Vol. 80 - No. 22

75 CENTS

OMAHA STAR

Honor Our Veterans on November 11

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. 22 Omaha, Nebraska

Friday, November 2, 2018

NAACP Rejects Don Bacon’s False Implication of Support and Endorsement Congressman Don Bacon’s campaign has misleadingly used the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) name and good reputation to falsely imply an endorsement in their latest TV ad. We demand this ad be taken off the air.

For generations politicians have swooped in before an election and sought support from communities of color while offering nothing in exchange and then leaving after the votes are cast. Don Bacon has taken this to a new low by using the good name and reputation of the NAACP to imply an endorsement that does not exist.

The NAACP is an organization with a strong legacy. We have been known nationally and locally, for over a century, as a protector and promoter of the rights and dignity among disenfranchised communities. The Bacon campaign abuses that legacy in its blatant attempt to tie support of fallen heroes to an endorsement of a base political candidate.

According to the NAACP Civil Rights Federal Legislative Report Card, Congressman Don Bacon received an “F” based upon his voting record of supporting only 5% of the NAACP’s legislative priorities.

“It is blatant pandering to use the oldest and most respected civil rights organization in America as a prop for political gain,” said Vickie R. Young, President of the Omaha Branch of the NAACP. She added, “We’re non-partisan. We do not endorse candidates and we most certainly do not endorse the Bacon campaign’s unauthorized abuse of our good name in misleading the community we serve.”

The Omaha Branch of the NAACP did, in fact, support the “Kerry Orozco” bill because it was the right thing for our community. We did not endorse Don Bacon or his political apparatus. This ad and any implied endorsement of Congressman Bacon must be removed from the air.

The Omaha Branch of the NAACP was founded in 1914. The Omaha Branch is proud to be the oldest Civil Rights organization in Nebraska. The NAACP is dedicated to protecting and promoting the civil rights of all people of color. We currently serve a diverse community throughout Omaha.

Vote on November 6!

75 cents

Kelly To Oversee Voting Rights Complaints United States Attorney Joe Kelly has announced that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Laurie Kelly, no relation, will lead the efforts of his office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming Nov. 6 General Election. AUSA Kelly has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the District of Nebraska, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses in consultation with the United States Department of Justice’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. United States Attorney Kelly said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote be counted. The Department of Justice will act promptly and aggressively to protect the integrity of the election process.”

The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on Election Day. Federal law protects against such crimes

Gladys Knight Showed Omaha: Greatness Never Goes Out of Style

as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or illiteracy).

In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses on Nov. 6, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, United States Attorney Kelly stated that AUSA/DEO Laurie Kelly will be on duty in this District while the polls are open.

Polling sites are open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. in the Central Time Zone, and 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. in the Mountain Time Zone.

AUSA Kelly can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: 402661-3700.

In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to

School Safety Remains a Top Priority Every Day

By Cheryl J. Logan, Ed.D. Superintendent/Omaha Public Schools logancomm@ops.org

By Walter V. Brooks The one and only Gladys Knight, now 72 years young, graced Omaha’s Holland Center on Saturday night, Oct. 20.

Her performance, at one hour, 20 minutes, covered 13 songs, and when she said goodbye, I thought she’d only been on stage for 20 minutes. It was like I had been hypnotized and just finger-snapped out of it. Gladys Knight is utterly enchanting, absolutely hilarious, still moves and shimmies like it’s the Apollo Theater in her 20s, and has not lost a single drop of power, delicacy, octave range, or silky smoothness in the voice Rolling Stone magazine declared one of the greatest of all time.

Gladys Knight, with the recent death of Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, is now one of the last surviving true keepers of the flame of blues and R&B traditions. During her performance, she reminisced about meeting the great Sammy Davis Jr. and the things he taught her about style on stage, musical phrasing, and how to capture and hold an audience. She told us how the great Ella Fitzgerald came to her dressing room after a performance, told Gladys how much she enjoyed her on stage; then offered performance suggestions that Gladys still banks on 50 years later.

Gladys Knight is no mere songstress. She is an iconic American singer, songwriter, actress, businesswoman, humanitarian and author.

The seven-time Grammy Award-winner is best known for the hits she recorded with Gladys Knight and The Pips during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Gladys, her brother Merald “Bubba” Knight and her cousins Edward Patten and William Guest recorded for the Motown and Buddah record labels.

Knight has recorded two number-one Billboard Hot 100 singles, “Midnight Train to Georgia” and “That’s What Friends Are For,” eleven numberone R&B singles, and six number-one R&B albums. She and The Pips were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996, a year after receiving her Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She recorded the theme song for the 1989 James Bond film, License to Kill. She has 18 See Gladys continued on page 3

receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at 402-493-8688.

Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington, D.C. by phone at 1-800-253-3931 or 202307-2767, by fax at 202-307-3961, by email to voting.section@usdoj.gov or by complaint form at http://www.justice.gov/ crt/complaint/votintake/index.php.

Nebraska Secretary of State John Gale reminds voters that, should the need arise, the state’s Election Integrity Unit is on standby for Election Day concerns or complaints. Anyone can call his office to express concerns or file a formal complaint if necessary. Nebraskans who wish to contact the Election Integrity Unit can do so by calling 402-471-2555, or tollfree at 888-727-0007. If a voter is unsure about the location of their polling site, they should call their county election office or go online to https://www.votercheck. necvr.ne.gov.

United States Attorney Joe Kelly said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the cooperation of the American electorate. It is imperative that those who have specific information about discrimination or election fraud make that information available immediately to my Office, the FBI, or the Civil Rights Division.”

OPS Community: Each morning, our families entrust us with the education of their most precious assets, our students.

That responsibility comes with the accompanied assignment of ensuring a safe and secure learning environment. We take that responsibility very seriously.

Today’s society requires each of us to remain vigilant. That means regularly monitoring our surroundings, paying attention to the well-being of one another and alerting administration and/ or authorities anytime we see, notice or hear something that causes concern.

As the Superintendent of the Omaha Public Schools, safety is the number one priority for me. The leadership team continuously engages in safety and preparedness activities alongside our supportive partners in local law enforcement and emergency response. Daily, we work to ensure a proactive approach to safety and threat assessment, and to enhance our preventative measures, as well as our emergency response plans.

Here is a brief snapshot of some of the activities happening around school safety: • School leaders are receiving additional training in safety and threat assessment best practices, crisis management and crisis communication. As part of the training, school leaders learn how to build positive, trust-oriented relationships designed to tend to the emotional well-being of our kids. They also learn to identify and escalate information about concerning behaviors early.

• Our Safety Office is providing consistent training across our district in Standard Response

Protocol (more than 200 school districts across the state of Nebraska use SRP to ensure consistent response vocabulary and emergency response actions).

• Our School Resource Officers and security officers provide oversight during regularlypracticed safety drills.

• Administrators are reviewing and updating emergency/crisis management plans.

• Central office level school leaders have engaged in table-top exercises (Discussions regarding holding mock and full-scale exercises in the future are underway).

• We have invested a significant amount of resources into fire, life safety and security upgrades thanks to support from Omaha taxpayers.

• Administrators review and update communication protocols and monitoring systems as needed.

The national conversation around school safety continues to evoke questions and concerns for all of us. We want you to know that the safety of our students and staff remains at the very top of our priority list daily.

When our students walk through the doors each morning, we know many of them experience school as much more than “a place to learn.”

School is where our kids come for fellowship. It is where they come for respite. It is where they come to prepare themselves for their futures.

Our daily commitment to our staff and students is that all of those activities take place in an environment that is safe and secure. We will continue to work diligently to do everything within our power to keep that commitment.

My ask of each of you is that, together, we continue to fulfill our individual responsibility toward supporting our students and staff, remaining vigilant and guiding our students toward making good choices.

We appreciate your continued confidence in us as well as your support of the students and staff of the Omaha Public Schools.

Problems at See Black Votes Matter’s General Election the polls? Phone 402-444-8683 Phone 402-312-2891 endorsements on page 8

Need a ride to the polls?

Page Two

LOCAL NEWS November 2, 2018 Omaha is for Everyone, Especially Creatives

THE OMAHA STAR

THE OMAHA STAR, INC. THE VOICE OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY

It’s middle America, and Omaha is a creative oasis – home to the region’s only chapter of CreativeMornings, an international coalition of designers, poets, sculptors, musicians and more – a chapter MAILING ADDRESS: with nearly 900 local, volunteer members 2216 North 24th Street in collaboration for just two years.

Omaha, Nebraska 68110 “We’ve all heard how fragmented Omaha WEB ADDRESS: is demographically,” says Herb Thompson, www.theomahastar.com instructor, speech center consultant, School of Communication, University of Nebraska Like Us on Facebook Omaha. “It would be easy to look at Omaha from that lens, but if you did you E-MAIL ADDRESSES: fwilliams@omahastarinc.com would miss a fascinating layer that isn’t phyllis@omahastarinc.com represented in those divided maps. What I tcooper@omahastarinc.com see and experience in the Creative Omaha Notary Services available during business hours Community is vastly different. I see rich Monday – Wednesday – 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. diversity from both the artists and their Thursday – 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. expressions. I see meaningful collaborations between people and organizations that Member of the National Newspaper Publishers Association don’t seem to naturally fit. I see, most importantly, vibrant connections forming MILDRED D. BROWN: Founder, July 9, 1938 and strengthening between people from DR. MARGUERITA L. WASHINGTON: every pocket of our city.”

Publisher, 1989 - 2016 Thompson is not alone in his experience.

Phyllis Hicks: Publisher & Managing Editor Omaha is exploding with imaginative Frankie Jean Williams: Copy Editor entertainment and artistic options, thanks to Tanya Cooper: Circulation/Retail Coordinator a burgeoning creative community.

Carl Hill: Retail Distributor Debra Shaw: Social Media Administrator From Hot Shops Art Center (home to more than 80 artists’ studios – the largest THE OMAHA STAR believes that America can best lead the world away from racial and national collective of its kind) to Omaha Fashion antagonism when it accords every man, regardless of race, color or creed, his human and legal rights. Week (the nation’s fifth largest fashion Hating no man, fearing no man in the firm belief that all are hurt as long as one is held back. event), Omaha is the 2018 No. 6 (mediumEditorial and Business Office 2216 North 24th Street Phone: 402.346.4041 Fax: 402.346.4064

DISCLAIMER The United States provides opportunities for free expression of ideas. The Omaha Star has its views, but others may differ.

Therefore the Omaha Star ownership reserves the right to publish views and opinions by syndicated and local columnists, professional writers and other writers whose opinions are solely their own. Those views do not necessarily reflect the policies and position of the staff and management of the Omaha Star newspaper.

Readers are encouraged to email letters to the editor commenting on current events as well as what they would like to see included in the paper. Those emails should be sent to: phyllis@omahastarinc. com and must include the writer’s name, address, email address and telephone number. The ownership has editorial rights and does not guarantee that all submissions will be published.

Please be advised that the Omaha Star ownership does not employ staff writers who charge for preparing and submitting articles for the general public. Should you encounter such, please advise Phyllis Hicks at 402.346.4041.

sized) Most Vibrant Arts Community in America, according to SMU DataArts, and serves as a millennial magnet, a top destination for talented individuals hoping to get their start. Yahoo Finance even goes so far as to dub the metro the No. 2 city millennials should consider for optimal careers.

Those career opportunities don’t get any better than in the Omaha arts scene, where the Holland Performing Arts Center is heralded for its stellar acoustics, Joslyn Art Museum offers free admission (and views of masterwork art) and CreativeMornings Omaha is thriving.

“Creativity is the expression of imagination. Ideation is the litmus test of creativity. Each of us brings unique ideas to the table and that’s why inclusion is important. The opportunity to collaborate, create and dream is infinite,” says Alan Tipp, creative director and owner of ATippical Creative. “The creative community at large suffers from an awareness issue. Who’s doing what, who’s making that, and who can do this? CreativeMornings has been effective at bringing us all together to promote dialogue, encourage collaboration and raise awareness.”

Omaha is for everyone, and surrealist poet Frank O’Neal, an Omaha resident, believes he knows why, “At its core, the viability of a community is reflective of its

GPBHM Needs Your Help The Great Plains Black History Museum is in the process of putting together an exhibit to honor local African Americans who have served in the military. If you, or someone you know, would like to donate a few military items along with a bio to be featured in the exhibit, please contact the museum at 402.932.7077. The exhibit will run from November to February. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

ATTENTION From The Publisher: In order to be included in the Omaha Star, all articles and announcements must be submitted by e-mail to fwilliams@ omahastarinc.com no later than two weeks in advance of the event. All articles and announcements should be prepared in a word document using Times New Roman, 10 pt. Submissions must be limited to 500 words. Any accompanying photographs should be submitted in a jpeg or pdf file. The deadline for all articles is Monday at 3:00 p.m., two weeks prior to the event date. Articles and announcements will not be accepted at the Omaha Star office. The Omaha Star is now published bi-weekly on Fridays. The Omaha Star business office hours are MondayThursday, 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

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

7312 N. 30th St.

Baker’s Supermarket

4405 N. 72nd St.

Big Mama’s

3223 N. 45th St.

Chubb’s Finer Foods

2905 N. 16th St.

Cubby’s

4232 Redman Ave.

Cubby’s Old Market

601 S. 13th Street

Easy Drive Package

5124 N. 24th St.

Family Fare Supermarket

820 N. Saddle Creek Rd.

Family Fare Supermarket

7402 N. 30th St.

Felicia’s Beauty & Barber Shop

Paid for by Kleine for Douglas County Attorn Attorney 15471 Stevens Plz., Omaha, NE 68137

Submissions to Express Yourself must include the writer’s first and last names as well as the writer’s address and telephone number. (Addresses and phone numbers are not published.)

Submissions written anonymously will not be printed.

Submissions may be edited at the publisher’s discretion.

Submissions to Express Yourself or the commentary page may also appear on the Omaha Star Facebook page. Email submissions must be typed in a Word document and sent to the publisher at: phyllis@omahastarinc.com

Support Those Who Support You

4802 NW Radial Hwy

Hy-Vee Supermarket

5150 Center St.

Hy-Vee Supermarket

108th & Fort St.

