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OMAHA STAR
THE
Celebrating 80 Years
1938 2018
Dedicated to the Service of the People that NO Good Cause Shall Lack a Champion and that Evil Shall Not Go Unopposed
Nebraska’s Only Black Owned Newspaper Vol. 80 - No. 4 Omaha, Nebraska
Friday, February 23, 2018
March is Women’s History Month. Who is your Shero?
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2nd Annual And We’ll Rise Up – Students Making Their Voices Heard There is a new voice in the debate over gun violence. It is poised, American society,” said Tucker Carlson, founder of a popular conservative ‘Men of Courage’ passionate – and young. The student survivors of last Wednesday’s massacre website, Daily Caller. He spoke on his show on Fox News. “Tragedies like – many not old enough to vote – have been saturating the airwaves and this happen for a reason, and it probably doesn’t have a lot to do with guns.” Convening With social mediaeven A lot of Americans agree that guns aren’t the problem. “Unfortunately, with a resounding message: Something is broken in a country there’s evil in the world,” said Mimi Garcia from North Carolina who was that can’t stem bloodshed wrought by guns. Dr. Wes Bellamy In the week since a gunman murdered 17 in Parkland, Fla., Marjory visiting the Parkland area this week, donating blood after the shooting. “You Black Men United and Fellowship Christian Center, where the Rev. Edward Rollerson is pastor, will host a Black History Month event from 5-7 p.m. on Sunday at Fellowship Christian Center, 3211 Pinkney St. The keynote speaker, Dr. Wes Bellamy, is the past Vice-Mayor of Dr. Wes Bellamy Charlottesville, Va. He is the youngest individual ever elected to that office. Dr. Bellamy came into the national spotlight after leading the effort to remove statues of Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson from local parks in Charlottesville. He has since become a leading voice in the movement towards greater equity in the United States. In addition to his legislative accomplishments, Dr. Bellamy regularly speaks to a wide range of audiences including universities, conferences, public rallies, and civic organizations. His primary focus is on improving the lives of those who lack resources and positive role models. Dr. Bellamy has appeared on CNN, NPR, and On One with Angela Rye, as well as being featured in the New York Times, the Root, Washington Post and other outlets. Senator Justin Wayne and Franklin T. Thompson will receive the Men Of Courage Awards this year. The Malcolm X Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Senator Ernie Chambers This event is free and the community is invited to attend.
Omaha Star Family Loses a Cherished Member
Eleanor Riggs
Long-time Omaha Star staffer Eleanor Riggs passed Tuesday evening, Feb. 20, after a brief illness. “L,” as she was affectionately nicknamed, made her transition at home surrounded by her three loving sons, J. Duke, Terry and Jeffrey Riggs, and her four adoring sisters, Pauline Saunders, Lois Daniels, Marilyn Craft and Carolyn Reddix-Johnson. At “L’s” request, a memorial service will be held at a later date. Condolences can be sent in care of Jeffrey Riggs, 4913 Manderson St., Omaha, NE 68104.
Stoneman Douglas students have organized a national campaign against school violence with a forceful, simple message for the country: Never Again. They say, in order to prevent the next school shooting, America needs stricter gun laws, safer schools and for the National Rifle Association to get out of politics. And their message is being heard – on TV and across social media. “Everyone’s listening, everyone cares. Change is going to be seen everywhere,” junior Cameron Kasky said. But there is one place where the Parkland students and their campaign have fallen flat: conservative media. Most conservative media reject the idea that shootings like the one in Parkland are a gun issue. The real concern isn’t that semi-automatic rifles like the AR-15 are widely available and can be purchased for less than you would spend on a good bicycle. Instead, they argue that the real crisis involves a breakdown in the fabric of American society, disintegrating families, and a lack of Christian values. And it’s a message Republican politicians in particular hear a lot in Emma Gonzalez the media they follow most closely. It was echoed in President Trump’s speech to the nation right after the Parkland shooting. “We must also work together to create a culture in our country that embraces the dignity of life,” Trump argued. On the TV, websites and talk radio favored by tens of millions of Americans, the student activists are either invisible or they face fierce criticism. During an appearance on “Fox News Sunday” with Chris Wallace, radio host Rush Limbaugh described the student survivors as articulate and angry, but he also said they’re being used by the left and by Democrats in a bid to take away people’s gun rights. The real answer, Limbaugh said, is more guns in schools: “The solution, to me and I know this is going to cause all kinds of angst, the solution is we need concealed carry in these schools.” He went on to argue that rallies and marches and attacks on the NRA won’t make kids or teachers safer. “Every thoughtful person knows something horrible is going on in
know, people are just going for that instead of, you know, [choosing] peace, love and God,” she argued. Her husband Manuel Garcia said he feels the same way. “I believe that a lot of things are happening because we took God out of the school system. We took prayer out of the school system. And this is why all this is happening.” If you believe that society is breaking down, then more guns might seem like a reasonable response, a last-ditch way to keep teachers and students safe. “I feel like they should put guns in the classrooms now with the teachers,” said Sabrina Belony, a stayat-home mom in Fort Lauderdale. “I feel like teachers should be trained to be armed or something because teachers lost their lives trying to protect [their classes].” The kids who formed the Never Again movement have no patience for this idea that culture is to blame for last weeks massacre. They say Parkland is already a great town, a tight-knit community with strong values. They say the real problem is that weak gun laws allowed one deeply troubled teen to legally buy a semi-automatic rifle. So far, the students seem to be holding their own against the conservative media’s very different narrative about Parkland. At a powerpacked rally in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, students made impassioned pleas for legislation to regulate guns. “We will be the last mass shooting,” Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School senior Emma Gonzalez declared to wild cheers. She criticized, “every politician who is taking donations from the NRA, shame on you.” That line sparked a roar of applause from the crowd and was followed by chants of “Shame on you! Shame on you!” Video of Gonzalez’s speech went viral on social media. The students held a town hall-style meeting Wednesday that aired on CNN. In response to an invitation to attend the town hall meeting, Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, an outspoken ally of the NRA, responded on Twitter, “Thanks for the invitation, I look forward to participating in this important forum. I want action too. Action that will make a difference.”
Omaha Star’s #BlackPantherChallenge Event Attended by Over 225 Anxious Moviegoers The Omaha Star ’s #BlackPantherChallenge movie event was held on day two of the opening weekend for Marvel’s Black Panther. Over 225 people were treated to a morning viewing of the movie at Marcus Majestic Cinema, 14304 W. Maple Rd. “This event was made possible by generous donations to our GoFundMe challenge. We accepted a challenge issued by Harlem resident Frederick Joseph, who raised over $42,000 to send youth from the Harlem Boys & Girls Club to see Marvel’s Black Panther. We set our challenge goal at $5,000. At this time the total donations exceed $10,000. All monies not used for the movie event will be donated to the Mildred D. Brown Memorial Study Center’s scholarship fund,” said Omaha Star Publisher, Phyllis Hicks. According to the event coordinator, Frankie Jean Williams, at press
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time, the 400 nationwide campaigns created raised a total of $620K. Deb Shaw, who oversaw the Omaha Star’s donations said, “It was encouraging to see the wide range of support from donors who came from diverse geographical locations throughout the state. Every donation from $3 to $4000 helped us reach and exceed our targeted goal. These were truly amazing acts of kindness that are greatly appreciated.” Williams said the Omaha Star bought out four auditoriums at the theater. She said it was important to her that the youth in attendance saw black men working, so each of the four auditoriums had a male host who welcomed the youth and awarded door prizes. She said big thanks are in order to the hosts: Marc Austin, Jr., Rev. Darryl Brown, Jr., Robert Cunegin and Christopher McCroy, who readily accepted her challenge of providing the youth with a welcoming movie experience. She added “brothers from Alpha and Omega fraternities were a present force. One Alpha man was there waiting for us to show up at See #BlackPantherChallenge continued on page 3
Former First Lady Takes to Twitter to Praise ‘Panther’
By Sheryl Estrada As the superhero movie Black Panther roared at the box office over President’s Day weekend, former First Lady Michelle Obama expressed why she loves the film that set a record for a February opening. Obama tweeted on Monday:“Congrats to the entire #blackpanther team! Because of you, young people will finally see superheroes that look like them on the big screen. I loved this movie and I know it will inspire people of all backgrounds to dig deep and find the courage to be heroes of their own stories.” Disney and Marvel Studios’ Black Panther was released on Friday, Feb. 16 nationwide. Obama’s review gave a nod to the fact that the big-budget studio film is unprecedented as it has a predominantly Black cast, and it will also “inspire people of all backgrounds.” According to a comScore audience survey, the film See First Lady continued on page 3
It’s the Lenten season and Fish is Frying.
Summer job interviews – March 4
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LOCAL NEWS
THE OMAHA STAR
‘Art Of The Brick’ Organizers Extend Exhibit, Announce New Contest
THE OMAHA STAR, INC. THE VOICE OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY Editorial and Business Office 2216 North 24th Street Phone: 402.346.4041 Fax: 402.346.4064
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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.
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Due to its popularity,. “The Art Of The Brick” – a captivating exhibition featuring intriguing works of art made exclusively from one of the most recognizable toys in the world, the Lego brick – will remain in Omaha through April 22 at the new Capitol District. Exhibit organizers are also launching a new contest for kids! Designed to provoke ingenuity and creativity, “The Art Of The Brick” is the largest and most elaborate display of Lego art ever to come to Nebraska. Art lovers of all ages are inspired when they visit “The Art Of The Brick” and now young Lego artists are invited to enter a special contest to have their own masterpieces on display at the exhibit. “This contest will give up and coming artists the opportunity to showcase their own creativity. I believe my role as an artist is to inspire, and I hope that ‘The Art Of The Brick’ does just that,” said artist Sawaya. To enter the Omaha Brick Build, get creative! Find inspiration by visiting “The Art Of The Brick” or from anything that motivates you! Then build your creation within the criteria listed below: • Submissions can be no larger than 2’ x 2’ x 2’. • Submissions must be original pieces of art and fully created by the child. • Submissions must be created with only
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The Alzheimer’s Association Nebraska Chapter, in partnership with conference presenting sponsors Vetter Health Services and Agemark, will host the annual Dementia Care Conference on April 5, at the Salvation Army Kroc Center in Omaha. The full conference will be streamed live to the Younes Conference Center in Kearney. Health professionals, family care partners and students are encouraged to register and learn more about the conference at alz.org/ nebraska. Presentations will cover a myriad of topics that relate to dementia care best practices, and the conference will feature the following acclaimed presenters: • Erin Bonitto, MS, ADC, Founder and Lead Coach of Gemini Consulting and acclaimed dementia expert • Paul Falkowski, PhD, gerontologist and Executive Director of Community 360
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6 Tickets to AOTB, one night weekend stay at Omaha Marriott Downtown and $25 giftcard for Nosh Restaurant & Wine Lounge. • AOTB merchandise pack. • Credit for their work as part of the display in the exhibit. For more information, visit the website: www.artofthebrickomaha.com Tickets to “The Art Of The Brick” are available here: www.showclix.com/event/ the-art-of-the-brick
About Nathan Sawaya & “The Art Of The Brick”: Nathan Sawaya is the first artist ever to take the Lego brick into the art world as a medium. Sawaya has earned a top position in the world of contemporary art and has created a new dimension by merging pop art and surrealism in awe-inspiring and groundbreaking ways. Sawaya’s touring exhibition – “The Art Of The Brick” – has entertained and inspired millions of art lovers and enthusiasts around the world. CNN heralded “The Art Of The Brick” as one of the top ten “must-see exhibits in the world.” Sawaya is an author, speaker and one of the most popular, award-winning contemporary artists of our time. For more information visit www.brickartist.com.
March 9, 2018 Marcy 23, 2018
provide.” Pam Parker, former family care partner for her father, attended the conference in 2016 and 2017, and now is on a mission to encourage other caregivers to participate. “I was happy to find the educational programs being offered by the Alzheimer’s Association when I was caring for my father, Joe. With the Alzheimer’s Association’s family caregiver scholarship, I was able to attend at no cost and took away valuable information. Being informed helped me meet my father where he was, and walk alongside him down his journey with the disease.” Early bird registration pricing is available through March 17, 2018. For more information about the Dementia Care Conference or to register for the event, visit alz.org/nebraska.
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• Rachel Conant, Senior Political Director for the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement Emilee Jochim, Dementia Care Conference Planning Committee Co-Chair, encourages health professionals and family care partners to prioritize this conference, confident that skills learned and information shared will enhance the quality of life for the person(s) they provide care for who are living with dementia. “We know there are over 33,000 individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease across the state of Nebraska. These individuals deserve high quality, personcentered care from care providers that are educated and informed about dementia care best practices. Our conference planning team has strategically focused on key topics that will enable participants to walk away with tangible strategies that will enhance the care they are able to
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Timeline: March 2: Submissions deadline. March 6: Winners notified by phone or mail. March 9: Winners responsible for delivery of winning artwork to venue. March 10: Winning pieces on display at “The Art Of The Brick.”
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
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Lego brand bricks or elements. Submissions may be made via Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #OmahaBrickBuild or by email to info@ artofthebrickomaha.com. All submissions must include the name, age and location of the child and contact information for parent or guardian. It should also include a title for the artwork. If entry is made via social media, the hashtag #OmahaBrickBuild must be used. All submissions must include at least one, clear photo of the artwork for judging purposes. Artwork will be judged by Nathan Sawaya in conjunction with the exhibit designers and producers. There will be one winner in each of the following age groups: 6-9 years old 10-13 years old 14-17 years old
Alzheimer’s Association to Host Nebraska’s Largest Dementia Conference
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April 6, 2018 April 20, 2018
May 4, 2018 May 18, 2018
June 1, 2018 June 15, 2018 June 29, 2018
July 2018 Friday Friday
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September 2018 Friday Friday
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Support Those Who Support You 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.
