Aaron Johnson, owner of Oasis Fresh Market in Tulsa, Oklahoma, home to Black Wall Street, to speak at the Empowerment Network’s 12th Annual African-American Leadership Conference on Friday, September 27, 2024.

Johnson will share what it has taken to launch and grow the successful grocery store and more about his entrepreneurial journey.

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

Johnson is blazing new trails as one of the most innovative and successful black-owned grocery stores in the nation.

With the support of City Councilor Vanessa Hall-Harper and Rose Washington, CEO of TEDC, he established Oasis, a fresh food market in North Tulsa after a 14-year drought in an area considered a food desert.

People from across the country are flocking to Oasis to learn more about the model and how it can be replicated in their communities.

Johnson’s leadership style is highly enthusiastic and contagious.  The energy in the store is amazing. Plenty of high fives to go around for customers and employees.  He has also built a pathway where student employees head to college after high school.

He partners frequently with Charles Harper and Damali Wilson of World Won Development to host large events to connect Oasis customers to services including employment, job training, health and more.

The food selection and quality available in the store make it one of the best in the nation.  Always full with fresh fruits and vegetables.

Aaron Johnson

Aaron “AJ” Johnson is the Founder of Oasis Fresh Markets, the first full-service grocery store in North Tulsa’s historically black-neighborhood (once called Black Wall Street) in 14 years.

Growing up in Milwaukee, AJ saw the tremendous differences between resourced and under-resourced communities. After moving to Oklahoma, he learned that residents in North Tulsa neighborhoods have a life expectancy 11 years shorter than those living in other Tulsa communities.

Whether it was the school systems, playgrounds, or even access to grocery stores, many North Tulsa residents had to travel for miles to enjoy the same resources that non-distressed communities have readily available.

AJ also launched a non-profit called The Oasis Projects to provide wrap-around services, including rental and utility assistance, support for single parents, banking, workforce training, and health-related educational classes.

AJ believes the Oasis model provides a blueprint for under-served communities by equipping people for every aspect of a healthy life.

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)

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

Dr. DerNecia Phillips will share key secrets to achieving success in corporate Omaha during 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)

Dr. Phillips is a dynamic keynote speaker with innovative approaches for developing and maintaining strong, productive organizations.  Her presentations have received rave reviews.

She is an experienced consultant with a demonstrated history of working in the education management and leadership development industries. Phillips is highly skilled in communication, presentations, public speaking, project management, and strategy.

She is also known as a strong business development professional working with both small businesses and large organizations.  A champion of education, Phillips secured her Doctor of Education – EdD focused in Educational Leadership and Administration from University of Nebraska at Omaha.

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)

Photo Credit:  UNO, Ryan Solderin

Dr. DerNecia Phillips

Dr. DérNecia Phillips is a professional educator, activist, strategist, poet, and consultant who prides herself on being a champion for both education and her community.

She has 20 years of experience as a public and non-public school educator with service in roles from teacher to principal-to-principal coach. She holds advanced degrees from Creighton University and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where she received her doctorate in Educational Leadership.

Dr. Phillips leveraged her expertise to found DAL Education & Care Solutions, a consulting company providing coaching, leadership development, speaking services, and training to foster personal, school, and workplace thriving. She is a strong advocate for women’s empowerment, mentoring at all levels, education, equity, and community building—as evidenced by her recent leadership founding Identity Preparatory Academy, a girl’s middle school in North Omaha.

Dr. Phillips serves as a proud LeadDiversity alumna, member of the 2023 Class 46 of Leadership Omaha, and a 2023 Phi Delta Kappa International Emerging Leader in Education working alongside the other ten selected members to address national issues in education.

Her personal mission is to Nurture. Challenge. Inspire. those she encounters in order to affect positive change for our children and those who serve them. She is a woman of faith, a proud wife and mother, and enjoys reading, writing, mentoring, and spending time with her family, friends, and mentees.

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

Henderson will share the stage with Jermaine Ballard and speak on innovative ways to reach today’s youth 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)

Henderson recently joined EPIC Girls as the director of programs and strategic partnerships.  With her previous roles at Metropolitan Community College and UNO, Henderson has made a measurable impact in the lives of thousands of youth and young adults.

She has also established a strong reputation for keeping the community connected and informed.  Known as a trusted go-to person in the community, Henderson has an amazing track record of making things happen through her passion, advocacy, partnerships, strategic outreach and keeping things relevant and real.

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)

Raquel Henderson

Born and raised in North Omaha, Racquel is a courageous leader that actively works to use employment as a tool to elevate peoples’ circumstances. In her work as an influencer, activists, and community advocate, she is a champion for change through education, employment, and community resources.

Racquel has spent more than 10 years serving her community by providing second chances in reentry programs and uplifting youth in higher education opportunities. Racquel has been pivotal with creating opportunities for individuals to elevate their lives and become the best version of themselves.

Previously, as the Pathway Coordinator for the Walter Scott Jr. Career Pathway Scholarship at Metropolitan Community College Racquel focused on the retention of first-generation and underrepresented students by providing intrusive academic support and guidance on the way to Career Placement. Racquel also serves as the Employment and Education Coordinator for Black and Pink — the nation’s largest prison abolitionist organization.

Additionally, Racquel is a Professor at UNO where she instructs a course centered on issues of race, ethnicity, and the criminal justice system. Racquel works with the Terraluna Collaborative on the Lived Experience Project which seeks to assist youth and families who have been impacted by the juvenile justice system in providing resources and workshops that facilitate healing with a focus on gathering their voices and stories, and is a Consultant for the Community Wellness Collaborative where she provides mentorship and employment skills for cohorts of young adults for the Health Care Collaborative Academy.

Racquel serves as a mentor with The Keys Foundation, where she works to improve academic achievement, self-esteem, social competence and avoidance of problem/high-risk behavior, and recently completed her master’s degree from the University of Nebraska Omaha, where she studied Criminal Justice and disadvantaged communities, and was inducted into the National Honors Society of Criminal Justice.

A 2024 Women’s Center for Advancement Tribute to Women Award Recipient, 2023 Urban League African American Leadership Award Recipient, 2023 Phenomenal Woman of the Year Recipient, 2023 ICAN Award Recipient, 2023 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Fulfill the Dream Award Recipient, 2022 Own the Pond Big Fish Award Recipient, 2022 Community Focused Award Recipient, 2021 Greater Omaha Chamber Changemaker Award Recipient, 2021 Ten Outstanding Young Omahan Award Recipient, 2018 Young Professional of the Year Urban League of Nebraska Award Recipient, 2018 MORE Women Award Recipient, and 2017 Young Black and Influential Award recipient, Racquel is deeply dedicated to her community and is committed to witnessing its flourishing.

In 2015 Racquel Founded of #TheBeProject — a movement based on bringing awareness to various jobs and resources to community members. She recently completed a 2023 National Fellowship in the Women Organizing for Justice and Opportunity National Leadership Lab and completed a fellowship with the National Youth Justice Leadership Institute and was inducted into Women’s Fund Circles 9, and is committed to growing personally and professionally while assisting in improving the lives of women and girls in the community.

Racquel serves with boldness and inspiration on the Board of I Be Black Girl where she assists in actively creating a change-making culture that centers Black women, girls and femmes to provide transformational change. Racquel also serves on the Board of YouTurn and NOISE.

She is a keynote speaker and who works to empower, influence and inspire individuals by meeting them where they are at, and helping them reach their max potential. Along with being a fearless leader who is passionate for her community, most importantly Racquel is a proud mother of two, a friend, neighbor, and community member.

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