Offutt Air Base - Welcome Center Omaha Rockets Kanteen

YOUR VOTE MATTERS ON NOVEMBER 6TH

Bellevue, NE

Phil’s CASHSAVER A cost Plus Food Outlet

3030 Ames Ave.

Skeet’s Barbeque

2201 N. 24th St.

Walgreens

3001 Dodge St.

Walgreens

7202 N. 30th St.

Walgreens

3005 Lake St.

Walgreens

4310 Ames Ave.

Walgreens

2929 North 60th St.

Walgreens

7151 Cass St.

Walgreens

6005 N. 72nd St.

Walgreens

225 N. Saddle Creek Rd.

Walgreens

1802 Galvin Road, S (Bellevue)

EPA School Bus Rebate Program Nears Tuesday Application Deadline (LENEXA, Kan.) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced over $9 million available nationwide in rebates to replace older diesel school buses through EPA’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) funding. The new and retrofitted buses will reduce pollutants that are linked to health problems such as asthma and lung damage.

School buses travel over 4 billion miles each year, providing the safest transportation to and from school for more than 25 million American children every day. However, diesel exhaust from these buses has a negative impact on human health, especially for children, who have a faster breathing rate than adults and whose lungs are not yet fully developed.

The 2018 School Bus Rebate Program will offer over $9 million to public and private fleet owners for the replacement of old diesel school buses with new buses certified to EPA’s cleanest emission standards. EPA will award selected applicants up to $20,000 per bus for scrapping and replacing old buses.

Applicants can apply for rebates between $15,000 and $20,000 per bus to replace buses with engine model years of 2006 and older with new buses powered by 2017 or newer model year engines. Eligible replacement school buses may operate on diesel, gasoline, battery, or alternative fuels such as natural gas or propane.

Eligible entities include: • Regional, state, or tribal agencies that have jurisdiction over transportation and air quality, including school districts and municipalities • Private entities that operate school buses under a contract with an entity listed above • Fleets with up to 100 school buses may submit one rebate application listing up to 10 buses for scrappage and replacement • Fleets with more than 100 school buses may submit up to two rebate applications, each listing up to 10 different buses for scrappage and replacement Selections are made through a lottery process, with at least one selectee from each state/territory represented in the applicant pool.

The deadline to apply is Tuesday. For more information, visit: https:// www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/clean-diesel-rebates.

This is the sixth rebate program to fund cleaner school buses offered under DERA appropriations, which has supported nearly 25,000 cleaner buses across the country for America’s schoolchildren. For more information about the DERA program, visit: www.epa.gov/ cleandiesel.

Omaha Star Philosophy: At the Star we look at ourselves as the documentarians of African-American news in Omaha.

We strive to make our readers and our advertisers proud they support a publication that portrays the African-American as a multidimensional person capable of excelling in areas other than sports, entertainment and politics. $40.00 IN TOWN

NON-REFUNDABLE

$50.00 OUT OF TOWN

The Omaha Star

Notary Services Available

2401 Lake St.

creative community,” he says.

Omaha-based singer/songwriter Edem Garro echoes O’Neal’s remarks: “I believe most artists here will tell you that Omaha is unique. Collaboration is just a person away, and there is always someone you can learn from. In the growing Art & Music community here, many Omahans recognize that growing in the direction of honesty, understanding and support in today’s world is the driving force that will keep us together. To me, being an Omahan means that it takes all of us to be the driving forces that keep us together. Everyone here is necessary. Coming together is what makes us unique. The moment we forget this, we no longer remain Omaha.”

Case in point: World-renowned sculptors Jun Kaneko and Matthew Placzek herald from Omaha, while the region ranks No. 7 in SmartAsset’s Top 10 Cities for Creatives.

Thanks to abundant opportunities, Omaha is also the No. 9 best city for “starving artists.”

CreativeMornings Omaha will celebrate its second anniversary Nov. 9 from 8-9:30 a.m. at KANEKO. The no-cost event is open to the public, and will feature four speakers on the theme of “restart,” as well as a continental breakfast and live music by Jaguar James. To learn more and register, visit: CreativeMornings.com/OMA.

Is Your Paper

SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Phone: 402-346-4041, Opt. 5 Name

Publishing dates for the Omaha Star November 2018 Friday *Friday (Christmas in the Village)

City/State/Zip Phone

November 16, 2018 November 30, 2018

December 2018 Friday Friday

Address

December 14, 2018 December 28, 2018

E-Mail address Mail To: The Omaha Star Newspaper 2216 North 24th Street Omaha, NE 68110 Please include payment with order

November 2, 2018

LOCAL NEWS

‘Project Talent’ Launches Major Follow-Up Survey Washington D.C. – Project Talent is launching its latest follow-up survey. The study of 400,000 Americans began in 1960 and included 4,883 teenagers from 18 schools across Nebraska. The new follow-up will focus on the experiences of participants who identified as belonging to a racial or ethnic minority in 1960. Researchers hope to better understand the origins of the cognitive health disparities that exist between minority and nonminority groups. Studies project that by 2050, the number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease will more than triple, reaching 16 million. The cost of caring for sufferers will exceed $1 trillion annually.

In 1960, Project Talent assessed the aptitudes, abilities, cognition, personality, interests, health, home life, and aspirations of more than 400,000 American teenagers from all walks of life. Funded by the U.S. Office of Education and conducted by the American Institutes for Research, it was the largest and most comprehensive study of American high Dr. Jennifer Manly school students ever conducted.

Project Talent is the only large-scale, nationally representative study that tracks participants from adolescence to retirement age and beyond. It allows researchers to understand how experiences, environments, genetics, and behaviors combine to make us who we are and influence how we age. The new follow-up examines memory and cognitive health with a special focus on the experiences of participants of color.

According to Dr. Jennifer Manly, Associate Professor of Neuropsychology at Columbia University and a Principal Investigator for Project Talent, “the data gathered from Project Talent is immensely valuable and could almost certainly never be replicated. Information gathered from participants throughout their lives can be used to explore the health disparities that exist between minority and nonminority groups, as well as the impact of attending racially segregated versus integrated schools.” She added that, “these findings will have significant policy implications given the increase in school segregation in recent years.”

Project Talent participants will receive a follow-up questionnaire by mail and are strongly encouraged to continue their involvement with the study so that their experiences and perspectives can inform future policy. In 1960, Project Talent was remarkable for the diversity of its participants. Researchers hope that the new Project Talent study will be just as diverse as the original.

To learn more about past findings and current research and to connect with study participants and researchers, contact Sabine Horner at sabine@cloudstreetny.com or 646.656.1514.

Participants can phone the project at 1-866-770-6077 or send an email to projecttalentstudy@ air.org. You can also visit the Project Talent website: www.projecttalent.org.

Futurist, Publisher to Address Adaption, Disruption at Chamber Luncheon In an era of influencers, futurist and Forbes publisher Rich Karlgaard is looking ahead; and Nov. 13 he’ll be casting his economic eye on Omaha.

That’s when the Greater Omaha Chamber expects nearly 800 CEOs and senior executives – many of whom are already driving the region’s competitive mission – to attend the annual Economic Outlook Luncheon at Embassy Suites Omaha, La Vista.

Considered one of the most influential figures in business and economics, Karlgaard will provide insight on adapting in an era of technological and political disruption.

The results of the region’s annual Economic Outlook Survey will also be released at the event.

“The annual Economic Outlook Survey provides a framework for driving business development, talent acquisition and collaborative growth in areas that propel our collective future and favorably shape the region,” said David G. Brown, president and CEO, Greater Omaha Chamber.

Last year’s survey results indicated nearly half of all CEOs expected their organizations to “grow faster than the national pace in 2018.”

Such collective optimism might be one of the reasons U.S. News & World Report called Omaha the No. 7 “Best Affordable Place to Live in 2018,” and supports why “nearly 60 percent of all CEOs project capital investment to stay consistent in 2018, with almost a third expecting a higher investment,” according to the 2017 Economic Outlook Survey.

There are separate costs for Chamber members and nonmembers attending this year’s luncheon. Reservations are due Tuesday through https://www.omahachamber.org/eol/.

Secretary of State Good Conduct Rules for Election Day Voters LINCOLN – Secretary of State John Gale reminds voters that, should the need arise, the Election Integrity Unit is on standby for Election Day concerns or complaints. Anyone can call his office to express concerns or file a formal complaint if necessary.

“Our highest priority is to ensure that Nebraskans have confidence in their elections,” said Gale. “We take any concerns about election integrity very seriously.”

Nebraskans who wish to contact the Election Integrity Unit can do so by calling 402-471-2555, or toll-free at 888-727-0007. All complaints are handled in a confidential manner. If the Election Integrity Unit determines that a complaint is credible, it will be forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Polling sites are open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. in the Central Time Zone, and 7:00 a.m. until 7 p.m. in the Mountain Time Zone.

If a voter is unsure about the location of their polling site, they should call their county election office or go online to https://www. votercheck.necvr.ne.gov Secretary Gale also encourages voters to conduct themselves appropriately on Election Day. “Voting is of paramount importance in a democratic society, and I encourage all Nebraskans to head to the polls,” Gale added. “We also would ask that all voters conduct themselves in a way that allows for their fellow citizens to fulfill their responsibilities as well.”

To maintain proper decorum at the polls, voters should silence their phones and other electronic devices while voting. Voters are also reminded that campaign items and highly political messages such as buttons, stickers, caps, or shirts are prohibited within the polling place. By law, electioneering is prohibited within 200 feet of the polling site.

There may be authorized persons outside a polling site doing surveys of voters exiting their precinct, but a voter may decline to participate without comment. Any rudeness should be reported.

Should any voter feel they have witnessed inappropriate conduct on Election Day, they are encouraged to contact the Election Integrity Unit.

“We anticipate high enthusiasm and turnout for this election,” Gale concluded, “and we are confident that Nebraska values of integrity and fair play will ensure a successful Election Day for all.”

THE OMAHA STAR

Page Three

Gladys continued from page 1 Grammy nominations. She has recorded 38 albums, performed as a guest or had a recurring role on 14 television shows, and performed in nine motion pictures.

Gladys Knight has been adored by millions since her first number-one R&B hit in 1961, “Every Beat of My Heart,” when she was only 17 years old. She has received the Essence Award for Career Achievement, the BET Lifetime Achievement Award, the Las Vegas Music Awards’ Legendary Award, an NAACP Image Award, the first-ever BET Living Legend Award, the Stardust Music Awards’ Lifetime Diva Award, and the Soul Train Lifetime Achievement Award. She also has an Honorary Doctorate in Performance Arts from Shaw University.

If you weren’t at the Holland, well, you MISSED it! All the above was on stage, backed by a coolpapa six-piece band of R&B veterans, and three back-up singers. The show started promptly at 7:30 p.m. when the back-up singers fronted the stage singing “Love Overboard.” Ninety seconds later, Gladys Knight comes out UNANNOUNCED, takes over the song and the show was on. This Icon came on stage with no introduction whatsoever. She just walks out and starts blowing. That’s not just humility. That’s Miles Davis cool.

Knight goes immediately into the 60s classic, “The Nitty Gritty,” then stops to talk with fans.

Without a trace of sarcasm, she said, “I really want to thank all of you for showing up. You’ve been loving me for a very long time and I deeply appreciate it.”

The essence and genius of a Gladys Knight performance is her conversation with her audience. It’s not just “happy chat.” Gladys likes to talk about her life, her loves, her struggles, and her family and when she does, she’s grandma, she’s that cool, sexy auntie on your momma’s side, she’s your BFF. I absolutely enjoyed her conversation. And she knows of what she speaks. She’s been married four times, gave birth to three children, and now has 16 grandchildren and six great-grands. The former gambling addict lost $60,000 one Las Vegas night, then went to Gamblers Anonymous the next day.

She fought a vicious custody battle with third husband, Barry Hankerson. Hankerson kidnapped their son. Knight spent over $1 million in legal fees to get him back. So, when sister-girl speaks about life, it’s real talk.

Her third song was “Every Beat of My Heart.” I’ll never forget the great Gladys Knight saying, “When this came out, it was the all-time favorite song to do the slow-drag.” She broke out laughing, looking at the audience all innocent, like, excuse me, I ain’t trying to get nasty up here. Then she launched into “Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me,” and you just shake your head with awe that her voice has not aged a single day since she released that song in 1974.

Knight did two more numbers and then went into a long chat about how much she loved the movie “Forest Gump.” In a pivotal scene in the movie, when Forest Gump decides to try and win back the love of his life, the movie sound track plays Knight’s classic, “I Got to Use My Imagination.”

Her talk about Ella Fitzgerald led to the heart-seizing melodic Fitzgerald ballad, “Someone to Watch Over Me,” and then the maximum blow-out song of the night, “If I Was Your Woman.” The hits just kept coming. She absolutely killed us on “Heard It Through the Grapevine.” Then did what I consider possibly the best rendition I have ever heard of Barbra Streisand’s “The Way We Were.”

While Gladys Knight, with the band playing softly, sat on that stool in the middle of the softly-lit stage, I was damn near brought to tears. She was singing about life and looking back over the years; wondering how one’s life could have been different but for a few changes. I’m 71 years old now and she had me wondering, “Was it really all so simple then or has time rewritten every line?”

Prior to closing, she delivered one of the greatest performances of my lifetime, “Neither One of Us Wants to be the First to say Goodbye.” After singing “Midnight Train to Georgia,” she said, “That’s all folks.” There was no encore. She left it all on the stage. The great ones always do .As she touched the hands of the first line of people mobbing the stage, from end to end. I wanted so badly to just kiss the back of her hand, look into her face and say, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

SpartanNash Commemorates Veterans Day with 11 Percent Discount GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – SpartanNash will honor current members and veterans of the Armed Forces this Veterans Day by offering an 11 percent discount on all eligible products in its more than 135 corporateowned retail stores in eight states. The 11 percent discount will be offered Nov. 11-12.

All active duty, Reserve, National Guard and veterans who present proper identification at any SpartanNash corporateowned store on Nov. 11 or 12 will receive an 11 percent discount*.

Participating banners include D&W Fresh Market, Dan’s Supermarket, Dillonvale IGA, Econofoods, Family Fare Supermarkets, Family Fresh Market, Forest Hills Foods, No Frills, Pick’n Save, SunMart, Supermercado Nuestra Familia, ValuLand and VG’s.