February 23, 2018
LOCAL NEWS
First Lady continued from page 1 received five out of five stars from diverse audiences – 37 percent Black, 35 percent white, 18 percent Latino, 5 percent Asian and 5 percent other. Black Panther is Marvel’s first movie directed by an African American – 31-year-old Ryan Coogler, who made his debut as a director with Fruitvale Station. The Marvel film, set in the fictitious African nation of Wakanda, has already set multiple records. Black Panther earned $404 million Friday through Monday worldwide. It set a record for a February opening and for a President’s Day weekend debut. “Deadpool,” which earned $152 million domestically over the same holiday weekend in 2016, was the previous record holder. Ryan Reynolds, star of “Deadpool,” tweeted on Friday: “Black Panther set the record for the largest opening for an African American director, soaring past ‘The Fate of the Furious,’ directed by F. Gary Gray, which opened to $98 million last April.” The film also nabbed one of the top four-day grosses of all time after stomping past Jurassic World ($234.1 million), Star Wars: The Last Jedi ($241.6 million) and Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($288.1 million), according to The Hollywood Reporter. It is the second-biggest superhero movie opening for Marvel behind “The Avengers.” “Results like this go beyond anything anyone ever could have hoped for,” Dave Hollis, president of global distribution at Disney, told The Los Angeles Times. Hollis said the momentum of the film “has left us unable, even, to keep up with projections. It’s unbelievable.” The movie featuring a cast of outstanding actors, including Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, Letitia Wright, and Danai Gurira, comes decades after films by Black artists struggled to gain traction in Hollywood. Some in Hollywood believe that executives may attribute Black Panther’s success to the massive production and marketing machine behind it rather than the predominantly Black casts being the box office draw. “I think no matter how much money this movie makes, it will be seen by a lot of people in [studio] staff meetings and greenlight committees as just a one-off,” a prominent African American figure in the Hollywood development world, “asking for anonymity so as not to be perceived as criticizing potential business partners,” told The Washington Post. “And the question is: How many more ‘one-offs’ will we have before they realize it’s a pattern?” UCLA’s 2017 Hollywood Diversity Report found that films with relatively diverse casts have the highest median global box office receipts and the highest median return on investment. Black Panther received an A-plus on CinemaScore in audience exit polling its opening night, which means that great word-of-mouth promotion will take place. Other films with predominantly Black casts that have also received an A-plus in the past two years are Hidden Figures (2016), which was number one at the box office in its first weekend in wide release, and Girls Trip (2017) opened at number two. During its time in theaters, Hidden Figures earned just under $170 million in total domestic ticket sales and almost $235 million worldwide, and Girls Trip, just above $115 million domestic and approximately $140 million worldwide. With Get Out (2017), starring Daniel Kaluuya who is also in Black Panther, Jordan Peele became the first Black writer-director to make over $100 million in the box office for a debut film. The earnings for these movies are less than what Black Panther will accumulate as they are not big-budget films, but the box office draw shows there is indeed a pattern in moviegoers wanting more diverse casts on-screen and then spreading the word about the film. Hollywood execs will have to adapt or lose revenue. #BlackPantherChallenge continued from page 1 the theater at 8:30 a.m.” Captain Wayne Hudson (DCSO) and other members of the Black Police Officers Association willingly offered their assistance throughout the event. Deacon Braymond Adams from Salem Baptist Church and his camera were all over the place, capturing the excitement and anticipation on the faces of the young people who came from the Boys & Girls Club of the Midlands, Girls Inc., the Deltas’ GEM and Academy programs, the Pleasant Green Baptist Church Marching Saints, Sacred Heart School and other organizations. Williams said this rewarding experience for her offered the young people in attendance an opportunity to dream big dreams and to be a part of Black history in the making.
2-1-1 Helpline Celebrates 15 Years of Service Every day hundreds of people in our community turn to 2-1-1 for information and support whether financial, domestic or health related. The 2-1-1 helpline, managed by United Way of the Midlands, is a free, confidential Information and Referral (I&R) service that connects people of all ages in the state of Nebraska and Southwest Iowa to a specialist who will help them find local health and human services. The helpline’s mission is to connect people in need to those that can help. 2-1-1 is committed to being the first, most essential resource available. Through this vital service, United Way of the Midlands identifies our community’s ongoing and urgent needs. In the last five years, the center answered nearly 300,000 calls including 62,059 calls in 2017.1 From the calls in 2017: • 35% of calls were related to utility needs • 26% of calls were related to housing needs • 7% of calls were related to food needs • 93% of callers would recommend 2-1-1 to a family member or friend People in the metro area can call, text or search online to receive information about available services and resources such as food and nutrition programs, shelter and housing options, utilities assistance, health care and employment and education opportunities. Users can connect to an information specialist by dialing 2-1-1 or texting
their zip code to 898211. Through the new, more user-friendly website, ne211.org, people can now access 2-1-1 Counts by selecting either the Nebraska or Iowa dashboard to see an overview of what the needs and requests are in their own zip code, city and county. Assistance is available in over 100 languages using the Tele-interpreter service and bi-lingual staff. Standard message and data rates may apply when texting. United Way of the Midlands’ 2-1-1 successfully attained AIRS Accreditation to demonstrate the overall quality and effectiveness of the I&R service. AIRS Accreditation assesses the ability of an I&R program to demonstrate full compliance with the AIRS Standards for Professional Information and Referral. It includes a comprehensive review of the agency’s resource database and is the primary quality assurance mechanism for affirming I&R excellence.2 To promote 2-1-1 in our community and further connect to members, the helpline partners with local organizations and programs including American Red Cross, Commonfund, Douglas County Emergency Management Services, Goodfellows, Nebraska Public Power District’s Pennies for Power and Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. 2-1-1 is generously supported through a grant awarded by Cox Communications.
New MAPA Data Shows Increase in Metro Traffic Growth Rate New traffic data from the Omaha-Council Bluffs Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA) shows the metro region’s traffic growth rate increased by two percent since the previous analysis in 2014, and the average annual growth rate is one percent overall. Broken down by counties, Douglas County shows a two percent traffic growth, Pottawattamie and Mills Counties show one percent traffic growth, and Sarpy County experienced five percent traffic growth since 2014. All data is collected and measured by changes in the number of miles traveled by vehicle. MAPA’s 2016 Traffic Growth Report details the greatest increases in traffic volume in northwestern Douglas County, near the Bennington area, and in western Sarpy County, from 156th Street to the County’s western border. These areas experienced increases in traffic volume between seven and nearly 12 percent. “Continued new development in the western portions of Douglas and Sarpy Counties has a direct effect on growth in traffic volumes and the length of distances residents are traveling for their commutes,” said Greg Youell, MAPA Executive Director. MAPA’s Traffic Growth Report is published periodically as a part of its on-going process to monitor transportation in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan region. The Traffic Growth Report is produced in conjunction with the Traffic Flow Map, Traffic Interchange Report and the Traffic Intersection Report. 90th and Dodge in Omaha remains the busiest intersection in the metro area, with 102,750 vehicles per weekday. 72nd and Dodge and 72nd and Pacific are the second and third highest-traveled intersections in the metro area respectively. The Interstate 480/Kennedy Freeway and Interstate 80 interchange ranks as the interchange in the metro region with the highest traffic volume with 254,700 vehicles per weekday, followed by the interchanges of Interstates 680 and 80 and 72nd Street and Interstate 80. The busiest segment of Interstate 80 stretches from 42nd Street to the I-480 Interchange. The average number of miles traveled per day is 18,628,740 in MAPA’s Transportation Management Area (TMA), which covers Douglas, Sarpy and a small portion of Cass County in Nebraska as well as western Pottawattamie County in Iowa. MAPA conducts its traffic studies every two years by collecting data from state and local traffic counts. The 2016 Traffic Growth Reports and the Traffic Flow Map are available on the MAPA website at http://mapacog.org/reports/2016-metro-area-traffic-reports/.
THE OMAHA STAR
Page Three
CACE Awards Scholarships
2018 CACE Scholarship Award Winners From right to left – Front Row: Jordan Barfield, Taviaunna Knight, Da’Shza Powell, Yessenia Garcia, Tyson Gunter, Sandra Ramirez, Joanna Preciado Alvarez, Melia Watson, Kristian Harris. Back Row: Ra’Daniel Arvie, Abdinur Muqtar, Isaiah Heinze (for Treyben Heinze), Nyamar Odol, Antonio Gullie, William Worthington III, Darian Murcek-Ellis, Justice Alioth, Efrain Jimenez, Regan Anguiano, Amou Riing
By Michael J. Buckner Concerned and Caring Educators (CACE), a group of African American school administrators within the Omaha Public Schools, held their 34th annual scholarship banquet on Feb. 11 at the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Omaha. Since 1984, CACE has awarded $1,000 scholarships to high-achieving students of color who are seniors in Omaha public schools. Students are selected based on their achievements in academics, leadership, and community service. This year, CACE awarded twenty scholarships to OPS seniors. The scholarship recipients announced plans to attend various universities, and to major in areas such as pre-med, pre-law, education, engineering, and business.
The banquet and ceremony featured keynote speaker Merlyna Valentine. Mrs. Valentine is a highly decorated educator, consultant and life coach who lives just outside of New Orleans, LA. In 2007, Mrs. Valentine survived a medical emergency which forced her to embrace a new life as a quadruple amputee. Mrs. Valentine shared her personal story of inspiration and survival in her address, and urged the audience to live a life full of gratitude, perseverance and hope. The public is invited to support this annual event, held each year in early February. Scholarship donations are welcomed. Awards are disbursed to student recipients upon verification of college enrollment. Please contact Mrs. Tina Forte at 531-299-9634 to become a donor for next year.
ABC News’ Ginger Zee to headline 2018 Nebraska Science Festival
Ginger Zee, chief meteorologist for ABC News, will share her professional – and personal – journey with natural disasters when she headlines the 2018 Nebraska Science Festival on April 20. Audiences are familiar with Zee’s coverage of natural disasters, but the December 2017 release of her memoir, “Natural Disaster: I Cover Them, I am One,” also shined a light on the difficult personal path Zee traveled to becoming the first female chief meteorologist at a network. Her visit to Omaha will highlight the sixth annual Nebraska Science Festival, scheduled for April 19-28. The festival features an array of science- and technology-related activities in communities across the state with the goal of making science accessible, interactive, relevant and fun for all ages. “Ginger Zee has a remarkable story that reaches far beyond her high-profile science career,” said SciFest coordinator Kacie Baum. “She will share her passion for meteorology, present the human side of these storms, and inspire our audience by sharing Ginger Zee her own life’s storms.” Zee’s presentation, to be held at Joslyn Museum’s Witherspoon Concert Hall in Omaha, is free to the public (but requires a reserved ticket) and is suitable for all ages. Tickets for the general admission seating will be released online at Event Brite (four per person) at noon on April 1 on a first-come, firstserved basis; please check nescifest.com for more information. Although the April 20 presentation is free, tickets are required for admittance when doors open at 6:30 p.m. The presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m. As chief meteorologist at ABC News, Zee covers the nation’s weather headlines on “Good Morning America” and across all ABC News broadcasts and digital platforms. She also hosts an ABC News original digital series, “Food Forecast,” focused on climate and its impact on agriculture. The Emmy Award-winning meteorologist and third-place finisher on the 22nd season of “Dancing with the Stars,” Zee attended Valparaiso University and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology. She served as an adjunct professor at her alma mater from 2008 to 2011. She also holds the Certified Broadcast Meteorologist seal from the American Meteorological Society. After obtaining her B.S., Zee worked her way up through various news outlets in the Midwest as a weather reporter and storm chaser. But, she says, by chasing these storms she was avoiding the real one brewing at home – a string of misguided relationships, including an abusive one that wouldn’t end until she was forced to call the police, and a deep soul search that lead her to check into a mental health hospital 10 days before starting her job at ABC. Zee’s struggle with mental health issues went undiagnosed until she entered inpatient therapy and began – slowly but surely – to get back on track to building a remarkable career and family. Her poignant chronicle of life as a natural disaster, and message of resilience and self-care, will leave audiences feeling renewed and empowered. Zee joins a growing roster of SciFest speakers including scientist Bill Nye, “Animal Planet” host and conservationist Jeff Corwin, meteorologist and extreme storm chaser Reed Timmer, actor LeVar Burton, who discussed merging technology, storytelling and science fiction, and Kari Byron, host of Discovery Channel’s “Mythbusters” and Netflix’s “The White Rabbit Project.” Presented by the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the Nebraska Science Festival is a collaboration of organizations and individuals interested in the advancement of science literacy. In addition to UNMC, other sponsors, to date, are Metro Credit Union, the Nebraska Coalition for Lifesaving Cures, and media sponsors KETV and the Omaha World-Herald. To volunteer as an individual, community site or a science expo booth, go to: www.nescifest.com. In addition to NeSciFest.com, you will find SciFest updates and information on Twitter (@NESciFest) and Facebook (NE SciFest).
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PRAISE, WORSHIP, DEVOTION, OBITUARIES & INSPIRATION February 23, 2018 Billie Karen Burlison Fifth Annual Dr. J. Clay Smith Jr. Billie Karen Burlison, 73, of Deaths & Bible Conference Dallas, Texas, passed away Jan. 6 after a long fight with lung cancer. Funerals Scheduled She was born on Oct. 11, 1944,
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“God’s Word, Alive!” Ministries, with Velma Jean Sanders, is pleased to announce its 5th annual Bible conference. The theme will be “Genesis – The Book Of Beginnings.” The conference Sanders is March 17 from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at the UNO Thompson Center, 6705 Dodge St. The registration fee includes breakfast. Pre-registration is required. Register at www. godswordalive.net or by mail: God’s Word, Alive; P.O. Box 34215, Omaha, NE 68134.
Dr. J. Clay Smith Jr. peacefully passed away on Feb. 15. He is survived by 4 children, Stager, Michael and Eugene Smith and Michelle Davis; other relatives and many friends. Visitation,10 a.m.; service to follow 11 a.m. today (Friday) at Dunbarton Chapel, Howard University School of Law in Washington, DC. Interment,10 a.m. Monday at Quantico National Cemetery. Arrangements by McGuire Funeral Home (www. mcguire-services.com).
Zion Celebrates ‘The Hope and Glory of Christian Womanhood’ The public is invited to join Zion Baptist Church on Sunday at 9 a.m. for Sunday School and 10:45 for morning worship in their 2018 Biennial Women’s Day celebration. The women’s theme is “The Davenport-Holmes Hope and Glory of Christian Womanhood,” based on Romans 8:18. “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” They are especially extending this invitation to the women of metropolitan Omaha. The guest
speaker is Sister Lillie R. Davenport-Holmes, President of the New Era Baptist State Convention Woman’s Auxiliary. Sister Davenport-Holmes is known throughout the United States as a great leader and a powerful teacher. Pastor Kenneth Allen said, “We know that Sister Lillie DavenportHolmes will deliver a message to challenge and inspire women as well as men from all walks of life.” The Women’s Chorus, under the direction of Sister Delores Matthews, will lead the church in praise and song on this special occasion, and the Women’s Praise Dancers will also be ministering. Zion Baptist Church is located at 2215 Grant St. Rev. Kenneth Allen Sr. is Senior Pastor; Sis. Lori McLemore and Sis. Patrice Cardwell are Women’s Day Chair and Co-chair, respectively. For more information about this and other events leading to their 2018 Women’s Day, call the Zion Church office at 402-346-1502.
