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Humanities Nebraska Elects Edgar Hicks Vol. 82 - No. 6 Omaha, Nebraska Friday, March 20, 2020 75 cents

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

Female Educators in Omaha

From the iPublisher Pen

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 thehistory 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 See DeWitty continued on page 3 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.