“As a leading distributor of

grocery products to U.S. military commissaries around the world, SpartanNash is committed to serving our military heroes and their families, both at home and abroad,” said Meredith Gremel, vice president of corporate affairs and communications.

“Our commitment to those who served or continue to serve is evident throughout the year, but especially on Veterans Day. We are honored to show our appreciation to these men and women.”

SpartanNash stores with flag poles will hold flag-raising ceremonies at 11 a.m. on Nov. 12, which are open to the public and led by local veterans groups or Boy Scout troops.

In addition to the 11 percent discount, stores will hold a moment of silence at 11 a.m. and host other in- store commemorations to honor and thank veterans throughout the

afternoon.

SpartanNash proudly employs more than 700 self-identified veterans and is committed to hiring, training and retaining current and former members of the Armed Forces and their family members. Because of this, SpartanNash was named a silver-level Veteran-Friendly Employer by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency and a Military Friendly Employer by VIQTORY. “On Veterans Day, and throughout the year, we hope our veteran associates and store guests, as well as those still serving, know how grateful we are for their time in uniform,” said Kathy Mahoney, president of MDV, SpartanNash’s military division, and SpartanNash chief legal officer. “One of our company’s core values is patriotism, and we are proud to be a company that understands

the skills and experience servicemembers, veterans and their families bring to our SpartanNash workforce.”

On Veterans Day 2015, SpartanNash began collecting old, worn, frayed and/or faded American flags at each of its retail grocery stores, 19 distribution centers, food processing facilities and four service centers. Each company location then partners with a local veterans service organization to ensure the proper retirement of the flags. More than 2,500 flags have been retired through the SpartanNash program. *Please note: The discount does not apply to pharmacy, alcohol, tobacco, lottery, stamps, sales tax, gift cards, bottle deposits, already reduced promotional items and other service counter items.

BE A VOTER. SAVE NEBRASKA

VOTE FOR DEMOCRATS Use this slate card so you know who the Democrats are on your ballot. Election Day is Nov. 6. Early voting starts Oct. 9 at the Douglas County Election office.

CONGRESS & STATEWIDE • Jane Raybould Senate

• Kara Eastman House of Representatives

• Bob Krist Governor

• Lynne Walz Lieutenant Governor

• Spencer Danner Secretary of State

• Jane Skinner Auditor of Public Accounts

DISTRICT • Mike Forsythe Public Service Commission

• Shannon Coryell Legislature, District 4

• Machaela Cavanaugh Legislature, District 6

• Mina Davis Legislature, District 8

• Megan Hunt Legislature, District 8

• Wendy DeBoer Legislature, District 10

• Steve Lathrop Legislature, District 12

• Scott Winkler Legislature, District 18

• Jackie Collett Legislature, District 20

• Deborah Neary Nebraska State Board of Education

• Larry Bradley University of Nebraska Board of Regents, District 4

• Elizabeth O’Connor University of Nebraska Board of Regents, District 4

• Barbara Weitz University of Nebraska Board of Regents, District 8

• Amanda Bogner Omaha Public Power District

• Tom Barrett Omaha Public Power District

• Eric Williams Omaha Public Power District

• Sean Fennessy Educational Service Unit 3

• Brett Kuhn Educational Service Unit 3

• Tonya Ward Douglas-Sarpy Learning Community Coordinating

• Melinda Kozel Douglas-Sarpy Learning Community Coordinating

• Anayeli Martinez Real Douglas-Sarpy Learning Community Coordinating

• Erik Servellon Douglas-Sarpy Learning Community Coordinating

• Bradley Ekwerekwu Douglas-Sarpy Learning Community Coordinating

• Mark Hoeger Douglas-Sarpy Learning Community Coordinating

• Brian Thommes Douglas-Sarpy Learning Community Coordinating

• Angela Monegain Metropolitan Community College Board of Governors

• Ron Hug Metropolitan Community College Board of Governors

• Maureen Monahan Metropolitan Community College Board of Governors

• Scott Packer Metropolitan Community College Board of Governors

• Erin Feichtinger Metropolitan Community College Board of Governors

• Jim Begley Metropolitan Utilities District

• Jason Valandra Metropolitan Utilities District

• Jim Thompson Natural Resources District

• Fred Conley Natural Resources District

DOUGLAS COUNTY • James Cavanaugh County Commissioner

• Jennifer Hernandez County Clerk of the District Court

• Diane Battiato County Assessor/Register of Deeds

• Donald Kleine County Attorney

• Tom Doyle County Engineer

• Mike Hughes County Sheriff

• John Ewing, Jr. County Treasurer

• Marlon Brewer Omaha Public School Board

• Marque Snow Omaha Public School Board

• Shavonna Holman Omaha Public School Board

• Kimara Snipe Omaha Public School Board

• Amy Parks Elkhorn Board of Education

• Jon Genoways Fort Calhoun Board of Education

• Mike Petersen Fremont Board of Education

• Dulce Sherman Millard Board of Education

• Stacy Jolley Millard Board of Education

• Mary Roarty Ralston Board of Education

• Jay Irwin Ralston Board of Education

• Terri Alberhasky Ralston City Council

• Brian Kavanaugh Ralston City Council

• Patrick McCarville West Board of Education

• Amanda Wright West Board of Education

• James Gilg Boys Town Village Board

POLLS OPEN Nov. 6, 2018, 8am-8pm CT FIND YOUR POLLING LOCATION or EARLY VOTING OFFICE at nebraskademocrats.org, info@nebraskademocrats.org, 402-434-2180

PAID FOR BY NEBRASKA DEMOCRATIC PARTY

PRAISE, WORSHIP, DEVOTION, OBITUARIES & INSPIRATION James Patrick Adams A Prayer For Veterans

Page Four

THE OMAHA STAR

July 30, 1947 – Oct. 5, 2018 James Patrick Adams (Jimi), 71, passed away Oct. 5 at his home in Venice, CA. Jimi was a Vietnam War veteran who developed diabetes mellitus II and suffered from other long-term health effects due to his exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides during military service. Jimi received excellent medical care over the years from the ‘Bronze Team’ at the West Los Angeles Veteran’s Medical Center.

Jimi was born in Omaha on July 30, 1947, the sixth of seven children born to Ralph W. Sr. and Lavina (Scott) Adams. He graduated from Omaha Central High School in 1965 and attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha for 2 years before being drafted by the U.S. Army.

Following basic training and advanced infantry training, he was assigned to active combat duty in Vietnam, gaining the rank of Sergeant E-5. Jimi was compelled to express concern about the rapid training cycles that deployed young draftees to combat with what he considered to be insufficient preparation. He committed himself to protecting troops under his command, and was himself severely wounded, causing him to suffer permanent effects. Jimi was awarded a Purple Heart; Vietnam Service Medal with Two Bronze Service Stars; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation Badge; Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal; First Class Unit Citation Badge; Expert Qualification Badge with Rifle, Pistol and Mortar Bars; and Combat Infantryman Badge.

Upon his discharge, Jimi moved to California, finally settling in Venice, where he enjoyed the climate and lifestyle of the Venice Beach community for 30 years. Jimi loved jazz and considered local jazz musicians among his many friends! He was an avid golfer, loved chess and backgammon and found these games to be both challenging and therapeutic.

Jimi was a proud father of his children, Patrick James Taylor, Adam James Adams (Michelle Clay), and Nicole Sakura Adams.

Jimi was preceded in death by his parents and eldest brother Ralph W. Adams, Jr.; and is survived by siblings Michael Adams, Sr., Madeline Adams, David Adams, Joan (Adams) Davis, and Malcolm Adams. His extended surviving family includes many loving cousins, nieces and nephews. He leaves to mourn his passing a vast community of friends and fellow veterans.

Two services were held for Jimi: a Veteran’s Military Honors Memorial Service at Los Angeles National Cemetery, and a “Celebration of Life” (with jazz tribute) at the Cairo Cowboy Mediterranean Grill in Venice.

The family expresses our deepest appreciation for the many kind and sympathetic words in memory of Jimi. He would certainly smile at the heartfelt and lighthearted comments from friends. Special thanks and appreciation to the staff and “Bronze Team” for the many years of care at the West Los Angeles Veterans Medical Center. One of Jimi’s favorite sayings is “I love you madly” – which now has special meaning for all who loved him and were loved by him.

It seems like yesterday that my son and daughter-in-law announced they were going to have a baby and today I am declaring to the world that a wonderful miracle has amazingly fell upon our family. The joy of this news was beyond words and the anticipation grew every week until our grandson finally entered the world. I remember seeing him for the first time and I must admit, this little man has absolutely captured my heart. He’s not even six weeks old yet and I am thinking about him all the time.

We love to buy him toys and clothes, and I’m already planning the things I want to give and experience with him. I realize that everyone who has grandchildren feels this overflowing fountain of love and now I’m understanding these special emotions for the first time.

When I was younger and raising our children, I did not comprehend when people would tell me how exciting they were about their grandchildren along with the never-ending slide shows of pictures. I get it now. We are beaming with pride and thanksgiving and want the whole world to see these beautiful individuals that have no limits to what they can do or who they can [become].

Lately, I’ve found myself repeating the exact same comments I have heard others say all of my life. Things like, “he has long arms and legs, probably going to be a basketball player” or “he is so alert, I know he is going to be very smart.”

I am captivated with a love that will provide

who bear these pains vicariously.

Give them patience and wisdom and strength to endure, and more than endure to hope in faith for a blessed life. God, not everything that happens in life is good. But you promise to work all things together for good to those who love you and align their lives with your purpose. Create good in the families of veterans who have experienced pain and loss. Do this miracle, we pray.

We honor our veterans in your name. We thank you – as we thank them – for their sacrifice. We ask you to return to them the favor of your blessing, a gift we on our own could never offer. We ask that you would give our veterans a peace beyond the peace they fought to secure, a peace in their own hearts, wrapped in the joy of a life touched by your strong hand.

In Jesus we pray…”

grand, nieces, nephews, other relatives.

Funeral Services were 9 am Monday, Oct. 29, Salem Baptist Church, Rev. Dr. Selwyn Q. Bachus, officiated.

Interment: Forest Lawn Cemetery Arrangements by Thomas Funeral Home. *** Annette Perry Mrs. Annette Perry, age 75, passed away Thursday, Oct. 18, at a local hospital.

Arrangements are pending.

Arrangements by Thomas Funeral Home. *** Minnie Dailey Tucker Mrs. Minnie Dailey Tucker, age 83, passed away Monday, Oct. 29, at a local care center.

Arrangements are pending.

Arrangements by Thomas Funeral Home.

Celebrated Author Ntozake Shange Dies at 70

By Lauren Victoria Burke NNPA Newswire Contributor Pioneering poet and playwright Ntozake Shange died on the morning of Oct. 27 at an assisted living facility in Bowie, Md. She was best known for her much celebrated Obie Award-winning play, “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf.”

“To our extended family and friends, it is with sorrow that we inform you that Barnard College Archives/ our loved one, Ntozake Shange, passed Wikimedia Commons away peacefully in her sleep in the early morning of Oct. 27, 2018. Memorial information / details will follow at a later date,” her Twitter account announced.

Shange, who turned 70 on Oct. 18, had suffered multiple strokes over the last few years. She died in her sleep.

“I write for young girls of color, for girls who don’t even exist yet, so that there is something there for them when they arrive,” Shange

Check out our Facebook Page!

unlimited cuddles and kisses, an endless supply of cookies and candy, probably not pay attention to bedtime curfews, and always have time for one more story. I hope I am around long enough to be a special part of his life and to watch him develop into the man God has called him to be.

I remember my grandfather and how much he meant to me as a little boy. I can still hear him singing little songs about me that he would make up and how special it made me feel. I was the first grandchild and I remember how my grandparents would grab me and hug me everytime they saw me and I know they were filled with joy and love for me. When I was about eight years old, I started spending the weekends with them and it was so much fun. They lived way out in the country and to a small boy this environment was an enchanted place filled with adventure and exciting new experiences. They are gone but those moments are still in my heart and now I’m so looking forward to making new delightful memories together with my grandson.

As I close with a poem by Teri Harrison, I am united with all the other proud and grateful grandparents who since the beginning of time have enjoyed this great honor.

“I stroked your little hand, perfect sweetness as we touched. I whispered that I loved you … loved you so very much. I held you close to me, memorized your darling face. I’ve waited so long, my heart now touched by grace. As papaw and grandson, an amazing journey has begun.

You’re my heart, you’re my joy, my precious little one.”

once said.

“Zake was a woman of extravagance and flourish, and she left quickly without suffering,” said her sister Ifa Bayeza, who was also a writer. “It’s a huge loss for the world. I don’t think there’s a day on the planet when there’s not a young woman who discovers herself through the words of my sister.”

Her death is “a major shift in the cosmos,” said Sarah Bellamy on Oct. 27. “Ntozake Shange invited us to marvel at the resiliency and power that women of color harness in order to survive a hostile world.

She invited us to practice the ritual of loving ourselves.”

Shange was also the author of the novels Sassafrass, Cypress & Indigo, Liliane, and Betsey Brown. She was awarded a Guggenheim Foundation fellowship, and in April 2016 Barnard College announced the acquisition of Shange’s papers.

But her most celebrated and famous work was the 20-part poem depicting the lives of women of color. The poem was made into the stage play and a published book in 1977. In 2010, Tyler Perry made her work into a film titled “For Colored Girls.”

The recent book by Donna Brazile, Yolanda Caraway, Leah Daughtry, Minyon Moore and Veronica Chambers, titled “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Politics,” was a play on the famous work

by Shange.

Kids Talk About God How Do The Merciful Obtain Mercy?

By Carey Kinsolving And Friends “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7).

“This verse means if you give mercy, you shall receive it,” says Anna, age 9. “It reminds me of the golden rule, ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’“ The golden rule is still golden, but Jesus went a step further when he spoke of loving your enemies. As Christina, 6, says, “If someone is bad to you, forgive them.”

If you’re skeptical about showing mercy, consider the advice of psychiatrist Karl Menninger. He said the best way to prevent a nervous breakdown is to find a needy person you can help. For those of us who have lived in a society influenced by Christian compassion, it’s difficult to imagine the callousness of a pagan society.

“Let there be a law that no deformed child shall be reared,” wrote Aristotle in his celebrated book “Politics.”