A Practical Way to Live in God’s Peace By Dr. William Holland It does not take a genius to correlate the world’s anxiety to the daily overload of shocking and discouraging information. Thanks to the ever-increasing wonders of technology, we have constant access to an endless flow of darkness and strife. It seems many are subconsciously drawn to having their senses stimulated by a constant news-feed, even though a large majority of the content consists of devastation and suffering. With television crime dramas, violent action movies, vulgar music, pornography, vicious video games, and horror films being so popular, I honestly wonder if many people are becoming addicted to tragedy. Is this attraction to sinister and disturbing events, along with the fixation for real-life crisis situations, causing us to lose a healthy perspective of reality? The gospel is called the good news for a life-changing reason and it’s vital to balance our intake of information in order to preserve our sanity and protect our spiritual peace. Let us remember that Jesus came to deliver us from evil and to give us victory over the darkness of sin. “Casting all your cares and anxiety upon Him; for He loves and cares for you” I Peter 5:7. I heard a story the other day about a group of businessmen who were meeting for breakfast and discussing the ground-breaking subject of how they all had slept the night before. They went around the table as each man relayed his comments. The first man complained about tossing and turning all night and made half-
joking remarks about listening to the news before bedtime and how the negative reports seemed to upset him and cause an uncomfortable amount of anxiety. He also mentioned that maybe the coffee he had consumed did not help. The man across the table spoke up and with enthusiasm declared he had a wonderful night’s rest and was filled with energy and sincere anticipation to start the day. He added that he had used his go-to-sleep plan that had never failed to work perfectly. Of course, this interesting proclamation had everyone’s attention and they all wanted to hear about this secret. He said when he was a child, his father would gather the family together in the living room at bedtime to read the Bible and say a prayer. Afterward, he would go to his room and sleep with such an indescribable peace and contentment. He said it felt like the entire house was filled with a heavenly presence as a sense of safety and security would cover him like a blanket. However, when he left home and went out on his own, he fell away from spending time with God and developed the habit of going to bed distracted with the cares of the world. He went on to say that recently he and his wife were facing some serious situations and mutually decided to re-establish Bible reading and prayer before bedtime. He said, they were both amazed at how their sleep had improved and his attitude has changed from being worried and nervous to become more happy, content and positive minded. Psalm 94:19 says, “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.”
ATTENTION READERS Looking for Death and Funeral Notices If you want a notice of death or obituary published in the Omaha Star Newspaper, call or let your funeral director know that you want a notice placed in the Omaha Star Newspaper. Funeral directors should contact the Omaha Star office to submit notices and/or Obituaries. Monday – Thursday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm • 402-346-4041
in Omaha, to Carl and Geraldine (Peak) King. She was one of five siblings, Bonnie (Henderson), Carl (King), Brian (King) and Ginger (Scott). She married Steven Burlison and had 3 children, Keith, Marla (Grant) and Kristol (Vasquez) and 2 grandchildren, Selest and Vincent Vasquez. Billie grew up in Omaha and graduated from Central High School and later received her LVN certificate. She became a nurse working in the geriatric field for most of her life. She was an aspiring author, Christmas cookie hoarder, amateur seamstress, and a frog décor connoisseur with a secret addiction to chocolate and salt water taffy straight from the Texas State Fair. Billie was a very kind and gentle soul; she had a loving and generous heart, and always put others before herself. We will always carry her memory in our hearts. Condolences can be sent to Steven Burlison, 5505 Old Spanish Trail, McKinney, TX 75071.
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David Hall David Lee Hall, former Omahan and long-time Minneapolis resident, passed away Feb. 19. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Ushers/Nurses to Host Annual Celebration The Ushers/Nurses Auxiliary of New Era Baptist State Convention Inc. will host their annual celebration services on Friday, March 9 and Sunday, March 11. The auxiliary president, Sister Sandra Collins, who is a member of St. Mark Baptist Church where Rev. Jarrod Parker is pastor, will present her annual address on Sunday afternoon. These services will kick-off with a Youth Spiritual Explosion service on March 9 at 6:30 p.m. and the celebration will end with an Annual Day worship service on March 11 at 3 p.m. All services will be held at Zion Baptist Church, 2215 Grant Street, Rev. Kenneth A. Allen, Pastor. The theme for this year’s celebration will be “Showing Spiritual Sister Sandra Collins Growth in this Present Age,” Galatians 5:22-23. Sister Collins indicates that both services will showcase youth from local churches through their spiritual gifts in music, poetry and dance. The New Era Baptist State Convention consists of approximately 25 African American Baptist churches in the Omaha and Lincoln areas. On behalf of the State Convention President, Rev. Dwayne Hawkins, Pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, Sister Collins extends an invitation to everyone to join these celebratory services. All local ushers and nurses are encouraged to attend these spirit-filled celebrations in unity to praise God. For more information, contact your local church Ushers/Nurses Ministry president.
Kids Talk About God Why Do People Argue Over Who Jesus Is? By Carey Kinsolving And Friends “Nothing is as frustrating as arguing with someone who knows what he’s talking about,” wrote Sam Ewing. The religious leaders of Jesus’ time constantly tried to trap Jesus with trick questions. They must have come away frustrated every time they talked with Jesus. Jesus came from the presence of his Father in heaven. The religious leaders came from debates about fine points of their law and traditions. Jesus knew the spiritual realities of which he spoke and taught. He listened to his Father day and night. The religious leaders listened to each other and to the writings of deceased rabbis. “They don’t really want Jesus to exist,” says Presley, 6. “People should be thankful for Jesus.” Jesus upset the religious/government establishment in Jerusalem. There was no separation between religion and the state in Jerusalem. The conquering Romans ruled Judea through Jewish religious leaders, who knew they were accountable to the Roman governor. The best evidence that the religious establishment didn’t want Jesus to exist is his trials before his crucifixion. Jesus was tried before Annas, the former high priest. Next, he came before Caiaphas, the current high priest and the Sanhedrin (John 18:12-14 & Matthew 26:57). The Sanhedrin was like Israel’s Supreme Court. It consisted of 70 men and the high priest. The Jewish Mishna states, “Let a capital offense be tried during the day, but suspend at night.” Jesus’ trials before Jewish religious leaders were held before dawn. “The Pharisees thought he was not the Son of God,” says Jonathan, 7. Yes, the Pharisees, a Jewish religious sect, were always arguing with Jesus. Ironically, they believed in the inspiration of the Old Testament Scriptures and even the resurrection of the dead.
But most of them rejected Jesus’ claims of deity. The notable exception may have been Nicodemus, a leader of the Pharisees. Jesus spoke his most famous words to Nicodemus when he said, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life,” (John 3:16). We next hear from Nicodemus when the officers of the high priest and Pharisees were sent to arrest Jesus, but returned empty handed. The officers said, “No man ever spoke like this Man!” (John 7:46). Nicodemus came to the officers’ defense when he said, “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?” (John 7:51). It appears Nicodemus carefully examined Jesus and his ministry because he and Joseph of Arimathea claimed the body of Jesus, wrapped it and placed it in a tomb (John 19:38-42). “They thought Jesus was doing something bad to their people,” says Mikayla, 7. When Jesus claimed to be Israel’s Messiah, it meant that his authority would be greater than the Jewish rulers (the high priest and Sanhedrin). On two different occasions, Jesus drove money changers and merchants out of the temple (John 2:13-17 & Matthew 21:12-13). Jesus exposed the hypocrisy of religious leaders and they hated him for it. Jesus disrupted the religious system. Think about this: If you grew up in a religious system, you may have to do some disrupting of your own. If you want to accept the gift of eternal life that Jesus offers freely to all who believe in him, you’ll have to reject any religious system that promises eternal life based on self-effort and good works. Memorize this truth: John 3:16 previously quoted. Ask this question: Can you reject false religion for the everlasting life that Jesus offers freely?
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Kevin M. Ross Mr. Kevin M. Ross, age 49, passed away Monday, Feb. 19, at a local hospital. Arrangements are pending. Arrangements by Thomas Funeral Home. ****
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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
February 23, 2018
ALLEN CHAPEL A.M.E. REV. BENJAMIN R. FINNELL PRESIDING ELDER AND PASTOR TAMMI TATE, PUBLIC RELATIONS CHAIRPERSON 2842 Monroe St. Ph: (402) 502-8003 Fx: 934-8581 Sunday School....................................9:00 a.m. Sunday Worship...............................10:00 a.m. Thursday Bible Study..........................8:00 p.m. via teleconference, dial-in number 563-999-2090 and access code 576989
REV. BENJAMIN R. FINNELL
THE OMAHA STAR Page Five
SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH
KOINONIA AND FRIENDS OF CHRIST
FR. DAVE KORTH • DEACON JIM CHAMBERS 22nd and Binney Street • 402-451-5755 • www.sacredheartchurchomaha.org
PASTOR TONY E. SANDERS JR. 3208 Corby Street Omaha, NE 68111 Sunday School ..................................................9:00 a.m. Sunday Worship .............................................10:30 a.m. Thursday Bible Study ......................................6:30 p.m. www.KFCChurch.org PASTOR TONY E. SANDERS JR.
MORNING STAR BAPTIST CHURCH “Where Christ Jesus Is the Center of Attention” REV. DR. LEROY E. ADAMS, JR. SENIOR PASTOR 2019 Burdette Street Omaha, NE 68110 Ph: 402-342-0018 Fx: 402-346-9300
“Where Life is for Everyone” Drs. Mar n & Lynnell Williams
DEACON JIM CHAMBERS, FR. DAVE KORTH
Mass Times: Saturday: 5:00 pm • Sunday: 8:30 and 10:30 am
Founders & Lead Pastors SUNDAYS Prayer 9:00 AM Worship 10:00 AM
ALL ARE WELCOME!
Radio Broadcast: 101.3 fm 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. each Sunday
WEDNESDAYS Prayer 6:00 PM Worship 7:00 PM
ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CATHOLIC CHURCH
Worship Service .............10:00 a.m. REV. DR. LEROY E. ADAMS, JR.
2423 Grant St. Omaha, NE 68111 Ph: 402-348-0631 • Fax 402-342-4451 Sunday Mass: 9:00 a.m. Reconciliation: Sunday after Mass or by appointment
Sunday School .................8:45 a.m. Excluding First Sunday
www.ambassadorswc.com 402-341-1866 5417 N 103rd St. Omaha, NE 68134
Tuesday Evening Service.........7:00 p.m.
BIBLE TRUTH MINISTRIES “Strengthing Families for Victorious Living” PASTOR RORDY SMITH PASTOR RAMONA SMITH PO Box 1703 2402 Franklin St. Bellevue, NE 68005 402-292-9499 Web: www.BibleTruthMinistries.org Sunday School..................................9:00 a.m. Sunday Worship Service...............10:00 a.m. Wednesday Prayer & Bible Study......6:00 p.m
PASTOR RORDY SMITH PASTOR RAMONA SMITH
MOUNT CALVARY COMMUNITY CHURCH
HOLY NAME CATHOLIC CHURCH
“Jesus is the light of the world” REV. JAMES P. WALKER, SENIOR PASTOR mtcalvarycommunitychurch.org
2901 Fontenelle Blvd. 68104 Ph: 402-451-6622 • Fax 402-457-6901 Mass Schedule: Mon. - Fri. 8:30 a.m., Sat. 8:30 a.m. & 5:00 p.m. Sun. 8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. & Noon (Spanish) Reconciliation: Sat. 4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. or by appointment
5112 Ames Avenue Omaha, NE 68104 Ph: 402-457-4216 Sunday School .................................................... 9:30 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship Experience ......... 11:00 a.m. Wednesday Food and Fellowship.................... 6:00 p.m. Wednesday (WOW) Word On Wednesday... 7:00 p.m.
CLAIR MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
ST. MARK BAPTIST CHURCH
REV. PORTIA A. CAVITT, PASTOR 5544 Ames Avenue, Omaha, NE 68104 Telephone: 402-451-8322 • Website: www.cmumc.net Email: clairumc@cumc.omhcoxmail.com
DR. RALPH B. LASSITER, PASTOR 2602 N. 24th St. Off: (402) 451-8800 - Fax: (402) 451-8522 mtmoriahomaha.net pastorlassiter@gmail.com
Sunday School………………………8:45 a.m. Sunday Worship Experience………...10:00 a.m. Monday Bible Study…………………6:00 p.m. Wednesday Bible Study….…….…….7:00 p.m.
Sunday School ...................................... 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship ..................................10:45 a.m. Overcomers in Christ...............Sunday 7:00 p.m. Wednesday Bible-Prayer Service 11:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m
REV. PORTIA A. CAVITT, PASTOR
FAITH MISSION CHURCH PASTOR BERTHA JACKSON 2532 Binney Church: 402-451-1474 “The Church On A Mission For God”
PASTOR BERTHA JACKSON
Weekly Services Sunday School...................................9:30 a.m. Sunday Service ...............................10:30 a.m. Youth Night Wednesday ................. 7:00 p.m. Wednesday Bible & Prayer Service ....7:00 p.m.
REV. RALPH LASSITER, SR.
MT. NEBO MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
Sunday School – Sunday 9:00 a.m. Worship Service – Sunday 10:15 a.m. Children’s Church (except 2nd Sunday) Holy Communion every 1st Sunday Prayer and Bible Doctrine Study Midday - 12:00 noon; Evening – 7:00 p.m.
Televised Broadcast – Sundays at 6:00 p.m., KPAO Cox Channel 22 & CenturyLink Channel 89
Serving God and One Another in the Spirit of Excellence REV. DR. SELWYN Q. BACHUS SENIOR PASTOR
Sunday Morning Worship ...................................9:00 a.m. Family Hour of Christian Education.................11:00 a.m. Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting .....................7:00 p.m. Youth/Children Ministry Focus (Wednesday)..7:00 p.m. Wednesday Night Adult Bible Study ................7:30 p.m.
