Vol. 80 - No. 7

★

75 CENTS

OMAHA STAR

THE

Celebrating 80 Years

1938 2018

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. 80 - No. 7 Omaha, Nebraska

Friday, April 6, 2018

75 cents

Remembering Patricia ‘Big Mama’ Barron (1942-2018)

By Joanna Leflore On Feb. 18, 2018, a group of friends and I decided to pop up on Patricia “Big Mama” Barron for brunch. Her eldest daughter, who manages the restaurant,

Big Mama

told us Big Mama would be around that day. Big Mama had been fighting off throat cancer for the past six months and was finally able to move around again.

When she was wheeled in by one of the staff, Big Mama saw us sitting on the left side of the dining room and said, “I’m still here, I got too much work to do,” as she rolled past. She wasn’t speaking of working in the kitchen, but of the work on this earth she still had to do.

She called for us to come down to her table and catch up.

“You know I had to fight this cancer before, breast cancer.

But I’ve been feeling much better. So how are you doing?”

Always caring about others.

She knew that it was my cousin on the news, who had recently been killed. Big Mama wanted

Big Mama’s Kitchen Staff and family

to make sure I was alright. I told her, “One day at a time.”

That’s all I could think to say.

In the middle of fighting off her second challenge from cancer, Big Mama knew that’s all I had to say. She told me, “Taking life one day at a time has always worked for me, too.”

An hour later, two more friends came. We sat and talked with Big Mama about what was going on in the community. On 24th street and on 30th Street.

Big Mama was excited about moving into the new Highlander complex real soon. She said, “I gotta figure out how to get some of my pictures up there.

They said I could project them onto the wall somehow.” She pointed up to the wall where so many framed photos of her family and friends cascaded from the ceiling to the floor; she wondered if she’d be able to recreate her “Big Mama walls” in the new restaurant space. Sitting in Big Mama’s felt like I was sitting in my late Granny’s living room. Granny used to have dozens of pictures hanging from her walls, too, just everywhere.

Big Mama loved to share her memories of family almost as much as she loved sharing her delicious food. She told us

The Barron Family

how her daddy, Basie, used to let traveling musicians sleep on their living room floor, when she was a young girl; Omaha was a primary tour stop on the jazz circuit and famous among jazz band leaders as a great place to recruit outstanding musicians of the Midwest.

Big Mama told us about how she was born in her house because back then the old St. Joseph’s Hospital on 10th and Dorcas Streets made Black women give birth in the basement. Her parents felt it was better to have Big Mama born right in the house, than in some old basement.

Then, she talked some more about the many folks in the

Bernice King: It’s ‘Critical’ To Heed Martin Luther King’s Lessons Today

By Taryn Finley “I think we need to heed some of the things that he was trying to instruct us on while he was with us,” Bernice King says of her father, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Bernice King had just turned five when she learned of her father’s assassination.

It was 7:01 p.m. in Memphis when Martin Luther King Jr. was shot, close to her bedtime, so she didn’t know about the tragedy until the next day. Her mother, Coretta Scott King, headed to the airport the next day. When Coretta returned to Atlanta on April 5, 1968, Bernice and her siblings were taken to the airport to meet her and board a plane.

There would be no more dinners with Daddy. No more showering him with kisses when he came back from a trip. This was her introduction to death.

“My mother realized at that point she hadn’t prepared me,” Bernice told HuffPost during a recent phone interview. “And so, she had to explain to me that, ‘Your daddy’s dead, when you see him, he’s going to be laying in a casket. He won’t be able to speak to you, and his spirit has gone to live with God.” On April 9, the day of the funeral, Coretta played a portion of the sermon her husband had delivered just two months prior at Ebenezer Baptist Church, in which he prophetically gave his own eulogy.

“And again, remember, she told me he couldn’t talk to me, but a child knows their dad’s voice,” Bernice said, recalling her mother’s lesson about what spirits were through a simple hug and “Mommy loves you.” “So I started looking around for him.”

Even days after his death, the civil rights leader managed to deliver a timely message at his own funeral. Previous assassination attempts, FBI surveillance and constant threats didn’t make it too impossible for King to foresee his own killing. But

Bernice King Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post via Getty Images

his teachings brought wisdom and foresight that carry on – even 50 years later.

The question has been asked time and time again, quite possibly more recently than ever before: What would King say if he were alive to see the world today?

According to his daughter, he’s already said it.

“Dr. King, who fought against ... what he called the triple evils of poverty, racism and militarism, is very relevant to us now, and I think we need to heed some of the things that he was trying to instruct us on while he was with us,” Bernice said.

The minister fought many battles during his lifetime. He helped challenge racism in the South with boycotts, sit-ins and marches in the spirit of what’s known today as Kingian Nonviolence.

For over a decade, King put his life on the line during these demonstrations and was instrumental in bringing forth the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts.

King was more than a dreamer. He gave about 450 speeches a year and wrote five books. Through his extensive log of works, especially in his final three years of life, King expressed radical thoughts about

North Omaha Political Convention – April 14.

See In the Village for Details.

See King continued on page 3

black and white photos on the walls and the ones that made her laugh. She told the story about how Urban League of Nebraska Executive Director Thomas Warren (Big Mama still called him “Tommy”) came in and saw she had a photo of Warren, with his siblings, on the wall and Warren was bare-chested. Warren asked Big Mama if she would please put up a photo of him wearing a suit and later brought one to her. Big Mama laughed as she pointed out his “fancy suit photo” and said, “He probably wore it for Easter Sunday, I’m sure.” Unfortunately for Warren, Big Mama put his suit photo right next to the one

he had hoped she would take down. No matter who you were or how high you got in life, if Big Mama knew you as a kid, you stayed one of her “kids” for life.

Big Mama never lost her wit, charm and sharp mind. She enjoyed the conversation with all of us. I most loved seeing her light up when she said she had 28 great grandchildren.

And she looked so alive and filled with youthful spirit on that day. She placed a food order for herself and checked on guests halfway across the room without ever leaving her See Big Mama continued on page 3

Johnny ‘The Jet’ Rodgers Exhibit Opens at Black History Museum The Great Plains Black History Museum invites the community to visit the new Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers exhibit that opened Thursday. Omaha’s own Nebraska Cornhusker Heisman Trophy winner’s exhibit highlights photos and artifacts.

The Heisman Trophy is on display through April 19. The exhibit runs through June 30.

The Great Plains Black History Museum, 2221 N. 24th St., is open to the public at no charge Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 1-5 p.m.

For more information about the Great Plains Black History Museum, contact the office at 402-9327077 or follow them on Facebook @ Greatplainsblackhistorymuseum.

Sec. Gale Outlines Election Security Ahead of May Primary

LINCOLN – Secretary of State John Gale is assuring voters that election security remains his highest priority, as the first round of ballots are prepared to be sent for the May 15 primary election. Ballots had to be sent to overseas and military voters by March 30. In Nebraska, early voting by mail will begin on April 9.

Addressing the issue of cybersecurity, Gale said his office has continued to build on defenses implemented prior to and during the 2016 presidential election.

“This issue remains a top focus of my administration. Fortunately, in the period since the last election, more resources have been made available to all states to help assess potential threats.”

Gale said his office has had ongoing contact with regional representatives from the Department of Homeland Security. “They have offered services designed to detect any hacking attempts made to our election management system as well as to the system that we utilize to publish race results on Election Day.” As it did in 2016, the state will partner with multiple vendors to conduct the upcoming election. Primary among them is Election Systems and Software (ES&S), the election system provider for Nebraska and multiple other states.

“ES&S continues to conduct scans of its own systems, as do the other vendors that we enlist.

Protections are in place to ensure that tampering is easily detected and that if something were to occur, backup data is accessible.”

See Election Security continued on page 2

402-444-8601 Remember that number to: Request a ride to the polls, volunteer to drive others to the polls, or ask questions about voting.

Omaha NAACP Primary Election Candidate Forum – April 21.

See In the Village for Details.

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Election Security continued from page 1 Gale also emphasized that race results are transmitted through a secure website and that all official results are based on the tabulation of paper ballots.

“Nebraska has always relied on paper ballots for official results.

So, if someone were to hack into or corrupt results posted on the Secretary of State’s website on Election Day, it would not change the actual outcome of the election.”

In addition to protective steps implemented by vendors and programs offered through the Department of Homeland Security, Gale also stressed the cooperative efforts of the 93 county election officials across the state. “They have also had to increase their awareness of cybersecurity threats and make sure they follow best practices to reduce their vulnerability to hacking attempts.”

Gale said cybersecurity threats, while not new, were certainly elevated as a result of the 2016 election. “My office has been taking steps to ensure the security of our statewide election system for more than a decade and it will remain a top focus heading into the future. Nebraska citizens should feel confident that their ballot will be secure and will be counted on Election Day.” Additional information is available on the Secretary of State’s website concerning processes the state follows to protect the integrity of the election. It can be found under the “Elections” tab here: http://www.sos.ne.gov/elec/nebraska-election-security-info. html.

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POLARIS POINT, Guam – Religious Programs Specialist 3rd Class Destinie Spellman, from Omaha, assigned to the submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40), reads Maya Angelou’s poem “Still I Rise” to the crew during a Women’s History Month celebration hosted by the ship’s Diversity Committee, March 29. Frank Cable, forward-deployed to Guam, repairs, rearms and reprovisions deployed U.S. Naval Forces in the Indo-Pacific region.

(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alana M. Langdon/Released)

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For Small and Emerging Businesses (SEBs), mentoring matters, and the Reach Beyond Mentoring Program has announced that applications for “Class 2,” the program’s leadership, knowledge and relationship endeavor, are now open.

A 12-month mentoring experience designed to match a protégé (small & emerging construction firm), with a mentor (general contractor), the intensive, hands-on learning opportunity connects growing, scalable construction firms with established organizations.

The result: real learning that often means real revenue.

“In all that we do, our goal is to always find ways to grow and build the capacity of small and emerging construction firms in the Greater Omaha area,” said Savannah Cuevas, program manager, REACH. “It is because of our many partnerships and the resources leveraged here that we have been able to build and provide the REACH Beyond Mentoring Program, a true opportunity for SEBs that are willing to make the investment to take their firms to the next level.”

The program, which is open to Greater Omaha construction SEBs operating for two years or more, runs from June 2018 through May 2019. Applications are online, and close April 27, 2018.

REACH is a cooperative, community program made possible thanks to The Greater Omaha Chamber, City of Omaha, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Metropolitan Community College, Seventy-Five North Revitalization Corp., Catholic Charities Micro Business Program, Nebraska Business Development Center, Nebraska Enterprise Fund, Nebraska Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Society for Marketing Professional Services.

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Director Tanya N. Garfield of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West reminds Nebraska private nonprofit organizations of the May 1 deadline to apply for an SBA federal disaster loan for economic injury caused by severe storms, tornadoes and straightline winds that occurred June 12-17, 2017. Private nonprofits that provide essential services of a governmental nature are eligible for assistance.

According to Garfield, eligible private nonprofits of any size may apply for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster.

“Economic Injury Disaster Loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid because of the disaster’s impact. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the private nonprofit suffered any property damage,” Garfield said.

These low-interest federal disaster loans are available in Banner, Box Butte, Butler, Cass, Cuming, Dodge, Douglas, Fillmore, Gage, Jefferson, Morrill, Platte, Polk, Sarpy, Saunders, Sheridan, Sioux, Thurston and Wayne counties.

The interest rate is 2.5 percent with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba. gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

‘Reach Beyond’ Mentoring Applications Open

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LOCAL NEWS

April 6, 2018

THE OMAHA STAR

Page Three

King continued from page 1

Big Mama continued from page 1 wheelchair. It was an honor just to see how her staff responded to her every request. socialism, anti-militarism (during the Vietnam War) and a global “Get that table over there some ice cream just for being so patient,” Big Mama said. She made her revolution for civil rights. restaurant feel like “home” to everybody. I remember the looks on those folks’ face as they tasted Big He was also seen as a threat to those who didn’t want to relinquish Mama’s original sweet potato pie ice cream for the first time. They sat back and let the flavor marinate power. Toward the end of his life, his influence had gotten too great on their minds and their tongues. It was like watching a revelation. to be contained. King’s family doesn’t believe that James Earl Ray I had a similar revelation when I was given an extra slice of banana nut bread by accident. That killed their father, Bernice said. They believe his assassination was banana bread melted in my mouth. I wanted to eat the whole slice, but decided to share the joy with an organized effort (12 jurors later agreed with them, ruling his my friend, instead. He enjoyed the same savory revelation. Only important things in life taste this killing as a result of conspiracy in 1999). good and Big Mama brought a new level to African American cooking in Omaha.

Death was a new concept for young Bernice at the time of her Somebody said Big Mama was taking pictures of her diners on her cell phone throughout the meal. father’s assassination, but it became a familiar theme. Her uncle, We continued to talk with Big Mama about movies, energy, ancestors coming through in our dreams, and when was she finally going to move into the new building on 30th Street this year. Sitting with A.D. King, was found dead in a pool the following year. Her Big Mama was like I was talking with my Granny in her living room. I just knew it was going to be grandmother was shot in church a few years after. a year worth living, filled with memories of food and all.

Bernice admits she was not OK. She said her mother was the I wrote this remembrance on Feb. 18, 2018, and posted it on my Web site www.joannaleflore.com. binding force that held her family together through tragedy and On Friday, March 30, Good Friday, everyone got the heartbreaking news that Big Mama passed away. maintained a sense of normalcy. Coretta continued to carry the The news made me remember the day in 2016 that Big Mama gave a cooking lecture, attended by my torch she held high during her husband’s life, fighting for equality friends and me, at the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation Center. I also remembered the time, a few each day, even as she mourned her personal trauma. months later, when Big Mama, and a group of other elders, were honored for their wisdom, activism “[My mother] was really a super woman; she raised four kids and overall contributions to the North Omaha Black Community. We loved our elders and we loved while helping to raise a nation and keep it from teetering on the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Big Mama. My friends and I have so many other great memories of Big Mama, I don’t think we’ll edge of violent, just continual violent outbreaks. Yes, there were Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post ever run out of stories to share. via Getty Images riots after my dad was assassinated, but really, I think her posture If you were ever touched by the loving, giving spirit of Big Mama, feel free to share that love with her family. They will read every message and every letter. The family will accept memorial donations on April 8th when she went to Memphis to lead that march he was scheduled to lead, and what she said was so critical to quelling some of the tension at the time,” she for a culinary arts scholarship fund in Big Mama’s name at Metro Community College. You could also make yourself a yummy batch of banana nut bread and simply share it with your neighbors just recalled, stating that her mother shaped the King legacy.

“For a man who was very hated, and one of the most hated, in fact, during the time of the assassination, to see a smile on their face. Yeah, Big Mama would be proud of you for that. She dedicated her life and now one of the most loved in the world, and really that’s because of her work, her effort on the to sharing good food with the whole, wide world. She will be missed!

Editor’s note: Patricia Velma “Big Mama” Baron was laid to rest on Thursday. Her services were day-to-day basis,” Bernice added. attended by city officials, caring customers, North Omaha residents who loved her dearly, her loyal Despite the weight their name carried, Bernice said her mom never put added pressure on her. “You staff and her loving family. She was an icon in our community. We look forward to seeing her legacy don’t have to be your father. You don’t have to be me, just be your best self,” Coretta would tell her. continue and flourish in Big Mama’s new Highlander location.

Even so, it was Bernice’s calling to continue her parents’ mission.

The youngest child of four, Bernice chose to walk in the path of ministry at a young age. As her father did, Bernice married her faith with activism throughout her life, becoming the second woman Omaha Public Power District is warning customers about scammers who are calling, posing as utility to be ordained at Ebenezer Baptist Church and the first woman to be elected president of the Southern representatives.

Christian Leadership Conference, a position she turned down.

On one day alone, the district received more than 50 reports from customers who received such phone Today, as the CEO of the King Center (founded by her mother), Bernice still upholds her father’s calls. message of nonviolence, making sure his legacy isn’t watered down and that her mother isn’t erased The aggressive callers falsely tell customers they are overdue on their bills or they need to purchase from the conversation. She uses that spirit Coretta taught her about at age five to speak out against equipment. The con artists demand numbers from a payment card of some sort, and they threaten to today’s injustices, especially on social media. She’s applauded Black Lives Matter activists who are on disconnect service if customers do not pay quickly. the front lines – and are similarly tracked by the FBI – and, more recently, the Never Again movement.