“We drown even children, who at birth are weakly and abnormal,” wrote Seneca, the Roman philosopher and contemporary of Jesus.

In India, I visited a Christian couple who started an orphanage for abandoned and abused children.

Some of the abused children came to the orphanage because their parents intentionally maimed them so that they could beg more effectively on the streets.

Mercy identifies with the needs of others. It’s the reverse of selfishness and self-centeredness.

Kinsey, 11, provides a small example of identifying with the needs of others: “When somebody was out of paper, I gave them a few sheets of paper.

Then when I was out of paper, they gave me a few sheets. And that was my way to obtain mercy.”

The foundation for Christian mercy is the

fact that we’ve been forgiven a debt too large to calculate. For those who have received the forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ, there’s no room for bitterness or an unforgiving spirit. Any wrong we’ve suffered from others is small compared to the debt Jesus paid for us on the cross.

Don’t worry about personal injustices. God will settle all accounts. “‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Romans 12:19). If you think God’s calling you to avenge yourself, you’re mistaken. If you suffer for righteousness’ sake, rejoice. If you suffer for some other reason, repent.

“Mercy means something that you don’t deserve, like if you’re in jail and the first day, you get out of jail,” says Marcus, 8. “This is mercy.”

Marcus, let’s go one step further. What if the judge who sentenced you to prison paid your fine?

Justice would be served, and you would be free to go.

That’s what happened when God sent his son to pay the penalty for our sins. The way to heaven and fellowship with God is now open, but it’s not because God’s justice has been compromised by his mercy.

“Blessed are the forgiving, for they shall gain kindness and gentle treatment,” says Billy, 10.

I like Billy’s interpretation because forgiveness, kindness and gentleness are three faces of mercy.

While God’s grace toward us is based on his mercy, not ours, it’s also true that the merciful obtain mercy. Although God’s gift of eternal life can never be withdrawn, Christians who act unmercifully risk cutting themselves off from God’s blessings of mercy in this life and rewards in the life to come.

Think about this: Because you’ve received God’s mercy, be merciful or gracious to others.

Memorize this truth: Matthew 5:7 quoted above.

Ask this question: Does the mercy you’ve received from God affect the way you treat others?

AND

THOMAS FUNERAL HOME

THE BLACK CHURCH:

TRADITION • RESPECT • DIGNITY

THE BLACK PRESS

Forest Lawn Funeral Home Cemetery & Crematory

James Nelson Evans Sr. Mr. James Nelson Evans Sr., age 81, passed away Saturday, Oct. 20, at a local care center.

Arrangements are pending.

Arrangements by Thomas Funeral Home. *** Willa J. Jimerson Mrs. Willa J. Jimerson, age 85, passed away Friday, Oct. 19, at a local hospital.

Survived by sons: Robert, Marcus, Joseph, Alvin (Kristen), Quentin (LaRece), Omaha; daughters: daughters: Doris Jimerson, Holly Grove, AR, Debra (John) Wrather, Saundra Jimerson, Omaha, Valerie (Sherman) JimersonSpencer, Warner Robins, GA, Michele Jimerson, Omaha; brother: Lonnie (Lorena) Clark, Chicago, IL; sister: Mila Gamble, Far Rockaway, NY; 19 grandchildren, great-

In Memoriam:

A Special Love for Grandchildren

By Dr. William Holland

Deaths & Funerals

And Their Families “Jesus, you said, ‘There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’

Today we pray for those men and women who have, in their military service, sacrificed their time, strength, ambition, health and even their lives on this earth to benefit ‘friends,’ known and unknown.

Many of our warriors carry scars in their hearts as well as on their bodies. Dark memories haunt their dreams at night. Fears cloud their waking hours. Jesus, you came to give us abundant life by providing a way for us to release our pain to you. On the cross you bore our sorrows and brokenness and when we trust you, we can exchange our wounds for your joy in a future unhindered by fate. Bring this gift now to the veterans of our nation who bear tangible and intangible wounds. Heal them, Jesus.

Bless the families of soldiers

November 2, 2018

& Cremation Services

Serving all cemeteries Pre Planning Discounts Beautiful Repast Area Available

And Both Black - Owned.

A Tradition of Caring Since 1939

7909 Mormon Bridge Rd 402-451-1000.

Free Space for Veterans www.forestlawnomaha.com

Together, The Press And the Pulpit Can Give Us Full Citizenship Immediately

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

Both Born Out of Necessity For Self-Expression

PRAISE & WORSHIP DIRECTORY

November 2, 2018

ALLEN CHAPEL A.M.E.

Rev. Benjamin R. Finnell

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

KOINONIA AND FRIENDS OF CHRIST Pastor Tony E. Sanders 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

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.

“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

Drs. Mar n & Lynnell Williams Founders & Lead Pastors WEDNESDAYS Prayer 6:00 PM Worship 7:00 PM

Pastor: Rev. Vitalis Anyanike

ST. MARK BAPTIST CHURCH

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

Pastor Jarrod S. Parker 3616 Spaulding Street, Omaha, NE 68111 Phone: 402-451-0307 Email: smbcsecretary@stmarkbaptist.org

Rev. Dr. Leroy E. Adams, Jr.

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

Excluding First Sunday

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.

BIBLE TRUTH MINISTRIES

MOUNT CALVARY COMMUNITY CHURCH

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

“Jesus is the light of the world” mtcalvarycommunitychurch.org 5112 Ames Avenue Omaha, NE 68104 Ph: 402-457-4216

SALEM BAPTIST CHURCH

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.

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

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

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

Rev. Portia A. Cavitt, Pastor

Rev. Ralph Lassiter, Sr.

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.

TABERNACLE OF FAITH CHURCH

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

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

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Rev. Kent H. Little, Lead Pastor Pastor Barbara Mitchell

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

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

MT. NEBO MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

Rev. Kent H. Little

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

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

Wednesday Night Church School ......................7:30 p.m.

Youth/Children Ministry Focus (Wed.) ............7:30 p.m.

Pastor Jeffrey & Terri Booth 3025 Parker Street Omaha, NE 68111 402.905.9730 • www.fwcomaha.com Sunday at 10:00am Family Night each Wednesday at 7pm The Daily Journey each Wednesday at Noon Saturday Prayer from 7 - 8am

Rev. Kenneth A. Allen, Pastor

Pastor Terry L. Arvie

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

Rev. James D. Wilkens

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 Eric Butler and Co-Pastor Cynthia Butler

2215 Grant Street Omaha, NE 68110 Ph: 402-346-1502 Fax: 402-344-2720 SUNDAY Sunday Morning Worship……………9:00 A.M. Sunday School……………………...11:15 A.M. WEDNESDAY 11:00 A.M. ~ Hour of Power Bible Study Wednesday is Family Night!

6:00 P.M. ~ Prayer & Praise Service 6:30 P.M. ~ Feast & Fellowship (Light Meal) 7:15 P.M. ~ Discipleship Academy (Classes for ages 5 & up)

PLEASANT GREEN BAPTIST CHURCH “Where CHRIST is Preeminent and the Word Prevails!”

Pastor Brian Page 5555 Larimore Avenue Church: 402-346-8427 www.pleasantgreenomaha.org Wednesday: Prayer Power Hour ......................................12:00 p.m

HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH

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

FREEDOM WORSHIP CENTER OMAHA

Pastor Jeffrey & Terri Booth

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

Rev. Dr. Selwyn Q. Bachus

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

Pastor Jarrod S. Parker

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

“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

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.

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

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

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

Pastor Rordy Smith Pastor Ramona Smith

&

Rev. Vitalis Anyanike

HOLY NAME CATHOLIC CHURCH

“Where Life is for Everyone”

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

Page Five

ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CATHOLIC CHURCH

MORNING STAR BAPTIST CHURCH

SUNDAYS Prayer 9:00 AM Worship 10:00 AM

THE OMAHA STAR

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.

Pastor Kenneth A. Allen

THE WORSHIP CENTER

Pastor Brian Page

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

LOCAL NEWS

THE OMAHA STAR

★

OMAHA STAR

THE

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 SUPPORT THE OMAHA STAR NEWSPAPER BECAUSE: • As a member of NNPA, it keeps you in touch with the Events, People, and News in your Community and across the Nation.

• We are the only Black owned newspaper in the State of Nebraska– since 1938. NNPA member newspapers have longevity.

• It carries advertisers who want your business and cater to your needs, as a NNPA member newspaper, member newspapers reach more than 19 million of the 39 million Black consumers every week.

To subscribe contact: Omaha Star Inc. - 2216 North 24th St. - Omaha, NE 68110 • 402-346-4041 Op 5

November 2, 2018

A Brief History of Veterans Day Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on Nov. 11, 1918. In legislation that was passed in 1938, Nov. 11 was “dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day.’” As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans.

In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress – at the urging of the veterans service organizations – amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting the word “Veterans.” With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, Nov. 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

In 1968, the Uniforms Holiday Bill ensured three-day weekends for federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. Under this bill, Veterans Day was moved to the fourth Monday of October. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holiday on its original date. The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on Oct. 25, 1971.

Finally, on Sept. 20, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed a law which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of Nov. 11, beginning in 1978. Since then, the Veterans Day holiday has been observed on Nov. 11.

C A M ERON M A CK IN TO SH ’S SPECTACUL AR NEW PROD UCTION OF

A N D R E W L L O Y D W E B B E R ’S

MCC welcomes and supports active military and veterans

• Credit for military service

MAKING ITS TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO OMAHA!

NOVEMBER 21-DECEMBER 2 ORPHEUM THEATER

ON SALE NOW! TICKETOMAHA.COM 402.345.0606

• Affordable tuition rates • Flexible class schedules • Military and veteran support services To learn more, visit mccneb.edu/veterans or call 531-MCC-4619.

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

LOCAL NEWS/NATIONAL NEWS

November 2, 2018

Weinstein Charge Dropped, Cosby Supporters Cry Foul

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia Is Bill Cosby paying the price for all of the sins in the #MeToo era, even though his conviction was based on something outside of that protest?

It certainly appears that way, supporters argue.

And that argument grew louder when prosecutors in New York announced they were dropping portions of the criminal charges against disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.

The tossed charge – count six – involves allegations made by one of the three accusers in the case, Lucia Evans, who was among the first women to publicly accuse the disgraced movie mogul of sexual assault, according to Page Six. In an exposé published in The New Yorker a year ago, Evans accused Weinstein of forcing her to perform oral sex when they met alone in his Tribeca office in 2004 to discuss her fledgling acting career.

At the time, Evans was a 21-year-old college student.

Assistant District Attorney Joan Illuzzi-Orbon told the judge recently that prosecutors wouldn’t oppose dismissal of the count in the case involving Evans.

Weinstein’s lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, told the judge he believed Evans had lied to the grand jury. He also said he believed a police detective had corruptly tried to influence the case by keeping a witness from testifying about

her misstatements.

“The integrity of these proceedings has been compromised,” he said.

Weinstein’s attorneys and prosecutors had been wrangling over the part of the indictment concerning Evans’ allegations in closed-door meetings and sealed court papers, Page Six reported.

In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, about 90-minutes from the Norristown courthouse where Cosby was convicted in April on three counts of aggravated indecent assault, some individuals approached by NNPA Newswire said they believe the entire Weinstein case will ultimately be tossed.

“The difference between Cosby and Weinstein is quite simple,” said Walter Cohen of Harrisburg. “Even though they are both rich and famous, Weinstein is White, and Cosby is Black. I know that sounds too simple, but the problem people have today and with this #MeToo movement is reading far too much into things,” Cohen said.

Samantha Devers pointed out that Cosby’s accusers were mostly White and the woman he was convicted of was also White. “A Black man, White woman.

They had to teach not just Bill Cosby a lesson, but they had to send a message to all Black men – and those who don’t get it better quickly wake up,” said Devers, an African-American woman.

Sean Boyd, another Harrisburg resident, said Cosby is paying for the sins of Weinstein and others. “Look, on the day Cosby was sentenced, [Comedian] Louis C.K. did a comeback show and [Filmmaker] Roman Polanski announced

a new movie,” Boyd said.

Louis C.K. had been embroiled in a sex assault scandal of his own and Polanski famously pled guilty decades ago to charges involving sodomizing a 13-year-old girl. Polanski fled the country and has never served time, yet went on to win an Oscar and, until the recent #MeToo movement, the support of Hollywood heavyweights.

“When you look objectively at Bill Cosby’s case, he was dating this girl and she wanted what he couldn’t give her, so she cried foul and got millions of dollars from Cosby and yet, years and years later, they come with what I believe were bogus charges against Cosby and the judge and prosecutor made sure they sent him away,” Boyd said.

It’s also no secret that after Cosby’s sealed civil deposition was released in 2014, attorney Gloria Allred brought forward at least 30 women with claims against Cosby. Allred asked that Cosby put $100 million in a trust for the women and allow a magistrate to decide if they could get the money.

Allred’s daughter, attorney Lisa Bloom, initially represented Weinstein.

She said, “everyone deserves the benefit of the doubt,” and that Weinstein was “repentant.” After some backlash, Bloom dropped Weinstein as a client.

“She never tried to give Cosby the benefit of the doubt,” Boyd said. “That’s what this whole thing has been about.

It’s like out of the Jim Crow era. They will stick up for their own and they will make sure that a Black man pays.”

F.Y.I.

In order to be included in The Omaha Star, all articles and event calendar announcements must be typed in a Word document, using Times New Roman font, 10 pt, and must be received no later than two weeks in advance of the event.

Articles must be e-mailed to: fwilliams@omahastarinc.com by 3:00 p.m. on Monday. Any submissions that are received the same week as the current publication will not be included in the current week’s edition. The distribution day for The Omaha Star has been changed to Friday on a bi-weekly schedule.

The Omaha Star is not responsible for unsolicited pictures or articles submitted for publication.

A re-newed focus: you.

500

New customers can qualify for a $ bonus,* and get access to our team of personal bankers who are here to help you with your banking needs.

In order to qualify, you must be a new Wells Fargo customer and: • Open a new consumer checking account with a minimum deposit of $25, and within 150 days set up and receive at least 3 consecutive monthly direct deposits of $500 or more a month, and • Open a new consumer savings account with a minimum deposit of $25, and within 10 days, deposit at least $25,000 in new money, and maintain a balance of at least $25,000 for 90 days • This limited-time offer expires November 16, 2018. Visit a participating* Wells Fargo branch and talk to a banker today!

