Smiles & Sweets; Over 1,000 attend Trunk or Treat in the Village
Children and families celebrate, enjoy the activities at 24th and Lake
Great things are happening in the Village. Businesses, venues and organizations are working together to create a great place to come together consistently for food, music, arts, entertainment and to support the small businesses in the area.
“Saturday was completely magical. Seeing the kids dressed up and the adults getting engaged as they played the games and got candy was wonderful,” said Cynthia Hume, site manager for OEDC’s Fair Deal Village. “I’m thankful for the partners of The Village at 24th and Lake who collaborated to host another successful event.”
In early September, partners developed a calendar of events for the fall and winter season in the Village. The first two major events have been well attended and received rave reviews from the community.
“Fall Fest was a huge success with 500 in attendance and then, two weeks later the Trunk or Treat had over 1,000,” said Willie Barney, CEO of the Empowerment Network and Co-owner of the Revive Center and Carver Legacy Center, all located in the Village. “It was a beautiful day and the kids really enjoyed themselves. It is always a blessing to see so many families in the Village.”
Most of the event was focused on the 20 plus stops where kids could get free candy.
Kids definitely went home with their pumpkins, buckets and goodie bags full.
Ital Vital Living took it even further by creating a haunted house which drew a crowd and some surprises for the visitors.
“My mom built the haunted house from scratch. I could definitely hear some screams coming from inside,” said Latisha Taylor, one of the co-owners at Ital Vital. “Overall, the kids had a good time. We think we will have to go even bigger next year.”
In addition to the bountiful candy and haunted house, families could make arts and crafts at the Union, play small carnival games at OEDC, listen to the DJ at Dreamland Park, take a tour of the Great Plains Black History Museum and purchase cinnamon rolls, caramel apples and peach cobbler at the Revive Center.
“We had another big turnout, with 300 visitors at the Great Plains,” said Eric Ewing, executive director at the Great Plains Black History Museum.
Members of the Omaha Police Department, Black Police Officers Association and Douglas County Sheriff candidate Wayne Hudson were also handing out candy and interacting with the community.
“This is great for the officers to engage in a positive way with the community and for the kids just to come outside and enjoy themselves in a safe and positive environment,” said Sgt. Marcus Taylor of the BPOA.
The event was also an opportunity to stay informed and get connected with important health resources.
Visitors were able to pick up health information and swag from UNMC, get their vaccination from Douglas County at IMA’s MLK Park and listen to African-American Mocha Docs speak about keeping safe from COVID and the importance of getting vaccinated.
“Saturday was amazing on the northwest corner of 24th & Lake Street, the IMA’s MLK Park as IMA pastors gave out candy to hundreds of children and the DCHD Vaccination Team administered vaccination shots,” said Pastor Portia Cavitt, Senior Pastor or Clair Memorial UMC and President of the IMA. “Through much prayer and scientific knowledge, we have the power of prevention!”
“To see the families and the smiles on the faces of the children, that’s what it is all about for me,” said Barney. “It reminds me of my own childhood going to Harvest Festivals with my family.”
“It’s also a great way to connect the community to the exciting things happening in the district. Many of them tell us they didn’t know there were so many businesses, opportunities and resources here at 24th and Lake and they definitely plan to come back.”
It was another beautiful day in the Village at 24th and Lake. Momentum is building. The next big event will be the 11th Annual Christmas in the Village on Saturday, December 4th.
Stay connected with future events here.
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
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
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