Unfortunately, this scam is not new or isolated to OPPD’s service territory. It has been going on for The times may have changed, but the message still applies. years across the nation, and it tends to pick up steam several times a year. The latest round of calls OPPD “My father provided some very important guidance in how we deal with conflict and polarization. I is hearing about have been targeting both residential and business customers. think his teachings on nonviolence are critical in this hour, now more than ever before,” Bernice said.

OPPD stresses that none of these people demanding payments or financial information works for the “Because the tension is very high, it’s heightened, and in order for us to move from this moment so that utility.

OPPD advises customers: it doesn’t create further fragmentation and probably escalate to something none of us will want to see, • Never give personal or financial information to a stranger during an unsolicited telephone call. we need to resort to some of those teachings. And realize that we[’re] a part of this global humanity.”

• If such a person should appear unannounced at one’s door claiming to work for the utility, do not allow Just like her father, Bernice is looking to love and light to clear out the hate and darkness of today. them inside. Always ask for identification or verification. OPPD employees always carry identification.

She hopes that spirit, along with some legislative action, resonates as the world tackles those same three Failure to produce identification should be a tip-off to the customer that something is wrong. evils her father fought against: poverty, racism, militarization.

• Never turn off security systems for any reason if a stranger asks. Any customer who receives such a “Always realize that even your strongest advocate and opponent is a part of the human family, albeit request should call law enforcement immediately. they may have small shortcomings, and even strength in them, they are part of that human family,” Customers with questions about making a payment, or about their account in general, should always Bernice said. “And that whatever you do, to stand in truth and justice, you will refuse to even destroy call OPPD directly. Within Omaha, the number is 402-536-4131. them in the process, because your goal is to make sure that the sacredness of human life is always Customers in rural areas may talk with their local offices during business hours, as well. Outside of preserved. That’s Martin Luther King Jr. in a nutshell.”

Omaha, customers should phone 1-877-536-4131.

OPPD Receiving High Number of Scam Call Reports

‘Salon Time’ Exhibition Celebrates Hair Care Culture “Hairdressers are my heroes,” proclaims Sonya Clark, pointing to the poetry, politics and legacy of Black hair care specialists.

The Union for Contemporary Art is pleased to present Salon Time, an exhibition featuring three artists who examine and celebrate the ritual time and material culture surrounding Black women’s hair care.

Working in photography, printmaking and performance, Sonya Clark and Althea Murphy-Price emphasize the repetition and ritualized labor of material processes, making clear connections between creating artworks and designing intricate hairstyles. Clark and MurphyPrice also emphasize girlhood and the formation of identity in their artwork, demonstrating how Black female identity is linked personally and politically to the rituals and expectations of hair care. Nontsikelelo Mutiti’s graphic design work considers braiding as a communication tool across history and geographical borders. Mutiti sees braiding as a marker of African diaspora, and as a form of code that links it to our present digital languages. All three participating artists see Black hair care as a vital connecting thread between generations of women – historical, present, and future.

• Gallery Talk: Artists Althea Murphy-Price, Nontsikelelo Mutiti, and novelist Novuyo Rosa Tshuma – May 5, 2 p.m.

Hear a conversation between artists as they discuss the themes, influence, and history of their practices.

• Performance: Sonya Clark’s “Translations” – June 23, 1-4 p.m.

As part of the exhibition, Sonya Clark will conduct a live performance in the gallery. Translations consists of the artist reading poems

by Gwendolyn Brooks, Rita Dove, Audre Lorde, and Nikki Giovanni on the subject of hair, written in Twist – a font that looks like hair clippings.

As Clark struggles to decipher the poems and read them, hair artist Jamilah Williams will give the artist a sculptural hairstyle based on one she wore as a child when she was learning to read. The piece is performed in a beaded barber’s chair, and represents the sharing of cultural knowledge through hairdressing traditions, and the complex and fraught relations between Black women’s personal and political identities.

Admission to The Union’s Wanda D. Ewing Gallery is free and open to the public 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday at 2423 N. 24th St. Sonya Clark is a Distinguished Research Fellow in the School of the Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Born to a psychiatrist from Trinidad and a nurse from Jamaica, Clark gained an appreciation for craft and the value of the handmade objects and stories primarily from her family, particularly her maternal grandmother who was a professional tailor. She earned an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art, a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and a BA from

Amherst College. Her work has been exhibited in over 350 museum and galleries in the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Australia.

She is the recipient of a United States Artist Fellowship, a Pollock Krasner award, an 1858 Prize, Art Prize Grand Jurors Award, and an Anonymous Was a Woman Award. She participated in a Red Gate Residency in China, a BAU Carmago Residency in France, a Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Residency in Italy, a Smithsonian Artist Research Fellowship, a Knight Foundation Residency at the McColl Center for Arts + Innovation, a Civitella Ranieri Residency in Italy, a Yaddo Residency, and a VCUarts Affiliate Fellowship at the American Academy in Rome.

Althea Murphy-Price is an artist and professor currently living in Knoxville, TN. As an artist, her work has been recognized for its nonconventional approach to the traditions of printmaking.

Murphy-Price began her studies in Fine Art at Spelman College before receiving her Master of Arts in Printmaking and Painting from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. She went on to study at Temple University’s Tyler School of Art, where she earned her MFA. Murphy-Price has exhibited in venues throughout the country and abroad such as: the Weston Gallery, Cincinnati, OH; Howard Museum of Art, Baltimore, MD; Wellesley College, Boston, MA; Wade Wilson Art Gallery, Houston, TX; Indiana University Art

Sonya Clark, The Hair Craft Project: Hairstylists with Sonya, Collaborating Hair Artist: Jamilah Williams, Jah Braids, 2013.

Inkjet photograph.

Museum; The Print Center, Philadelphia, PA; The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art, Charleston, SC; and the Knoxville Museum of Art, Knoxville, TN. Her international exhibits include the International Printmaking Exhibition, Jingdezhen, China; the American Youth Printmaking Exhibition, Lui Haisu Art Museum, Shanghai, China; and Print Resonance, Musashino Art University, Tokyo, Japan.

Her writing and work have been featured in such publications as Art Papers Magazine, CAA Reviews, Contemporary Impressions Journal, Art in Print, Printmaking: A Complete Guide to Materials and Process, and Printmakers Today. She is an Associate Professor of Art at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

Nontsikelelo Mutiti is an interdisciplinary artist and educator whose work encompasses fine art, design, and social practice. Born in Zimbabwe, Mutiti holds a diploma in multimedia art from the Zimbabwe Institute of Digital Arts, and an MFA from the Yale School of Art with a concentration in graphic design. Recently, she was a resident artist at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, as

well as at Recess and the Centre for Book Arts, both in New York City.

In 2015, Mutiti was awarded the Joan Mitchell Foundation Emerging Artist Grant in its inaugural year. Mutiti continues to develop her work around African hair braiding and themes related to African immigration.

She was an Assistant Professor in the New Media Department at State University of New York, Purchase College before joining the faculty at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she is currently an Assistant Professor of Graphic Design. She lives and works between New York City, Richmond, and Harare.

Wanda Ewing’s legacy is honored through the dedication of The Union for Contemporary Art’s exhibition gallery and commission fund. Regarded as a role model and inspiration in her community, the North Omaha-native, artist, and UNO professor worked actively as an advocate for arts education, participation, and creation.

Her experience of folk-art, craft traditions, and the limited depictions of Black women in Western art history and popular culture inspired her work, which explored the subjects of race, beauty, sexuality, and identity.

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Midland U’s Code Academy Helps Moms Onramp to Careers in Tech Midland University’s Code Academy will launch a cohort focused specifically on moms.

The fully online course, which begins May 1, will teach students the fundamental skills of web development.

The course’s instructor, Becca Kroese of Skwintz, is a mom herself.

“We want to debunk any stereotypes there may be of working moms reaching their career goals. We’re excited to help women invest in themselves, prepare for jobs in the new economy and bring much needed diversity to the local tech industry,” said Micah Yost, Code Academy Lead Faculty. Mom Code will expand Omaha’s tech talent pool as women gain skills, knowledge and connections needed in today’s digital economy.

The convenience of a parttime online course, paired with students and instructors that understand a mom’s unique life stage, will create an ideal learning experience. Women with children often face barriers, such as childcare, to traditional educational opportunities.

“This is a great opportunity for women who want to start a web design business, get back into the workforce as a developer, or learn to build websites for friends or family,” Krose noted.

The 12-week course meets two nights each week for two hours, plus one night dedicated to practice lab work. To learn more about Mom Code, visit code.midlandu.edu/mom-code.

About Midland University’s Code Academy For nearly 135 years, Midland University has provided opportunities for students to pursue their passions in a variety of professions. Code Academy launched its first cohort in September 2017, and enrolled 21 students in its first 6 months. Mom Code is Code Academy’s first fully online offering.

Krose, instructor for Mom Code, is founder and principal of Skwintz, a web development firm based in Lincoln. Krose’s son is 7 months old.

Page Four

PRAISE, WORSHIP, DEVOTION, OBITUARIES & INSPIRATION April 6, 2018 What Would it Take for Us to Believe?

James Freeman Deaths & Funerals By the upper room. He is so stunned and in a Dr. William Holland

THE OMAHA STAR

July 29, 1927 - March 30, 2018

James Freeman, age 90, of Omaha passed away leaving family and friends mourning his loss. James was the last surviving member in his family of six brothers and three sisters.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel Freeman. He is survived by son James C. Freeman (Deborah), grandson Ike Freeman, granddaughter Morgann Freeman, and great-granddaughter Brooklynn Freeman; all of Omaha; stepdaughters: Lynette Black, Curtisa (Tisa) Kelley, both of Omaha, Lorie Hartshaw, Little Rock, AR, Christina Cheryl (Tony) Bennett, Tallahassee, FL, and Tonya Jackson, Jacksonville, FL; sisters-in-law: Emma Freeman and Carol Dorsey, both of Omaha; 12 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren, also, a host of other relatives and dear friends.

Wake service: Friday, April 6, from 6-8 p.m. at Braman Mortuary, 1702 N. 72nd St., Omaha. Funeral Service: Saturday, April 7, at 10 a.m. at Braman Mortuary.

Patterson, Helen Marie (Davis) Mar 23, 1931 - Jan 16, 2018 Memorial services for Helen Marie Davis Patterson were held March 24 at Clair Memorial United Methodist Church, 5544 Ames Ave. Helen received a Bachelor of Science degree from Prairie View A&M College and a master’s degree in Education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Her professional career as an outstanding OPS educator and administrator spanned over 36 years. Helen, an active community volunteer, donated her time to the Salvation Army, St. Martin de Porres Center, National Council of Negro Women, NAACP, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, and Caring And Concerned Educators (CACE). Her work with the Urban League Guild earned her Outstanding Leadership recognition and The Woman of the Year award. Post retirement from Omaha Public Schools in 1993, Helen became a small business owner and successfully managed Kids-Go-Round, a children’s consignment shop until 2006. She was a dedicated member of Clair Memorial United Methodist Church for over 40 years, serving on several key administrative committees.

Florence Carr Mrs. Florence Carr, age 75, passed away Saturday, March 24, at a local care center.

Survived by husband: William Carr-McCants, Omaha; sons: Rodney (Sheila), Spring, TX, Rickey I. Carr, Omaha; daughter: Maureen (Leroy) Venzen, St Thomas, VI; brothers: Jesse (Bettie) McDonald, Omaha, Melvin (Eva) Carter, Newport News, VA; sisters: Estella Buckley, Omaha, Helen Carter, Chesapeake, VA; stepchildren: Lee Warren, Grand Island, NE, Ronette Nelson, Milwaukee, WS; 8 grandchildren, 11 great-grand, nieces, nephews, other relatives.

Funeral Services were held 9a.m. Saturday, March 31, St Paul Baptist Church, Rev. Terry Arvie, officiated.

Cremation Arrangements by Thomas Funeral Home. *** Vivian A. Evans Mrs. Vivian A. Evans, age 89, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 3, at a local care center.

Preceded in death by husband, Douglas Evans, Jr. Memorial Service 2 p.m. Saturday, April 7, New Life Presbyterian Church.

Arrangements by Thomas Funeral Home. *** Vera L. Johnson Ms. Vera L. Johnson, age 90, passed away Tuesday, March 20, at a local nursing home.

Survived by son: Jerome “Huckie” (Patricia) Mitchell, Upper Marlboro, MD; daughter: Phyllis Mitchell-Butler, Omaha; sister: Josephine Anderson, Huntsville, TX; 3 grandchildren, 2 great-grand, nieces, nephews, other relatives.

Funeral Services were held 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 28, at Bethel A.M.E. Church, Rev. Harold McCray, officiated.

Interment: Forest Lawn Cemetery Arrangements by Thomas Funeral Home.

ATTENTION READERS

Mon – Thurs 10 am – 4 pm 402-346-4041

Kids Talk About God How Can I Tell What’s Right From What’s Wrong?

By Carey Kinsolving And Friends “You can really tell right from wrong because when you hit someone, you feel sorry for them,” says David, age 9. “Like if you kick someone in the knee, you feel bad,” adds Paul, 10.

“I feel a feeling that feels like ‘no,’“ says Sarah, 7. “You get a tingling feeling when you do something wrong,” says Nicole, 9. “A nice feeling comes when you do something right.”

Oh yes, that tingling feeling. I remember it well, especially when Dad applied his hand to the seat of my pants.

“When I start to do something wrong, I feel like I have a stomachache,” Scott, 10, says. “The heart pumps fast when you are doing wrong and pumps slow when you are doing good,” Taylor, 10, adds.

A lie detector measures the increased heart rate and perspiration that usually go with lying.

That “little thing inside you” is “your conscience telling you right or wrong,” says Sean, 9. In fact, Lyndon, 9, says, “Always let your conscience be your guide.”

Conscience can be a reliable guide, but it’s not infallible. The New Testament writers describe the conscience as capable of being weak, defiled, evil and even “seared with a hot iron,” totally incapable of distinguishing between right and wrong.

An example of a finely tuned conscience is provided by Madison, 9: “If it’s a sneaky or tricky thing, it’s wrong.”

Gray, 8, shows us his mother’s influence: “If you think your mom wouldn’t let you do it, then you shouldn’t do it.” Nicole, 10, adds: “I know right from wrong because my mom and dad taught me. Also, I read the Bible.”

Nicole, if your parents have looked to the Bible as their standard, consider yourself blessed.

The Apostle Paul wrote the following to a young minister named Timothy: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (II Timothy 3:16-17).

Scripture is “profitable.” The Bible is a gold mine for learning the ways of God so that you can be “complete” or mature and ready “for every good work.”

Taylor, 10, says the Bible contains an objective standard for right and wrong: “If you follow the Ten Commandments, you are doing right. But if you break them, you are doing wrong.”

The problem is that everyone has broken more than a few of these written laws. The Apostle Paul wrote: “by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20).

Jesus said he didn’t come to destroy the law but to fulfill it. This one who always kept the law by doing what was right offered himself as a sacrifice for lawbreakers. That’s us. No exceptions. Jesus promised to impart his life to all who accept him as their savior. When Christians are filled with God’s Spirit, they live under a higher law than the 10 Commandments, the law of love.

Point to ponder: God fills the hearts of his followers with love. Not every Christian is a disciple of Jesus.

Scripture to remember: “I will put my laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (Hebrews 8:10).

Question to consider: Are you listening to the inner promptings of the Holy Spirit to increase your love for God and his righteous ways?

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TOPEKA, Kan. – Linda Brown, who as a Kansas girl was at the center of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down racial segregation in schools, died Sunday at age 76.

Her father, Oliver Brown, tried to enroll the family in an all-white school in Topeka, and the case was sparked when he and several black families were turned away. The NAACP’s legal arm brought the lawsuit to challenge segregation in public schools, and Oliver Brown became lead plaintiff in the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision by the Supreme Court that ended school segregation.

Sherrilyn Ifill, president and director-counsel at NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., said in a statement that Linda Brown is one of a band of heroic young people who, along with her family, courageously fought to end the ultimate symbol of white supremacy – racial segregation in public schools.