Your bonus will be deposited into your new consumer checking account within 45 days after eligibility and qualifications are met.

Find a branch near you: wellsfargo.com/locator *Important things to know about this offer: Checking and Savings Bonus Eligibility: Only certain consumer checking accounts are eligible for this offer, including non-interest bearing checking accounts. Ask a personal banker for details. Teen Checking,SM Greenhouse by Wells Fargo, and the prepaid Wells Fargo EasyPay® Card are not eligible for this offer. All consumer savings accounts are eligible for this offer, excluding Time Accounts (CDs). This is an exclusive, non-transferable offer. A valid bonus offer code will be provided to each customer while meeting with a banker. You cannot be: a current owner on a Wells Fargo consumer checking or savings account, a Wells Fargo team member, or a recipient of a consumer checking or savings bonus in the past 12 months (limit one bonus per customer). Offer is only available to customers in the following states: AK, DC, ID, MN, NJ, NE, TX, WY. Bonus Qualifications: To receive a $500 bonus: 1. Open a new, eligible consumer checking account with a minimum opening deposit of $25 by November 16, 2018. Within 150 days of account opening, set up and receive at least three consecutive monthly qualifying direct deposits of at least $500 each month. During this time, your account balance must be at least $1.00 or more. A qualifying direct deposit is the customer’s salary, pension, Social Security, or other regular monthly income of an accumulated $500 or more, electronically deposited through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network to this checking account by your employer, or an outside agency. A non-qualifying direct deposit is a transfer from one account to another, or deposits made at a Wells Fargo branch or ATM. AND 2. Open a new, eligible savings account with a minimum opening deposit of $25 by November 16, 2018 and within 10 days of account opening, deposit at least $25,000 in new money into either the new checking or new savings account, and maintain at least a $25,000 cumulative account(s) balance for 90 days. New money is defined as at least $25,000 in new deposits from sources outside of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., or its affiliates. Due to the new money requirement, accounts may only be opened at your local branch. Offer subject to change and may be discontinued at any time. Offer cannot be: paid without a valid U.S. Taxpayer Identification Number (W-9); combined with any other consumer deposit offer. Minimum new money deposit requirement of at least $25,000 is for this offer only and cannot be transferred to another account to qualify for any other consumer deposit offer. If you wish to take advantage of another consumer deposit offer requiring a minimum new money deposit, you will be required to do so with another new money deposit as stated in that offer’s requirements and qualifications. Those who take advantage of this Savings bonus offer cannot also take advantage of any New Dollar promotional interest rate offer during the same promotional period. Offer cannot be reproduced, purchased, sold, transferred, or traded. Bonus Payment: We will deposit the $500 bonus into your new consumer checking account within 45 days after eligibility and qualifications have been met. Checking account must remain open in order to receive the bonus payment. You are responsible for any federal, state, or local taxes due on your bonus, and we will report as income to the tax authorities if required by applicable law. Consult your tax advisor. New account open subject to approval. Checking and savings accounts are subject to monthly service fees; please refer to the Consumer Account Fee and Information Schedule (available at www.wellsfargo.com/online-banking/consumer-account-fees) or speak to a banker for more details. The consumer savings accounts eligible for this offer are interest-bearing accounts with variable interest rates. For example, Wells Fargo Way2Save® Savings pays an Annual Percentage Yield (APY) of 0.01% on all balances and requires a minimum opening deposit of $25. The APY is accurate as of 9/13/2018 and may change at any time without notice. Fees may reduce earnings. © 2018 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC.

THE OMAHA STAR

Page Seven

Record Numbers for Registered Voters and Early Voting

The Sarpy County Election Commission is pleased to announce that Sarpy County has surpassed 113,000 registered voters for the first time, with 113,132 eligible voters registered for the Nov. 6 election.

“Reaching this registration milestone shows the tremendous growth our county continues to experience,” said Sarpy County Election Commissioner Michelle Andahl. “In just the weeks since Sept. 1, we have registered more than 1,900 new voters in Sarpy County, demonstrating that people across the metro know Sarpy is a great place to live and work.”

Early voting also has hit a record high for mid-term elections in Sarpy County, with 24,792 Early Voting Ballots requested by mail.

An additional 3,000 voters have already cast their ballots at the election office.

“I want to encourage each one of our 113,132 voters to cast their ballot in this year’s general election,” said Andahl, who added that voters must return their Early Voting Ballots to the Election Office or one of four drop boxes by 8 p.m. on Nov. 6.

In 2014, 101,144 people registered to vote in the mid-term elections.

The statewide general election will be Tuesday, Nov. 6. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. Registration statistics for Sarpy County: • Republicans: 51,327 • Democrats: 30,131 • Non-Partisan: 29,918 • Libertarian: 1,756

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s isn’t easy.

Reaching us is.

If you care for someone with Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss or dementia, you are not alone. We’re here day or night — whenever you need us — offering reliable information and support.

Free 24/7 Helpline: 800.272.3900 Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiver Center: alz.org/care

Page Eight

THE OMAHA STAR

NATIONAL NEWS Inside A Trump Rally:

November 2, 2018

What Are Black Trump Supporters Thinking?

By Lee Eric Smith Tri-State Defender Memphis By now, no one should be surprised that Kanye West is a fan of President Donald Trump. It’s been months since he first posted a selfie wearing a “Make America Great Again” cap, so the surprise should be gone.

And yet, there we were again, talking about West and his red baseball cap after his appearance on Saturday Night Live and his most recent remarks about repealing the 13th Amendment.

But for many African Americans, the deeper question for West – or for anyone with melanin in their skin – is why.

Why do you support Trump, given his offensive remarks, his silence on white nationalism, his rollbacks of Obamaera policies? What makes an African American put on a MAGA hat?

What in the world are these black folk thinking?

When I found out Trump would be at the Landers Center campaigning for Mississippi Senate hopeful Cindy HydeSmith, I decided to go find some African American Trump supporters and ask.

And that’s how, in an election season punctuated by a bitter Senate battle for the Supreme Court, I found myself strolling into a “Make America Great Again” rally.

Here’s what I learned.

Get that money No surprise, traffic was a mess, backed up as early as 3 p.m. if not earlier. It was while I was stuck in traffic that I first saw

some black folk sporting Trump gear.

They were selling it also.

I saw at least three tents at that intersection, all staffed by African Americans displaying popular Trumpthemed shirts. “Drain The Swamp!” and “Lock Her Up!” shirts were among the sure sellers.

I was focused on parking and getting checked in, so I didn’t stop to talk to them. Plus, they looked busy. I’ll never know where they stand on Trump or his polices, but I couldn’t help believing that these vendors would be selling shirts regardless of the event.

Whether it’s Trump 2020 or MLK50, the process is the same: put the design on the shirt, make the shirt, sell the shirt.

Repeat. It’s just business.

At the end of this sweaty October day, it was obvious that Trump represented a business opportunity for these entrepreneurs – and the hustle don’t stop for nobody. On this day at least, Donald Trump is simply good for business.

Sights and sounds Here’s what you should understand about Donald Trump and his popularity in Red State America: Remember how America (or the world, for that matter) was captivated by Trump’s predecessor, President Barack Obama? Remember Rev. Jesse Jackson crying when Obama was elected and how you felt Obama was going to get America back on the right track after eight years of George W. Bush?

Well, that’s how Trump supporters feel about him. And it was palpable from the moment I walked into the Landers Center.

I didn’t feel threatened though – not as an African American or as a member of the “fake news media.”

But it was hard to conduct interviews, what with the 80s-heavy playlist that was blasting through the arena. The playlist included plenty of Lionel Richie, a couple of songs by Michael Jackson, and Rihanna’s “Please Don’t Stop the Music.” They even played the long album-version of

Prince’s Purple Rain – minus the violins.

It wasn’t as heavy on country music as one would expect.

If you’re carrying around an image of angry Trump voters, well there was no anger in the building. They were too happy to welcome their conquering hero.

“A vote for Republicans is a vote for lower taxes, less regulation and more products made right here in the USA. It’s a vote to reduce crime. Respect law enforcement and restore the rule of law. It’s a vote for strong border safe communities and thriving families which you are.” – President Trump in Southaven.

“It’s OK to make a profit” By 3:30 or so, after I’d gotten checked in and cleared by the Secret Service, I made my way to the media area. It wasn’t until then that I learned that news media were confined to a very small area on the floor of the Landers Center.

Despite me spotting a few specks of color in the then-sparse crowd, I was prohibited from leaving the media zone to go get interviews. That meant I had to wave people down and ask them to come chat with me.

One of those people was Colin Richmond, a Memphis native and staunch Republican since 2000.

“I’m here to let the president know that we love him. We support him.

We’re praying for him,” said Richmond, 49. “And that he is delivering on the promises he made during the campaign.

And we just want to let them know we’re here for him.”

Like many Republicans, Richmond likes Trump’s pro-business policies.

“I think a rising tide lifts all boats,” Richmond said. “And the President is forall Americans –for African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Latino Americans, he’s for all Americans.

“I’m a business developer and employees, when they look at their paychecks, they’re looking at more money on the bottom lines,” he continued, referring to Trump’s tax cuts.

“And I don’t care who you are, that has to that has to resonate with you.”

Richmond’s positions have put him at odds with his parent’s generation.

“I have an uncle who’s a radical Civil

Rights activist. I love him dearly. He’s my mother’s brother. But he is sincerely wrong,” he said, without going into detail.

“I never considered myself a minority but yeah, I was born to a single mother,” he added. “But at the same time, I learned that if I buy a widget for 50 cents and sell it for a dollar, I make a profit.

It’s okay to make a profit. And I think a common misperception is that ‘profit’ is a dirty word.

“President Trump is for unleashing the economic capabilities of this country.”

“For years you watched as your leaders apologized for America. Now you have a president who is standing up for America. We are standing up for your values.” – Trump Values voters For Michael Stewart, the choice to register as a Republican was pretty simple – and pretty straightforward.

“Democrats weren’t representing my values the way I wanted them to,” said Michael Stewart of Memphis.

“They’re for gay marriage, open border immigration, taking away gun rights … and I don’t support none of that. So Republicans lined up with my values a little bit more.”

A few minutes later, I spoke with Rev. Manuel Donis, a pastor who lives in Olive Branch. He joined the GOP in 2016 to support Ben Carson, but when Carson’s bid ended, he switched.

As a preacher in the Bible Belt, Donis checks off the same boxes many other evangelical voters do.

“I believe in supporting Israel,” Donis said, wearing a MAGA hat and

Trump T-shirt. “I also believe in Biblical marriage. And I’m pro-life.”

So what is it about Trump that he thinks most black folk are missing?

“They need to come, pay attention and have an open mind,” Donis said. “We’ve been close-minded. We believe one way and we just stay that way. I began to do research and broaden my mind to see the things that have been holding the black community back for years.

“It’s time for a change,” Donis said.

“We’ve been in this place for so long, it’s time to move on and do something different.”

Donis thinks Trump is doing an “excellent job,” and believes that America’s booming economy will mean opportunity in the African American community – especially people with felony convictions.

“That’s one of the things I’m concerned about is trying to help these men when they get back into society, is that they have a fair chance,” said Donis, a prison chaplain. “So I believe President Trump and his cabinet are going to make things happen to help men and women who are re-entering society to get a fair shake.”

“A vote for … Mike Espy is a vote for Chuck Schumer. Nancy Pelosi. And the legendary low IQ person Maxine Waters.” – Trump No offense, but…

Nobody I spoke with denied that Trump says (and tweets) some outlandish things. But it wasn’t enough to drive them away.

“What drew me to Trump was his See Rally continued on page 11

COMMENTARY

November 2, 2018

Op-ed Your Vote Is Secure: How a FederalState Partnership Enhances Security

By John Gale Nebraska Secretary of State and Chris Krebs Under Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security’s National Protection and Programs Directorate For several years, Nebraska voters have been aware of the threat of foreign actors interfering in our elections. What they may not know, however, is that election officials and the Federal government have been working and continue to work tirelessly behind the scenes to protect our elections.

Nebraska and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are working together to tackle the challenges of election security. DHS has provided support through cyber and physical security assessments, information sharing, training, and exercises. By working together, Nebraska’s election infrastructure is more resilient than ever.

My office has had close and proactive support as well from Nebraska Chief Information Officer Ed Toner and his team in cooperation with DHS. The OCIO security protections for state websites and email transmissions are cutting-edge with multiple firewalls. Nebraska was at the forefront on working with DHS to allow resources to be extended to vendors who provide Election Services to the States. We are proud to say that all three of Nebraska’s Election Vendors have signed on to work with DHS to enhance Election Security.

In addition, Nebraska put into effect frontend and back-end protections to the Statewide Voter Registration System. First, a two–factor authentication process to access the Voter Registration System was implemented. By taking this step, it has become even more difficult for malicious actors to try to gain access. Now a username, password and a randomly generated code must be used to access the system. In addition, we worked with DHS to have an ALBERT Monitor, which detects suspicious

activity 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in real time be placed at our Vendor to protect Nebraska’s voter registration system.

Information sharing is a key tool for staying ahead of those who may wish to interfere, as we are only as good as our understanding of the threat. Nebraska is a partner in the Election Infrastructure Information Sharing & Analysis Center (EI-ISAC), a collaboration that brings together all 50 states and over 1,000 election jurisdictions nationwide. The Center works with state election officials to provide real-time threat sharing and cyber defense training. The EI-ISAC has ensured that Nebraska is a crucial part of a broad national defense against foreign attempts to interfere with our elections.

These partnerships between our offices help ensure Nebraska’s elections, including those taking place yet this year and in the future, are more secure. We will continue to work together to promote strong cybersecurity practices, including threat information sharing, “cyber hygiene” scans, phishing campaign assessments, and joint exercises.

Though Nebraska has taken many steps to secure our elections, there will always be new recommendations, new technology, and new best practices where cybersecurity is concerned. We take our responsibility seriously, and the way we administer elections must continue to evolve to stay ahead of the threats, because this is a race where the finish line continues to move.

