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Building on ten years of success with Christmas in the Village, the Empowerment Network, OEDC, Revive, FHAS, Omaha Star and 30 plus businesses, venues and organizations have come together to plan and host a great series of events for the Holidays.

The businesses are sending an open invitation for families, friends, neighbors and the whole community to come down and celebrate the holiday season and support small black businesses.

“We have something for all ages,” said Willie Barney, CEO of the Empowerment Network and co-owner of the Revive Center and Carver Legacy Center in the district.

“It’s an opportunity to continue the positive momentum at 24th and Lake, provide some fun activities for children and families and continue the development of our business, food, arts, culture and entertainment district.”

Friday, November 26th is Black Friday in the Village.  Shoppers are encourage to visit and shop at all of the stores in the Village.  Most of the stores are offering 20% off this weekend, including special deals, discounts and gift cards.

Saturday, November 27th is a great day to celebrate Small Business Saturday and support Black-owned businesses.  Stores are once again offering 20% discounts and there will be a holiday lighting ceremony starting at 4:30 pm at Dreamland Park.  Music will be provided by Millicent Crawford and Big Wade.  Trolley rides will be available from 1 to 5 pm.

Next Saturday, December 4th, is the 11th Annual Christmas in the Village at 24th and Lake.  Over 50 organizations and dozens of businesses come together annually to host the event which has become the largest community celebration and holiday tradition in North Omaha.  Visitors from all over the region attend the event.  The hours are Noon to 5 pm with special activities for the whole family.

The Village at 24th and Lake Partners are also working with the community to host a series of events during Kwanzaa.  Stay connected on the Village facebook page.

Coming Events

Aileen Warren and Jay Warren-Teamer to present at AALC 2024

Aileen Warren and Jay Warren-Team will be co-presenters at the Empowerment Network’s 12th Annual African-American Leadership Conference on Friday, September 27, 2024.

Tickets available here:  2024 African-American Leadership Conference (aalcomaha.com)

Aileen and Jay will share insights gained from their highly successful careers.  The topic is Delivering on Your Promise with Excellence.

Both are trailblazers in their respective workplaces and impactful leaders in the community.

Aileen has an extensive career in human resources leading departments for First National Bank, FirstData and UNMC. She is now the Executive Director for ICAN a nationally recognized leadership development organization for women.

Jay worked as a leader in the non-profit realm with Partnership for Kids and United Way of the Midlands before transitioning to the corporate sector. She previously worked at Mutual of Omaha, and now at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska where she leads the Nebraska Blue Foundation and diversity, equity and inclusion.

Both Warren and Warren-Teamer are members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

The session will provide a roadmap for establishing your personal and professional brand of excellence and delivering on the promise.

The African-American Leadership Conference which attracts hundreds of leaders will feature keynote, Eric ET Thomas, one of the nation’s top motivators, influencers, and New York Times best-selling author along with dozens of local and national speakers.

Tickets available.  2024 African-American Leadership Conference (aalcomaha.com)

 

Aileen Warren

Aileen currently serves as the President and CEO of ICAN, the Institute for Career Advancement Needs. ICAN is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop inspired, authentic leaders to transform the organizations and communities they serve.

A UNO Goodrich Scholarship recipient, she attended and graduated from UNO where she earned bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work. She also holds a certificate in Organizational Development from the Fielding Institute.  After graduation from college, Aileen began her professional career working at a variety of non-profit organizations including the YWCA and Urban League of Nebraska. During this time, she honed her leadership skills by participating in the ICAN Influence Program and the Omaha Chamber of Commerce Leadership Omaha Program. She went on to have a long career in Human Resources working for First National Bank, First Data Corporation (now Fiserv), and UNMC.

She is very active in the community and has an extensive record of involvement with numerous organizations including the Boys and Girls Club of the Midlands, Women’s Fund of Omaha, Omaha Home for Boys, and the Omaha Downtown Rotary. She is a Past President of the Omaha Downtown Rotary and former President of the Board of Directors of the Women’s Fund of Omaha. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, and participates in the African American Empowerment Network.  She is also a University of Nebraska Foundation Trustee and was recently appointed to the Omaha Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Aileen has been recognized for her community contributions by being selected as the 2006 Boys and Girls Club of the Midlands Woman of the Year, a 2012 Omaha North High Viking of Distinction, and 2018 Ak-Sar-Ben Court of Honor recipient. In 2020, she and her husband, Thomas received the honor of having their faces on the barroom floor at the Omaha Press Club. In 2021, she received the College of Public Affairs and Community Service Alumni Award from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

She has been married to her husband Thomas for 39 years. They have three children – Jessica, Thomas Jr., and Alexandra. She also has three grandsons Evan, Kingston, and Princeton.

Jay Warren-Teamer

Jay Warren-Teamer is an Omaha native who has spent her personal and professional life serving our community. She received her B.S. in Child, Youth and Family Studies from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln and earned her Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Currently, she is the Executive Director of the Nebraska Blue Foundation and DEI at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska.