“She stands as an example of how ordinary school children took center stage in transforming this country. It was not easy for her or her family, but her sacrifice broke barriers and changed the meaning of equality in this country,” Ifill said.

The landmark case was brought before the Supreme Court by the NAACP’s legal arm to challenge segregation in public schools. The lawsuit was joined with cases from Delaware, South Carolina, Virginia and the District of Columbia.

On May 17, 1954, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that separating black and white children was unconstitutional because it denied black children the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of equal protection under the law. “In the field of public education, the doctrine of ‘separate but equal’ has no place,” Chief Justice Earl Warren wrote. “Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.”

The Brown decision overturned the court’s Plessy v. Ferguson decision, which on May 18, 1896, established a “separate but equal” doctrine for black’s in public facilities.

“Sixty-four years ago, a young girl from Topeka, Kansas sparked a case that ended segregation in public schools Brown

in America,” Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer said in a statement. “Linda Brown’s life reminds us that by standing up for our principles and serving our communities we can truly change the world.

Linda’s legacy is a crucial part of the American story and continues to inspire the millions who have realized the American dream because of her.”

Brown v. Board was a historic marker in the Civil Rights movement. It is likely the most high-profile case brought by Thurgood Marshall and the lawyers of the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund in their decadeplus campaign to chip away at the doctrine of “separate but equal.”

“Her legacy is not only here but nationwide,” Kansas Deputy Education Commissioner Dale Dennis said.

Oliver Brown, for whom the case was named, became a minister at a church in Springfield, Missouri. He died of a heart attack in 1961.

Linda Brown and her sister founded in 1988 the Brown Foundation for Educational Equity, Excellence and Research.

The foundation says on its webpage that it was established as a living tribute to the attorneys, community organizers and plaintiffs in the landmark Supreme Court decision. Its mission is to build upon their work and keep the ideals of the decision relevant for future generations.

“We are to be grateful for the family that stood up for what is right,” said Democratic state Rep. Annie Kuether of Topeka. “That made a difference to the rest of the world.”

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state of shock that he abandons his duties and begins to stalk the disciples hoping to discover what in the world is going on.

Although not a Biblical account, it still exposes our spiritual blindness along with an encouraging hope that God has invited everyone to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior. We commonly use skits and plays in church to illustrate spiritual principals and even Jesus Himself told parables which are narratives that help explain divine truths. I have no intention to argue about the accuracy or intentions of movies like this, but within the presentation of Christ we can at least consider, “what would it take for us to believe?” You would imagine if someone knew that God and His Word were absolutely true, they would become a Jesus fanatic, but this is not necessarily so. Humans do not believe because our pride fights against us being transformed into His image. We want to control our own lives, and do not want anyone, especially God, to interfere with the way we live. We find in Luke chapter 16, where a rich man and a poor beggar named Lazarus passed away. The rich man ends up in the flames of misery but yet has the ability to see Lazarus and Abraham in paradise. He lifts his eyes in torment and begs Abraham to please send Lazarus back to warn his family and friends about this place of endless suffering. Abraham replies that whoever refuses to accept God’s message would still not surrender their independence even if someone came back from the dead.

(Dr. Holland is a Christian minister, chaplain, and author.)

Linda Brown, As In ‘Brown vs. Board of Ed,’ Passes

Looking for Death and Funeral Notices If you want a notice of death or obituary published in the Omaha Star Newspaper, call or let your funeral director know that you want a notice placed in the Omaha Star Newspaper. Funeral directors should contact the Omaha Star office to submit notices and/or Obituaries.

When the holidays of Christmas and the holy week come around, I cannot help but wonder what the general population thinks about the spiritual significance of these events. I realize that Christians are more involved with these celebrations because of their personal connection with Jesus Christ, but we must also admit there are many different levels of commitment and enthusiasm. In the last few years, the big screen has produced several Christian based movies and however you feel about them, at least someone is trying to relay the gospel of Christ. I saw the movie, “Risen” the other night and thought about some key moments within the film. I’m encouraged whenever I see someone believing when they see a miracle, but I’m also reminded that everyone will not believe in Jesus whether they see one or not. Jesus declared in John 20:29, “blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” Yes, Jesus spoke divine truth and in only three years made a huge impact, but His message was generally not embraced by the masses and neither is it today. Why? Well, the most disturbing reason which was also revealed in this movie, is that many individuals will absolutely never allow themselves to submit their will to the Creator.

“Risen” is based on a fictional character named “Clavious” who portrays a high ranking Roman soldier and fierce nonbeliever who oversees the crucifixion of Christ. However, a few days after Jesus is buried, he witnesses the Messiah miraculously comforting His disciples in

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3920 North 24th St. Omaha, NE 68110 402-453-7111 www.omahathomasfh.com

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PRAISE & WORSHIP DIRECTORY

April 6, 2018

ALLEN CHAPEL A.M.E. REV. BENJAMIN R. FINNELL PRESIDING ELDER AND PASTOR TAMMI TATE, PUBLIC RELATIONS CHAIRPERSON 2842 Monroe St. Ph: (402) 502-8003 Fx: 934-8581 Sunday School....................................9:00 a.m.

Sunday Worship...............................10:00 a.m.

Thursday Bible Study..........................8:00 p.m. via teleconference, dial-in number 563-999-2090 and access code 576989

REV. BENJAMIN R. FINNELL

THE OMAHA STAR Page Five

SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH

KOINONIA AND FRIENDS OF CHRIST

FR. DAVE KORTH • DEACON JIM CHAMBERS 22nd and Binney Street • 402-451-5755 • www.sacredheartchurchomaha.org

PASTOR TONY E. SANDERS JR. 3208 Corby Street Omaha, NE 68111 Sunday School ..................................................9:00 a.m.

Sunday Worship .............................................10:30 a.m.

Thursday Bible Study ......................................6:30 p.m. www.KFCChurch.org PASTOR TONY E. SANDERS JR.

MORNING STAR BAPTIST CHURCH “Where Christ Jesus Is the Center of Attention” REV. DR. LEROY E. ADAMS, JR. SENIOR PASTOR 2019 Burdette Street Omaha, NE 68110 Ph: 402-342-0018 Fx: 402-346-9300

“Where Life is for Everyone” Drs. Mar n & Lynnell Williams

DEACON JIM CHAMBERS, FR. DAVE KORTH

Mass Times: Saturday: 5:00 pm • Sunday: 8:30 and 10:30 am

Founders & Lead Pastors SUNDAYS Prayer 9:00 AM Worship 10:00 AM

ALL ARE WELCOME!

Radio Broadcast: 101.3 fm 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. each Sunday

WEDNESDAYS Prayer 6:00 PM Worship 7:00 PM

ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CATHOLIC CHURCH

Worship Service .............10:00 a.m.

REV. DR. LEROY E. ADAMS, JR.

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

Sunday School .................8:45 a.m.

Excluding First Sunday

www.ambassadorswc.com 402-341-1866 5417 N 103rd St. Omaha, NE 68134

Tuesday Evening Service.........7:00 p.m.

BIBLE TRUTH MINISTRIES “Strengthing Families for Victorious Living” PASTOR RORDY SMITH PASTOR RAMONA SMITH PO Box 1703 2402 Franklin St. Bellevue, NE 68005 402-292-9499 Web: www.BibleTruthMinistries.org Sunday School..................................9:00 a.m.

Sunday Worship Service...............10:00 a.m.

Wednesday Prayer & Bible Study......6:00 p.m

PASTOR RORDY SMITH PASTOR RAMONA SMITH

MOUNT CALVARY COMMUNITY CHURCH

HOLY NAME CATHOLIC CHURCH

“Jesus is the light of the world” REV. JAMES P. WALKER, SENIOR PASTOR mtcalvarycommunitychurch.org

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

5112 Ames Avenue Omaha, NE 68104 Ph: 402-457-4216 Sunday School .................................................... 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship Experience ......... 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday Food and Fellowship.................... 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday (WOW) Word On Wednesday... 7:00 p.m.

CLAIR MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

ST. MARK BAPTIST CHURCH

REV. PORTIA A. CAVITT, PASTOR 5544 Ames Avenue, Omaha, NE 68104 Telephone: 402-451-8322 • Website: www.cmumc.net Email: clairumc@cumc.omhcoxmail.com

DR. RALPH B. LASSITER, PASTOR 2602 N. 24th St. Off: (402) 451-8800 - Fax: (402) 451-8522 mtmoriahomaha.net pastorlassiter@gmail.com

Sunday School………………………8:45 a.m.

Sunday Worship Experience………...10:00 a.m.

Monday Bible Study…………………6:00 p.m.

Wednesday Bible Study….…….…….7:00 p.m.

Sunday School ...................................... 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Worship ..................................10:45 a.m.

Overcomers in Christ...............Sunday 7:00 p.m.

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

REV. PORTIA A. CAVITT, PASTOR

FAITH MISSION CHURCH PASTOR BERTHA JACKSON 2532 Binney Church: 402-451-1474 “The Church On A Mission For God”

PASTOR BERTHA JACKSON

Weekly Services Sunday School...................................9:30 a.m.

Sunday Service ...............................10:30 a.m.

Youth Night Wednesday ................. 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday Bible & Prayer Service ....7:00 p.m.

REV. RALPH LASSITER, SR.

MT. NEBO MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

Sunday School – Sunday 9:00 a.m.

Worship Service – Sunday 10:15 a.m.

Children’s Church (except 2nd Sunday) Holy Communion every 1st Sunday Prayer and Bible Doctrine Study Midday - 12:00 noon; Evening – 7:00 p.m.

Televised Broadcast – Sundays at 6:00 p.m., KPAO Cox Channel 22 & CenturyLink Channel 89

Serving God and One Another in the Spirit of Excellence REV. DR. SELWYN Q. BACHUS SENIOR PASTOR

Sunday Morning Worship ...................................9:00 a.m.

Family Hour of Christian Education.................11:00 a.m.

Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting .....................7:00 p.m.

Youth/Children Ministry Focus (Wednesday)..7:00 p.m.

Wednesday Night Adult Bible Study ................7:30 p.m.

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

SALEM BAPTIST CHURCH

PASTOR TERRY L. ARVIE REV. DR. SELWYN Q. BACHUS

NEW BEGINNING COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH

Services on Sundays at 8:30 am & 10:50 am

Where we Exalt, Equip, and Evangelize

7020 Cass Street, Omaha, NE 68132 402.556.6262 www.fumcomaha.org

REV. WALTER B. JONES, PASTOR 2301 North 45th Street, Omaha, NE 68104 Ph. 402-934-6020 • Fax 402-453-3190 E-Mail: wrjallied@cox.net

REV. DR. JANE FLORENCE REV. WALTER B. JONES

Sunday School………………………….9:30 a.m.

Sunday Worship…………11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday Bible & Prayer Service………6:30 p.m.

FREEDOM WORSHIP CENTER OMAHA “Where CHRIST is Preeminent and the Word Prevails!”

Sunday at 10:00am Family Night each Wednesday at 7pm The Daily Journey each Wednesday at Noon Saturday Prayer from 7 - 8am

PASTOR BRIAN PAGE 5555 Larimore Avenue Church: 402-346-8427 www.pleasantgreenomaha.org

PLEASANT GREEN BAPTIST CHURCH

Wednesday: Prayer Power Hour ......................................12:00 p.m

1411 North 30th Street Omaha, NE 68131 Office: 402-342-0265 Fax: 402-342-0343 Email: gnh.omaha@gmail.com Website: greaternewhopebaptist.com Sunday School: 9:30 am Sunday Morning Worship: 10:45 am Bible Study: Wednesday 6:00 pm Prayer Service: Wednesday 6:45 pm

HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH Missouri Synod 2723 N. 30th Street 402-453-1583 Sunday School................................10:00 a.m.

Church Service...............................11:00 a.m.

YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME

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.

SHARON SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH Come Experience the Power of God Where Faith and Fellowship is Fostered 3336 Lake Street • 402-453-4079 Fax: 402-453-7082 Gacoll4@aol.com • Website: omahasharonsda.com SATURDAY SERVICE: Sabbath School……………………9:30 a.m.

Divine Worship…………………11:00 a.m.

PASTOR JEFFREY & TERRI BOOTH 3025 Parker Street Omaha, NE 68111 402.905.9730 • www.fwcomaha.com

GREATER NEW HOPE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

Thursday: Youth For Christ ............................................6:00 p.m Prayer & Bible Study ....................................7:30 p.m Sunday: Worship..............................................8:00 a.m.

Sunday School..................................9:30 a.m.

Worship............................................11:00 a.m.

PRAYER MEETING: Wednesday Night Prayer Meetings....7:00 p.m.

The Community is invited to attend Youth Wednesday Prayer Meetings…6 pm-7p.m.

PASTOR GARY S. COLLINS & MRS. LORETTA COLLINS, J.D.

BIBLE STUDIES: Every Tuesday.........................6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

TABERNACLE OF FAITH CHURCH

PASTOR BRIAN PAGE

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

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

PASTOR BARBARA MITCHELL

RISING STAR MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH Pastor Darnell N. Johnson, Sr. 1823 Lothrop Street, Omaha, NE 68110 Phone: 402-451-3700 Fax: 402-451-3700 Email: Risingstarbaptchurchone@gmail.com Follow us on Facebook at RisingStarMBCONE Sunday Sunday School…………….............. 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship…...........10:45 a.m.

Tuesday PASTOR DARNELL N. JOHNSON, SR. & LADI J Tuesday Night Teaching……...........6:30 p.m.

Wednesday Prayer Meeting/BIBLE Study............7:00 p.m.

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

ZION BAPTIST CHURCH REV. KENNETH A. ALLEN, PASTOR 2215 Grant Street Omaha, NE 68110 Ph: 402-346-1502 Fx: 402-344-2720 Sunday School ..................................9:00 a.m.

Worship Services ...........................10:40 a.m.

Wednesday Prayer Services ...........6:30 p.m.

Wednesday Bible Study .......7:15 - 8:00 p.m.

REV. KENNETH A. ALLEN

REV. JAMES D. WILKENS

THE WORSHIP CENTER

JOY OF LIFE MINISTRIES COGIC PASTORS ERIC AND CYNTHIA BUTLER 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

PASTOR JARROD S. PARKER

“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

REV. DR. JANE FLORENCE, SENIOR PASTOR

PASTOR JEFFREY & TERRI BOOTH

PASTOR JARROD S. PARKER 3616 Spaulding Street, Omaha, NE 68111 Phone: 402-451-0307 Email: smbcsecretary@stmarkbaptist.org

Our Mission: “To exalt the Savior, edify saints, evangelize sinners and elevate society.”

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

First United Methodist Church is a welcoming and inclusive community, inspired to grow with and in God.

Pastor: Rev. Vitalis Anyanike

REV. JAMES P. WALKER

MT. MORIAH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

“Come Get Your Hilltop Experience”

&

REV. VITALIS ANYANIKE

PASTOR ERIC BUTLER AND CO-PASTOR CYNTHIA BUTLER

DR. STAN RONE SENIOR PASTOR

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

DR. STAN RONE - SENIOR PASTOR 2021 N. 24th Street • Omaha, NE 68110 (402) 341-4297 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 Six

COMMENTARY/NATIONAL NEWS

THE OMAHA STAR

Black Votes Matter

By Preston Love Jr. UNO Adjunct Professor Prestonlovejr.com Black Lives, Black Poverty and Black Votes Matter

Responsible Development Omaha: Scooters, 30th& Ames

Economic in North

Below is the full statement I made at the ribbon cutting and Grand Opening of Scooters at 30th and Ames: “Greetings to all attendees to this very significant occasion. Special greetings to both the scooters corporate family and the Julian Young business family. I appreciate the small space on this momentous program.

I stand before you in several capacities: • I am a native Omahan born and raised in this my beloved north Omaha • I am 75, I’ve witnessed and have a unique perspective on the history of this community • I am one voice among the North Omaha leadership and run a community-based organization, Black Votes Matter I have memories of north Omaha when it was rich in culture, community, commerce, and church, in spite of segregation and being populated by mostly poor residents. We were unified and self-contained.

I watched the destruction of the community from planned and unplanned events, including isolation, riots, freeways, brain drain, racism, drastic employment loss and lack of public or private investment.

Today, north Omaha is on the move. Investment is estimated at nearly $1 million. While poverty reigns and high unemployment persist, there is renewed employment opportunities, housing is

up, as are many other positive indicators. BUT, we need growth in north Omaha, based on, forprofit firms, entrepreneurship. Finally, there is the recognition that north Omaha is a ‘diamond in the rough.’