Even with all of our efforts, Nebraska’s best defense remains the paper ballot. A paper ballot cannot be hacked, and taken in conjunction with our recent efforts, Nebraskans can be confident that their ballot will be secure and counted. Your ballot is waiting for you…. Go cast it!

One of the most reliable measures of a community’s economic vitality is convenient access to fullservice banking. Regardless of whether a community is urban, suburban or rural, both consumers and local businesses rely on brick and mortar bank branches for a wide array of products and services.

New research that measures how well banks serve communities found that America’s access to banking expanded from 2015 to 2017 – except when it comes to more than 53 million Black and Latina consumers or others with low incomes or less education.

In summarizing its new survey findings on banking activity during the past 12 months, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) noted that one in five U.S. households – 22.7 million – did not use mainstream credit and that “Black and Hispanic households at every income level evaluated in the survey were more likely to be in this condition than white households.”

“The good news is that our nation’s banking system is serving more Americans than ever before,” said FDIC Chairman Jelena McWilliams. “The bad news is that even as the overall number of people who are unbanked has declined, 8.4 million households continue to lack a banking relationship.”

McWilliams’ statement did not directly address how FDIC found that another 48.9 million adults are underbanked. The difference is important.

Underbanked consumers are those who have a bank account but also turn to alternative fringe financial services like payday and auto loans or check cashing services. By comparison, unbanked consumers are those who have no relationship with mainstream banking at all.

Even more importantly, FDIC’s new survey proves how the nation has a nagging, two-tiered system when it comes to financial services: one that serves white consumers at a growing rate; but leaves behind consumers of color, regardless of income.

Despite this deplorable data, another federal financial agency, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) awards banks and other depository institutions a 93 percent satisfactory or higher rating when it comes to the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA).

Although OCC supervises about 20 percent of the nation’s banks, these institutions comprise approximately 70 percent of total bank assets.

This year CRA turned 41 years old, having been enacted in October 1977 by President Jimmy Carter. The law meant to end historical redlining practices that for succeeding generations denied credit to Black America and/ or low-income communities. With a new federal

assurance, CRA was to hold banks, credit unions and other depository institutions accountable for local credit lock outs and other discriminatory practices.

Here’s a question to ponder: How can two federal financial regulators reach such different findings on the state of access to banking and credit for Black America?

It’s a question that deserves an answer. And fortunately, advocates at both the state and national levels are speaking up. November 15 is the deadline for public comment to OCC on how CRA’s regulatory framework should be reformed.

Of key concern to OCC is a proposal named “one ratio” that would reduce the current CRA evaluation into a mathematical formula. Among consumer advocates representing different areas of the country, this proposal is viewed as a way to water down current procedures that consider key criteria such as geographic availability, borrower profiles, different classifications of lending like mortgages, small businesses and more.

Cathy Hinko, Executive Director of Louisville’s Metropolitan Housing Coalition, filed comments with OCC citing how Black neighborhoods are already underserved.

“To ease bank anxiety about unclear aspects of CRA, communications among the federal agencies, banks, and community groups could be improved,” wrote Hinko. “However, easing bank anxiety via the one ratio and diminishing the importance of branches, assessment areas, and public input will decrease lending and access to banking in the communities that need it the most.”

“The OCC asks whether CRA consideration should be broadened for additional activities and populations. Industry trade associations have been advocating for CRA consideration for projects that have broad benefits such as financing hospitals that are not necessarily located in lowand moderate-income neighborhoods,” said the Buffalo-based Belmont Housing Resources for Western New York. “However, the OCC must be reminded that the original purpose of CRA was to combat redlining in low- and moderateincome neighborhoods.”

In Dallas, Diane Ragsdale, founder of the South Dallas Fair Park Inner City Community Development Corporation (ICDC) and a former Dallas Deputy Mayor Pro Tempore, also commented to OCC, “CRA ratings must be reformed so the pass rate is no longer 93 percent … Lending and access to banking for people and communities of color must be considered on CRA exams. Mortgage company affiliates of banks must be included on CRA exams.”

“No bank that engages in illegal discrimination and/or harmful consumer activities should receive a positive CRA rating,” noted William R. Tisdale, President and CEO of the Milwaukee Fair Housing Council. “We must not slow the progress that has been made. We need to enhance CRA, not weaken it!”

theomahastar.com

Page Nine

Black Votes Matter

By Preston Love Jr. UNO Adjunct Professor Prestonlovejr.com Black Lives, Black Poverty and Black Votes Matter Election Endorsements Most years our list of endorsements is based on several very difficult decisions. Not so this General Election. Black or White, Democratic or Republican, what and who we think will work with and for this community, we endorse.

Because of serious problems we have with National policy, state policy and local issues this was not difficult in 2018.

This election, in many cases, we suggest votes as much against as for. Any candidate whose policy and actions align with Trump, we oppose. Any candidate whose policy and actions align with Ricketts on the death penalty, lack of Medicaid expansion, prison reform, we oppose.

Our endorsements do not cover every election.

Only those that north Omahans can vote on were endorsed.

Black Votes Matter Election Endorsements:

US Senate: Jane Raybould US House of Representative: Kara Eastman Governor: Bob Krist Lt Governor: Lynne Walz Secretary of State: Spencer Danner Auditor of Public Accounts: Jane Skinner State Board of Education: Deborah Neary Board of Regents, District 8: Barbara Weitz Board of Regents, District 4: Elizabeth O’Connor Douglas county Treasurer: John Ewing Douglas County Assessor/register of Deeds: Diane Battiato Douglas County Sheriff: Mike Hughes State Legislature, District 8: Mina Davis OPPD Board: Eric Williams MCC Board: Angela Monahan MCC Board: Ron Hug OPS School Board: Marque Snow OPS School Board: Shavonna Holman MCC Board: Maureen Monahan NRD: Fred Conley County Commissioner: James Cavanaugh County Clerk of Court: Jennifer Hernandez North Omaha Vote like Crazy!

Need a ride?

See front page for the number to call

Express Yourself

To the Editor: The office of Secretary of State often flies under the radar, but it is an extremely important one, since it is not term limited and since the Secretary of State sets voting rules and serves as the third person on Nebraska’s Board of Pardons. We have a stark contrast in the two major candidates for the office. One has consistently endorsed voter ID laws that will suppress minority voters. He is the former co-chair of Nebraskans FOR the Death Penalty and proclaims that, on the Pardons Board “public safety will be my foremost concern,” code (Editor’s Note: The views expressed do not for “I will not vote for commutation, no matter necessarily reflect the policies and position of how well deserved.” the staff and management of the Omaha Star Spencer Danner, on the other hand, favors newspaper.) expansion of the vote to all qualified citizens,

The State of Lending in Communities of Color

By Charlene Crowell

THE OMAHA STAR

rightly noting that “voter fraud” is a bogey man, used to justify voter suppression. He has no prior commitment to oppose commutation and understands that reducing prison overcrowding serves public safety. As everyone who has a loved one serving a life or quasi-life sentence knows, people grow and change and earn second chances.

That is what the Pardons Board is for. Please vote for Spencer Danner for Secretary of State as well as Bob Krist for governor.

F. K. Lincoln (Editor’s Note: The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the policies and position of the staff and management of the Omaha Star newspaper.)

Politically Correct, or Perfectly Civil

By Julianne Malveaux At this writing, Megyn Kelly is off the air at NBC. After her horridly vapid statement saying she didn’t see anything wrong with blackface, she apologized the next day and even invited journalist Roland Martin on to take her to school. Roland did a brilliant job in explaining the history of blackface and the way it demeans African American people, and it was great that he had the opportunity to educate, not only his odious host but also the millions who watch Megyn Kelly daily. So, Kelly tearfully apologized, and she listened to Roland and television commentator Amy Holmes as they talked about race. But does Kelly “get” why her remarks were so objectionable? Roland says she does, but I’m not so sure.

She prefaced her apology by saying that she was not a “pc kind of person.” I’m not sure what that means, and what is wrong with being “politically correct” if it means being perfectly civil, informed, and mindful of others. If African American people say that blackface is offensive, it’s not a big deal Megyn. It’s offensive. Whether you know the history or not, if members of a group say something is wrong, why not accept it?

Or does your white skin privilege allow you to determine what is offensive and what is not?

This is not the first time Ms. Kelly has put her foot into racial quicksand. Confident in her Aryanness, she proclaimed that Santa Clause is white, and so is Jesus. To declare Jesus white, given his geographical roots on the African continent or in the Middle East, is to embrace a special kind of both spatial and historical ignorance. But if you are vested in the world being a narrow white occasion, then you are free to spew racist myths, or shall we say, “fake news.”

On the Santa tip, since Santa is not a real person, but a fairy tale figment of someone’s imagination, Santa’s race is subject to the imagination. Kelly seemed to have a problem with a Black Santa.

Why? Does a Black Santa offend her lily-white sensibilities? Is she so steeped in whiteness that she can’t think outside the box? And did NBC throw the talented Tamron Hall under the bus for that? Speaks to their own racial bias and sense of white superiority!

It is tragic to consider that Megyn Kelly has

three young children who are undoubtedly being influenced by her warped racial views. But NBC may, perhaps, be reconsidering their relationship with Kelly. It would be a great loss if she were bounced off the air, though there are some who think she has learned her lesson sufficiently to continue her career.

What if, instead of losing her job, she was involved in a “Black immersion” experience?

What if she had to spend a month in a dormitory at Bennett or Spellman College, spending time with the young Black women she seems not to have taken into consideration heretofore? What if her conversation with Roland Martin could be the first of many, and she was directed to spend time with Essence Editor Emerita Susan Taylor, with NNPA Chair Dorothy Leavell, with Jada Pinkett Smith, with Rev. Jesse Jackson, and with others. Might that make a difference for the ill-educated Megyn Kelly? Or maybe she should just read a book or two.

Fifty years after the Kerner Commission report, it is clear that there are still two Americas, one Black, and one white. Two Americas, with two different realities and few bridges to understanding.

This is why, even in all-white communities, Black history must be taught. This is why our textbooks ought to speak realistically about enslavement, Reconstruction, Jim Crow, and lynching.

This is why we need to bust the myth that lynchings were about sex – Black men lusting after white women. Actually, too many lynchings were about economic envy – white men lusting after Black people’s property. After white vandals destroyed the Greenwood section of Tulsa, Oklahoma, one report actually described the cause of the devastation as “Too Many N---rs Having Too Much Money.”

Megyn Kelly is not the only white person who is ignorant of American history (because the history of Black people really is American history). White ignorance is one of the reasons I look askance at some aspects of the #MeToo movement. White ignorance is a choice, especially among adults who can educate themselves and expose themselves to the totality of history.

Megyn Kelly chose to expose herself to Roland Martin and Amy Holmes. Too bad she shot off her uninformed mouth before she got educated!

Perhaps she will now remove the term “p.c.” from her vocabulary unless she happens to mean perfectly civil.

F.Y.I. In order to be included in the Omaha Star, all articles and announcements must be typed in Word and must be received no later than two weeks in advance of the event. Articles may be brought to the Omaha Star Office at 2216 North 24th St. on Monday before 3:00 p.m. or e-mailed to phyllis@omahastarinc.com.

Any announcements or articles that are received the same week as the current publication will not be included in the current week’s edition.

The distribution day for the Omaha Star has been changed to Friday of each week.

The Omaha Star is not responsible for unsolicited pictures or articles submitted for publication.

Page Ten

THE OMAHA STAR

LIFE & STYLE/HEALTH & WELLNESS

Rihanna Says No to Super Bowl Halftime Show in Support of Colin Kaepernick

Civil Rights Icon Elizabeth Eckford Writes First Book

By Sheryl Estrada Rihanna, one of the best-selling music artists of all time, has turned down a coveted offer by the NFL to headline the 2019 Super Bowl Halftime Show because she stands in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick and NFL players who take a knee.

The multiple Grammy-winning artist was the organization’s first choice for Super Bowl LIII to take place on Feb. 3.

“The NFL and CBS really wanted Rihanna to be next year’s performer in Atlanta,” an insider revealed to US Weekly.

“They offered it to her, but she said no because of the kneeling controversy. She doesn’t agree with the NFL’s stance.”

Rihanna has sold 124 million digital singles in the U.S., which is 10 million more than any other artist, according to Forbes. The 30-year-old is also an entrepreneur with a cosmetics line that made $100 million in sales in its first 40 days on the market.

In 2016, Kaepernick became the first NFL player to kneel during the national anthem in protest of police brutality. Since then he has been shunned by the organization.

He is currently pursuing a grievance against the NFL. Kaepernick claims that since he opted out of his contract with the 49ers in early 2017, team owners and executives have colluded to keep him out of the league. Harvard University recently awarded him with the W.E.B Du Bois Medal, one of its highest honors.

In lieu of Rihanna, Maroon 5 will perform during the halftime show.

It took Civil Rights icon Elizabeth Eckford 60 years to tell her story, but it was worth the wait. Her first autobiography, “The Worst First Day: Bullied While Desegregating Central High,” received the 2018 Moonbeam Children’s Multicultural Non-Fiction Gold Book Award. The Moonbeam supports literacy and life-long reading by recognizing exemplary children’s books. Of 1,150 entries, 157 medals were awarded.

Eckford, a member of the courageous Little Rock Nine, is thrilled.

The Worst First Day, available on Amazon (bit.ly/worst1st), shares Eckford’s autobiography and the history of school segregation. As a teen, she was the first member of the Little Rock Nine to arrive at Central High Sept. 4, 1957. She was blocked from entering the school by armed Arkansas National Guard soldiers and engulfed by a mob of enraged segregationists.

Award winning photographer Will Counts captured a photograph of Eckford that made international headlines and became one of the most iconic images of the twentieth century. It showed the world the face of racism.

The Moonbeam Book Awards

Thoughts of a College Girl

Awkward Questions that you Should Avoid Asking at Holiday Dinners

By Asia Rollins The holidays will be here soon.

During this time of year, it’s always nice to catch up with friends and family. The holidays should be full of fun and relaxed events; however, that is not always the case. Inevitably, there will always be family members who kill all the fun by asking inappropriate questions. Do not be the person who ruins things for everyone. Catching up with friends and relatives can be exciting, especially when you have been apart for some time, but there are certain things no one wants to be asked.