3131 Lake Street Omaha, NE 68111 402-455-1000 www.salembc.org
SALEM BAPTIST CHURCH
PASTOR TERRY L. ARVIE REV. DR. SELWYN Q. BACHUS
NEW BEGINNING COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH
Services on Sundays at 8:30 am & 10:50 am
Where we Exalt, Equip, and Evangelize
7020 Cass Street, Omaha, NE 68132 402.556.6262 www.fumcomaha.org
REV. WALTER B. JONES, PASTOR 2301 North 45th Street, Omaha, NE 68104 Ph. 402-934-6020 • Fax 402-453-3190 E-Mail: wrjallied@cox.net
REV. DR. JANE FLORENCE REV. WALTER B. JONES
Sunday School………………………….9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship…………11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Wednesday Bible & Prayer Service………6:30 p.m.
FREEDOM WORSHIP CENTER OMAHA “Where CHRIST is Preeminent and the Word Prevails!”
Sunday at 10:00am Family Night each Wednesday at 7pm The Daily Journey each Wednesday at Noon Saturday Prayer from 7 - 8am
PASTOR BRIAN PAGE 5555 Larimore Avenue Church: 402-346-8427 www.pleasantgreenomaha.org
PLEASANT GREEN BAPTIST CHURCH
Wednesday: Prayer Power Hour ......................................12:00 p.m
1411 North 30th Street Omaha, NE 68131 Office: 402-342-0265 Fax: 402-342-0343 Email: gnh.omaha@gmail.com Website: greaternewhopebaptist.com Sunday School: 9:30 am Sunday Morning Worship: 10:45 am Bible Study: Wednesday 6:00 pm Prayer Service: Wednesday 6:45 pm
HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH Missouri Synod 2723 N. 30th Street 402-453-1583 Sunday School................................10:00 a.m. Church Service...............................11:00 a.m. YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME
Weekly Services Sunday Morning Worship Service ..................................8:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. Children’s Church (2nd & 4th Sunday) .............................8:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. Life Development (Sunday School) .....................................................10:15 a.m. Wednesday Word and Worship (WWW) ............................................ 6:30 p.m.
SHARON SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH Come Experience the Power of God Where Faith and Fellowship is Fostered 3336 Lake Street • 402-453-4079 Fax: 402-453-7082 Gacoll4@aol.com • Website: omahasharonsda.com SATURDAY SERVICE: Sabbath School……………………9:30 a.m. Divine Worship…………………11:00 a.m.
PASTOR JEFFREY & TERRI BOOTH 3025 Parker Street Omaha, NE 68111 402.905.9730 • www.fwcomaha.com
GREATER NEW HOPE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
Thursday: Youth For Christ ............................................6:00 p.m Prayer & Bible Study ....................................7:30 p.m Sunday: Worship..............................................8:00 a.m. Sunday School..................................9:30 a.m. Worship............................................11:00 a.m.
PRAYER MEETING: Wednesday Night Prayer Meetings....7:00 p.m. The Community is invited to attend Youth Wednesday Prayer Meetings…6 pm-7p.m.
PASTOR GARY S. COLLINS & MRS. LORETTA COLLINS, J.D.
BIBLE STUDIES: Every Tuesday.........................6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
TABERNACLE OF FAITH CHURCH
PASTOR BRIAN PAGE
Televised Broadcast Sunday @ 10pm on KPAO Cox Communication channel 22 & Century Link channel 89
Pastor Barbara Mitchell 2404 Fort Street, Omaha, NE 68111 402-455-1800 Church 402-455-3390 Fax
PASTOR BARBARA MITCHELL
RISING STAR MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH Pastor Darnell N. Johnson, Sr. 1823 Lothrop Street, Omaha, NE 68110 Phone: 402-451-3700 Fax: 402-451-3700 Email: Risingstarbaptchurchone@gmail.com Follow us on Facebook at RisingStarMBCONE Sunday Sunday School…………….............. 9:30 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship…...........10:45 a.m. Tuesday PASTOR DARNELL N. JOHNSON, SR. & LADI J Tuesday Night Teaching……...........6:30 p.m. Wednesday Prayer Meeting/BIBLE Study............7:00 p.m.
8:30 am Early Sunday Morning Worship 9:30 - 10:15 am Sunday Morning Breakfast 10:15 - 11:15 am Sunday School 11:30 am Sunday Morning Worship 6:30 pm Wednesday Bible Study 8:00 pm Friday Night Service Noon day prayer Thursday - Saturday
ZION BAPTIST CHURCH REV. KENNETH A. ALLEN, PASTOR 2215 Grant Street Omaha, NE 68110 Ph: 402-346-1502 Fx: 402-344-2720 Sunday School ..................................9:00 a.m. Worship Services ...........................10:40 a.m. Wednesday Prayer Services ...........6:30 p.m. Wednesday Bible Study .......7:15 - 8:00 p.m. REV. KENNETH A. ALLEN
REV. JAMES D. WILKENS
THE WORSHIP CENTER
JOY OF LIFE MINISTRIES COGIC PASTORS ERIC AND CYNTHIA BUTLER 6401 N. 56th Street • Omaha, NE 68104 Ph: 402-399-9628 E-Mail: Jolpastor@aol.com Sunday School...................................9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship...............................10:30 a.m. Sunday Evening Worship.................6:00 p.m. Wednesday Night ..............................7:00 p.m. Bible Study and Youth Ministries
PASTOR JARROD S. PARKER
“The Church Where Fellowship is Real” PASTOR TERRY L. ARVIE 5501 N. 50th Street Ph: 402-451-4245 Fx: 402-451-2130 office@mtneboomaha.org www.mtneboomaha.org
REV. DR. JANE FLORENCE, SENIOR PASTOR
PASTOR JEFFREY & TERRI BOOTH
PASTOR JARROD S. PARKER 3616 Spaulding Street, Omaha, NE 68111 Phone: 402-451-0307 Email: smbcsecretary@stmarkbaptist.org
Our Mission: “To exalt the Savior, edify saints, evangelize sinners and elevate society.”
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
First United Methodist Church is a welcoming and inclusive community, inspired to grow with and in God.
Pastor: Rev. Vitalis Anyanike
REV. JAMES P. WALKER
MT. MORIAH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
“Come Get Your Hilltop Experience”
&
REV. VITALIS ANYANIKE
PASTOR ERIC BUTLER AND CO-PASTOR CYNTHIA BUTLER
DR. STAN RONE SENIOR PASTOR
North 24th Street Church of God “Presenting the Never-Changing GOD to an ever-changing World!” DR. STAN RONE - SENIOR PASTOR 2021 N. 24th Street • Omaha, NE 68110 (402) 341-4297 Sunday Kingdom Academy 9:00 a.m. Worship Celebration 10:15 a.m. Tuesday Prayer Hour 7:00 a.m. & 12:00 noon Wednesday Power Hour (Prayer/Bible Study) 6:30 p.m. Youth and Children 6:30 p.m. www.theworshipcenter24cog.org
COMMENTARY February 23, 2018 To My Brilliant Black Daughters: Mentoring Matters first real mentor in the student’s life. By Debra L. Shaw Nobody Can Take Away Your History The CollegeVine Mentorship Program spends
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THE OMAHA STAR
By ShaRhonda Knott-Dawson To my beautiful, brilliant Black daughters: I have so many hopes and dreams for you, that if I tried to say them all, they would run longer than the entire Harry Potter series! My hopes for you, my two beautiful Black girls, are so simple and yet also entirely grandiose. My dreams for you, beautiful Black girls, are that you are free to be whoever you want to be. If you only get one lesson from me, your mother, let it be this: Your history didn’t start with slavery, and White people’s history didn’t start in the United States of America. As your Black parents, your father and I are teaching you our viewpoint. Our Black culture begins with the beginning of humans. In fact, the first humans lived in Africa. The first civilizations were in Africa. Our Christianity began in Africa. Africa is our homeland and everything about Africa should bring you pride. Wear your African-ness, your Blackness with pride! Your history, the history of the continent of civilization in Africa, starts in modern day Sudan, around 6000 B.C. In fact, the first “empire” of two great nations happened between modern-day Egypt and modern-day Sudan. We will be sure you know those modern names are European names. We will teach you their deep-rooted African names: KMT and Meroe. We are teaching you the history of Ancient Kemet, Meroe and Nubia. You will learn of the African civilizations, the use of iron and tools in Africa, the resource riches of the African continent and the complicated, fascinating history of over 10,000 years of human civilization. Africa had kings and queens and warriors, slaves, artists, scientists, mathematicians, farmers, sailors, inventors and musicians. You come from a beautifully talented Black culture. As your mother, I have told you repeatedly that you are already free to be whoever you want to be. But as you approach adolescence and spend more time in schools than you do with your parents, you may begin to doubt that I told you the truth. See, the books that you will read and the lessons you learn, will not validate your potential exactly as you are, beautiful, brilliant Black girls, from a legacy of beautiful, brilliant Black women. YOU MUST LEARN THEIR HISTORY. BUT YOU CAN TAKE A BROADER PERSPECTIVE. In formal school education, you will be exposed to a different viewpoint. Most school curricula in the United States are completely uninterested in young, brilliant Black girls like you learning about your culture, discovering multiple viewpoints or forming your own opinions. In school, you will likely be inundated with stories of Europe: Ancient Greece, Roman Empire, the Medieval Period, Dark Ages, Industrial Revolution and the British Empire. Then you will be told all about the greatness of the United States of America that comes from the rich history of Europe. You will be forced to memorize, learn and admire the brilliance and beauty of Europe and
White people. This is something I cannot protect you from. You must learn their history. But remember, more than facts are at stake. In those classrooms, you are seeing only their viewpoint. You can take a broader perspective. OUR BLACKNESS IS BEAUTIFUL, BRILLIANT AND RESILIENT The United States of America was founded in 1776. On July 4, 2018, the U.S. will be 243 years old. Europeans landed in the Americas in 1492 and have been interacting with indigenous land of the First Americans, for almost 550 years. Understand this, my beautiful, brilliant Black daughters. Your history is over 10,000 years old. The enslavement of Black people by White people, is at best, only 550 years of your history. That is a mere 5.5 percent of your totality. Sure, the enslavement of Black people by White people, and our subsequent struggles to become totally free, are important to know and learn. But they are a very, very small part of who you really are and who you, and we, as Black people, can be. What makes you, and other beautiful, brilliant, Black children, different from many White children, is you know that their history isn’t just fact-it is a viewpoint. And, that you, as a Black American, as a Black African, have completely different interpretations of history, of heroes, of scholars and who is “important.” As your parent, I wish you were free, my beautiful, brilliant Black children to speak openly, honestly and without fear about who you are and your Black history. But it is not always safe for you to do that. Talking about Ancient Egypt being African can get you in trouble. Having a name that “sounds Black” can lose you a job. In fact, much of life will be devoted to protecting yourself from White people’s false views about who Black people are and what they have and can do. But I promise you, with all that I am, I will tell you the truth. Just as my mother told me the truth. Your ancestors who came to the Americas 500 years ago not only survived attempted physical and cultural genocide, they kept our Black African story, culture and beauty alive. Remember 550 years is nothing compared to over 10,000 years. Our last 550 years is not our whole story. In fact, it is just a tiny piece of the story. No matter what White people think, or try to tell you about who you are as a Black person, we have a very different perspective. As your parent, I swear on the lives of all our ancestors over our 10,000-year history, I will never let you forget how beautiful and brilliant you are, my Black daughters. Nor will I let you forget our beautiful, brilliant Black culture. You are part of a beautiful, brilliant, Black people that has a history and presence throughout the world. 500 years? Ha! You are in but a minute of your 10,000-year story. Our Black is brilliant, beautiful and most importantly, resilient. (This piece originally appeared on EducationPost.org.) (Editor’s Note: The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the policies and position of the staff and management of the Omaha Star newspaper.)
Transportation Ensures Equity – Part 2 of 3 By Dawaune Lamont Hayes Transportation determines who is allowed to participate in a society. Car-centric cities inherently discriminate against entire groups of people. Namely those too young to drive or physically incapable of driving, those without financial ability or desire to own a vehicle, and those who don’t have a license. Multiple demographics intersect with these characteristics and the data disproportionately impacts lowincome communities and communities of color. Omaha once had an extensive streetcar system that thoroughly connected the area. A person could live in the south, work in the north, attend school in midtown, and shop downtown without need for a personal motor vehicle. That mobility freed up time, space, and money for investment in ideas, enterprises, and developments. Fewer car owners meant less traffic and need for parking which extended accessibility to public spaces and employment centers for all incomes. Streetcars began to decline for various reasons, including stagnant fares, failing monopolies, and the rise of the automobile. Streetcar companies began going bankrupt as early as the 1920s and were eventually replaced with less robust bus lines. As the heavily subsidized U.S. Interstate Highway System was being constructed in the 1950s, cities changed urban designs to accommodate cars. Without subsidies for the privately owned streetcar lines, transportation was no longer available for all to use but became regulated to those who could afford the associative cost of “vehicular freedom.” During the same time period, Omaha grew west and suburban planning saw the adoption of disjointed neighborhood development structures that were less conducive to public transit routes. The uptick in suburban sprawl led to increased car ownership and need for vehicular infrastructure like one-ways, multi-lane roads, freeways, and elevated bridges to move as many cars as possible during peak times.
Today, transportation is at the forefront of many discussions as Millennials are demanding more connectivity and proximity where they live. Young people are beginning to shrug off the traditional markers of adulthood, like home and car ownership, in favor of travel and meaningful experiences. While Baby Boomers drive more than any other generation, as this population ages, trends suggest demand for closeness to friends and family, medical care, and leisure activities within manageable travel distances may increase. Essentially, the lack of a long-term public transit vision will suffocate Omaha. If the city continues to allocate more funds to roads over forms of transit, it will increase the need for road maintenance. Too often do citizens complain about potholes and poor road conditions, but by simply reducing the amount of traffic, the city will reduce the cost and number of repairs. For every $10 million invested in transit, $15 million is saved in fuel, operation, and congestion costs. Fortunately, a study by the Nebraska Department of Transportation and the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA) has begun to evaluate the metro area, but preliminary proposals suggest the widening of interstates and roadways, which has never been a long-term solution to traffic management, just look at Los Angeles. The initial report findings propose focusing only 40 percent of future costs on transit. Thoughtful planning and foresight could mitigate a lot of issues. The formation of a Regional Transit Authority could be formed to improve the metro area and adjacent counties, not just the city of Omaha. MAPA and Metro Transit have a study that can be used as the basis for this concept and could inform how the greater region ought to be connected through urban cores. The Heartland 2050 initiative was developed to dream-up and discuss the future of the Missouri Valley and has thoughtful research on how to “close the gap” in mobility and livability. (See Part 3 in the March 9 issue.)