The 24th Street Corridor is showing promise.

30th Street has a new development with 75 north. Still, in my estimation there are two hubs, 24th&Lake and 30th& Ames, notwithstanding, western Ames and other potential.

Now 30th and Ames, you have jump started a renewed vigor. Congratulations Scooters.

Also,what needs to be emphasized about this development. Investment, yes. Jobs, yes. Jobs, yes; but not just development, but responsible development.

Not just the coffee shop. This development used north Omaha businesses, north Omaha and black contractors, and service firms to renovate and produce the space. Contracting with over 10 local and black firms. This development, also recognized the value to reach beyond this building and is partnering with local businesses and organizations to bring positive community benefits to impact our great community. I cite the relationship with Scooters and the Great Plains Black Museum.

I commend Scooters and the leadership of Julian Young and wife, for the vision, investment and the community benefits you are addressing.

Every development in north Omaha should be put to the test of responsibility and be evaluated on its commitment to community benefits, not just its financial business model. Reference my last column, “Emerging Issues for North Omaha.”

(To review previous Black Votes Matter columns, visit Omahastar.com. Or prestonlovejr. com. Preston love can be reached at prestonlovejr@gmail.com.)

‘The Atlantic’ Releases ‘KING’ Magazine Washington, D.C. – The Atlantic is marking the online launch of KING – its new magazine edition commemorating the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. The issue, which refracts King’s life through the prism of his three main preoccupations of racism, poverty and militarism, contains rarely published speeches

by King, material from The Atlantic’s archives, photography, poetry and original essays and interviews. Two of the original essays are now published online: Bernice King, the youngest child of Dr. King, introduces the issue and her father’s principles of nonviolence, and Jesmyn Ward writes about how the forces that King fought against manifest today. These two essays are the first in what will be a six week-long, in-depth series featuring pieces from KING as well as web-only reporting, refracting the reality of today’s America through the prism of King’s vision.

Writing for The Atlantic, National Book Awardwinner Jesmyn Ward reflects on choosing to raise her children in her home state of Mississippi, where the persistence of racism and poverty tell them “they are perpetually less.” While King pushed for a guaranteed income that could solve all the other problems associated with poverty, Ward writes: “The Mississippi I grew up in, the Mississippi that I live in now, that I’m raising my children in, resists this broadened understanding of what it means to be a human being. It resists the desire to rise above the circumstance of caste that we are born into and to never worry about the next time you’ll eat or whether your children are hungry … This Mississippi insists that there is a natural order to this arrangement, that if you are poor or wanting, you’re to blame if you starve. That you deserve your poverty, your squalor, your suffering.”

Bernice King, who was five years old when her father was assassinated, introduces the magazine issue, laying out three nonviolent actions that she thinks her father would offer in this polarizing period in America’s history. She writes: “If we remain in the grasp of nationalism, patriarchy, class conflict, racism and religious bigotry, we will continue to be dehumanized – and destroyed – by poverty, genocide, slavery and war. But the realization that we are all connected will make us more engaged in every area of human life, including our community.”

KING is now on newsstands nationwide. Features from the issue, which will roll out across the coming weeks at TheAtlantic.com, include: • Actor Jesse Williams and musician John Legend on the intersection of art and activism • An essay by Matthew Desmond about worsening conditions in America’s cities • Photographs by LaToya Ruby Frazier showing the geography of oppression • An interview with Congressman John Lewis, who marched with Dr. King in Selma • Historian Jeanne Theoharis on Coretta Scott King • Voices from The Atlantic’s archives, including Stokely Carmichael, Jonathan Kozol and Archibald MacLeish • Republication of King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” under the title as it appeared in The Atlantic 55 years ago, “The Negro is Your Brother” Support for this project has been provided by the Fetzer Institute, the Ford Foundation and the Charles H. Revson Foundation.

Visit us on the web at theomahastar.com

April 6, 2018

A Reckoning with America’s Past How to Honor a King

By Terri L. Crawford, J.D. “We used the word racism, and on the commission, we had two or three people say, “Should we use that word, racism?” – Fred Harris, Kerner Commission (2008 Interview) When Colin Kaepernick took a knee to protest the injustices that we experience in Black communities across America, in doing so, he, and the rest of us collectively, experienced firsthand the true ideology behind the infamous words of the 1968Kerner Commission Report. The Kerner Report became a moment of clarity for America.

A time when the nation was forced to focus on the harsh realities of racism, poverty and injustice in our cities. However, the experiences of Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner Michael Brown, Tamar Rice and now Stephone Clark, demonstrate that the Kerner Report did not miss the mark, and that conditions, attitudes and ideologies towards injustices, systemic racism and benign neglect of policymakers experienced by America’s Black citizens have changed, not so much.

Some will not draw the straight line that runs from Martin Luther King Jr., the prophet of nonviolence, to Colin Kaepernick’s protest, However, it is undeniable that the white hatred directed at King and these modern-day civil rights protesters some five decades later is remarkably similar.

Detractors of Dr. King claimed that he was inflammatory, and that he actually created violence. Current day, Black protesters are similarly loathed. Kaepernick devised his national anthem protest in 2016, he was despised and lambasted, and ultimately run out of the National Football League. In September 2017,Trump reignited the controversy when he advised NFL owners to fire any “son of a bitch” who took a knee during “The Star Spangled Banner.” Such comments demonstrate, how many white Americans continue to view any criticism of the nation as disloyalty, especially if the critic happens to be Black.

To make it all relevant, when we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., on a day of honor in January each year, we would be remiss to forget that fateful day on April 4, 1968, when his life was ended by an assassin’s bullet. Rarely, do we stop to honor him on that day, and now we must, and here is why. King’s legacy had, by 2016, (and long before), become thoroughly sanitized. Many white Americans began to embrace him as a voice for colorblindness, and conveniently forgot about his own confrontational acts of civil disobedience.

Conservatives even invoked King in their

denunciations of the Black Lives Matter movement. Bill O’Reilly stated that “Dr. King would not participate in a Black Lives Matter protest.”

Mike Huckabee claimed that King would be “appalled by the notion that we’re elevating some lives above others.” Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney recommended that Black Lives Matter protesters heed what he characterized as King’s shining example when he stated: “I think the answer to our problems is exactly what they were for Martin Luther King when he changed the world. Love, peace, education, tolerance of others, Jesus.” However all of these critics, in their selective memories, conveniently overlooked something elementary and fundamental to the analysis of the King legacy. Dr. Martin Luther, King Jr., was a man who criticized his country, who was condemned as unpatriotic in his own day, and who paralyzed American cities with massive street demonstrations in the name of justice and equality for Black Americans first, and secondly, all other citizens who supported the cause.

Truth be told, as cities ignited after the assassination, many whites were angered and frightened by the violent eruptions more than they were beset by the loss of Dr. King. There were millions of Americans, Black and White, who peacefully honored the slain civil rights leader and committed themselves to King’s dream of a “beloved community” of racial justice for all its citizenry. On April 9,1968, I was one of over 120 million people who watched King’s funeral on television. It was clear, however, that Americans were not unified by a collective grief. The time was very corrosive, a time when the divisions in American society – political, social, and most of all racial – burst to the forefront, when the nation threatened to crack in two, not unlike what the Nation is experiencing in 2018, under the shadow of a Trump administration. We collectively tend to assume that his assassination 50 years ago was experienced as a national tragedy, we want it to be true. The reality is in the days and weeks after his death on April 4, 1968, Americans not only mourned and grieved but also seethed and raged.

On April 4, 2018, at 6:05 p.m., I took a moment to honor a King who was shot dead while standing on a balcony outside his second-floor room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, who’s only crime was the fight for justice and equality.

We honor him because racism is alive and well, Black Lives Matter, and the fight for justice continues.

(Dr. Terri L. Crawford, J.D., NBA Legislative Committee; Black Studies Adjunct, UNO; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. (OAC) Chair Political Awareness and Involvement.)

Mentoring Matters

By Debra L. Shaw Mentoring allows you to use your personal power to influence successful outcomes with your mentees. A program was developed in some schools to handle chronic absenteeism in New York City. Mayor Michael Bloomberg undertook the nation’s most ambitious effort to tackle this issue in New York City’s public schools. The Mayor created an interagency task force to develop a comprehensive set of strategies to combat this problem. So, a city-wide task force was created to design a marketing campaign to promote school attendance and new models for connecting families to the community.

The cornerstone of this effort was the launch of a program called Success Mentors. This is a school run mentoring program designed to address the school’s attendance issues by matching chronically absent youth with a mentor inside the school building. Based on a study by Johns Hopkins University, Success Mentors has been the most effective component of the task force’s effort across all school types. In the 25% of schools with the greatest impacts, chronically absent students supported by Success Mentors gained, on average, more than a month of school.

These on-site mentors combat the absenteeism problem quickly and appropriately by showing the students that they (mentors) really care about the students in their school.

The role of the Success Mentors program is to monitor school attendance daily. The mentor begins the day by greeting the mentee and expressing enthusiasm to see them in school. If the student does not show up, the mentor calls the student’s home as soon as possible with a positive statement about how much that student was missed on that day. Success Mentors also, at the beginning of the school year identifies a

student’s strengths to celebrate them and help identify underlying causes for the absenteeism as well as work with school and community partners to help connect student and family to needed resources.

Danita Webb, Omaha Public Schools (OPS) Mentoring Specialist, who is developing an effective relationship between the Midlands Mentoring Partnership (MMP) agency and OPS district, indicated that there are six schools in OPS that offer the Success Mentors program.

The schools are: Belvedere, Conestoga, King Science, Minne Lusa, Monroe and Skinner.

Webb stated that the on-site mentors who participate in the Success Mentor program range from cafeteria, maintenance or administrative staff. The students and staff are matched at the start of the school year with the goal to focus on encouraging the student to come to school every day. If a situation happens where the student is absent, the first step is to address it quickly and then guide the student, along with his or her family, to additional resources in the community when needed. Webb stated that Karolyn Roby, a Success Mentor at Skinner Magnet Center, has experienced great success with the program. Roby stated, “This program has made a huge difference with the two boys who I am mentoring. I check on them daily, sometimes two times a day. We’ve had many successes and behaviors have gotten better in the class. They’ve only missed one day since I started mentoring them and they know that someone in the school truly cares if they attend that day.”

For additional information regarding the Success Mentor program, contact Danita Webb at Danita.webb@opd.oth or Whitney Baker Director of Operations, MMP, at wbaker@ mmpomaha.org. Mentoring is a value vehicle to teach lifelong lessons that will result in great rewards for the mentor and mentee.

Mentoring Matters!

Civil Rights Groups Sue Homeland Security over Targeted Surveillance

By Lauren Victoria Burke NNPA Newswire Contributor On March 19, several civil rights groups filed suit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to release the contents of the agency’s redacted memo referred to in government documents as the “Race Paper.”

The Center for Constitutional Rights along with Color of Change first uncovered the existence of the “Race Paper” after a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The advocates maintain that the existence of the “Race Paper,” and other documents confirm that the government has used targeted surveillance on many Black activists and organizers. The groups also said the document will confirm there was a violation by the government regarding the basic activity of Black people engaging in First Amendment activity.

“The FBI and Department of Homeland

Security are at war with Black activists,” said Rashad Robinson, the executive director of Color of Change, in a March 19 press statement.

“The documents we’ve forced the federal government to release expose how these agencies are demonizing and intimidating Black activists – people who are rightly demanding that our country be more just – through coordinated and systemic surveillance.”

The redacted “Race Paper” is “the newest of a slew of documents the groups have obtained that reveal how DHS and the FBI have both monitored and surveilled the Movement for Black Lives and pushed a state-sanctioned narrative that criminalizes Black protestors,” their release to the press asserted.

“Black and brown activists and the public in general should not be left to speculate as to why DHS prepared a document called the ‘Race Paper,’ circulated multiple versions of it, and called for in-person meetings to discuss its contents, but now fights to keep every word from seeing the

light of day,” said Omar Farah, the senior staff attorney at the Center for Constitutional Rights.

“But given the long-standing and unconstitutional pattern of state surveillance of Black-led political movements, it bears repeating that FOIA is about transparency, not protecting government agencies from embarrassment.”

The Color of Change and the Center for Constitutional Rights first filed the FOIA request to the agencies in October 2016 to uncover how DHS and the FBI were monitoring the Movement for Black Lives as well as Black protestors and organizers exercising their First Amendment constitutional rights at protests across the country.

(Lauren Victoria Burke is a congressional correspondent for the NNPA Newswire. Lauren also works independently as a political analyst and communications strategist. You can reach Lauren by email at LBurke007@gmail.com and on Twitter at @LVBurke.)

Kirstjen Nielsen is sworn in at a hearing on her nomination to become the sixth Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committee in Washington, D.C., Nov. 08, 2017.

(Department of Homeland Security/Wikimedia Commons)

April 6, 2018

LIFE & STYLE/HEALTH & WELLNESS THE OMAHA STAR Page Seven The Best Of Ask Alma Sheree Whitfield’s Prison Bae Denied Early Release Mom’s Friend Turned on Me

By Alma Gill NNPA Newswire Columnist

Dear Alma, My husband was laid off after 16 years on the job. My salary alone wasn’t enough to keep up with the bills, so we decided moving in with my mom was the best thing. She has been having health problems anyway and is in need of care, so this works out for the all of us. My mom was in the hospital a few months back and was talking out of her mind. She told the doctors that I had been mistreating her, which wasn’t true.

During that time her best friend and neighbor visited regularly and knew everything that was going on. I’ve know this woman all of my life. While my mom was in the hospital this friend totally turned on me. I think she was even talking about me to the other neighbors. We had a big falling out about my mom’s care and what was really the truth. It was ugly! Anyway, I say all this to give you some background because she recently died and my mom wants me to cook and help her family out with her funeral. I’m thinking she must be crazy. Remember this woman has been awful to me, about all I can do is write a check. My friend told me about your column so I thought I’d ask your opinion?

T.B. in the Bahamas

Excuse me T.B., while I sip on my blueberry tea. I wanna make sure I’ve got a hold of all that’s happening in your house – oh wait it isn’t, it’s your mama’s home. Now that we’ve established authority, I can understand how difficult it is to find your adult-self and your husband, moving in with your mother.

You and I both can agree and recognize, clearly it wasn’t ever a part of the game plan.

But let’s not be ungrateful for this blessing.

At least ya’ll have somewhere to go, so don’t get it twisted. While I can sympathize with your situation (sip, sip, aaahh) hold up, why are we talking about you and your immature issues when you’re mother just lost her dear friend? Since you asked, I gotta tell you, this shouldn’t be about you, it’s all about your mama! Yes, by all means you should help.

This woman and your mom have had a long, loving and valuable friendship over the years. I’m sure, similar to Lucy & Ethel, Florida & Willona, Maaary & Rose, you hear what I’m sayin? These women, although on television, lived as neighbors who took great care of each other. When you saw one, you saw the other. They knew each other’s business and everybody else’s business, too, for that matter, LOL. I too grew up with these friendships beautifully displayed in my old neighborhood. I watched grown women weathering the various storms of life, supporting each other through marriage and children, sometimes divorce, the loss of a child and even widowhood. Can’t you see, your mother is asking this of you because it’s just as if an aunt has died? It’s all the same

to her – her best friend was just like family.

She loved her and her love for her friend (your play aunt) outweighs anything you can argue, cuss or fuss about. So simmer down, reach for a cup of compassion, your mother is in a very fragile place, bless her heart.

I know, I hear you, ya’ll had a fallen out, WHATEVER! Even if your mother was speaking out of her mind, as you say, her friend would only show solidarity towards your mom. That’s just the way it is between friends. Fall off your high horse before I push you off, forgive that woman for the misunderstanding between the two of you, and let it go. Pick up the phone right now and offer your services to her family. You hear me! Put on your mother’s shoes and pearls, and get to stepping. Don’t you sit down and take your shoes off until the memorial, funeral, wake or whatever is over.

Your mom has lived long enough to know you can’t truly love without giving, and the giving doesn’t have anything to do with money. It’s about giving of your time, offering up support that comes from your heart and unconditional care that isn’t measured. When death takes a loved one, there’s no room for discontent or the holding of a grudge. Your mother is looking to see the best rise out of her daughter, stop acting like a child. Mind your manners girl, we both know while she was in her right mind, she taught you better.