1. What is (insert the name of a Bae) up to these days?

No one wants to be reminded of a bad breakup, so questions about exes are off limits. In today’s social media filled society it’s common for people to post pictures with or tweet about their significant others. With that, if you check your cousin’s social media, and they haven’t posted about their so called “Bae,” then there’s a strong possibility that they aren’t with that

person anymore. When someone feels comfortable enough, they will open up about a past relationship or breakup, but it’s not your job to force them to do so. Don’t go on about how you loved the person they dated. Unless someone opens up to you about an ex, then you should avoid asking them details about their ex’s life and what caused them to break up.

2. Did you gain weight?

OK, this question seems like an obvious one to avoid. When asking questions about physical appearance it’s smart to use the five minute rule.

According to the five minute rule, you should only point out things about one’s physical appearance if they can be fixed in five minutes or less. Can someone lose or gain weight in five minutes? No, so asking questions about someone’s weight is off limits. If you are concerned about a relative’s health, then wait until the holidays are over to see if anything in life has been causing stress or sadness. People tend to gain or lose unhealthy amounts of weight

November 2, 2018

in stressful situations. At the end of the day, it’s only up to an individual and their doctor to determine what weight works best for them.

3. How much money do you make?

Asking someone how much they make is tacky. Often times, this question makes people look competitive. There is really no appropriate way to word the question. Asking someone about their salary causes you to judge them for not making enough or for making too much.

4. Why are you still single?

Often times asking someone about who they’re dating is genuine. Some people ask this question to be nosy, and others just want to see their heartbroken niece in a relationship. Whatever the case may be, it is rude to ask people about their relationship status. Just because a person is single doesn’t mean that they are crazy or unable to find someone who they’re compatible with.

There are times in life when people want to focus on themselves and wait to enter a committed relationship.

Good Books Café deserve an international platform.”

The unique approach of the multigenerational Worst First Day writing team resulted in an award-winning collaboration. The book, written in verse, provides readers a compelling history lesson. It includes the graphic artwork of Rachel Gibson, era documentation, artwork from Central High students and staff, intriguing essays and captivating images from photographers Will Counts and Kirk Jordan.

Eckford and the Stanley’s share their unique message to schools, colleges and organizations nationwide. Eckford is thrilled by the book’s success, stating, “I am pleased in a way that I never thought imaginable. I hope this recognition brings the important message of The Worst First Day to the world.”

Essence Announces ‘Girls United’ Inspirational Initiative NEW YORK / PRNewswire / – Essence, the leading media, technology and commerce company serving Black women, has debuted Essence Girls United. This impactful new initiative is designed to inspire young Black women through a year-long mentorship program, as well as an interactive digital/ social content hub that will convey the core principles of leadership and self-love.

Essence Girls United demonstrates the iconic brand’s mission to serve its multigenerational audience globally as a 100% Black-owned company across its platforms through content, culture and community—especially the millennials who comprise of 26% of its core. With its focus on mentoring young girls, this multi-platform program will feature yearround video, digital and social content that will focus on core pillars, including: “Owning Your Power,” “Presenting with Confidence,” “Developing Brand You,” “Finding Your Voice,” “Making a Difference In Your Community,” “Life Skills 101,” and “Self-Love.” The initiative will also feature workshops and conversations with thought leaders, a social network directory for girls to interact with each other, a mentorship program, a leadership development “tool kit,” events such as the upcoming Essence Girls United Summit and much more.

“Essence Girls United will allow us to even further demonstrate the brand’s commitment to inspire Black women by engaging this vital audience,” said Moana Luu, Essence Chief Content and Chief Creative Officer.

“With year-round content across all of our digital and social platforms, Essence will be a great resource for our girls in the areas of leadership, confidence and self-love.”

As part of the initiative, Essence and Ulta Beauty will join forces to co-produce Essence Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities.

This exciting six-part web series will use digital and social content to create a deeper connection with young Black women. The web series will include a search to discover six young women who will then embark on a journey to discover their personal potential and elevate their entrepreneurial spirit all within the beauty industry. Each young woman will have a chance to participate in an opportunity of a lifetime, including: helping to create a limited-time collection for Ulta Beauty; mentorship by Essence and Ulta Beauty brand leaders and more.

Essence Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities is open nationally to girls ages 16-19.

For more on Essence Girls United visit Essence.com/GirlsUnited or join the conversation on social @Essence #EssenceGirlsUnited.

The Wellness Feed

Partnership Seeks to Increase African-American Blood Donations ATLANTA /PRNewswire/ – The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Inc., the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia Inc. and the American Red Cross have announced a new five-year partnership and the launch of a national blood drive and educational campaign that will enhance awareness about sickle cell disease while addressing critical blood supply needs. The initiative will also target African-American blood donors and highlight the need for a stable supply of blood donors of African descent. Through collaboration with community-based organizations, advocacy groups, colleges and universities, hospitals, and others, this partnership will help to ensure patients have access to lifesaving blood products.

The annual goal of the campaign is to mobilize 100 blood drives (with a minimum of 30 units collected per drive) targeting African-American donors across the nation. Over the five-year partnership, it is anticipated that upwards of 15,000 blood donations will be made, helping to save thousands of lives.

“Sickle Cell Disease Association of America is excited about this new partnership and the impact it can have on saving lives,” said SCDAA President/CEO Beverley Francis-Gibson. “Every two seconds someone in America needs blood. Individuals living with sickle cell disease are especially in need of blood transfusions and donated blood. This partnership will provide new opportunities to not only inform and educate the public about sickle cell conditions, but also to activate and engage the African-American community about the immense importance of donating blood.”

“African-American people who require blood transfusions from being injured or ill – including those with sickle cell disease – all depend on a stable blood supply and ideally, blood that closely matches their own,” explained Deb McGhee McCrary, SCFG President & CEO. “This is why it is important for AfricanAmericans to donate and receive blood from other African-Americans.”

“The Red Cross is proud to partner with the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America and Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia,” said Vincent Edwards, National Director, Red Cross Biomedical Services. “A diverse blood supply is critical to being able to help all patients in need. Blood from people of a similar race and ethnicity as the patient can provide the best health outcomes and least transfusion complications.”

described The Worst First Day as “…a tale of courage and perseverance,” noting “Eckford endured all manner of abuse but remained determined through it all.” Eckford wrote, “We swallowed our pride to ensure future students would have the chance we previously lacked.”

Eckford knows the pain of bullying from her days as a Central High student in Little Rock, Ark. The Worst First Day provides an in-depth analysis of the Central High Crisis and encouragement for those being bullied. Eckford’s motivation for telling her story was to encourage students being bullied, an issue estimated to impact more than 20% of students according to the National Center for Educational Statistics.

Eckford encourages bystanders to become allies, noting, “When you stand up for others, you can help them live another day.”

The Worst First Day was co-authored by Eurydice Stanley and her 15-year-old daughter Grace, of Pensacola, Fla. Grace is the same age Elizabeth was when she first attempted to desegregate Central High. “Our family has benefitted from Elizabeth’s mentorship and support for years,” said Dr. Stanley. “She is a national treasure whose insights

Take Charge: Part Two

By Taylor White-Welchen, MPH Now that you are taking charge during your doctor visits, I wanted to talk a little bit more about the why taking charge is so important, particularly given the social, cultural, and historical significance of North Omaha. At your doctor’s office, you might hear phrases such as ‘patient centeredness,’ ‘patient-centered care,’ and ‘shared decision making’. But what does all of this mean? These terms reference a recent shift in medicine towards considering the patient as a whole person, and designing treatments according to the individuals characteristics and needs. Some call these characteristics ‘contextual factors’. Others call them ‘social determinants of health’. Regardless of what they are called, recent research suggests that while medical providers should consider these characteristics, nearly 80% of the time, medical providers fail to administer the appropriate care based on these characteristics. So, what does that mean for us? That means taking charge and speaking up is imperative! If we don’t tell our medical provider what is going on, and if they don’t ask, what does that mean for our health?! This is why I am so passionate about speaking up and taking charge, we, as advocates for ourselves and our health, have a duty and obligation to say something even if it might not make us look as ‘good’ or as ‘healthy’ as we want. If you’re experiencing weird side effects from your medication, or recently hit a rough patch and might not be able to afford your medication, tell your medical provider so that they can help you.

Rather than focusing on how unfortunate the statistic about medical providers administering appropriate care is, we should focus on improving the number of times we speak up, inform our doctors, and they make adjustments accordingly. While it might seem outrageous to think we, as patients, can’t do anything about that, we can. We can take charge and speak up!

New Group Addresses Inequities in Black Birth Care

Washington, DC (BlackNews.com) – A new, national organization has been launched to address inequities in the care and treatment of Black women throughout the reproductive years. The National Association to Advance Black Birth (NAABB), an organization that was formerly known as the International Center for Traditional Childbearing (ICTC), was unveiled within the national midwifery community by its Board of Directors over the last few months. With a scope that is primarily focused in the U.S., and addressing “intersectionality” issues affecting multiple professions and stakeholders, the Board rebranded the organization to match its new vision, mission as well as its current and planned programming.

Dr. Abigail Aiyepola, chair of the

NAABB Board said, “We look forward to working with healthcare organizations, policy makers, institutions, associations and individuals alike to authentically challenge the status quo treatment of Black women throughout the birth process. The shocking statistics and realities of the dangerous care in U.S. healthcare settings must be addressed in systematic ways that go beyond diversity and implicit bias trainings. We need a true revolution in the care and treatment of Black women and birthing persons, which is currently being ignored and dismissed within many U.S. medical establishments, despite the numbers showing increasing fatalities and the serious medical problems in our communities across the country.”

NAABB’s vision is a world in

which Black women achieve their full birthing potential and thrive during the childbearing years. NAABB’s mission is to combat the effects of structural racism within maternal-infant health to advance Black birth outcomes.

NAABB’s goal is to transform the national maternity system to advance the well-being of – and gain equity for – Black women in the U.S. A number of national reports and articles, including recent ones in The New York Times and ProPublica, are raising awareness of the far-reaching impacts of racism, racial biases and inequitable care towards Black women throughout the birthing process, regardless of income.

NAABB produced and recently launched a documentary, The Loudest Silence: Black Women’s Birth

Experiences, to highlight the impact of inequities in care. These disparities produce statistics such as Black infant mortality being twice the rate of White babies; and that college educated Black women die or almost die from childbirth-related causes at twice the rate of White women who never graduated from high school. NAABB’s documentary has begun being shown at midwifery conferences and other birth related convenings across the country; and will be used in healthcare settings as an opening to begin not just conversations, but training programs that address inequitable hospital care and treatment of Black women that is primarily driven by structural racism and racial biases.

“Legacy is important – both a legacy

that was created for us to build upon as well as the legacy to come, based on the current times and needs of the Black women and persons whom we serve,” said Dr. Aiyepola. “Our new name reflects both our history, Sankofa, and our future, where Black women and birthing persons do not have to fear that being pregnant or giving birth to a baby may put their life at risk. We’re excited about advancing the support of Black women and persons who face issues that impact their ability to have a safe and healthy birth in which they are recognized, listened to, and treated with respect in all healthcare settings.”

For more information on The National Association to Advance Black Birth, see www.TheNAABB.org or contact info@thenaabb.org.

EVENTS/NATIONAL/CLASSIFIED ADS THE OMAHA STAR Page Eleven Celebrate International Games Week at Omaha Public Library International Games Week is a global, at Millard Branch, 13214 Westwood Ln., 402-444initiative to reconnect communities 4848.

Things to do, people to see, places to go. volunteer-led • Thursday (Nov. 8) – 5:30 p.m.: Movie Night to the educational, recreational, and social value

November 2, 2018

In The Village!

Nov. 2-16 – The Salvation Army is taking reservations for its TurkeyFest being held on Thanksgiving Day. The effort provides free dinners to adults age 55 and older. To register, phone 402-898-6023, M-F, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Nov. 2 – The Great Plains Black History Museum’s “Selma: The March for Freedom 50 Years Later” exhibit runs through December 29. The exhibit is open at no charge, ThursdaySaturday, 1-5 p.m.

Nov. 5 – Deadline for in-person early voting at election commission office.

Nov. 6 – Statewide General Election Day. Polls open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Nov. 6 – Deadline to return early voting ballots to election commission office or drop box location, 8 p.m.

Nov. 8 – AAF Omaha hosts 6 in 60 Panel Discussion | “Inclusivity from the Inside Out” at 6 p.m. at DJ’s Dugout, 114th & Dodge.

Authenticity is the difference between success and failure in the advertising world. But how do we make our messages real and genuine? Hear panelists Steve Gordon, Alexandra (Alex) Riggs, Dan Harr, John Heaston and Angie Frederick share how to influence company culture by first changing how you approach inclusivity. Shonna Dorsey will be the panel moderator. Register at www.runmyclub.com/AAF/event.

Nov. 8-11 – Roncalli Catholic High School wants to introduce you to some folks who are creepy, kooky, mysterious, spooky and all together ooky at their Fall Musical. “The Addams Family,” a new musical comedy, will be held in their Notre Dame Auditorium, 6401 Sorensen Pkwy, Thursday - Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m. Tickets are available at the

door.

Nov. 10 – Washington Library, 2868 Ames Ave, hosts a Teen Poetry workshop featuring Louder Than a Bomb artists at 1:30 p.m. For more info, phone 402-444-4849.

Nov. 11 – Veterans Day! Honor our veterans today.

Nov. 13 – Youth Care and Beyond’s annual celebration is “Color Me Camille,” featuring the vocal stylings of Omaha’s Camille Metoyer.

The ticket price includes cocktails, heavy hors d’oeuvres and the show. The evening begins at 6:30. Register at https://ycbcelebration. eventbrite.com.

Nov. 15 – Each year, the Heartland Family Service Salute to Families recognition program honors four families and one family advocate who exemplify strong family values and commitment to our community. The event will be held at the Happy Hollow Club, 1701 S. 105th St. at 6 p.m. Ticket prices include dinner.

For tickets, or more info, phone 402-552-7426.

Nov. 17 – Purpose Driven Advocacy Center, Inc. hosts Winter Clothes Giveaway from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at 6401. N. 56th St. Items to be given away include clothes, outerwear, shoes and small household items. Volunteers are needed. For more info, phone 402-399-9628.