Mentoring programs exist to help students in all stages of their educational goals. Mentoring young students versus mentoring high schoolers and college students requires specific strategies. It is highly recommended that students and volunteers identify the right fit for a mentor/ mentee relationship. The website https://www. collegevine.com/ promotes the value of a mentor relationship to and through college. As high school graduation ceremonies are fast approaching, take note of the valuable information from this website and its mentorship program suggestions. The CollegeVine Mentorship Program is designed to help students discover their interests, develop significant self-motivation, and become high performing individuals. Mentors/Mentees carefully pair each student with a mentor from a top college, who works personally with the student for an entire year. The program has three main components each term: Exploring, Structuring, and Achieving. Through each part, students develop their own interests, prepare fantastic profiles for colleges, and grow as individuals and leaders. Each year ends with the culmination of a final project, which challenges students to explore a particular area of interest to make a substantial impact on their surrounding community The mentors collectively represent over 20 different majors, substantial extracurricular experiences, and far-ranging success. They are handpicked to challenge and inspire our students, while playing the pivotal role of the
a lot of time thinking about college admissions, they care a lot more about our students’ success throughout life in general. College admission is a gateway, but what really matters for long term success is that students are prepared to be confident leaders and achievers, with welldeveloped communication skills and a strong degree of self-awareness into their own strengths and weaknesses. It can be easy to lose track of that with all the admissions hype. Most students who are targeting top schools attempt to build extracurricular profiles that they think colleges want to see; this couldn’t be farther against their philosophy of what makes a successful and confident student. Their philosophy is that every student should determine for themselves what their interests are and then develop a strong drive to achieve within those interests. This mentorship program is built to drive significant personal and professional development for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. Combining mentorship with engaging content, insider strategies, and personalized analyses, the program provides students with the tools to succeed. As students learn from successful older peers, they develop confidence, autonomy, and critical thinking skills. The ultimate goal is for college admissions to just be the next step in series of successes driven by the student. This website has additional amazing information. Please visit the site, https://www. collegevine.com. Mentoring relationships continue to have substantial value throughout life’s journey. Mentoring is a wonderful way to spend time helping someone reach his/her greatest potential. Mentoring Matters!
We Need Educational Equality in Our Schools By Kay Coles James President, The Heritage Foundation Frederick Douglass. Condoleezza Rice. Martin Luther King, Jr. Clarence Thomas. Ida B. Wells. Shirley Chisholm. All of these leaders will receive renewed national attention during this Black History Month. And all have something else in common: their emphasis on education. None of these leaders would have been able to achieve the remarkable victories or overcome the incredible obstacles they faced without an education. I share their passion for education equality. I’ve fought for it all my life. My own battle started in 1961, when I joined 25 other black students to integrate a segregated junior high school in Richmond, Virginia. And it hasn’t stopped since. I fervently believe all children – no matter their race, religion, income, age, or address – have an equal right to receive an excellent education. That’s more than opinion. It’s the law of the land. In the landmark Brown v. Board of Education ruling that ended school segregation, Chief Justice Earl Warren wrote, “It is doubtful that any child may reasonably be expected to succeed in life if he is denied the opportunity of an education. Such an opportunity, where the state has undertaken to provide it, is ‘a right which must be made available to all on equal terms.’” Nearly 65 years later, however, it’s painfully obvious that education in America remains very unequal.Too many schools are failing their students. Schools that squash children’s dreams, beat down their hopes, and diminish their expectations have created a crisis in the black community. Today, in many large U.S. cities,more than half of all African American students never graduate high school. All children deserve to get the tools they need to make their dreams come true. But high school dropouts typically don’t have them. As a result, it’s much harder for them to get a job, much less earn what those who do graduate make. They’re also
more likely to commit crimes and be victimized by crime. Far too often, the dreams they once had turn into nightmares. I was fortunate. Even though I was kicked, punched, and stuck with pins during the integration battle, I was able to attend a better school. Too many kids today don’t have that chance. Instead, anti-reform forces block them from going to better-performing schools. Who are the anti-reformers? A determined cartel of teacher unions, education bureaucrats and career politicians. They make a lot of money from the current system in the form of union dues, salaries and political contributions. And they view any attempt to change that system as a threat and anyone seeking to advance education equality as their enemy. Just ask U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. Testifying before Congress, DeVos explained her goal is “ensuring that every student has an equal opportunity to receive a great education.” But rather than be hailed for seeking the equality promised decades ago, she’s being attacked by those who want things to stay just as they are. If you are wealthy, connected, or elected, chances are your child goes to or graduated from a great school. But if you live in a poor urban neighborhood, your child is much more likely to go to a failing school, a school where more than half of all students can’t read or write well, have low math scores, face the daily threat of bullying and violence and won’t graduate.Do these sound like “equal terms” to you? I say – no more! The crisis of failing schools has afflicted too many Americans for too long, and it will never end so long as we continue to deny every child their equal right to an excellent education. And so I call on all caring Americans to join me in this fight. It’s a part of our heritage as a people – and of our inalienable rights as citizens of this nation. (Kay Coles James is president of The Heritage Foundation. You can follow Kay on Twitter @ KayColesJames.)
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LOCAL NEWS/NATIONAL NEWS THE OMAHA STAR KETV News Director Rose Ann Bemis Artist-In-Residence Shannon Announces Retirement Applications Now Open
February 23, 2018
After 45 years dedicated to serving her hometown with excellence in journalism and 31 years of tremendous leadership of the KETV newsroom, Rose Ann Shannon has decided to retire effective Feb. 28. Choosing the moment to retire from KETV has been one of the hardest decisions of her career, but in her words, “it is time.” Rose Ann’s career began just a few years prior to the Omaha tornado of 1975. This firsthand experience covering such a devastating storm helped form her view of the importance of local broadcast journalism and the power and responsibility that comes with it. Integrity-first journalism is non-negotiable in her newsroom and it’s that leadership and mindset that has lead the KETV news product to the #1 position in every newscast. Market size is only a number to her and she fully expected the quality of a KETV newscast to challenge a top 10 market because that is the kind of journalism Omaha deserves. Every newscast on KETV ranks as a top 10 rated newscasts in the top 100 markets of ABC affiliates, with the 10 p.m. leading the pack at #1. Included among the hundreds of awards KETV has received throughout her tenure are: 2 National RTDNA Edward R. Murrow Awards (2014, 2015) 6 RTDNA Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards (2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016) 5 Heartland Regional Emmy Awards (1999, 2007, 2008, 2014, 2015, 2017)
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Rose Ann is proudly admired and celebrated by her industry as she was inducted into the The Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts is now accepting applications for 2019 Artist-inOmaha Press Club Hall of Fame in 2012, the Residence Program sessions occurring Jan. 23 - April 19, 2019; May 22 - Aug. 16, 2019; and Sept. UNO School of Journalism Hall of Fame in 2016, 18 Nov. 15, 2019. The application deadline is May 1, 2018. National and international artists of and the Nebraska Broadcasters Hall of Fame all backgrounds and areas of practice are encouraged to apply. in 2016. In addition to her work at KETV, she Selected artists-in-residence enjoy generous sized, private live/work studios complete with helped lead a relentless multi-year challenge to kitchen and bathroom. Located in downtown Omaha’s historic Old Market, Bemis Center’s allow cameras in Nebraska courtrooms, resulting in more transparent and impactful coverage of 110,000 square foot facility accommodates a broad range of artistic activity. Artists-in-residence criminal court cases in Omaha. have 24-hour access to extensive installation and production spaces and the Okada Sculpture & KETV President and General Manager Ariel Ceramics Facility, a 9,000 square foot industrial space used for large-scale sculpture fabrication. Roblin says “I have an enormous amount of This independently-driven atmosphere and communal environment encourage creative growth respect Rose Ann. She never pretended to have all and experimentation to confront new challenges. This is a process-based residency; there is no the answers, but in every moment of her career she expectation or promise of an exhibition in our first-floor galleries. U.S.-based artists-in-residence never stopped pursuing them. She helped launch receive a $1,000 USD monthly stipend and an additional $500 USD travel stipend. Due to the dozens of careers both in top anchor positions at limitations of B2 visas (touring/visiting), international artists-in-residence are eligible to receive KETV as well as other Hearst Television stations reimbursement of qualified expenses, such as airfare, ground transportation, and meals. and networks. The greatest gifts she gave KETV Artists-in-residence participate in the Bemis Center’s Open House / Open Studios public program are the leaders she helped foster in every corner of where they open their studios to provide attendees a glimpse into their process, present works-inour newsroom.” Upon her thoughts of retirement Rose Ann progress, and deliver a short presentation. Shannon shares, “From the very first minute I Full details and complete application instructions can be found at www.bemiscenter.org/residency walked into that television newsroom as a reporter Applications are accepted via SlideRoom at bemis.slideroom.com. 45 years ago, I could never imagine myself doing anything else. I think what we do is very important and I will never stop fighting for the public’s right to know. No matter where my life takes me in the years ahead KETV NewsWatch 7 will always be my favorite station.” KETV is grateful for her passion and dedication to the importance of her Summer season will be here before you know Concession Staff: Must be at least 18. Concession life’s work to provide high quality local news to it! Looking for an exciting seasonal job? Omaha staff must be at least 19. Omaha. Parks and Recreation will be holding interviews on Maintenance Worker and Ground Maintenance: March 4 for various job opportunities. Interviews Must be at least 18. will be held at Saddlebrook Community Center, Contact Kayla at 402-444-5953 or Michaela. 14850 Laurel Ave., from 2-5 p.m. Clemens@cityofomaha.org Job applicants must apply for all positions they are interested in online prior to the interview at The Greater Omaha Chamber, the Urban League of Nebraska and community partners have announced Park Maintenance HR.CITYOFOMAHA.ORG. a region-wide initiative designed to proactively address both gaps and opportunities for growth raised Ground Maintenance Worker: Must be at least by the 2017 Diversity and Inclusion Young Professionals Survey. 18 with a valid license. The initiative, which debuted at a community-wide focus meeting, also announces nine organizations Aquatics Part Time Automotive Equipment Operator: Lifeguard: 16 years of age is strongly preferred. proactively collaborating to ensure substantial, sustainable and meaningful opportunities abound for Must have Class B CDL. Must be at least 18 with Aquatic Management: Must be at least 18. the region’s growing, diverse workforce. Mutual of Omaha was first among the early organizational adopters. 20-40 hours per week. a valid license. Up to 40 hours per week which “The case for diversity and inclusion continues to be compelling and we recognize that we need to Contact Jessi at 402-289-0451or Jessica. may include days, evenings, and weekends. face these multi-faceted issues collectively. This coalition creates an opportunity for us to tackle these Hubbard@cityofomaha.org. Contact Donna at 402-444-5960 or Donna. issues holistically and maximize our impact by working together,” said Angela Cooper, diversity and Kaluza@cityofomaha.org. inclusion director, Mutual of Omaha. Day Camps In addition to Mutual of Omaha’s commitment, CHI Health, Leo A. Daly, Baird Holm, Northend Counselor, Specialist, Assistant Director, & Teleservices, Omaha Public Power District and Jackson Lewis have pledged support for elevating the Recreation Programmer Camp Director: Must be at least 18. 30-40 hours Diversity and Inclusion Resource Team’s initial recommendations (found at: https://www.omahachamber. (Community Centers, Ice Rink, & Tennis org/diversity-inclusion-final-recommendations/) and for modeling practices that champion diversity and per week. Monday-Friday. Contact Christine at 402-444-5216 or Christine. Facility) inclusion organization-wide. Up to 28 hours per week, which may include “We are better together; and, our community has demonstrated that both revealing and addressing Stehno@cityofomaha.org. days, evenings, and weekends. complex, important issues is paramount to our collective growth. Few topics are more fundamental to moving forward than ensuring inclusivity in our community,” said David G. Brown, president and CEO, Golf Contact Peg at 402-444-5930 or Peg.Prince@ Greater Omaha Chamber. Clubhouse Attendant, Golf Ranger, and cityofomaha.org.