Alma

Health and Spirituality SHUUNK!!!

By Mark Darby, RN APRN, FNP-C Director of North Omaha Academy of Healthy Living You read the headline correctly – Shuunk. How do you pronounce Shuunk?

Think of the noise when the bank teller puts the little cylinder with your money in the pneumatic tube and presses the button and it goes Shuunk.

Shuunk is another name for the impulse that causes you to do something unhealthy you don’t want to do. You tell yourself you are not going to over eat and then SHUUNK you suddenly have a piece of double chocolate cake. Where do these SHUUNKs come from?

These impulses are immediate, powerful and operate on a largely instinctual level.

These SHUUNKs come from the base of the brain and seem to function on the same level as our survival instincts. They are so powerful that they force us to pick up a cookie and we are not aware they are operating until half the bag is gone (or half the pack of cigarettes, or until it has been

6 months since we used that treadmill etc., etc.)

Shuunks are powerful because they protect us from a perceived harm. If you get an email from your boss saying that she wants to meet with you ASAP! You can perceive the email as threat to your self-esteem or your pocket book or your reputation. There are dozens of legitimate reasons for that email but if you perceive it as a threat then the Shuunk has started.

In your mind the Shuunk goes like this: 1. You get the email from your boss requesting the meeting ASAP! 2. You ask yourself, “What did I do wrong?”

3. Even though you can’t find anything, you know it must be something bad which will get you fired 4. Then what will everyone say about you?

5. You’ll have to move from the city to avoid all the embarrassment.

6. Then the hamster wheel sets in repeating steps 2 through 5 over and over.

This happens quickly. It takes as long to

The Wellness Feed A Wellness Feed Health and Wellness Series: Upper Body

By Taylor White-Welchen, BS

And just like that, it’s spring; happy spring! Previously I shared some great lower body exercises to incorporate into your workout routine, and this week I’m sharing some fantastic upper body exercises. I find upper body exercises to be the most difficult to diversify because there are so many muscle groups in such a small surface area.

But the upper body is just as important as the lower body.

Of course pushups, bench presses and pull ups are three of the most inclusive upper body exercises; however, they’re boring – so here are some ways to spruce up your upper body workout routine.

• 7-7-7 Bicep Curl: using a lighter weight than you would typically use, curl your arm upward to make a 90 degree angle 7 times. Then curl your arm from the 90 degree angle to the full upright position 7 additional times.

Finally, complete 7 full curls. This exercise is great since it engages both the short and long head of the bicep muscle.

• Incline Bench Press: sure the traditional bench press can be a bit boring, but engage the upper part of your chest and your triceps by benching on an incline.

You can incline bench press using dumb bells, a bar, resistance bands, cables, and several other variations.

• Bent Over Row: while this exercise sounds very complicated, it really isn’t. Grab a bar, dumb bell or resistance band, have a slight bend in your knee and hinge forward so that your chest is roughly parallel to the ground, pull the bar, dumb bell or resistance band up to your belly button and lower. This is a great all around back exercise I hope you find these exercises useful, and try them on your next “Upper Body Day.” It is so important to mix up your workout routines, and these three solutions are sure fire ways to diversity your workouts. Happy training!

go from step 1 to step 6 as it takes to say Shuunk.

In this frame of mind, we are incapable of any rational action – we only seek relief. It is only a matter of time before we reach for a cigarette, a drink, some cake or the remote. SHUUNK! How do you stop the SHUUNK? Acceptance is the key. Acceptance of the fact that we can become irrationally frightened. It is hard to admit to yourself that an email from your boss can make you feel like a child, scared of monsters under the bed, but face it we must.

I say out loud what is going on starting with the words “I perceive…” or “I perceive that my boss is going to fire me for something that I don’t know I did and all my friends will hate me.” That level of honesty and self-acceptance makes it easier to see how irrational the thinking is. We can then move on to really examine what is happening.

We can avoid the Shuunk!

It looks like Sheree Whitfield is going to have to wait a bit longer for her man to get out of prison.

It will be another four years before Tyrone Gilliams gets to enjoy that Man Cave at Chateau Sheree.

On last Sunday’s episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Sheree seemed excited that her boyfriend behind bars would be coming home soon. Now, it appears that she spoke way too soon.

According to Radar Online, a judge has denied Tyrone’s plea for early release.

He was originally locked up in 2013 for securities fraud and wire fraud charges that stemmed from a white-collar scheme to cheat investors out of $5 million. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his alleged part in the plot.

In 2016, he tried to challenge the legality of that sentencing. When that was brushed aside, Tyrone filed a motion for reconsideration in January 2018. When he appeared before U.S. District Court Judge Deborah A. Batts earlier this year, he was shut down yet again.

Tyrone argued that he wasn’t the ringleader in his scheme and that the government “improperly withheld” evidence in his case.

Furthermore, he claimed that he had “ineffective” legal counsel during his trial.

Judge Batts was unmoved by his arguments, and she stated in a March 20 ruling that he didn’t present any new evidence to help his case. With this latest failure, Tyrone won’t be scheduled for release until Nov. 14, 2022.

Sorry, Sheree.

Alzheimer’s Association RivALZ Will Kick off in Omaha

On April 20, people across the Omaha area will participate in RivALZ, a volunteer-driven fundraiser that engages young professional women in a friendly but fierce flag football game.

Held year-round, RivALZ teams are organized around the age-old rivalry Blondes vs. Brunettes to raise funds and awareness to tackle Alzheimer’s, the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death. Whether it’s participating as part of a team or spectating from the sidelines, together advocates will drive awareness among a younger generation.

Funds raised through RivALZ will benefit care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Carly Snider, Omaha resident and Team Captain for the blondes, will participate for the fourth year in a row in this event in honor of her grandmother.

“Grandma Vertie is my number one reason to play. She has been living with Alzheimer’s for many years. She continues to share her love, beauty and fun personality. As her mind does not allow her to always remember who we are, where she is, or what day it is, my family helps. We laugh, share memories, and enjoy each day that we have together.”

In the United States, more than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. In Nebraska alone, there are 34,000 people living with Alzheimer’s and they are supported by 82,000 caregivers.

Nearly two-thirds of all Americans living with Alzheimer’s are women.

To join a side or learn more about RivALZ visit alz.org/RivALZ or more about Alzheimer’s disease, visit alz.org.

Library Adds Medicare Information Programs

VNA Offers Tips for Keeping Your Mind Sharp

Due to the popularity of Medicare information sessions recently offered at Omaha Public Library, more have been scheduled at library locations which had not previously offered the programs. In Medicare 101, Compass Benefits advisor Laura Weiler will discuss Medicare and its different parts, costs, coverage, important dates and potential penalties. Weiler will also talk about options for supplemental Medicare coverage and the new Medicare plan for qualifying low-income households. Anyone who is Medicare eligible or soon will be is encouraged to attend these free sessions. No registration is required.

Schedule for additional Medicare 101 sessions: • April 17, noon at Saddlebrook Branch, 14850 Laurel Ave., 402-8847473 • May 1, noon at Milton R. Abrahams Branch, 5111 N. 90th St., 402444-6284 • May 11, 10 a.m. at Millard Branch, 13214 Westwood Ln., 402-4444848 • May 15, noon at Willa Cather Branch, 1905 S. 44th St., 402-444-4851 Visit omahalibrary.org for more information on these and additional events and resources at Omaha Public Library’s 12 locations.

Just as exercising your body is important to remain healthy, so is exercising your mind. Did you know exercising your brain in new and complex ways helps keep your mind sharp now, and protects against future memory loss and cognitive decline? Try switching hands, eating with chopsticks, doing chores with your eyes closed.

Seniors, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and the general public can learn tips like these and more at the first of VNA’s free four-part Senior Speaker Series in 2018. The series is centered around how seniors can maintain their independence while remaining safe at home.

This first VNA Senior Speaker Series presentation of 2018 is titled “Tips for Keeping Your Mind Sharp,” and will be held from 11:30 a.m.

- 1 p.m. on April 19 at VNA headquarters, 12565 West Center Road.

The featured speaker is Dennis Dunning, SLP, PhD. Dr. Dunning’s presentation will highlight behaviors to help reduce mental decline, and participants will learn: • Differences between left and right hemispheres of the brain • How nutrition and exercise impact brain health • Behaviors that can lead to better brain function • Suggestions for brain stimulation VNA’s Senior Speakers Series continues with the following topics and dates, all taking place at VNA headquarters in Omaha: • June 21: Creative Cooking and Meal Prep Techniques • Sept. 20: Begin with the End in Mind: Understanding Estate Planning • Nov. 15: Talk with the Doc – A Discussion of Planning and Goals as We Age To register for this free event, or for additional details, please visit www.vnatoday.org or call 402-930-4021. Free lunch is included for all who register.

Healthy Parent/Teen Pairs Needed for Eye Study University of Nebraska Medical Center researchers at the Stanley M. Truhlsen Eye Institute are seeking participants for a study exploring how the eyes of children differ from the eyes of adults. Study results may help enable the design of improved glaucoma treatments, specifically for children.

Glaucoma is a major cause of blindness caused by permanent damage to the optic nerve. Blindness can be prevented by effectively treating and lowering eye pressure with medication or other types of treatments.

Volunteers for the study, titled “Aqueous Humor Dynamics and Biometry Parameters in Eyes of Children 15-18 Years Old,” must have healthy eyes and be between the ages of 30 and 50 and have a child age 15 to 19 who also is eligible and willing to participate. (Pregnant or nursing women, individuals with asthma or emphysema and those with sulfa allergies are not eligible to volunteer.)

Participants will be invited for a one-hour screening visit to determine eligibility to participate. Eligible participants will be scheduled for a sixhour research study visit.

The screening visit will consist of a complete, dilated eye exam. The six-hour research study visit will consist of eye pressure measurements, measurement of the fluid flow in the eye and measurements of the size and shape of the eye.

The screening visit is provided at no charge. Participants who complete the research study visit will be provided financial compensation.

Interested participants, or those seeking more information, can contact Kristi Miller, clinical research coordinator by email at Kristi.miller@ unmc.edu or at 402-559-1852.

The IRB number for the study is 364-09FB.

The American Heart Association and the Omaha Power Council invite you to:

POWER-A-THON

Saturday, April 21 | 10 a.m. - Noon Girls Inc. of Omaha, 2811 N. 45th Street

FREE EVENT Bring your family and friends!

©2018 MWA American Heart Association. Also known as the Heart Fund.

LOCAL NEWS Nebraska Science Festival Tickets Available for ABC News’ Ginger Zee

Page Eight

THE OMAHA STAR

Don’t miss your opportunity to obtain free tickets to Ginger Zee, chief meteorologist for ABC News. Zee will headline this year’s Nebraska Science Festival on April 20 at Joslyn Art Museum’s Witherspoon Concert Hall in Omaha.

Tickets for the general admission seating to “An Evening with Ginger Zee” are available online at Event Brite (up to four per person) on a first-come, first-served basis; please check nescifest.com for more information.

Although the April 20 presentation is free, tickets are required for admittance when doors open at 6:30 p.m. The presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets for past keynote speakers have went quickly. If you are unable to obtain tickets online, you may come to the venue and any open seats at 7:25 p.m. will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The sixth annual Nebraska Science Festival – scheduled for April 19-28 – will feature more than 100 science- and technology-related activities in communities

MCC Names New Director of Workforce & IT Innovation Metropolitan Community College has named Victoria Novak the new director of Workforce and IT Innovation, a position that aims to drive public-private partnerships to enhance the Omaha area’s labor pool. Novak will develop relationships with businesses and entrepreneurs who can collaborate with MCC students, helping today’s businesses while building tomorrow’s skilled workforce.

“We have a wonderful opportunity at MCC to See MCC continued on page 9

across the state with the goal of making science accessible, interactive, relevant and fun for all ages. Check nescifest.com for a full list of activities and participating communities.

As the face of ABC News’ meteorology team, audiences are familiar with Zee’s coverage of natural disasters, but the December 2017 release of her memoir, “Natural Disaster: I Cover Them, I am One,” also shined a light on the difficult personal path Zee traveled to becoming the first female chief meteorologist at a network.

“Ginger Zee has a remarkable story that reaches far beyond her high-profile science career,” said SciFest coordinator Kacie Baum. “She will share her passion for meteorology, present the human side of these storms, and inspire our audience by sharing her own life’s storms.”

Presented by the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the Nebraska Science Festival is a collaboration of organizations

April 6, 2018

Wading Into Whiteness

Zee

and individuals interested in the advancement of science literacy. In addition to UNMC, other sponsors, to date, are Metro Credit Union, the Nebraska Coalition for Lifesaving Cures, Metropolitan Community College and media sponsors KETV and the Omaha World-Herald.

To volunteer as an individual, community site or a science expo booth, go to: www. nescifest.com. In addition to NeSciFest. com, you will find SciFest updates and information on Twitter (@NESciFest) and Facebook (NE SciFest).

REACH Program Grows Small Business Pool By More Than 100 Firms A nationwide framework for Small and Emerging Business (SEB) opportunities is showing results in Omaha. REACH, the Midwest’s largest multi-partner initiative designed to increase certified SEBs, has announced more than $6.1 million in contracts realized in the past 30 months – contracts that have increased both access to construction projects and inclusivity.

“Many institutions and businesses, both large and small, have been seeking a way to assist small businesses and give back,” said Winsley Durand, executive director, REACH. “The REACH program has provided a vehicle that provides a collaborative and organized way for these firms to participate in helping to effectively grow our small business ecosystem.”

A program of the Greater Omaha

Chamber, in partnership with community strategists, experts and entities, REACH reported more than $1.9M in financing and greater than $2.8M in bonding firms since the program’s inception. The organization has also grown Omaha’s certified SEBs by more than 100 firms, thanks to 6,400-plus hours of one-on-one consultation or group education sessions.

“Our partnership with the Greater Omaha Chamber’s REACH program has provided new opportunities for small and emerging businesses to grow and compete,” said Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert. “Workforce development is a priority for our administration. Our investment in REACH is an investment in these businesses and their employees.

The return on our investment is their success.”

Recognized for its “we don’t coast” attitude, Greater Omaha is home to more than 30 communities and nearly 1 million people, with a youthful population (more than 40 percent are age 24 or younger), low cost of living and steady economic growth that outpaces the nation – attributes that provide fertile ground for growing SEBs. REACH is made possible thanks to: City of Omaha, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Metropolitan Community College, Seventy-Five North Revitalization Corp., Catholic Charities Micro Business Program, Nebraska Business Development Center, Nebraska Enterprise Fund, Nebraska PRI conducts research, promotes policies and unites diverse Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Society for Marketing communities to create the kinds of places we all want to live in. www. prineb.org.

Professional Services.

Sarpy Partnerships Enable Polling Places to Move Out of Local Schools Around 30,000 voters in Sarpy County have received notice that their voting place will change ahead of the May 15 primary election. Working with local businesses and faith-based organizations over the past several months, Sarpy County Election Commissioner Michelle Andahl says her office has relocated all polling sites out of kindergarten through 12th grade schools.

“School districts in Sarpy County have always been accommodating and gracious about hosting polling sites inside of schools,” said Andahl.

“However, it also posed challenges for schools and law enforcement as they worked to balance security protocols with providing public access without impediment on Election Day.”

Andahl said she started connecting with community members and voters soon after entering office, to identify ways in which the election office could better serve Sarpy County citizens. One common theme that arose in those discussions was that of moving polling sites out of schools.

“The partnerships we forged during this process were critical to completing this goal. Through generous commitments by many organizations, those polling sites have now been moved to churches, hospitals, community centers and retail developments.”

Andahl added, “It is a huge challenge for county election officials to identify polling places that meet all requirements for accommodating voters on Election Day. Schools are often the only viable

option. It will take ongoing community cooperation to keep polling sites out of Sarpy County schools going in the future.”

Yellow postcards have been mailed to affected voters, letting them know the address of their new polling site.

In addition, they will soon receive an application, which they can complete, to receive an early ballot by mail.

“I want to thank the voters of Sarpy County. I know that change is not always easy and a new location may not be as convenient to voters, when compared to their previous one. However, moving polling places out of K-12 schools was an important task, not just for my office, but also for those who felt this was a positive step for the community.”