With her childhood friend, Ashlei Spivey, Jay co-founded I Be Black Girl and leads the groups’ giving circle, IBBGives. Since launching in 2018, IBBGives has invested over $150k to projects supporting Black women, femmes and girls in the Omaha metro. Highly engaged in our community, Jay has served on the boards of Kids Can Community Center, Women’s Fund of Omaha and MENTOR Nebraska. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Recognitions and awards include:

  • WCA’s Tribute to Women Young Leader Award (2009)
  • Women’s Fund of Omaha Inner Circle honoree (2017)
  • Greater Omaha Chamber YP Council Changemaker Award (2018)
  • Urban League of Nebraska African American Leadership Award (2019)
  • UNO Chancellor’s Commission on the Status of Gender Equity – Outstanding Community Service Award (2021)
  • UNO College of Public Affairs and Community Service – Alumni Award for Excellence in Public Service (2021)

Her greatest joy is her family. Jay is married to her high school sweetheart, Shannon, and they have two sons.

The African-American Leadership Conference is presented by the Empowerment Network of Omaha and features local and national leaders along with allies from every sector.

Tickets available.  2024 African-American Leadership Conference (aalcomaha.com)

For more information on the Empowerment Network, please go to empoweromaha.com

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Coming Events

Coach Melody McClellan will bring vital health and wellness message to Leadership Conference

Coach Melody McClellan a nationally recognized leader in the health and wellness field will present at the Empowerment Network’s African-American Leadership Conference on Friday, September 27, 2024.

Coach Melody’s health and wellness platform has continued to expand across the country.  The work and calling is so strong for Melody, six years ago, she left her corporate sales position and went full time as a Health and Wellness Transformation Strategist.

The event which attracts hundreds of leaders will feature keynote, Eric ET Thomas, one of the nation’s top motivators, influencers, and New York Times best-selling author along with dozens of local and national speakers.

Tickets available.  2024 African-American Leadership Conference (aalcomaha.com)

Melody McClellan

Melody McClellan is CEO of Unwrap You, LLC. She is a published author of two books; Unwrap the New You Interactive Wellness Journal and Ohhmazing Wellness. Melody received the 2017 Excellence in Health Care Award and has over 20 years of experience in the health field, specifically in the areas of diabetes, cholesterol, obesity, and weight management.

Coach Melody creates and implements corporate wellness programs, develops personalized workshops, facilitates lunch and learns, and is a dynamic speaker. She engages groups of all ages in a variety of topics related to health and wellness. Her goal is to educate and improve health outcomes. In addition to her passion for health and wellness, Coach Melody is an ambassador for the American Heart Association, VP of Young Ambassadors for YWCA, Board Member of I AM ESTL The Magazine, and a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

The African-American Leadership Conference is presented by the Empowerment Network of Omaha and features local and national leaders along with allies from every sector.  For more information on the Empowerment Network, please go to empoweromaha.com

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Coming Events

Moving Towards $1 Billion; David Stevens to present at Leadership Conference

One of the nation’s top investors and wealth management leaders, David Stevens, CEO and Founder of Stevens Capital Partners, will present on investments and portfolios at the Empowerment Network’s African-American Leadership Conference on Friday, September 27, 2024.

The event which attracts hundreds of leaders will feature keynote, Eric ET Thomas, one of the nation’s top motivators, influencers, and New York Times best-selling author along with dozens of local and national speakers.

Tickets available.  2024 African-American Leadership Conference (aalcomaha.com)

 

David Stevens

After spending nearly 20 years of his career at TD Ameritrade, where he ran the largest advice practice in the nation, David founded Stevens Capital PartnersTM, an SEC fee-only Registered Investment Advisory Firm (formerly known as Purposeful Wealth). David is a University of Nebraska at Lincoln graduate, a series 66 licensed (Investment Advisor), and holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation. He is a proud member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors and is on the Board of Directors for the Financial Planning Association of Nebraska.

David has been a guest speaker and panelist at local and national conferences throughout the financial industry. David and the team focus on your life, family, and priorities to help you determine, navigate, and achieve your goals. His commitment to the fiduciary model of investment management is one of the pillars that support his work ethic and core values.

He and his wife, Natalia have four children and live in Omaha, where he enjoys attending and coaching their children’s academic, musical, and athletic events. He sits on several boards and enjoys making a positive impact in the lives of others. Part of that commitment is his pledge to donate 10 percent of the profits of Stevens Capital PartnersSM to his community.

Goal is to Delight and Deliver!

Our clients cover a broad spectrum but are mostly high-net worth families, business executives, professional athletes, institutions, churches, and non-profits. They rely on us for wealth management, comprehensive financial planning, and our ability to strategize with them on matters within and outside their financial needs.

Exceeding the expectations of our clients is too low a bar for us. We strive to delight.

The African-American Leadership Conference is presented by the Empowerment Network of Omaha and features local and national leaders along with allies from every sector.  For more information on the Empowerment Network, please go to empoweromaha.com

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