Omaha Parks & Rec Job Opportunities for Summer
Partners Announce Diversity & Inclusion Recommendations
Black Press Remembers Journalist Lerone Bennett Jr. By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Contributor Perhaps no other voice – or pen – captured the real life of Africans and African Americans like Lerone Bennett Jr., the former editor of EBONY and Jet magazines who died on Feb. 14 at the age Lerone Bennett Jr. of 89. Chicago Sun-Times reported that Bennett suffered from vascular dementia. Among his many hard-hitting and compelling works was the exposé, “Before the Mayflower: A History of Black America,” in which Bennett traces Black history from its origins in western Africa, through the transatlantic journey and slavery, the Reconstruction period, the Jim Crow era, and the Civil Rights Movement. The book was later re-issued five more times and ultimately included life in the 1990s. Bennett would go on to pen at least 10 books, including the eye-opening, 2000 book titled “Forced into Glory: Abraham Lincoln’s White Dream,” which, for some, shattered centuriesold myths about America’s 16th president’s involvement in the freedom of slaves. “Smart man and great author. His book [about Lincoln] changed my life,” said comedian Sinbad. “‘Before the Mayflower’ educated me about the need to research our true history.” Others, too, expressed their sadness and profound gratitude for Bennett. “I am personally saddened by the death of Lerone Bennett Jr. We have lost another great journalist who will be sorely missed,” said Dorothy R. Leavell, the chairman of the NNPA and editor and publisher of the Crusader newspapers in Chicago, Illinois and Gary, Indiana. “We knew him as the conscience and voice of EBONY and Jet magazines and through the many books he published. The world is richer, because of his work here on earth and we are grateful for his many contributions.” Bennett counted as an elegant scholar and freedom fighter who used the power of his pen to awaken millions of people to the true history of African people in America and throughout the world, said NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. “Bennett’s journalistic genius will be missed, but his contributions to documenting the struggles and triumphs of Black men, women and children will continue to be cherished by generations far into the future,” Chavis said. “The NNPA salutes the living legacy of Lerone Bennett Jr. with a commitment to pick up his pen and put it into the hands of today’s freedom fighting publishers, editors and journalists.” Bennett worked for EBONY for nearly 50 years, after starting at Jet in 1951 and then moving to the sister publication in 1953. By 1958, he was the executive editor. “Lerone worked side by side with my father in establishing EBONY’s voice,” EBONY CEO Linda Johnson Rice told the Chicago Sun-Times. “He was the guiding light for the editorial vision of EBONY. Lerone was not just essential in the formation of EBONY’s historic trajectory, he was a pillar in the Black community.” Bennett’s footprints are cemented at the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame in Atlanta and he once served on President Bill Clinton’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities. The veteran journalist and historian also served as an early adviser to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Retirement Transition Series to be Offered at Omaha Public Library Are you retired, thinking about retiring soon, or simply ready to start planning for life after work? Join Omaha Public Library and Sequent Planning, LLC, an Omahabased investment advisory and financial planning firm, for a series of retirement transition workshops that will guide you in making the most of your retirement. Experts will be available to assist you in defining retirement goals, understanding Medicare options, exploring financial plans for security and more. All programs are free and open to the public, but space is limited. Register online at omahalibrary.org, or by calling the hosting branch. Social Security Strategies: Learn how to make the most of your Social Security decision and how to integrate it with your other retirement income sources. • March 1, 6:30 p.m. at Benson Branch, 6015 Binney St., 402-444-4846 • March 27, 6:30 p.m. at Milton R. Abrahams Branch, 5111 N. 90th St., 402444-6284 • April 4, 6:30 p.m. at Millard Branch,
13214 Westwood Ln., 402-444-4848 • April 10, 6:30 p.m. at W. Clarke Swanson Branch, 9101 W. Dodge Rd., 402-444-4852 Tax-Efficient Retirement: Learn to coordinate IRA withdrawals with savings and Social Security to make your retirement money last longer. • March 6, 6:30 p.m. at Benson Branch • March 29, 6:30 p.m. at Milton R. Abrahams Branch • April 18, 6:30 p.m. at Millard Branch • April 24, 6:30 p.m. at W. Clarke Swanson Branch Medicare 101: Learn the ins and outs of Medicare including its four parts, costs, coverage, important dates and more. • March 13, 6:30 p.m. at Millard Branch • March 22, 6:30 p.m. at Benson Branch • April 5, 6:30 p.m. at Milton R. Abrahams Branch • April 19, 6:30 p.m. at W. Clarke Swanson Branch Estate Planning: Discuss planning
strategies for potential incapacity and death, as well as the importance of having a will, trust agreement and powers of attorney for your finances and health care. • March 15, 6:30 p.m. at Millard Branch • March 20, 6:30 p.m. at Benson Branch • April 3, 6:30 p.m. at Milton R. Abrahams Branch • April 17, 6:30 p.m. at W. Clarke Swanson Branch Minding Investment Risk: Learn to assess the impact of your investment choices and pitfalls to avoid in discussing investment risk with your advisors. • March 15, 6:30 p.m. at Benson Branch • April 11, 6:30 p.m. at Millard Branch • April 12, 6:30 p.m. at W. Clarke Swanson Branch • April 17, 6:30 p.m. at Milton R. Abrahams Branch Visit omahalibrary.org for more information on these and additional events and resources at Omaha Public Library’s 12 locations.
NAACP Announces Key Partnerships During Annual Board Meeting New York – During its annual public board meeting in New York City, the NAACP announced several key partnerships designed to help mobilize voters for mid-term elections and increase membership for the 109-year-old organization. The NAACP signed agreements with the NNPA: The Black Press of America; the National Minority Pan Hellenic Council; the African- American Institute, and The LINKS as part of an overall strategy by the NAACP to shift resources towards mobilization efforts for the 2018-midterm elections. “Working with partners remains a critical part of unifying the Black community as we prepare to make our voices heard at the polls and on ineffective public policies,” said NAACP National Board Chairman Leon W. Russell. “These groups have answered the call to work with us to expand membership and our ability to educate our community on the need for aggressive civic engagement.” Partnerships included Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) with: • The LINKS: A group of nearly 15,000 professional women of color, with 285 chapters in 41 states, the District of Columbia and the Bahamas. • National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA): Also known as, the Black Press of America, the NNPA is a trade association of the more than 200 African
American-owned community newspapers from around the United States that reach millions weekly. • Africa-America Institute (AAI): An
organization created to expand education on Africa, increase capacity building and foster relationships between Africans and African –Americans. • National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC): Is an international organization representing nine (9) International Greek letter Sororities and Fraternities: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. “These partnerships are not simply for
show but part of our strategic plan to unite the various strands of our community into working and more powerful forms of operational unity,” said NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson. “We have come to understand that elections have consequences and if the consequences of the most-recent presidential election means we recognize the need for greater unity among people and organizations of color and act on it; then we are moving in the right direction,” added Johnson. In attendance for the signing were: Thomas Battles, Chairman of the National Pan Hellenic Council; Dr. Benjamin Chavis, President of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and Mrs. Dorothy Leavell, Chairman of NNPA; Dr. Marcella Maxwell, the LINKS National Liaison; and Mr. Austin R. Cooper, Jr.; Government Affairs Representative for the Africa-America Institute. All groups will require members to join the NAACP, if not already members. “We are entering this partnership at a critical time when voting rights are being challenged and our HBCU’s are closing,” said Thomas Battles Jr., Chairman of the National Pan Hellenic Council. “The NAACP and the Divine 9 will work together in preparing our communities throughout the See NAACP continued on page 9
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THE OMAHA STAR
LIFE & STYLE/HEALTH & WELLNESS
Ask Alma: My Co-worker Stole My Idea. What Should I do?
Five Ways to be Kinder to Yourself
By Alma Gill NNPA Newswire Columnist Dear Alma, During a team meeting at work, I came up with an idea to better assist our members and “Too many people increase membership. Later while sitting in my overvalue what they are cubicle, our boss came over and complimented not and undervalue what my co-worker on submitting such a great idea. they are.” – Malcolm S. I was shocked, I couldn’t believe he took my Forbes idea to management and took the credit for it. When I asked him Negative self-talk is an epidemic. When about it, he said it was all of our ideas combined that made the I Google “why do we beat ourselves up?” suggestion a success and that’s just not true. I am so mad. Should I go to my boss and tell him the truth? I don’t want to be a part of more than 4.3 million results come up. That’s a damn shame (forgive my cursing). And his team anymore. completely unacceptable. Why do we do it? We have an inherent Signed, negativity bias. Some also believe selfDisgruntled co-worker criticism is a way to stay goal oriented by relentlessly and mentally beating themselves Dear Disgruntled, It is what it is; don’t make a fuss. I promise you, you’ll have your into staying on track. That my friends is day. This happens all the time, and leads to one of two scenarios. called “self-bullying.” Why would we do No. 1: This situation will come up again and they’ll look to him that to ourselves when we would never allow anyone else to? to lead the team. We deserve better. We can use positive No. 2: Questions will be asked and they’ll look to him for over negative reinforcement to keep moving answers. What I would do is better prepare myself. From now on, forward. To keep growing, to fulfill our after making suggestions during a team meeting, you should come out and send an email reiterating what you said. That’s right, add potential. The truth is self-criticism is countersome “Loco” to your “Motion,” so you’ll be heard and seen the next go-round, otherwise you’ll look petty. This game is played productive and bad for your health. According all day, every day from corporate America to the family owned to the Mayo Clinic, negative self-talk can cause depression and physical and emotional drugstore on Main Street. To ease your pain, I’ll tell you what my mama use to tell me: stress. It also harms your heart health and “God, don’t like ugly.” LOL. So trust me, your time will come. I immune system. No wonder we feel awful when we allow like the Michelle Obama quote: “When they go low, we go high.” our inner critic to run amuck. That’s a good one, keep that tucked in your back pocket. There are a lot more benefits to being No doubt, on the back end of this two-faced co-worker coup, I can’t stress enough the importance of you taking the high road and kinder to yourself. Several studies find continuing to be the best you can be. I know it doesn’t always look positive thinking can increase your life span like it, but hard work and determination never goes unrewarded. and lower depression and distress. It also Believe you me, managers and supervisors are always eyeballing, gives you better coping skills during hard watching when you least expect it. They know who’s doing what times, boosts your immune system, and and what’s doing who. improves your psychological and physical Truth is, we all strive for kudos, compliments, fist bumps and well-being. high fives, accompanying a big thanks from the boss. When that Here are five ways to focus more on the doesn’t happen, it’s cool. What I’ve found on the other side of positive and kick your inner critic to the curb. 50 is, I was rewarded more when I didn’t get a pat on the back, no acknowledgement at all. It always worked out in the end. 1. Notice Negativity I’ve experienced and learned a conference room full of cheers is “If you even dream of beating me you’d fleeting; it’s my confidence, fortitude and purpose that matters better wake up and apologize.” – Muhammad most. Those qualities will never leave you; they’ll always propel Ali you to achieve your highest goals. Before you can change anything, you have
to be aware of it. There are four common types of negative self-talk to watch out for: • Perfectionism/Polarizing: Things are either good or bad – there’s no middle ground. If you’re not perfect, you’re a total failure. • Catastrophizing: You dream up the worst possible outcome, and small issues are harbingers of doom. • Rationalizing: You blame yourself for everything bad that happens. For instance, if a few friends don’t make it to your party, you assume no one likes you. • Filtering: You search for the negative aspects of any given situation, filtering out any positive ones. The vacation was mostly great, but you complain to yourself and others about the delayed flight home, rather than sharing the delights of the trip. Here’s how to counter the above. 2. Add Positive Self-Talk “The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” – Marcus Aurelius Make a conscious effort to stop putting yourself down. When you notice you’re having negative thoughts, don’t suppress the thought (or beat yourself up for having it). Follow it with a counter, positive thought. Here are some suggestions: Negative Self-Talk / Positive Thinking I’ve never done it before. / It’s an opportunity to learn something new. It’s too complicated. / I’ll tackle it from a different angle. I don’t have the resources. / Necessity is the mother of invention. I’m too lazy to get this done. / I wasn’t able to fit it into my schedule, but I can re-examine some priorities. There’s no way it will work. / I can try to make it work. It’s too radical a change. / Let’s take a chance. No one bothers to communicate with me. / I’ll see if I can open the channels of communication. I’m not going to get any better at this. / I’ll give it another try. (Courtesy: MayoClinic.org)
REACH Pioneers in Medicine Racial and ethical approaches to community health (REACH) is a bi-weekly column featuring articles that focus on reducing health disparities in the African American community. It will include topics submitted by Creighton University Health Sciences Multicultural and Community Affairs (HS-MACA) department. By Dr. Richard L. Brown, Ph.D., FACHE Executive Director, REACH, Creighton University It is extremely important to current and future Americans that history is not forgotten for it helps to better shape the future. February is “Black History Month” in America, but should be celebrated all year. One of the most noted African American physician pioneers is Dr. Charles Richard Drew. There are several others who were the first to achieve milestones in medicine that are not well known as part of America’s history. In addition to Dr. Charles Drew, there was Dr. James McCune Smith, Dr. William Augustus Hinton and many others. This article highlights these gentlemen as well as others who created inventions that improved the health status and quality of life throughout the world. Dr. Charles Drew (1904-1950) was a physician, researcher, and surgeon who revolutionized our understanding of blood plasma. During World War II alone, his work allowed blood
February 23, 2018
storage for transfusions that saved many thousands of lives. Dr. Drew’s research on blood transfusions followed the discovery that human blood could be categorized into four main types (A, B, AB, and O). It was at Columbia University that he developed a method for processing and storing blood plasma that allowed it to be dehydrated, shipped great distances, and then reconstituted just before transfusion. During World War II, he led the “Blood for Britain” project as Nazi Germany’s air assault on Britain reached its height. After this success, he became the director of the American Red cross. He organized the largest blood drive ever, involving 100,000 donors for the U.S Army and Navy. He became infuriated when the military ordered the American Red Cross to label the blood by race and refused African American donors. Despite his protest that the policy was unscientific and insulting, the government continued to segregate blood banks. Dr. Drew resigned, went back to teaching at Howard University and became chief surgeon at Freedman’s Hospital. James McCune Smith (18131865) was the first African American to earn a medical degree and practice medicine in the United States. He was also the first to own and operate a pharmacy in New York City. Dr. Smith practiced medicine for 25 years, mostly at the Free Negro Orphan Asylum. He used science and his medical knowledge to frequently give speeches against slavery and wrote essays for antislavery publications. In one essay he used statistics to rebut
3. Let go of Past Mistakes “I will use memories but I will not allow memories to use me.” – Deepak Chopra Do you find yourself rehashing past mistakes you’ve made? If so, it’s time to let it go. Stop “shoulding all over yourself.” You did the best you could with what you knew at the time. Find a way to forgive yourself. And if it helps, make amends. Mistakes help us grow. None of us is perfect. See if you can learn from it and move on.
4. Appreciate Yourself “To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.” – Oscar Wilde End the day by appreciating at least three things you did well, or what you’re grateful for. It could be anything from completing a task or goal, being kind to someone or holding your temper, or receiving praise or gratitude. You can use a journal, app or voice memo. At night, I use a technique called “recording and listening” created by Cheri Huber, author of 19 books including There Is Nothing Wrong with You: Going Beyond Self Hate. I use my phone’s voice memo to record three things I appreciated about myself or that I did well that day (along with any challenges I faced). Then I play it back. Huber says hearing your own voice helps activate your inner mentor. She says, “Recording and listening is, hands down, the most powerful tool for ending suffering I’ve found.”
5. Practice Self-Compassion “You owe yourself the love that you so freely give to other people.” – Anonymous Forming a new habit takes practice. LovingKindness meditation is a scientifically proven method to improve self-compassion and positive emotions. It’s been found to reduce self-criticism and the depressive symptoms that can follow. Use it to send yourself (and others) some love. Beating yourself up is bad for your mind, body, and spirit. It leaves you feeling down and drained. You deserve better. It’ll take some practice but you can learn to think more positively and feel much better about yourself. Don’t let your inner critic control you.