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OMAHA-COUNCIL BLUFFS CONSORTIUM CONSOLIDATED SUBMISSION FOR COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FOR 2018 (Annual Action Plan) The Consolidated Submission for Community Planning and Development Programs (“the Consolidated Plan”) is a planning document prepared by the City of Omaha pursuant to Section 105 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act of 1990. Having an approved Consolidated Plan is necessary for the City to participate in the Federal Community Development Block Grant, Home Investment Partnerships, and Emergency Shelter Grant programs.

A summary of the 2018 Action Plan is also provided below. Copies of the Consolidated Plan may be viewed at the following locations: : Planning Department, Omaha/Douglas Civic Center, Suite 1111 – 1819 Farnam Street; W. Dale Clark Library – 215 South 15th Street; A.V. Sorenson Library – 4808 Cass Street; Abrahams Library – 5111 North 90th Street; Swanson Library – 9101 Dodge; Benson Library – 2918 North 60th Street; Millard Library – 13214 Westwood Lane; South Branch – Library – 2808 Q Street; Washington Library – 2868 Ames Avenue; Willa Cather – 44th and Center Street; and the Bess Johnson Elkhorn Branch – 2100 Reading Plaza.

A summary of the proposed use of those funds is provided below.

Do you already have a strong grounding in race issues and familiarity with the concept of cultural humility? If so, A’Jamal Byndon & Karen Abrams invite you to join us for “Wading Into Whiteness,” the 2nd in our series of Advanced Cultural Humility Workshops being offered this spring. As always, our goal is to build bridges and improve cross-cultural communication in a diverse world.

This advanced workshop will get you thinking deeply about what it means to be white in a racially diverse world. We will examine the connections between white identity and white supremacy, and learn how overcoming white supremacy is essential to achieving racial equity and justice.

Come ready to talk, listen, think critically, reflect, teach and learn!

Come ready to share on May 8, 6-9 p.m., at MCC North Express, 3rd Floor, 2112 N. 30th St. There is a cost to register; visit, https://coned. mccneb.edu/CourseStatus During this 3-hour workshop, you will have opportunities for individual reflection, small-group and large-group exploration in order to achieve the following learning objectives: • Analyze and critique the morality of white supremacy versus race equity.

• Learn strategies to combat white supremacy and achieve racial justice.

• Identify opportunities and establish benchmarks to measure effective engagement with others from different racial worldviews.

• Map out steps to begin working towards racial justice as individuals and within organizations.

This workshop is suitable for the general public as well as those working in education, nonprofit & social services, business & industry. It is geared for ages 18 and up and will be limited to 25 participants.

The Facilitators: • A’Jamal Byndon is Douglas County’s Disproportionate Minority Contact and Compliance Coordinator. He has taught diversity and multicultural courses for 25 years at Nebraska Methodist College, Metro Community College and UNO, and was one of the seven founding members of the original Omaha Table Talk.

• Karen Abrams, MPH, is a public health and strategic planning consultant.

As Acting Executive Director of Policy Research & Innovation (PRI), a local nonprofit, she helps foster partnerships, craft research-based policy and analysis, and create opportunities for civic and community engagement.

Karen and A’Jamal promote cultural humility through workshops, strategic planning and implementation via PRI. The final workshop in this advanced series is “Advanced Interpersonal Skills in Cultural Humility,” scheduled for May 31, at MCC.

‘Mountaintop’ Tickets On Sale at Playhouse Tickets for Omaha Community Playhouse’s (OCP) upcoming production of “The Mountaintop” are now on sale through the OCP box office. The production will run May 4-27 in OCP’s Howard Drew Theatre, 6915 Cass St. An Olivier Award-winning play of historical fiction, The Mountaintop imagines the final night in the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. After giving his speech, “The Mountaintop,” Dr. King returns to his room at the Lorraine Motel. When a mysterious woman with a secret agenda pays a visit to Dr. King, the resulting confrontation imaginatively explores destiny, legacy and mortality.

2018 marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. King on

April 4. The events in this timely and powerful story take place the night before his death, 50 years ago on April 3, 1968.

The show runs May 4-27; Thursdays-Saturdays, 7:30 p.m., and Sundays, 2 p.m.

Tickets are available at the OCP Box Office, by calling 402-553-0800 or online at OmahaPlayhouse.com or www.TicketOmaha.com. Ticket prices are subject to change based on performance date, seat location and ticket demand. Call the OCP box office for current prices. For groups of 12 or more, tickets are $20 for adults and $14 for students.

Warning: The show contains dialogue related to racial tension and adult language.

Nebraska Getting Federal Funds for Elections as Part of Omnibus Spending Bill Nebraska will receive some timely federal funding for elections, courtesy of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 signed by President Trump. Secretary of State John Gale says the timing and process for distributing payments still needs to be finalized. But it must happen quickly. According to the legislation, funds must be disbursed by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) within 45 days.

“This money comes at a

time when Nebraska and other states are taking steps to boost cybersecurity protections as well as replace outdated equipment and voter registration systems,” said Gale. “I am pleased to see that Congress included the $380 million dollars in this significant federal funding package.”

Of the $380 million, it is estimated that Nebraska will receive around $2.3 million, although, the EAC will ultimately be responsible for determining the final calculation for each state.

The Omaha Planning Department will receive written comments regarding the 2018 Action Plan April 28, 2018: City of Omaha William Lukash Assistant Planning Director Omaha/Douglas Civic Center 1819 Farnam Street, Suite 1111 Omaha, NE 68183

SUMMARY OF THE CITY OF OMAHA-COUNCIL BLUFFS CONSOLIDATED SUBMISSION FOR COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS 2018 ACTION PLAN 2018 Community Development Block Grant Program Housing Rehabilitation - Single Family Rehabilitation financing including full and exterior rehabilitation minor and emergency housing repairs, home modifications to make energy and health improvements, removal of architectural barriers.

Demolition - Demolition of condemned houses in low- and moderate-income areas by the City of Omaha and unfit and unsafe units by Habitat for Humanity for blight eradication and future infill housing construction.

Housing Development Infill Housing Program - Acquisition, demolition, site preparation, professional services, public improvements and/or conveyance of property for development of new housing units.

Economic Development Program - Step-Up Omaha Youth Employment Program and job training and placement services Public Services - Homeowner Counseling Services and Homeowner Finance Program.

2018 HOME Investment Partnerships Program Housing Development Program - Homeowner Housing Development including new construction and acquisition and rehabilitation and resale program of single-family housing Rental Rehabilitation Program - rehabilitation of rental housing City of Council Bluffs - Multiple-Family Housing Development Project 2018 Emergency Solutions Grant Program Emergency Shelter Operations, Homelessness Prevention, Rapid Re-Housing and Homeless Information Management System A more extensive description of 2018 program can be found at: https://planninghcd.cityofomaha.org/hcd-plans

Public Notice of Availability of City of Omaha Consolidated Plan Performance Reports Including The CDBG, HOME, And ESG Program for FY 2017 On March 31, 2018, the City of Omaha submitted to the U.S. department of Housing and Urban Development, the consolidated Plan performance reports summarizing the City’s activities under the following programs during the 2017 fiscal year: 1) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG); 2) HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME); and 3) emergency shelter Grant (ESG). These reports summarize the City’s activities, accomplishments, and expenditures under these programs from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017. Activities were related to Neighborhood Development, Economic Development, Public Services and Facilities, Emergency Shelter Operations and Services, and program Administration. These reports will be available for inspection in the City Planning Department, 1819 Farnam Street, Suite 1111, during regular business hours as of March 31, 2018. Public comments are welcome and encouraged.

Gale said the EAC is expected to reach out to recipient states and territories to facilitate distribution of funds as quickly as possible.

Nebraska ran out of federal funds for elections in 2015. The state assumed all funding starting in 2016.

“The first distribution of federal funding resulted from passage of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA),” Gale said. “That law authorized $3.65 billion dollars in funding to states to improve areas of election administration that were found to be lacking as a result of the 2000 presidential election.”

At that time, Nebraska received nearly $21.5 million, which included a five percent mandatory match provided by the state. As it did then, Nebraska will be required to provide a five percent match to whatever federal funding it receives through the current omnibus spending bill, however, the state will have two years to come up with that amount.

“When HAVA was first implemented, states were also required to appoint a citizen advisory committee to develop a plan for distributing funds.

However, it appears that in order to expedite the funds this time, states will not be required to take that additional step.”

Gale said he was very appreciative to the state’s congressional delegation for supporting the appropriation of remaining HAVA dollars. “My office will begin to develop a plan for the use of funds in the most appropriate and reasonable fashion for cybersecurity and election technology, as most critical.”

April 6, 2018

EVENTS/CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING THE OMAHA STAR Page Nine Parks & Rec Bringing Bridge Beats Back

In The Village!

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

April 7 – “Managing Your Money Debt Free,” sponsored by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Greater Omaha Chapter, will be held from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at the Institute of Culinary Arts in the Swanson Conference Center, Bldg 22, on Metro Community College’s Fort Omaha campus. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.

April 9 – The Rev. Pamela Cooper-White, PhD, will deliver a lecture titled “Revisiting Tamar: Violence Against Women and the Church’s Response in the #MeToo Era,” at 6:30 p.m. in Creighton’s Harper Center, Room 3023. This lecture is part of the Women and Religion Lecture series, sponsored by Creighton’s Women’s and Gender Studies Program and the Kripke Center for the Study of Religion and Society. The lecture is free and open to the public.

April 13 – Washington branch library, 2868 Ames Ave, will host Reading Time at 2 p.m.

Youth under 15 are invited to a quiet reading time – bring a pillow and get comfortable!

This program offers the opportunity to “Read Off Your Fines” for youth with fines on their library card. Be sure to sign in, then for every 15 minutes you spend reading at this special event, $1.25 will be waived from your eligible fines and fees. Children too young to read on their own can still participate by having an adult read aloud to them. Snacks and drinks will be provided for readers.

April 14 – Dietze Music, 13015 W. Center Rd, is hosting a restring and recycle event to celebrate Earth Month from 10 a.m. till 2 p.m.

Musicians can bring in old strings for recycling, and get their electric or acoustic guitars restrung at no cost. For more info, phone 402-333-1535.

April 14 – The Union for Contemporary Art, 2324 N. 24th St., hosts Omaha Zine Fest from 11 a.m. till 5 p.m. The Fest is a celebration of independent publishing, featuring nearly 100 indie artists and makers. Dig your hands into artmaking activities in the Co-Op Studios and participate in workshops ranging from Herbal Support for Anxiety and Depression to Origami Zines. Free coffee and food for purchase. For more info email omahazinefest@gmail.com!

April 14 – Join the WCA as they celebrate the opening of their new building, 3801 Harney Street. Special remarks and an official ribbon cutting at 1:30 PM. The building will be open for public viewing. For more info, visit their Facebook page.

April 14 – Attend the North Omaha Political Convention from 2-6 p.m. on MCC’s Fort Omaha campus, in the Institute of Culinary Arts (Bldg. 22). Discuss the issues, meet the candidates and other community advocates, and GET INVOLVED! Registration is not required.

April 14 – Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center and the Capital Humane Society invite the public to a special day on the tallgrass prairie from 2-4 p.m. This event is especially designed to welcome pet lovers to the prairie with their furry friends to walk the trails, to learn about pet and wildlife safety, and to participate in a nature-themed costumed pet parade for a chance to win donated prizes. The Capital Humane Society will have several pets available for adoption. The event is free.

April 17 – The Alzheimer’s Association hosts, Know the 10 Signs: Early Detection Matters.

Learn the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease, separating myth from reality and address commonly-held fears, hear from people who have the disease and find out how to recognize the signs in yourself and others. This education session will be held from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at Think Whole Person Healthcare, 7100 MCC continued from page 1 bring businesses and higher education together,” said Novak, who spent time at AIM prior to coming to MCC. “I look forward to engaging with the community and creating partnerships that can transform people’s lives.”

Novak traveled to Washington, D.C., this week as part of her role with Omaha STEM Ecosystem, where she serves as chairperson of the diverse and engaged stakeholders committee. Omaha STEM Ecosystem works with families, government, science centers, museums, education partners, businesses and nonprofits to develop and implement solutions to citywide workforce challenges.

West Center Rd., Level 2, Suite 10. For more info, or to register, phone 800-272-3900 or visit communityresourcefinder.org.

April 18 – The Union for Contemporary Art, 2423 N. 24th St., hosts an Indie Lens Pop-Up Screening of Look & See: Wendell Berry’s Kentucky by Laura Dunn, a portrait of the changing landscapes and shifting values of rural America in the era of industrial agriculture, as seen through the mind’s eye of award-winning writer and farmer Wendell Berry. This free event will be held from 7 - 9 p.m. and is presented

by NET, Nebraska’s PBS & NPR Stations, in partnership with The Union. Refreshments and discussion follow the film. To register, visit eventbrite.com/e/indie-lens.

April 20 – Young artists from the Union for Contemporary Art’s After School and Saturday Art Clubs will host their Youth Exhibit with an opening reception, from 6-7:30 p.m., in the Wanda D. Ewing Gallery, 2423 N. 24th St. Within the theme, To Tell My Story, young artists explored a variety of ways in which they could express themselves creatively and illustrate the world from their perspective. Among the work exhibited will be ceramics, collages, abstract paintings, storytelling and calligrams, examples of their printmaking and digital photography.

For more info, phone 402-933-3161.

April 21 – The American Heart Association and the Omaha Power Council will host POWER-A-THON, from 10 a.m. till noon, at Girls Inc., 2811 N. 45th St. Bring your family and friends to this free event.

April 21 – Nebraska’s 9th annual Lymphoma Walk will be held at Mahoney State Park.

The fundraising event, which is hosted by the Lymphoma Research Foundation, will begin at 10 a.m. with registration at 9 a.m. at the park pavilion. Though the event is free, vehicles need to purchase a park permit at the park gate. A free picnic will be held for all attendees following the walk. For more info, contact Dana Bork at 402612-968-3757 or dbork@lymphoma.org.

April 21 – Omaha NAACP Primary Election Candidate Forum will be held from noon - 2 p.m., at Love’s Jazz & Arts Center, 2510 N. 24th St. For more info, phone 402.345.6227.

April 21-30 – Want to be a comedian?

Writing and performing a standup comedy act and learning how the industry works from an insider’s point of view are the topics that will be covered when The Funny Bone Comedy Club hosts workshops on April 21, 22 and 29, from noon until 4 p.m. Participants will perform their standup acts on April 30 at 7 p.m. For more info and to register visit www.TheComedyBook. com, phone 440-315-4077 or email Dave@ TheComedyBook.com April 27 – Sarpy County CASA will hold its second annual CASA UnCorked event from 5:30-10 p.m. at SAC Federal Credit Union, 72nd and Highway 370. The evening will feature wine and beer tastings, heavy appetizers, a wine pull, live music and live and silent auctions. All proceeds from the event will go toward CASA’s “Let Kids Be Kids Fund.” Tickets are available online at SarpyCASA.com. Tickets for the wine pull can be purchased online or at the event.

May 5 – Participate in the 5th Annual My Sister’s Keeper (MSK) Spring Honors Walk at Benson park pavilion, from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. This walk honors those who have lost their lives to breast cancer, while celebrating with those that are still in the fight. Register today to walk individually, or as a team! T-shirts are available but there is a limited amount. Paper forms can be picked up at the MSK office, 5620 Ames Ave. For more info contact MaxCine Jackson 402-541-5803.

Bridge Beats is returning for its sixth season at the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge Plaza. Sponsored

by Omaha Parks and Recreation, Bridge Beats is bringing eight free concerts to the stage, doubling last year’s four concerts. Concerts will be every Friday night for 8 weeks, June 29 - Aug. 17 from 6-9 p.m.

Showcasing all sorts of talent, the eight concerts are comprised of four well known Omaha cover bands, and four very talented original bands.

Different genres include original country, honkytonk, soul, indie, pop, jazz, blues, folk, and of course your well- known sing-alongs. This lineup will have you dancing, singing along, and wanting more.

Bridge Beats is a family- friendly concert series.

Each concert will bring something fun for the kids to do in our “Rhythm and Beat Kid’s Zone” such as face painting, bubble shows, bounce houses and more. Don’t forget about the free giveaways.

Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blanket, and a picnic basket. Also available is food from our local food trucks and beverages

Us On Our Facebook Page

This year’s lineup features: June 29: R-Style with opener The 402 Musician Arts Collective July 6: Lloyd McCarter & the Honky Tonk Revival July 13: Domestic Blend July 20: Gooch and His Las Vegas Big Band July 27: Lemon Fresh Day Aug. 3: Angel Forrest with opener Grace Giebler Feat. Ben Curran Aug. 10: Taxi Driver Aug. 17: The Personics

Michael D. Matejka Elected President of FHAS Board of Directors Family Housing Advisory Services Inc. (FHAS)is pleased to announce that Michael D. Matejka, of the Omaha office of the law firm Woods & Aiken LLP, has been elected President of the Board of Directors of FHAS after years of service on the Board. Matejka is one of Omaha’s most respected real estate lawyers, whose experience includes real estate development, leasing, like–kind exchanges, and tax planning for real estate transactions as well as substantial community service to the nonprofit community.

Since 1968, FHAS has been dedicated to improving quality of life by helping people achieve housing stability and financial security. Over its 47 years, FHAS has developed solutions in response to a broad range of housing issues that have surfaced in and/or plagued our community. Through a unique combination of Michael D. Matejka comprehensive services, FHAS prevents homelessness, educates home owners, provides foreclosure prevention options, develops financially-wise consumers (including youth transitioning out of foster care), offers affordable mortgage lending options, eliminates housing discrimination, and reduces poverty through access to tax credits. For more information please visit: www.fhasinc.org.

We’re Hiring!

CORR OFFICERS - $16.74 hour plus benefits. corrections.nebraska.gov/careers

★

Business Connection

Attorney

To advertise your business, please contact Phyllis Hicks.

Call 402-346-4041 Ext. 4 or email phyllis@omahastarinc.com

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HEAR YOURSELF ON-AIR! Step 1: Call the Radio Request Line 402-819-8941 (Toll-Free 855-465-100.3) Step 2: Say “This is (your name). My favorite gospel song is (your favorite song).”

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Housing 55 & older

Save The Date Sunday, July 15 4 p.m.

Hilton Hotel

Omaha Star Newspaper Celebrates 80 YEARS 1938-2018 Founded by Mildred D. Brown

Insurance

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Page Ten THE OMAHA STAR

YOUTH/EDUCATION NEWS

April 6, 2018

Science Made Fun at Omaha Public Library Storybook Characters Come to Life at Library The Nebraska Science Festival (NE SciFest) • April 26, 5:30 p.m.: Toys & Science at W. Dale

is a statewide science celebration designed to make science accessible, interactive, relevant and fun for all ages. Events will take place across Nebraska April 19-28 to help people engage in science-related activities and stimulate curiosity in the world around them. Many of these events are taking place at Omaha Public Library locations throughout Omaha beginning a couple days early on April 17. All library programs are free to attend, though some have age recommendations and registration requirements. Contact the hosting location with questions or visit omahalibrary.org for more information.

• April 17, 4:30 p.m.: Full STEAM Aheadat Benson Branch,6015 Binney St., 402-444-4846 • April 19, 4:00 p.m.: DIY Bottle Rockets at Charles B. Washington Branch, 2868 Ames Ave., 402-444-4849 • April 20, 3:15 p.m.: Teen Food & Fun – NE SciFest Edition at W. Dale Clark Main Library, 215 S. 15th St., 402-444-4800 • April 24 * 10:30 a.m.: Science Stations at Saddlebrook Branch, 14850 Laurel Ave., 402-884-7473 * 4:00 p.m.: Drone Basics at Florence Branch, 2920 Bondesson St., 402-444-5299 * 4:30 p.m.: Minecraft Stop Motion at A.V. Sorensen Branch, 4808 Cass St., 402-444-5274 * 5 p.m.: NE SciFest QR Code Challenge at Milton R. Abrahams Branch, 5111 N. 90th St., 402-444-6284 • April 25 * 10:30 a.m.: Science Stations at Saddlebrook Branch * 11:00 a.m.: Science in a Bottle at A.V. Sorensen Branch * 4:30 p.m.: Literary S.T.E.M. Challenge at South Omaha Library, 2808 Q St., 402-444-4850

Clark Main Library • April 28 * 10:30 a.m.: Science Stations at Saddlebrook Branch * 4:00 p.m.: Nintendo LABO at A.V. Sorensen Branch Science-Themed Storytimes • April 20, 10:30 a.m.: STEAM Family Storytimeat Florence Branch • April 23, 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.: Science of Sound Family Storytime at Millard Branch, 13214 Westwood Ln., 402-444-4848 • April 24 * 10:30 a.m.: Science of Sound Family Storytime at Millard Branch * 7:00 p.m.: Nighttime Science Family Storytime at Benson Branch • April 25 * 10:00 a.m.: Family Storytime at Bess Johnson Elkhorn Branch, 2100 Reading Plz., 402-289-4367 * 10:30 a.m.: Toddler Storytime at A.V. Sorensen Branch * 10:30 a.m. Sound of Science Storytime at Millard Branch * 10:30 a.m.: Preschool NE SciFest Storytime at W. Dale Clark Main Library * 10:30 a.m. NE SciFest Visits Storytime at Willa Cather Branch, 1905 S. 44th St., 402-4444851 • April 26, 10 a.m.: Music & Movement Storytimeat Bess Johnson Elkhorn Branch • April 28, 10:30 a.m. NE SciFest Visits Storytime at W. Clarke Swanson Branch, 9101 W. Dodge Rd., 402-444-4852 For more information on these and additional upcoming events and resources at Omaha Public Library’s 12 metro locations, visit omahalibrary. org.

Voya Unsung Heroes Awards Program

Voya Unsung Heroes Awards Program awards grants to educators of grades K-12 who use new teaching methods and techniques to improve learning. Qualified applicants include full-time educators, teachers, principals, paraprofessionals, or classified staff.

Educators may enter by submitting a description of the project they want to pursue. Projects must have the ability to influence students in a positive way and are judged by their innovative method, creativity, and quality. One hundred educators are chosen annually to receive a grant that will help fund their class projects. Three final recipients are then selected to receive additional funding.

All educators applying for an award must be

employed full-time at an accredited K-12 public or private school located in the United States. All awards must be used to help further the projects within the school or school system.

The awards are sponsored by Voya Financial, a financial, retirement, investment and insurance company based in New York, New York. The program is administered by Scholarship Management Services, a division of Scholarship America.

The deadline for this scholarship is usually in April of each year, and the award amount is usually $2,000 - $25,000.

For more details, visit www.scholarsapply.org/ unsungheroes/

Omaha Public Library (OPL) welcomes all ages to Saddlebrook Branch, 14850 Laurel Ave., on April 15, 1-4 p.m., for a Storybook Land celebration. Life-sized characters from children’s literature will be on hand including Biscuit, Curious George, Island Princess, Little Critter, Olivia, Spider Hero, Thea Stilton and Wild Thing. OPL’s beloved mascot Scamper will also attend the festivities.

Event participants will receive a Storybook Land passport upon arrival and can collect a stamp for each costume character they visit.

Children in attendance will also receive a free book to keep! Storytimes are scheduled throughout the afternoon at 1:30 p.m. with Olivia, 2:15 p.m. with Curious George, and 3 p.m. with Wild Thing. The books read during

storytime will feature the stories of visiting characters.

“Storybook characters visit storytimes at OPL throughout the year and families really enjoy the time to meet the characters and take photos,” said OPL Youth Services Manager Julie Humphrey.

“Storybook Land is a great opportunity to meet many characters all at once and create some great memories.”

The event is free and registration is not required. Parents and guardians are encouraged to bring their cameras to capture fun moments throughout the afternoon. For more information on this event and additional upcoming events at Omaha Public Library’s 12 metro locations, visit omahalibrary.org.

Project Embrace – Summer Fun for Children Project Embrace, a summer program for neighborhood children, will be held at Augustana Lutheran Church, 3647 Lafayette Ave., June 11 July 20.

The morning program, for ages 4-8, will be held from 8:30-noon; the afternoon program, for ages 9-13, will run from noon-4. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are provided.

Activities include swimming, roller skating, arts and crafts, outdoor games, computer skills,

kindergarten readiness for 4- and 5-year-olds, field trips to the Henry Doorly Zoo and Omaha Children’s Museum, and more.

There is cost a minimal cost per child, but scholarships are available. Come join us for a summer of fun and learning!

For more information or to register for the program, visit Augustana Lutheran Church at the address above or phone 402-551-4728.

After

High School Omaha Star Education Special Edition Your guide to post-secondary schools, financial aid and scholarship information

College Possible Celebrates AmeriCorps Thirty three AmeriCorps members recently celebrated AmeriCorps week at College Possible Omaha. AmeriCorps Week is a celebration of all things AmeriCorps – the people who have committed to “Get Things Done.” College Possible was the first in the nation to use the AmeriCorps national service model to address the issue of college access. For the 2017-2018 school year, College Possible welcomes AmeriCorps members from 11 different states to provide service to more than 2,000 talented low income students as they realize their dream of a 4 year college degree.

In total, members will complete 55,100 hours of service. Members serve in various positions throughout Omaha, such as high school coaches, campus and tech based coaches and community partnership team members.

“We are incredibly grateful for these young, idealistic recent college graduates who have decided to spend at least ten months of their lives serving Omaha area students as they work towards their goal of a 4-year college degree.

Their dedication to our students and our mission of ensuring that the future of America’s children is determined solely by their talent, motivation and effort, not their income is inspiring to us all,” states Katie Cunningham, Program Director.

About College Possible: Started in Omaha in 2011, College Possible is a nationally-growing nonprofit organization making college admission and success possible for lowincome students through an intensive curriculum of coaching and support. College Possible Omaha serves more than 750 students in ten partner high schools and over 1,300 college students on 91 campuses throughout the country. More information at www.CollegePossible.org.

About AmeriCorps: AmeriCorps engages more than 75,000 members in intensive service annually to serve through nonprofit, faith-based, and community organizations at 21,000 locations across the country. These members help communities tackle pressing problems while mobilizing millions of volunteers for the organizations they serve. Since 1994, more than 980,000 Americans have provided more than 1.2 billion hours of service to their communities and country through AmeriCorps. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.

How Obama’s Education Law Can Help Black Parents Bridge The Gap

By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. President and CEO, NNPA All parents want the best for their children. We all acknowledge that attaining a high-quality K-12 education is probably the single most important factor that will determine the future life success of a student in the public school systems throughout the United States.

Yet, the reality for millions of Black American parents in the U.S. is that there is a lingering educational achievement gap between Black students and White students. This is why I believe that raising awareness about the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) among all parents, especially Black parents, is vital.

This should be a national priority for all who stand for equality in effective high-quality public education for all students. Now that states have begun the tedious process to refine and submit their ESSA state plans to the U.S. Department of Education, Black parents should increase their input into these plans in each state.

Recent national studies have pointed to what some researchers have concluded as “low expectations” about the academic achievement levels of Black students being a major contributing factor to their underachievement in the classroom.

Unfortunately, sometimes these predictions based on external research about Black America can become self-fulfilling prophecies and mere justifications for the current educational disparities and inequities between Black students and White students.

Black parents do not have low expectations about their children’s academic potential to achieve excellence and scholarship. Most Black parents encourage and expect their children to do well in school. Black parents do have, however, low expectations about the priorities that state boards of education, as well as county and city boards of education, have presented thus far in response to the inclusive accountability mandates of ESSA. Inclusion presupposes involvement. Parental involvement is a key factor that determines the effectiveness of our public school system. The National Newspaper Publishers Association is, therefore, pleased to join and to support all efforts that will increase Black American parental involvement concerning ESSA and its implementation at both the state and federal levels.

Yes, Black student K-12 educational achievement gaps that now exist in too many school districts in the U.S. can be bridged going forward, if there is a substantial and measurable increase in the consistent involvement of Black parents at all levels of decision-making and public policy implementation of ESSA. Please pass this message to others that you may know who are likewise concerned about these issues.

The future of our families and communities is at stake. Our collective awareness and involvement can help to make a positive difference in improving K-12 education in America. I have faith that Black American parents will once again rise to this challenge.

Learn more about how you can get involved with the Every Student Succeeds Act in your state at NNPA.org/essa.

(Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. is the President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and can be reached at dr.bchavis@ nnpa.org. You can follow Dr. Chavis on Twitter @drbenchavis.)

‘Blacks at Microsoft’ African American Heritage Scholarships Blacks at Microsoft (BAM) African American Heritage Scholarships are offered to outstanding black high-school seniors who are interested in pursuing careers in technology. High-school seniors of African descent may apply (for example, African American, Caribbean, African, etc.).

Applicants must plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, computer information systems, or a business program such as finance, business administration, or marketing. Students must have a GPA of 3.3 or above and demonstrate financial need. Two scholarships are awarded. Scholarships are renewable up to four years of college.

Ideal candidates will have a passion for technology and demonstrate leadership qualities through extracurricular activities at school or volunteer work in their communities. Recipients must attend a four-year college or university in the fall immediately following high school graduation.

The scholarship is offered by Microsoft and is focused on supporting the continued growth and development of black employees at Microsoft Corporation.

Raising Emotionally Competent Children

By Lynette Monroe Program Assistant NNPA/ESSA Public Awareness Campaign) I don’t remember my grandparents assisting me with homework beyond holding up flash cards for me to recite. They could have, I just don’t remember. I do remember Lil’ Bow Wow’s release of “Beware of Dog” in 2000 followed by my incessant pleading to hang his poster on my bedroom wall. I also remember hearing my mother’s inevitable “no” as she repeated her “no posters on these walls” policy.

In a fast-paced, tech-obsessed world, assisting your child with homework can prove a daunting task. New teaching methods are adopted every day. Even professionals with advanced degrees are not necessarily equipped to help children with homework.

However, all parents should feel empowered to teach their children social and emotional development. Social and emotional competence yields similar academic gains as strictly educational interventions. Parents, churches, and communities bear the brunt of the responsibility for socializing children. This is where we, as a community, have an opportunity to shine.

A report from the Brookings Institution, published in May 2015, called for the prioritization of social and emotional development as the U.S. Congress worked on the bill that would become the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) that was signed into law by Barack Obama in December 2015.

The report, titled “Social and Emotional Development: The Next School Reform Frontier,” claims social and emotional competence directly correlates to a child’s ability to learn and achieve in school. The report cited the findings of a study of more than 200,000 students from kindergarten to high school who participated in social and emotional development learning (SEL) programs at school. The study found that students who completed SEL programs demonstrated greater social skills, less emotional stress, better attitudes, fewer conduct problems, and more frequent positive behaviors, such as cooperation and help for other students—benefits that translate to the workplace.

In November 2017, after all 50 states and the District of Columbia submitted their state ESSA plans, Lauren Poteat reported that states were ignoring opportunities to address social competency in the new national education law. Social and emotional development is a child’s ability to understand and control his/her feelings, acknowledge and respect the feelings of others, and to form meaningful relationships. In layman’s terms, social/emotional development is the authoritative, waving finger of your mother, father, grandma, grandpa, aunt or uncle saying: “Remember who you representin’, when you walk out this door.”

Or, for those of us familiar with Christianity, social and emotional development echoes Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

So, what can Black parents do to supplement the lack of schoolbased SEL programs? Here are a few things my grandparents did.

1. Respect Your Child’s Voice If there was a rule I didn’t agree with, my grandma always took the time to hear my perspective. She didn’t listen just waiting to reply; she listened intently, to understand. Most times I didn’t change her mind, but a few times I did. Those experiences taught me that my voice was valid, that you didn’t’ have to agree with someone to understand their perspective, and that simply acknowledging someone else’s perspective can create an environment for enlightenment.

2. Give Your Child Tangible Heroes There was a ‘no posters on these walls’ policy in my house. I am almost certain my grandma didn’t want posters of celebrities on her wall for respectability devotions. However, the unintended outcome was an elevated perception of self-worth. Since, my grandma never provided me the opportunity to idolize my favorite pop stars, I learned to look to the people around me for role models and guidance. Ultimately, I learned that whatever tools I needed to succeed were already within me. I learned how to control my behavior. I held the sole responsibility for my choices and whenever I felt confused, the first people I looked to for help were in my immediate support system.

