manager Will Rowe said. “Highlighting influential African-American icons of the past and the present with these works of

Nelson Mandela Elementary Closed Due to COVID-19

Due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, Nelson Mandela Elementary closed March 16-20. Dr. Susan Toohey, principal, will continue to monitor the situation to make the best possible decisions for the community.

In the meantime, learning doesn’t stop. Families are receiving at-home packets with assignments from their teachers, who are also regularly in communication through the school messaging system. The Mandela Team is doing their part to keep the community safe.

If you would like to join the effort, follow Nelson Mandela Elementary on Facebook for community and education resources or go to nelsonmandelaelementary.org.

CARE

art from the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands’ youth is one of our favorite ways to celebrate both Black History Month and the rich diversity of this country.”

U.S. Cellular’s Black History Month Art Contest is funded and supported by the company’s Network of Black Associates, an Associate Resource Group dedicated to creating a diverse company culture that attracts, develops and retains Black associates.