Something to Talk About
a false claim made by a minister that slaves in the South were more content than free blacks in the North. Dr. Smith wrote an introduction to the second autobiographical volume for Fredric Douglas. He wrote that the Douglas story “shows that the worst of our institutions, in the worst aspect, cannot keep down, truthfulness and earnest struggle for the right” Dr. Smith died as a professor of anthropology at Wilberforce University, in Ohio. William Augustus Hinton (18831959) finished the Harvard premedical program in 3 years instead of the usual 4 and received his M.D. in 1912. Dr. Hinton became the Director of the Wasserman Laboratory at Harvard. This lab was the official lab for Massachusetts State Department of Public Health. As the Chief of the Boston Dispensary’s lab department, he created a program to train women as lab technicians which helped to open the profession to women. In 1927, he developed a test that became known as the Hinton test for diagnosing syphilis. As a professor, Dr. Hinton taught preventive medicine and hygiene at Harvard for 27 years, (1923-1950). He wrote a book on syphilis, titled A Serious Public Health Threat. He identified the role of socioeconomics in health and called syphilis “a disease of the underprivileged.” In the field of physical activity, there is Billy Blanks. He is famous for inventing Tae Bo, a fitness program that combines martial arts, boxing, and aerobics. Tae Bo is a combination of the words for tae kwon do, a Japanese martial art form, and boxing. “Get Active, Healthy, and happy.”
Tomorrow’s Promise By Ashley Marie Dantzler How many times have you wished you could go back in time, knowing what you know now? Is there something you may have done or said differently to change the outcome of a problem? You are not alone. Most people think about how their lives would be if they had only made that other decision. Sadly, this includes taking people for granted. Thinking that you will always see them, and that their role in your life will always stay the same. This is a mistake I have made several times, but it’s time for a change. I want to celebrate the people in my life. I want to remember their laughter, their smiles, their joys and their heartaches. Days go by and as they pass, we lack that sense of urgency and then like a car crash, things change, and we are caught off guard. I want nothing more than to tell the people that mean the most to me that I love them and what they mean to me. Tomorrow is promised to no one, but the fool who thinks he has it. The truth is we don’t know what will happen from second to second, let alone day to day. And since the time machine has yet to be invented, we only have today to do what we need to do. I say these things, not to bring you down, but to lift you up. We have a mission every day. Yes, there will be tears and I can’t promise there will not be pain, but I can promise that if you live every day as if it is your last; you
will have a better understanding of who you are and what you are supposed to do on this earth. Persons battling mental illnesses, know the ups and downs that are possible from day to day. Some may understand it better than others, but mental illness or not, we all know that every day can’t be Sunday. I’m not asking you to have great days every day, I’m asking you to have good days in hopes of greater ones. Things happen and honestly, sometimes we have no control of these things. But what we do have control over, is how we look at these things and how we react to them. We have a responsibility to love ourselves and then find the love within and give it to those without. You may not think you have anything to give to this world; money is in short supply and you may only have enough of what you have for yourself, but just you being you is all this world is looking for. I encourage you to enjoy what you have and who you are, but most of all, enjoy the people who touch your life. From your partner, to the grocery checker with a smile; enjoy life. If you feel like you could give a little more and do more in your community, there are people right here in our community that can always use a helping hand. Give more, worry less. The American Red Cross: www.redcross.org Phone: 402-343-7700 Siena Francis House: www.sienafrancis.org Phone: 402-343-7700
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In a significant breakthrough that could hasten an eventual HIV cure, a research team at the University of Nebraska Medical Center has changed the chemical structure of an existing antiviral drug to facilitate it in reaching cells and tissues where HIV resides. The discovery is detailed in the Feb. 5 issue of Nature Communications, one of Nature Research’s leading biomedical research journals. Using a physiochemical scheme that alters the properties of the drug dolutegravir, UNMC scientists took the modified drug and placed it into nanocrystals. The produced drug crystals easily distributed throughout the body to tissue reservoirs of HIV infection. The advanced drug scheme extended the life of the drug and its entry into “hidden body compartments,” from the muscle site of injection while increasing its action in reducing viral growth. The tissues included the lymph nodes, the bone marrow, the intestine and the spleen. The modified drug crystals were not toxic, did not break apart with temperature changes and were stable for months of time. All organs and bodily functions remained intact after treatment.
Coated with parts of fat, the crystals efficiently maneuvered through cell protective membranes and were stored inside cells for weeks said Howard Gendelman, M.D., professor and chair, who with Benson Edagwa, Ph.D., assistant professor, co-led the study in UNMC’s Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience (PEN). Once stored inside cells called macrophages, the drug was slowly released from the crystal in an altered inactive form called a “prodrug.” The cell then breaks the prodrug into an active drug, and the active drug is then released into the circulation from the cell and tissue stores. “The strength of this system is that it not only can be effective in improving HIV care and prevention,” said, Dr. Edagwa, who designed the drug chemical modifications, “but can be applied to many classes of drugs beyond HIV, such as drugs used to treat cancer, other infectious diseases and degenerative diseases that affect the brain.” Importantly, Dr. Gendelman said, “the new products can optimize HIV restrictive growth so that strategies that may eradicate viral infection would be successful.”
Drs. Gendelman and Edagwa also recognized two other scientists who were instrumental to the discovery Brady Sillman, a graduate student, and Aditya Bade, Ph.D., an instructor in PEN. Sillman implemented the concept and completed many of the reports’ experiments and Dr. Bade performed the biological and virological testings. UNMC has embraced the project, Dr. Gendelman said, with plans to soon complete a nanomedicine production plant that will enable the drugs and others like it to be produced on campus beginning this fall. Located on the 11th floor of The Lied Transplant Center, the plant will be a good manufacturing facility with an operating function similar to many pharmaceutical companies. Patents have been filed and supported both by UNeMed, UNMC’s technology transfer partner, and ViiV Healthcare, a subsidiary of GSK (GlaxoSmithKline). The research was funded by ViiV Healthcare and by research grants from four institutes of the National Institutes of Health – Drug Abuse, Mental Health, Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and Aging.
February 23, 2018
EVENTS/YOUTH NEWS/CLASSIFIED ADS THE OMAHA STAR Page Nine Native Omahan to Host Book Signing
In The Village!
Things to do, people to see, places to go. Feb. 23 – It’s the annual Lenten Friday Fish Fry at Mt. Calvary Community Church, 5112 Ames Ave. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. and dinner is 4-8 p.m. The menu is a choice of a whole catfish or a catfish fillet, spaghetti, coleslaw, pickles, bread and cake. Delivery is available on 3 or more dinners. For cost and more info, phone Sister Molly Reynolds at 402457-4216. They will be frying fish every Friday through March 30. Feb. 23 – St. Benedict the Moor Church, 2423 Grant will serve fish dinners from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. every Friday through March 23. The meal includes a choice of a fried or baked catfish fillet, green beans, spaghetti and a dessert. Delivery is available for 5 or more dinners. For cost or more info, phone 402-348-0631. Feb. 23 – Jean Bell Soul Food Luncheon will be held on the 2nd floor of The Center Mall from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. For tickets, contact Monika Bell at 402-708-6555. All donations and proceeds from the luncheon will go toward the Jean F. Bell Memorial Scholarship fund, which will provide book and academic scholarships to deserving high school students matriculating to college. Feb. 24 – Have family fun and learn a little something at Black History in the Village from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. on 24th & Lake St. Then come back for some adult fun from 6-10 p.m. For more details, see the ad in this issue. Feb. 24 – St. John’s A.M.E. church will host their 3rd annual Dream Keepers banquet at the church, 2402 N. 22nd St. The 2018 honoree is the North B.E.A.R.S. organization. Doors open at 5:30. Tickets are available for purchase by phoning the church at 402-345-1070. Feb. 25 – “Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities” will air on NET at 9:30 p.m. CT, as part of the Black History Month “Independent Lens” series on PBS. Feb. 27 – Tri-Faith Initiative / Lozier Omaha Table Talk: Gender Gap & Religious Practices, Weitz CEC Room 201, 6001 Dodge St, Omaha, Nebraska 68182, 6-7:30 p.m. The Table Talk will include a panel discussion featuring Tri-Faith leaders Rabbi Deana Berezin of Temple Israel, Rev. Dr. Chris Alexander of Countryside Community Church, and Nuzhat Mahmood of the American Muslim Institute. Feb. 28 – Black Men United’s The Hungry Club continues its celebration of Black History Month from noon till 1p.m., at Big Mama’s Kitchen, 3223 N. 45th St. The featured speaker will be Dr. Sade Kosoko-Lasaki, MD, MSPH, MBA, Associate Vice Provost Health Sciences, Professor of Surgery (Ophthalmology) Professor of Preventive Medicine & Public Health Creighton University. Feb. 28 – A Panel Discussion: Omaha Stories featuring Jade Rogers will be held in
UNO’s Criss Library from 6-7 p.m. As part of the Criss Library’s oral history project, Omaha Stories, Jade Rogers will discuss local history, historical memory and oral history with a focus on stories from women and people of color that are often overlooked in the historical record. March 3 – Learning to Live with Dementia, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at Faith Westwood United Methodist Church, 4814 Oaks Lane. This free two-part workshop focuses on the various types of dementia and how to manage symptoms. The program covers: Dementia Basics and other related topics. To register, contact Nancy Flaherty at 402-312-9324 or email flahertyconsulting@cox.net. Participants are asked to attend both days. March 4 – Star Wars characters, face painting, musicians, clowns and a chance to help a great cause at the 14th Annual Walk & Roll for Disabilities, sponsored by the Meyer Foundation for Disabilities, at 10:30 a.m. at Oak View Mall. Online registration is open through March 1. At the event, registration will take place from 9-10:30 a.m. For more info and to register, visit: http://meyerfoundation.ezeventsolutions.com. March 4 – Omaha Parks and Recreation will hold open interviews for various jobs including lifeguards, golf concessions, recreation programmers, camp counselors, and grounds maintenance workers from 2-5 p.m. at Saddlebrook Community Center, 14850 Laurel Ave. Applicants must apply online at HR.Cityofomaha.org for each position they are interested in prior to the interview. March 5 – Lozier Omaha Table Talk: Reclaiming our Democracy: Centering the Margins of Political Engagement, Weitz CEC Room 201, 6001 Dodge St, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This event begins UNO’s Women and Public Policy Week with a panel discussion on the current voids of intersectional representation. Facilitators will lead table discussions covering barriers and solutions to full representation. Register at www.inclusive-communities.org March 6 – Lozier Omaha Table Talk & Training: Sexual Harassment, SAC Federal Credit Union, 7200 Towne Center Pkwy, 5:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This Omaha Table Talk and training is a collaboration event between Inclusive Communities and the City of Omaha Human Rights and Relations Department. Register at www.inclusive-communities.org March 10 – The Great Plains Black History Museum, 2221 N. 24th St., is hosting a series of black history workshops presented by Preston Love Jr. This workshop will focus on Black Voting from the 15th Amendment and today’s African American politics. The free workshop will be held from 10-11:30 a.m. and the subject matter is suitable for middle school students through adults.
David Lee Washington, a native of Omaha, has just published his first novel, titled: “Sundance – A Western Romance Adventure.” The book is receiving rave reviews locally and nationally and can be purchased online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iTunes, Google play, Kobo and Kindle. Davis is a former high school teacher and current administrator who served in the Army Reserves for 35 years. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. “Sundance” is scheduled to be a three-novel series with the second novel releasing in 2019 and the third releasing in 2020. The novel contains romance, action, adventure and excitement. Washington will host a book signing at the Urban League of Nebraska, 3040 Lake St., today (Friday) from 4-7 p.m. Books will be available for purchase during the book signing.
4 Ways To Reduce Standardized-Test Stress Standardized testing has drawn its share of criticism from teachers, students and parents. One of the most common complaints is the stress that all three groups feel – from preparation through performance. From a young age, students take these timed tests that measure academic competency and, ultimately, whether they’re college material. Countless articles on standardized testing in the U.S. point out the pressure on students to score well; that teachers are often evaluated by how their students fare on the tests; and that parents get anxiety hoping their children score high. Amid all this stress comes the basic but difficultto-answer question: How to deal with it? “There is a tremendous amount of controversy about standardized testing, and no matter which side of the argument you are on, teachers have no choice,” says Dr. Raj Gupta (www.drrajgupta. com). “So teachers, students and parents must deal with it the best way they can. And finding consistently healthy habits to counter these stress inducers is so important. In fact, taking the stress out of the test process can carry over to every aspect of their life. The scores aren’t as important as the quality of life they give themselves in what is a results-oriented world, often to a fault.” Gupta offers four tips that teachers, students and parents can use to better deal with test-related stress: • Diet. Poor eating habits contribute to stress. “I see this every day with my three girls,” Gupta says. “Grandma will feed them tons of sugar, and then I come home to find the girls either bouncing
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off the walls or miserably cranky after crashing from their sugar high. Good wholesome foods that are not processed or refined and are free from trans fats prevent our energy levels from peaking and crashing throughout the day.” • Rest. Getting enough sleep helps keep your body and mind in top shape, making you better equipped to deal with any negative stressors. “Most of your healing and repair takes place when you are sleeping,” Dr. Gupta says. “This is when the body recharges the battery. If you continue to deprive your body of sleep, your immune system breaks down and you get sick.” • Exercise. A study conducted by California State University found that a 10-minute walk is enough to increase energy, alter mood, and provide a positive outlook for up to two hours. Exercise also assists in quality sleep. “Exercise is the greatest stress buster,” Gupta says. “Regular exercise can change your life.” • Mental attitude. “Stress is like a snowball: If you let it roll, it will gain speed, momentum and weight, and you are over-reacting, making even small difficulties seem like major crises,” Gupta says. He suggests countering a stressful situation with a calming action. Example: when rush-hour traffic is irritating, listen to a self-improvement audio. “Some things we can’t control, but we can control our response to them,” Gupta says. “Stress can cause all sorts of health problems,” Gupta says. “It affects all ages, as seen with the implementation of standardized testing. But it can be dealt with on a daily basis, and by doing so consistently, it can help us pass any and all stress tests in the future.”