The deadline for this scholarship is usually in March of each year, and the award amount is usually $5,000.

For more details, visit www.microsoft. com/en-us/diversity/programs/blacksscholarships.aspx.

Spring College Fairs!

Meet with representatives from colleges across the state, region, and nation during upcoming College Fairs across Nebraska.

If you’re a senior, take one more look at schools if you haven’t yet selected a

Opinion:

college. If you’re a junior, this is the ideal time to narrow down the list of colleges that might be a good fit for you. If you’re a sophomore, use this event to kick-start your college planning.

Omaha Area College Fair April 29, 1-3 p.m.

University of Nebraska at Omaha - Sapp Fieldhouse Admission is free.

Tri-State Area College Fair April 15, 1-3 p.m.

Delta Hotel Center (formerly Marina Center) South Sioux City, NE Lincoln Area College Fair April 22, 1-3 p.m.

Southeast Community College - Lincoln

Before you attend a College Fair, register for a barcode at NebraskaCollegeFairs. org. Print the barcode – or save it to your smartphone – and take it to the fair so college representatives can scan your demographic information.

To stay updated on details, follow EducationQuest on Twitter and Facebook.

3. Encourage Your Children I never received a reward for expected behavior. I didn’t get taken out for pizza or ice cream for good grades or behavior.

Nevertheless, my grandpa never missed an opportunity to show his appreciation for a job well done, either through a big bear hug or a cheesy smile. My grandpa showed his love for me regardless of any accolades I obtained. He made it clear that he loved me; just for me. He told me I was beautiful before anyone else ever got the chance to. On bad days, I still hear his voice saying, “That’s a pretty dress there. Twirl around, let me see it all the way around.”

In that moment I would feel as if I was the only girl in the world.

I felt we had similar interest in pretty dresses and that made him more than just my father figure; that made him my confidant.

I credit this experience for my ability to form meaningful relationships.

Neither of my grandparents graduated high school, however they were able to have a profound impact on my academic progress by simply validating my voice, providing a strong support system, and encouraging me regardless of accolades from the outside world.

Learn more about social and emotional development and the Every Student Succeeds Act at nnpa.org/essa.

Page Two

EDUCATION SPECIAL

THE OMAHA STAR

Selecting a College These steps will help juniors narrow their college choices, and will help seniors prepare for the college application process.

Step 1: Research colleges and create a list of potential schools.

• Learn about the types of colleges and their degrees.

• Talk to college admission representatives who visit your school.

• Attend a College Fair or Educational Planning Program to learn about colleges in Nebraska and across the country.

• Use our College Profiles to match colleges with your interests – and then check out the colleges’ websites.

Step 2: Go on campus visits.

This is one of the most important steps in finding the right fit for college. Follow these tips for a successful campus visit, and check out these questions to ask while on campus.

Step 3: Take college entrance exams.

• You’ll take the ACT entrance exam during your junior year, and some students also take the SAT. Retake the exams in the fall of your senior year to get the best score possible. Colleges use your best score to award scholarships and to make admission decisions.

• Visit ACT and the College Board for sample questions, test dates, registration, and fees.

• If you plan to attend a community college, they may require you to take a placement test such as Accuplacer or Companion. Contact the college for details.

Step 4: Apply for admission.

Narrow your list of colleges and apply to your top 3-4 schools in the fall of your senior year. Most colleges will require an application and fee, your official high school transcripts, and your official ACT/SAT test scores. Ask if the admission application is used to award college-based scholarships.

Step 5: Apply for financial aid.

Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at fafsa.gov on or after October 1 of your senior year. See the Paying for College section for details.

Step 6: Complete scholarship applications.

Some scholarships come directly from the college and some are from local or national donors.

Step 7: Select a college.

In the spring of your senior year, compare your top colleges and make your final decision.

Then, complete these tasks: • Sign up for your college’s online student account or portal.

• Submit the application form and deposit for campus housing.

• Register for new-student orientation.

• Notify the other schools of your decision and decline their awards.

• Apply for student and/or parent loans, if needed.

Final Four is Fun to Watch, But It’s No Way to Pick a College

By Jeannine Phelan There is something about March Madness that captures the imagination. Perhaps it’s the joy of seeing your favorite college team make the tournament, the thought of a wining bracket, or dreams of attending a college with a top seed. Can you see yourself wearing the college colors of a Final Four team, cheering them on in person, catching yourself on national TV as the camera scans the student section?

Wait, what?

The Final Four is really fun to watch, but when you’re ready to pick a college check out educationquest.org. In the meantime, let’s go back to dreaming. If I were to pick a college based on the NCAA basketball tournament, here are some things to consider.

Winning Tradition – Looking at the 2018 teams, you’ll see the traditional “blue blood” of basketball.

These are teams that have no problem recruiting excellent talent every year. You won’t go wrong picking Kansas University, Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, or perhaps UCLA to go pretty far in the tournament, but do you want to attend one of those colleges? What are they like when basketball season is over?

Make a campus visit to see what else the college has to offer.

College Colors – Blue seems to be the color of the tournament – at lease for the colleges mentioned above. The intensity of the blue will vary, but focusing on teams with blue uniforms – or rather, colleges with blue as a school color – would be a safe bet. BTW, the local favorite is blue, too! Go, Creighton!

Mascot – Staying with my blue blood teams, you can pick a college with a bird, devil, ram, wildcat, or bear. Some mascots Our free resources will help you get there. are made up (Jay Hawk and Bruin), one is scary (blue devil), and one is just plain strange. Why the Tar Heels have a ram as a EducationQuest.org

Your Journey to College Begins with Us

402.391.4033

See Final Four continued on page 4

April 6, 2018

Brainstorm Common Scholarship Essay Questions The essay: It’s the most important part of your scholarship application, and it can be the hardest.

But the essay shouldn’t keep you from applying.

Take a look at some commonly asked essay questions and use them to prepare for your scholarship applications. Brainstorm ideas, do some research or create your own “stock” of scholarship essays.

Your Field of Specialization and Academic Plans Some scholarship applications will ask you to write about your major or field of study.

These questions are used to determine how well you know your area of specialization and why you’re interested in it.

Samples: • How will your study of _______ contribute to your immediate or long range career plans?

• Why do you want to be a _______?

• Explain the importance of (your major) in today’s society.

• What do you think the industry of _______ will be like in the next 10 years?

• What are the most important issues your field is facing today?

Current Events and Social Issues To test your skills at problem-solving and check how up to date you are on current issues, many scholarship applications include questions about problems and issues facing society.

Samples: • What do you consider to be the single most important societal problem? Why? • If you had the authority to change your school in a positive way, what specific changes would you make?

• Pick a controversial problem on college campuses and suggest a solution.

• What do you see as the greatest threat to the environment today?

Personal Achievements Scholarships exist to reward and encourage achievement. So you shouldn’t be surprised to find essay topics that ask you to brag a little.

Samples: • Describe how you have demonstrated leadership ability both in and out of school.

• Discuss a special attribute or accomplishment that sets you apart.

• Describe your most meaningful achievements and how they relate to your field of study and your future goals.

• Why are you a good candidate to receive this award?

Background and Influences Who you are is closely tied to where you’ve been and who you’ve known. To learn more about you, some scholarship committees will ask you to write about your background and major influences.

Samples: • Pick an experience from your own life and explain how it has influenced your development.

• Who in your life has been your biggest influence and why?

• How has your family background affected the way you see the world?

• How has your education contributed to who you are today?

Future Plans and Goals Scholarship sponsors look for applicants with vision and motivation, so they might ask about your goals and aspirations.

Samples: • Briefly describe your long- and short-term goals.

• Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

• Why do you want to get a college education?

Financial Need Many scholarship providers have a charitable goal: They want to provide money for students who are going to have trouble paying for college.

In addition to asking for information about your financial situation, these committees may want a more detailed and personal account of your financial need.

Samples: • From a financial standpoint, what impact would this scholarship have on your education?

• State any special personal or family circumstances affecting your need for financial assistance.

• How have you been financing your college education?

Random Topics Some essay questions don’t seem directly related to your education, but committees use them to test your creativity and get a more well-rounded sense of your personality.

Samples: • Choose a person or persons you admire and explain why.

• Choose a book or books and that have affected you deeply and explain why.

While you can’t predict every essay question, knowing some of the most common ones can give you a leg up on applications. Start brainstorming now, and you may find yourself a winner!

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Scholarship Tips: Before and During the Application Process

By Allison Ourada The scholarship application process can take a lot of work and organizational skills. Scholarships can seem intimidating, but if you take the time to prepare in advance and follow a few simple rules while applying, you will increase your chances of winning money for college!

Before the Application Process • Research potential awards: If you have a list of scholarships in advance, it will take a lot of work off your plate while applying. Talk to your school counselor, check out your college’s website, or use online resources like ScholarshipQuest to create your list of awards, and arrange them by difficulty of the application and the due date.

• Prepare for essays: Although you do need to write a new essay for every scholarship, a lot of essay prompts are similar enough that you can create outlines for future essays.

• Ask for letters of recommendation: Nothing can slow down your application process like trying to find a recommender last minute.

Start early and ask some recommenders before you work on applications, that way you have an idea of who you can ask when you are actually working

on applications.

During the Application Process • Start early: It is tempting to put off scholarship applications, but last minute work equals sloppy applications, which decreases your chance of winning. As soon as you find a scholarship that you want to apply for, note the due dates and what application materials are required. Give yourself at least two weeks to work on your application a little at a time, especially if there are letters of recommendation involved.

• Read (and follow!) the instructions: The only surefire way that your scholarship application will be considered is if you meet all of the eligibility requirements and if you follow all of the instructions. Scholarship providers can be reviewing anywhere from dozens to hundreds of applications for one scholarship, so they probably

won’t have time to chase you down if you forgot something.

Do yourself a favor and make sure you are submitting all of the materials in the correct format to the correct place by the correct day and time.

• Put your best foot forward: Neatness and accuracy do count in scholarships, so make sure that your application is not crumpled or dirty, and make sure that it is easy to read.

Additionally, make sure that you have someone proofread your application before you submit it. Last, don’t be shy about your accomplishments! You are trying to convince this scholarship provider that you are the best candidate for their scholarship.

It may feel like bragging, but in this case it isn’t.

The scholarship application process is time consuming, but with a little organization and prep work, you can make it a lot easier on yourself.

Subscribe To The Omaha Star 402-346-4041 opt. 5 • theomahastar.com

EDUCATION SPECIAL

April 6, 2018

Jay-Z’s Shawn Carter Foundation Scholarship

The Shawn Carter Foundation scholarship provides financial support to high school students entering college for the first time as well as undergraduate students. The purpose of the scholarship is to help under-served students who may not be eligible for other scholarships.

Students who have either graduated from high school or earned their G.E.D. may apply. Minimum grade point average is 2.0.

Students must have a strong desire to go to college and earn their degree. Students must also have a desire to give back to their communities.

The scholarship fund was established by Gloria Carter and her son Shawn Carter (better known as rapper/business mogul Jay-Z) to offer a unique opportunity to students who have been incarcerated or faced particular life challenges but still want to pursue higher education. The program gives them a chance that most other programs do not offer. The Carter Foundation is a firm believer in helping young people not only reach their career goals but also establish a secure future.

Students up to age 25 may apply. The scholarship can be used for tuition, room and board, books, fees and other college-related expenses. All high school seniors, undergraduate students at

two-year or four-year institutions and vocational or trade school students are eligible.

The deadline for this scholarship is usually in April of each year, and the award amount is usually $1,500 - $2,500.

For more details, visit www.shawncartersf.com.

THE OMAHA STAR

Page Three

MCC’s International Fair will Celebrate Culture, Diversity Metropolitan Community College’s annual International Fair will bring entertainment from around the globe to the College on Thursday, April 12, 10 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. inside the Connector Building at the South Omaha Campus, 27th and Q streets. The event is free and open to the public and will feature global displays, area organizations and a USCIS Naturalization Ceremony, which will take place at 10 a.m. in the Industrial Training Center at the South Omaha Campus, room 120.

The event is aimed toward giving attendees of all ages the opportunity to learn about different cultures. To begin the day, the USCIS Naturalization Ceremony will welcome new U.S. citizens. Musicians, dancers and performers will then take center stage in the Connector Building Commons throughout the day, blending cultures and ethnic backgrounds.

For more information, visit mccneb.edu/intercultural.

The International Fair is presented with the support of the Nebraska Arts Council and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment.

s n i g e B e r u t u F Yo u r with Why It's your personal story that drives you.

We understand, because we have one too.

For more than 125 years, Nebraska Methodist College has taught those pursuing a meaningful career in nursing and allied health professions. Here, you’ll learn more than skills; you’ll learn to lead with compassion.

Tell us your why. We’ll show you how.

402.354.7200 LaToya felt called to a healthcare career after learning to manage her son's medical needs. Watch at www.methodistcollege.edu/latoya

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12 Sports 17 Student Clubs and Organizations 50 Bachelor’s Degrees

Come To Where The Action Is. Schedule Your Tour Today!

Check out Our NEW • Co-Ed eSports • Student Dorms

Scholarships Available! Find out more today!

A non-profit university, Bellevue University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Bellevue University does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability in the educational programs and activities it operates.

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Page Four

THE OMAHA STAR

EDUCATION SPECIAL

April 6, 2018

Final Four continued from page 2 mascot is a mystery, but I guess NC does not want a large foot with tar on the heel as a mascot. I get that.

Location – Hmm, where to live. Moving to Kansas would not be a stretch because it is in the Midwest. If you favor the east coast and you down’t mind traffic, you could select North Carolina for either NC or Duke. Feeling a little southern, check out Kentucky with their beautiful horse farms. And if the west is calling, UCLA will take you all the way to California, if you don’t mind the smog and congestion.

Before you get too excited about finding your dream school based on the Final Four, remember that the College World Series and the football national championships will bring new schools into the mix. Perhaps it’s best to find a college that meets your academic needs and leave sports as your guilty pleasure!

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Letters of Recommendation: A Beginner’s Guide

By Allison Ourada The letter of recommendation can be one of the most important and nerve-wracking parts of a scholarship application. How can you guarantee that your letter of recommendation will match the quality of the rest of your application when you aren’t the one writing it? The truth is, you can’t control how well your letter will turn out.

However, you can take these steps to increase the chances of receiving an excellent letter of recommendation: Select the right person Finding the right person to write your letter is arguably the hardest part of the recommendation process.

Consider these questions when you’re trying to find a recommender: Who knows you well? Who do you respect? Who has seen you succeed and/or work hard to improve? Who is invested in your future? Is this person able to express themselves clearly, and do they keep their time commitments?

You are looking for someone who knows you well, who has a favorable opinion of you, and who is able to express themselves well and meet deadlines. Keep in mind that family members are usually not allowed to write your letter of recommendation!

Provide the right resources Have you ever tried to write

EMPOWER a research paper without any resources?

Nearly impossible, right? Even if your recommender knows you fairly well, it may be difficult to gather all of your good qualities and accomplishments into one letter without a little help.

And since you are the leading expert on yourself, you are the most qualified to provide this help. When you ask someone to write a letter for you, make sure to give them a copy of the scholarship application (or at least the criteria), and a copy of your resume that includes your extracurricular activities, any work experience, your academic achievements, and any leadership positions you may have held. A great way to do this is by creating an Activities Resume and maintaining it throughout your high school career. You can find an Activities Resume at educationquest.org/resources.

Give them enough time Think for a moment about how the quality of your work suffers when you procrastinate.

Now I’ll let you in on a little secret: adults procrastinate, too (A LOT)! If you want to increase your chances of receiving a great letter of recommendation, be sure to give your recommender all of the materials that they need for your letter at least two weeks before the scholarship deadline, and make sure that they are clear on when and how the letter is to be submitted. It is also not a bad idea to check in a few days before the deadline to make sure that they’re still on track.

Handing off part of your scholarship application to someone else is daunting, but with a clear timeline and a little preparation beforehand, you can increase your chances of winning more scholarships.

YOUR FUTURE • Nine campus locations • Online degree options • A 2-year start to a 4-year degree that can save you thousands Start today, at mccneb.edu/programs or call 531-MCC-5231.

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Come see for yourself what it’s like to be a Reiver. Visiting campus is the best way to see all that Iowa Western has to offer you. Check out the buildings, peek in the classrooms, and talk to other students and advisors.

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