Nov. 17 – November Food Pantry Day from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Benson Baptist Church, 6319 Maple St. Must bring ID and social security cards for each member of the household.

Nov. 17-19 – Love’s Jazz & Arts Center, 2510 N. 24th St., presents the Urban Artists Collection featuring the art of Omahan Jeremiah Neal.

Rally continued from page 8 logical standpoint on politics and not getting caught up in being politically correct. He says it like it is, being blunt,” said Kidron Taylor, a 21-year-old from Batesville, Miss. “Yes, he says some rude, mean stuff sometimes, but when it comes down to the politics and his actions, it aligns more with what I believe in.”

Taylor, who revealed he is biracial, is a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights and Trump’s immigration policy.

“At the end of the day, I prefer someone who says stuff I don’t like sometimes and just say what’s on their mind than say, someone like Hillary (Clinton), who’ll say anything to make you feel good,” he said.

“That’s someone I can trust more.”

Stewart said that often African Americans are too sensitive, allowing emotions to override logic.

“Blacks are more emotionally driven than by logic,” Stewart said. “Democrats pull on your emotional strings. I’m more driven by common sense. If it makes sense to me, then my logic is always going to overrule my emotions.”

Which isn’t to say that there’s blind allegiance.

“I don’t agree with everything he says,” Donis stressed. “But I like what he stands for. I’m a pastor, so those Biblical issues are very important to me. I can’t stand up in front of my congregation and say, ‘We need to be this way’ and then do something else. I’m not being truthful.”

Where the ladies at?

If you’re wondering whether there were any African American women there, the answer is yes. But remember, I was confined and couldn’t just walk up to the handful of sisters I saw in the crowd.

I did flag down two University of Memphis students – one African American, one white – and neither were Trump supporters. At just 19, both said it was their first time coming “to anything political” and for them, it was more of an academic exercise.

“I’m trying to be moderate and understand the way the right thinks and the way they interpret the things he’s going to say tonight,” said Tia Marshall, an African American sociology major.

“I just wanted to see how different people interact with different beliefs and see where I stand on the political spectrum,” added Tristan Scarborough, an anthropology major. “ And like the college students they are, they took notes. One of Marshall’s notes said “Holy Trump Water.”

“There was one man outside who was selling ‘Holy Trump Water,’” she said. “He was saying that Trump had ‘blessed’ the water. I thought that was very interesting.”

Both Marshall and Scarborough were too young to vote in 2016, but they’re all in for the 2018 midterms.

“This is the future of our country,” Scarborough said. “This is us. We need to not rely on our parents’ views and start making our own.”

“This is so important for our age group,” added Marshall. “This is going to be our country pretty soon and we need to make sure we have a voice in how our country is run.”

of all types of games through their local libraries.

Omaha Public Library (OPL) will join over a thousand institutions around the world during the week of November 4-10 as they transform their libraries with play.

Like many other participating locations, OPL will offer special gaming programs and events suitable for the whole family. All programs are free. Visit omahalibrary.org or call the hosting location for program descriptions, and age and registration information.

• Tuesday (Nov. 6) – 4:30 p.m.: Minecraft Club at A.V. Sorensen Branch, 4808 Cass St., 402-444-5274. Registration is required.

– 5:30 p.m.: Roblox Game Design Workshop at South Omaha Library, 2808 Q St., 402-444-4850.

Registration is required.

• Wednesday (Nov. 7) – 3 p.m.: Gaming Club

Nebraska Medicine Hosting Career Fair Nov. 14 Working at Nebraska Medicine empowers individuals to experience and be part of breakthrough medicine. Nebraska Medicine employs approximately 8,000 employees between its two hospitals in Omaha and Bellevue, and 40 outpatient clinics located across the metro area.

On Nov. 14, Nebraska Medicine is hosting a career fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Become part of a diverse team driven by a single promise, to deliver serious medicine and extraordinary care.

During the fair, recruiters will be interviewing for positions listed below and making offers to qualified candidates.

• Food service senior associates (deliver food to patients rooms) • Cooks • Dietary assistants • Floor care senior associates • Environmental service associates • Patient area environmental senior associates In addition to those positions, you can learn more about the following positions Nebraska Medicine has available: • Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)

Subscribe to the Omaha Star

402 346-4041 opt. 5

classical vocal technique and gospel esthetic with jazz to create a sound that is completely her own.

McCann has been named “Best Jazz Vocal Performance” for several years by the Chicago Tribune. The Tribune’s arts critic, Howard Reich, says McCann has “A voice that soars in all registers, at all tempos, on all occasions … a voice that inspires wonder!” LA jazz scene columnist Scott Yanow adds, “There are many fine jazz singers on the scene today, but few are on Tammy McCann’s level.”

Tammy will be performing at Love’s Jazz & Arts Center, 2510 N. 24th St., on Nov. 17. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the show starts at 6.

• Patient care technicians (CNAs) • Medical receptionists • Scheduling associates • Patient access senior associates • Office assistants • Revenue cycle (a variety of medical billing and insurance-related tasks, such as sending out bills and following up on open cases) Most of these jobs require only a high school diploma or general education diploma.

Directions and Parking The career fair is located at the entrance to the Durham Outpatient Center, 4400 Emile St., on the Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center campus. Parking is available in the parking structure connected to the Durham Outpatient Center. The career fair will take place to the immediate left of the main lobby on level one.

If you can’t attend, but would like to learn more about job possibilities at Nebraska Medicine, go to https://www.nebraskamed.com/careers/fair and fill out the form at the bottom of the website. A recruiter will contact you.

Application for Registration of Trade Name Trade Name: Walkingtestimony.com Name of Applicant: Brother John’s Unspoken Word, LLC Address: 5622 N. 28th Avenue. Omaha, NE 68111 Type: Corporation State of Organization: Nebraska Date of first use of name in Nebraska: May 2008 General nature of business: To sell T-shirts (clothing) & accessories online w/ drop shipping Kendra Williams-Russell-El , Applicant

Business Connection

To advertise your business, please contact Phyllis Hicks.

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

Attorney

Enjoy the Sultry Jazz Stylings of Tammy McCann Nov. 17 T a m m y McCann began her career as a classical musician, but jazz stole her heart. She is now an internationally recognized vocalist who’s powerful, sultry, emotionally charged voice paints pictures and tells stories by merging

– “Ready Player One” at South Omaha Library.

• Friday (Nov. 9) – 4 p.m.: Magic: The Gathering Club at Millard Branch.

• Saturday (Nov. 10) – 1 p.m.: International Games Week Celebration at W. Dale Clark Main Library, 215 S. 15th St., 402-444-4800.

– 2 p.m.: Teen Hangout at Benson Branch, 6015 Binney St., 402-444-4846; Board Game Demo at A.V. Sorensen Branch; Minecraft Saturday (registration required) at Millard Branch.

– 3 p.m.: Go Club and Chess Club at Millard Branch.

International Games Week is an international initiative supported by the American Library Association, the Australian Library and Information Association, Nordic Game Day and L’Associazione Italiana Biblioteche. For more information on International Games Week, please visit the Games in Libraries blog at games.ala.org.

Convenient Store Entertainment

100.3

Timothy Ashford

FM

Attorney at Law

Omaha NE’s FIRST and ONLY 24/7 FM Gospel Radio!

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).”

Step 3: Tune in to 100.3 FM and we’ll play YOUR VOICE when we play YOUR FAVORITE SONG!

1603 Farnam Street Omaha, NE 68102 (402) 660-5544

Proudly Black-Owned and Operated. Lady J and LuvLuv, Founders.

For more info: www.GospelMusicOmaha.com

attorneytimothyashford@gmail.com

Entertainment Housing 55 & older

ATTENTION ATTENTION ATTENTION

ANNOUNCING A NEW AND EXCITING COMMUNITY RADIO SHOW

Martha & Preston Love

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND

We are offering very LOW Rates!

unity Talk Comm rch hu C And

100.3 FM

live: cebook aha.com om us on fa Catch ospelmusic ok/g facebo

Independent Seniors 55 & Over Call Seven Oaks at Notre Dame HOME! Call for a Tour Today!

3439 State Street Omaha, Nebraska 68112 402.451.4477 www.sevenoaksnd.org

Insurance

Insurance John Lord, LUTCF, RHU® Agent

CORR OFFICERS - $16.74 hour plus benefits.

Sherman P. Willis, Agent 4915 N 120th St Ste 107 Omaha, NE 68164 Bus: 402-493-1000 sherman@shermanpwillis.com Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Evenings and Sat by appt.

24/7 Good Neighbor Service

New York Life Insurance Company One Valmont Plaza, Suite 100 Omaha, NE 68154 Bus. 402.496.6429 Cell 402.510.4186 Fax 402.496.6458 jlord@ft.nyl.com Authorized to Offer

corrections.nebraska.gov/careers

1211999

State Farm, Bloomington, IL

Auto • Home • Life • Health • Dental • Vision ALSO AVAILABLE Commercial Insurance Kim Robinson, M.B.A. 6311 Ames Avenue Omaha, NE 68104 402-999-8357 (office) 402-502-0253 (fax)

robinsoninsurance@omhcoxmail.com

CONTACT US: PRESTONLOVEJR@GMAIL.COM

We’re Hiring!

Insurance

Life Insurance and Annuity Program fromNew York Life

Tree & Landscape GTL Tree and Landscape •Tree installation, maintenance & removal • Retaining walls, flower beds, & paver patio construction Over 10 years experience Fully licensed & insured.

402-880-3706

Page Twelve

THE OMAHA STAR

YOUTH/EDUCATION NEWS

The Importance of Being a Black Ballerina in ‘The Nutcracker’

By Kimberley Richards Misty Copeland continues to shed light on the importance of representation. Speaking about her role as the “ballerina princess” in Disney’s new movie “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms,” the cultural icon said her character will “live on forever.”

In an interview with the Associated Press at the premiere of “The Nutcracker” in Los Angeles on Monday, Copeland said that having a black ballerina in the Disney movie is important for young people and future generations.

“I just think it’s so special that as a Black ballerina, my character is going to live on forever in this film and eventually little kids are going to look at that and say ‘oh that’s what a ballerina looks like,’” she said.

Copeland, who has long championed efforts to

increase Black representation in ballet, became the first Black woman in history to be promoted to principal dancer in American Ballet Theatre.

Disney’s “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms,” directed by Lasse Hallström and Joe Johnston – and inspired by E.T.A. Hoffmann’s classic tale – hits theaters today (Friday).

Along with Copeland, the cast for the holiday feature film includes Keira Knightley, Mackenzie Foy and Morgan Freeman.

“It’s amazing to have this traditional story being told through Disney and to be able to bring me into it, a character as a ballerina, to really introduce all of the characters in the film, to the four realms,” Copeland said in a video published to Instagram on Tuesday.

While holding Disney’s picture book, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms: The Dance of the Realms, Copeland said proudly: “There’s a brown ballerina on the cover of the Nutcracker and the Four Realms Disney book.”

AXA Achievement Scholarship AXA Achievement Scholarship is looking to award college scholarships to high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their activities in school, the community or the workplace.

The insurance company’s AXA Foundation offers more than a million dollars in scholarships to young people throughout the nation representing all 50 states, Washington DC and Puerto Rico.

The program is open to high school seniors who plan to enroll in a full-time undergraduate course of study at an accredited two- or fouryear college or university. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal residents and must have demonstrated ambition and self-drive as evidenced by an outstanding achievement in a school, community, or workplace activity.

To be one of the scholarship winners, also known as AXA Achievers, one must be ethnically and economically diverse, as well as having these qualities: ambition and drive; determination to set and reach goals; respect for

self, family and community; ability to succeed in college.

They encourage interested students who are eligible to apply early. They will only be accepting the first 10,000 completed and submitted electronically by the deadline date to be able to enter.

AXA Achievers from each state nationwide will receive scholarship awards. Aside from the scholarship for the student, the recipient’s high school will also receive a grant.

The scholarship is sponsored by the AXA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of AXA US, and is administered by Scholarship America, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarship, tuition assistance and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals.

The deadline for this scholarship is usually in December of each year, and the award amount is usually $2,500 to $25,000.

For more details, visit us.axa.com/axafoundation/AXA-achievement-scholarship.html.

Check out our Facebook Page!

November 2, 2018

#BlackGirlMagic: 11-Year-Old Flint Activist Gets Her Own Doll

By NewsOne Staff Youngster Mari Copeny hasn’t even entered her teens yet, but she has already left an indelible mark in the realm of social activism.

Two years after the now 11-year-old activist brought attention to the Flint water crisis, she will be honored by the toy company Lottie Dolls with her own doll, EBONY reported.

The company, based in Ireland, created a doll called “Kid Activist” that was inspired

by Copeny, the news outlet writes. Copeny garnered national attention after she penned a letter to former President Barack Obama asking him to meet with her so that they can figure out a solution to overcome the water crisis.

“I am one of the children that is effected by this water, and I’ve been doing my best to march in protest and to speak out for all the kids that live here in Flint. This Thursday I will be

riding a bus to Washington, D.C. to watch the congressional hearings of our Governor Rick Snyder. I know this is probably an odd request but I would love for a chance to meet you or your wife,” she wrote in the letter, according to the Los Angeles Times. Copeny, who is known as “Little Miss Flint,” got the opportunity to meet the president in May 2016.

The Kid Activist doll dons a beautiful full afro, a jacket that says “Stand Up,” and a protest sign that bears the words “Kids Voices Matter.”

Copeny took to twitter to share the news about the doll’s release.

Representation is everything. Several toy companies are creating dolls in which Black and brown children can see themselves reflected. In an effort to be a beacon of light for young Black girls battling with depression, entrepreneur TiffanyJ created Super Beauty Dolls to empower girls to be comfortable in their own skin.

Subscribe to the Omaha Star 402-346-4041 opt. 5

Asthma In-Home Response

Does Your Child Have Asthma?

TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT PROJECT AIR

Project AIR helps reduce in-home hazards for kids with asthma We make home improvements to address asthma triggers We educate families about hazards in their home We empower families to make positive behavior changes

LEARN MORE AT: OMAHAHEALTHYKIDS.ORG To enroll, call us at 402.934.9700 or talk to your doctor about Project AIR

Omaha Healthy Kids Alliance

We work to ensure every child in Omaha lives in a lead-safe, Healthy Home