Senior Programmer Analyst Position Available Specialty Retailers, Inc. seeks Senior Programmer Analyst – Merchandising & Supply Chain Systems to work in Omaha, Nebraska to serve as technical expert within the applications development team and support, maintain, design, develop, and configure moderate to complex solutions in a very dynamic and highly complex technical environment. Submit resume to Judy Flournoy at jflournoy@stage.com. Must put job code SPANE17 on resume.
NAACP continued from page 7 nation for the upcoming midterm elections, the census and beyond,” added Battles. As part of their agreement, NNPA will provide membership forms in all of their over 200 weekly publications and provide regular weekly and monthly columns to NAACP leadership. The NAACP’s partnership with the Black Press extends for decades but a new attack on the rights of communities of color has revitalized their relationship. “The partnership of the NAACP and the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) combines two of our oldest institutions of more than 200 years moving on the critical issues of today,” said NNPA Chairperson Dorothy R. Leavell. Dr. Ben Chavis, the president and CEO of NNPA, agreed with her assessment. The Metropolitan Utilities District is seeking qualified individuals for “The NNPA proudly unites the following positions: with the NAACP in a strategic • Administrative Clerk II (Part-Time) • Apprentice Mechanic national partnership to increase • Engineer I • Engineer II • ERP Technical/Functional Analyst II NAACP memberships, African • ERP Technical/Functional Analyst II (BOBJ) American voter registration • Human Resources Assistant • Intern, Water Scientist and turnout in 2018, and to • Manager, Systems Architecture HANA strengthen African American • Network Specialist • Pipe Layer Trainee • President owned newspapers and media • Supervisor, Safety Administration companies,” said Dr. Chavis. Visit www.mudomaha.com, under the careers tab to fill out an “We applaud the leadership application. Applications will be accepted until the close date of the of NAACP Chairman Leon position. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of applications. Russell and President and CEO Employment Contingent Upon Results of a Derrick Johnson for standing up Drug Screen and a Background Check. to ensure effective strategies in collaboration with the NNPA and other national African American organizations.” Not in attendance but part of the recent key partnerships signed by the NAACP was the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment An Equal Opportunity Employer “Minority/Female/Disabled/ Veteran/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation” of Women.
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Page Ten
YOUTH/EDUCATION NEWS
THE OMAHA STAR
Kindergarten Round Up At Sacred Heart School Sacred Heart School invites future kindergarteners and their parents or guardians to learn more about the school at Kindergarten Round Up on March 22 from 6-7 p.m. Sacred Heart School offers a faithbased education with smaller class sizes, and additional enrichment opportunities. To RSVP, contact the school office at 402-455-5858.
Our Apologies, Mr. Brown After reading his article printed in the Feb. 9 issue, Davian Brown phoned the office with a couple of corrections. We reported that he shortened his name; however, we misspelled the name. He is now referred to as “Dav” by family, friends and classmates. And it appears we promoted him a grade. Dav is a fifth grader at Westbrook Elementary in District 66. He is the son of Brent Brown Jr. and Jennifer Allen and the big brother of Westbrook 4th grader Brooklynn Brown.
Money Raised will Provide Scholarships Creighton University’s Founders Week was marked by a welcome announcement for the university’s incoming Markoe Scholars. Creighton President the Rev. Daniel S. Hendrickson, SJ, PhD, closed his annual Founders Day Convocation address announcing money donated by the Jesuit Community at Creighton and the Office of the President will make possible 11
four-year, full-tuition scholarships for this fall’s incoming class of Markoe Scholars. The Markoe Scholarship, taking its name from beloved Creighton Jesuit and early civil rights activist the Rev. John Markoe, SJ, provides students who are first-generation college attendees with the highest levels of financial need with the means to get a Creighton education.
BCHLD Foundation Scholarship Applications Available The Battalion Chief Herbert L Davis Foundation Inc. is accepting scholarship applications for the 2018-19 academic years. Applications and eligibility criteria are available at most African American churches; all high schools; the Urban League of Nebraska Resource Center, 3040 Lake St.; and Aframerican Bookstore, 3226 Lake St. The application deadline is March 1. Underprivileged high school seniors and college students pursuing any major at any college or post-secondary educational institution including trade schools are encouraged to apply.
‘Careerockit’ Student/Business Experience Launched Nebraska and Iowa’s largest weeklong business/student collaborative learning initiative recently launched, creating 18,000 unique student experiences for more than 20 school districts, multiple universities and 140 organizations in six counties Feb. 12-18. Careerockit (http://careerockit.com/), a no-cost program of the Greater Omaha Chamber, paired elementary through post-secondary students seeking engagement and information with regional businesses and nonprofits. The goal: to create career interest, grow the area’s talent pipeline and connect organizations with future employees. Experiences in Cass, Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy, Pottawattamie and Washington counties were custom-tailored to meet students’ needs, and were available in a variety of industries, spotlighting a host of careers. “We’re excited to participate and encourage kids to take STEM courses and pursue their dream career in this space,” said Rama Kolli, chief information officer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska, a participating Careerockit organization. “The intersection of health care and technology is filled with so many opportunities in the future.” Now in its second year, Careerockit, which hosted 11,000 student experiences in 2017, has seen brisk program adoption by learners and businesses. Millard Public Schools, home to more than 23,000 students, participated in Careerockit’s inaugural year, and returned to the endeavor in 2018, offering learning experiences in classrooms and with local organizations. “Exploration of what could be builds hope for students,” said Jim Sutfin, Ed.D., superintendent, Millard Public Schools. “A thriving city has a pipeline from school to career. This is one step schools and businesses can take together to show our young people that they have a bright future right here in our amazing city. In Omaha, we don’t coast!” Sutfin, who champions inclusive, preparatory, world-class education added, “Careerockit is
an opportunity for students to explore careers and business leaders to create awareness about future jobs. I want our students to be thinking about careers that interest them and build upon their talents.” Joe Vinchattle, assistant principal Lewis Central High School, concurred, “Lewis Central High School is participating in Careerockit with the hope to build connections between education and local business/industry, specifically, in the career and technical education fields where there is a high demand for students to stay and work within their community.” Experiential learning – learning that helps build the kind of connections Vinchattle suggests – is foundational to Careerockit and invites students to examine potential job paths, and assess career-readiness, through activities that transition theory into practice, spark curiosity and stimulate problem-solving. “We hope that the students in our program, in four high schools and one middle school, are able to visualize themselves in some of the different careers and walk away knowing what it takes to successfully enter the career because they will hear from the industry professionals themselves and they will be in the surroundings they will hopefully be working in,” said Albert Varas, executive director, Latino Center of the Midlands Sponsors such as Avenue Scholars, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska, Completely Kids and Metropolitan Utilities District, along with participating educators, students and organizations, helped fuel this year’s Careerockit. “An effort of this scale is only possible with countless partners and supporters. We are extremely grateful to all the businesses and nonprofits that are participating and to our school districts at all levels from superintendents, to principals, teachers, and of course students! Everyone’s contributions have added up to this great and massive initiative called Careerockitthank you,” said Patricia Mayorga, manager, talent, Greater Omaha Chamber.
February 23, 2018
Big Garden Internships Now Being Accepted The Big Garden is seeking a diverse group of young adults to serve as interns in its 12-week New Roots Internship across Omaha this summer. This is a paid opportunity for young adults interested in organic gardening, food security, local food, and working with children. Full and part-time positions are available. This is the 5th consecutive year of the internship. These interns will receive extensive hands-on training in gardening, food security, and classroom management. They will then teach children and youth ages 2-18 in schools and childcare centers to grow, cook, and preserve garden produce. They use The Big Garden curriculum that covers topics such as soil health and composting, companion planting, pollinators, harvesting, food systems, cooking, food preservation, and more. Interns will also gain basic gardening skills and learn to work as a team. Many Big Garden interns have gone on to work in fields related to gardening, food security, and education. During the summer of 2018, Big Garden educators will teach classes in 42 different locations, reaching more than 1000 children and youth each week. Most of the locations are in North and South Omaha. The overall goal is to reduce hunger in food-insecure communities. Applicants must be 19 years or older, have a valid driver’s license, and pass a background check. Applications must be submitted by March 15. For more information, visit BigGarden.org or contact Education Director, Cait Caughey, at 402-906-2716.
2017 intern Terry Salem Jr.
‘Libraries Are For Creating’ Teen Tech Week is when libraries all over the country showcase the great digital resources and services that are available to help teens succeed in school and prepare for college and 21st century careers. Celebrate the Teen Tech Week “Libraries are for Creating” theme March 4-10. Omaha Public Library will offer teens a space to explore, create and share content, and help them gain digital literacy skills needed to be successful. A variety of programs will take place during Teen Tech Week. All programs are free, but there may be age and registration requirements. Contact the hosting branch or visit omahalibrary.org for more information. March 5 • 5 p.m.: Kids Can Code at Millard Branch, 13214 Westwood Ln., 402-444-4848. This program teaches basic coding and is designed for students ages 8-14. Registration is required. • 6:30 p.m.: Sphero Challenge at Milton R. Abrahams Branch, 5111 N. 90th St., 402-4446284. Drive a Sphero robot through a challenging obstacle course. March 6 • 4:30 p.m.: Minecraft Club at A.V. Sorensen Branch, 4808 Cass St., 402-444-5274. Students ages 8-18 are invited to play Minecraft at the library. Registration is required. • 4:30 p.m.: Computer Coding for Teens at Charles B. Washington Branch, 2868 Ames Ave., 402-444-4849. This basic computer coding program is recommended for ages 12-18. • 4:30 p.m.: Gaming Hangout at Florence Branch, 2920 Bondesson St., 402-444-5299. Enjoy snacks and play the library’s new Xbox games. • 5:30 p.m.: Virtual Reality Cube at A.V. Sorensen Branch. Experiment with the world’s first holographic toy and merge the physical and digital worlds using the Merge Cube.
March 7 • 4 p.m.: Gaming Club at Millard Branch. Join us for video, tabletop and card games, or bring a game to share. • 4:15 p.m.: Minecraft Club at Saddlebrook Branch, 14850 Laurel Ave., 402-884-7473. Play with fellow builders on the library’s Minecraft server. Registration is required. March 8 • 4 p.m.: Creating with GIMP at W. Clarke Swanson Branch, 9101 W. Dodge Rd., 402-4444852. Learn how to enhance photos and create digital art with the free open-source program GIMP. This program is recommended for ages 10 and older. Registration is required. • 4:30 p.m.: Robot Recess at A.V. Sorensen Branch. Drive, build, program and play with a variety of robots and technology toys. This program is for students in grades 4-12. Registration is required. March 9 • 3:15 p.m.: Teen Food & Fun at W. Dale Clark Main Library, 215 S. 15th St., 402-444-4800. Join us for food and a fun activity with a tech focus. March 10 • 1 p.m.: Drone Basics at Saddlebrook Branch. Learn drone basics using the Top Race Building Blocks Drone. • 2 p.m.: Teen Hangout at Benson Branch, 6015 Binney St., 402-444-4846. Learn how to make stop motion videos. This event is recommended for ages 12-18. • 2 p.m.: Nintendo Switch at A.V. Sorensen Branch. Play games on the library’s new Nintendo Switch gaming system. • 2 p.m.: Minecraft Saturday at Millard Branch. Compete against other players in Minecraft competitions. Visit omahalibrary.org for more information on these and additional events and resources at Omaha Public Library’s 12 locations.
SUMMER JOBS & MORE! Earn up to $2,000 this summer! 2018 Summer Online Application Open February 12th – March 11th To apply online go to: www.stepupomaha.com
Salvation Army Searches For Young Heroes The Salvation Army is seeking nominations for the 2018 D.J.’s Hero Scholarship Awards. Select Nebraska high school seniors will be chosen to receive the award, named in honor of the late D.J. Sokol, for commitment to others and to their community. Nominations must be postmarked by March 5 to be eligible for entry. Forms are available at most Nebraska high school guidance offices, online at SalArmyOmaha.org or by calling 402-898-5909. Honorees receive a $10,000 scholarship toward their selected college or university. D.J.’s Heroes
will be recognized at the D.J.’s Hero Awards Luncheon on May 8 at CenturyLink Center Omaha. Criteria for selecting honorees include: • Nebraska residency • High school senior • Commitment to others and to the community • Courage to act independently • Greatest achievement in life • Ability to overcome challenges/adversity Proceeds from the luncheon benefit Salvation Army programs for children and families.
Black History Art Contest Teaching History, Acceptance And Tolerance Through Art In observance of Black History Month, the 6th Annual Nebraska Black History Art contest is open to all Nebraska students. Students are encouraged to create art that commemorates and celebrates Black History. 1. Any material may be used including clay, canvas, pencil, paint, charcoal, crayon, marker, etc. 2.Student’s name, grade, teacher’s name, and school name must be written on the back of their art. 3. Art and permission slips may be given to their homeroom, art or social studies teacher or to
Love’s Jazz & Arts Center, 2510 N. 24th St. Center hours are Tuesday-Friday, 11a.m. - 5 p.m., and Saturday, 11a.m. - 3p.m. The deadline is March 7. Only one submission, per student will be accepted. Art must be original and students’ own work. Gift bags and baskets will be awarded to the winners in three school categories: elementary, middleand high School.The class submitting the most entries will win a pizza party. This year’s contest is sponsored by Bellevue University. For more information call 402-714-6744 or visit www.blackhistoryartcontests.com.
Are you between the ages of 14 and 21? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Earn a paycheck! Obtain on-the-job experience and explore career opportunities. Learn more about your strengths, talents and career interests. Gain valuable job skills including interviewing, job search and customer service. Gain life skills & earn work-related certifications Get connected with longer term employment opportunities.
Starting February 12th STEP-UP Omaha! will be accepting online applications from youth and young adults that are ages 14–21 (at time of application) and live in the city of Omaha. (Submission of application does not guarantee acceptance into the program)
Summer Program June 4th – August 10th Step-Up Omaha! is a community-based initiative of the Empowerment Network and City of Omaha In collaboration with community partners including: Banister’s Leadership Academy, Boys & Girls Club of the Midlands, ENCAP, Heartland Workforce Solutions, Hope Center for Kids, Girls Inc., Latino Center of the Midlands, Metropolitan Community College, Omaha Economic Development Corporation, Omaha Housing Authority, Omaha Public Schools, ResCare, Salvation Army Kroc Center, South Omaha Business Alliance, Urban League of Nebraska and the United Way of the Midlands.
Questions? Call (402) 502-3763 or visit: www.stepupomaha.com