Governor Pete Ricketts, Directors Smith, Goins and Frakes: Formally working with African-American & North Omaha communities
Published: June 15, 2020
10 Point Plan officially approved and released on May 22, 2020
Governor Pete Ricketts agrees to partner with African-American and North Omaha communities to prevent the spread of COVID 19 and address economic gaps.
A group of leaders representing hundreds of African-American led and North Omaha organizations, businesses, neighborhoods, churches, faith communities and thousands of residents have met with Governor Pete Ricketts and key department leaders over the past two months to identify ways to work together to prevent the spread of the COVID 19 Coronavirus and address long-term economic issues.
Governor Ricketts recognizes that in Douglas County a disproportionate number African-Americans, Hispanic/Latinos, Asians and other people of color have been severely impacted by the Coronavirus.
The North Omaha and South Omaha communities have the highest number of documented cases in Douglas County.
The leadership groups and Governor Ricketts have also discussed the economic gaps, health disparities and underlying conditions that existed well before the virus and in some cases have been in place for decades.
Both groups acknowledge some important progress has been made during the previous 10 years, but much work lies ahead to fully close economic and health gaps.
Building on successful gains made in Omaha through collective work and the historic collaboration now occurring in North Omaha, Governor Ricketts and his team have agreed to work with the community in the following specific areas including, but not limited to:
Tracking of data by race, ethnicity and geography; assuring residents with COVID related illness have access to health care; expanding testing efforts; increasing access to masks; partnering with community-based health organizations and entities; engaging with North Omaha media; sharing plans designed to prevent the spread of the virus in prisons and jails; and assuring organizations and businesses in areas hit hardest by the virus receive equitable funding from federal, state and county allocations and investments.
Governor Ricketts has assigned Directors Dannette Smith – Health and Human Services, Anthony Goins – Economic Development and Scott Frakes – Corrections, to work with the African-American and North Omaha communities.
For more details, please review the 10 Point Action Plan, Commitments and Initial Actions. (Below)
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Official Press Release (May 22, 2020)
Gov. Ricketts Highlights Progress on Partnership with Omaha Communities on Coronavirus Response
LINCOLN – Today, Governor Ricketts provided an update on the State of Nebraska’s efforts to help communities in Omaha combat coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Since early May, Governor Ricketts has been engaging leaders in North and South Omaha during the current public health emergency to help slow the spread of the virus.
“Throughout the country, our minority populations have been disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus ,” said Governor Ricketts. “We are working with leaders in communities of color throughout the state to ensure all Nebraskans have access the health care, education, and resources for this public health emergency. Thank you to the leaders in North and South Omaha for working with the State to help address the issues that are most prevalent in their communities.”
The ten-point plan includes the following initiatives:
· Data Reporting: Tracking health data related to coronavirus based on race, ethnicity, and geography across the State.
o The State is working with local public health departments to track cases by race and ethnicity in statewide data reporting.
· Access to Care: Working with health care leaders in the community and with the State of Nebraska to ensure that no one is denied coronavirus related health services.
o Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has been working with healthcare providers in the community to assure them that they will be reimbursed for coronavirus related expenses. The Governor’s Office is working with community leaders to inform the public that testing is free even if an individual does not have health insurance and that no one will be denied treatment for coronavirus because of an inability to pay.
· Supporting Community Providers: Providing resources through healthcare facilities in North and South Omaha.
o The State is engaging directly with Charles Drew and One World Health to ensure testing and other resources are being provided to the community.
· Testing: Expanding testing in Omaha.
o In addition to working with community federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), the State is deploying Test Nebraska testing sites in Omaha to increase testing capacity and assist in alleviating the burden on local healthcare providers in the community.
· Masks: Increasing availability of masks for the community.
o DHHS and Governor’s Office are partnering with community leaders to increase messaging regarding the importance of wearing masks when out in public.
· Tracking Funding: Providing and tracking State and Federal coronavirus related funding for North and South Omaha.
o The State is working with Omaha leaders to establish a guideline for tracking coronavirus related funding as it relates to the communities of North and South Omaha.
· Corrections: Updating the community on the State’s plan to prevent spread of coronavirus in the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS).
o NDCS Director Scott Frakes participated in a call with Omaha leaders to address their concerns regarding the virus’ impact on the State’s correctional system.
· Unemployment: Assuring timely response regarding unemployment applications.
o Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL) Commissioner John Albin and NDOL have improved access to unemployment benefits by contracting with North End Teleservices to create a new call center for unemployment benefit claimants, with multiple bilingual customer service representatives available. NDOL has provided additional access to the unemployment program by teaming with Metro Community College (MCC) to create an access point at the Fort Dodge campus of MCC.
· Public Awareness: Collaborating with the Omaha community to expand messaging and education regarding coronavirus.
o The Governor’s Office has been working directly with the Black Media Collaborative/North Omaha Media Collaborative to deploy coronavirus messaging as part of a month-long communications campaign. The Governor’s Office is also working with Spanish media outlets to get messaging to those in which English is not their primary language.
· Future Growth: Partnering with leaders to address long-standing economic and health issues in North and South Omaha.
o Governor Ricketts has directed Nebraska Department of Economic Development Director Tony Goins and DHHS CEO Dannette Smith to work closely with the communities of North and South Omaha to address these issues. To date, task forces have been established that involve state, local, and industry leaders to focus on both of these areas.
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The North Omaha groups consist of hundreds of organizations, businesses, churches, neighborhood associations, media outlets and others representing and serving thousands of residents.
10 Point Action Plan to Prevent the Spread of COVID 19 and Work to Begin Addressing Short-term and Long-term Economic and Health Issues in North Omaha.
Developed with North Omaha Leaders/COVID Task Forces in partnership with Governor Ricketts and leaders from State Departments (April – May 2020; approved May 15, 2020)
1. Tracking data by race, ethnicity and geography across the state in a similar format to what Douglas County is currently implementing.
Commitment: Governor Ricketts agreed to have the Department of Health and Human Services to work with county officials to collect this important data.
Initial Action: The first report was released on May 30, 2020. Douglas County has gathered and reported data by race, ethnicity and geography from the beginning.
2. Working with Health systems CEO’s, DHHS and others to assure that no one facing Coronavirus issues is denied health services during this time.
Commitment: Governor Ricketts agreed to have his team work with CEO’s and other health organizations to assure that no Nebraskan will be turned away from health services related to COVID. And, Governor Ricketts made the commitment that health organization would be reimbursed for services provided to those with COVID related sickness.
Initial Actions: Meetings have been held with health organizations and this message has been communicated. No Nebraskan will be refused access to healthcare related to COVID 19. Cares funding also assures no one will be turned away because of COVID 19.
3. Provide funding to support Charles Drew Health Center, One World Health Center, Center for Holistic Development and North Omaha Area Health clinic who all provide culturally specific and valuable leadership and health services in North and South Omaha. The funding opportunities will address physical and mental health.
Commitment: Governor Ricketts agreed to identify funding opportunities for communities most impacted by COVID 19 including North and South Omaha.
Initial Actions: Governor Ricketts and his team are identifying opportunities that can be connected to North and South Omaha and other areas severely impacted by COVID 19. Follow up meetings are scheduled to identify and secure specific funding through grant application processes and direct allocation to communities most impacted. Several meetings have been held with HHS Mental Health team. A proposal is under consideration by DHHS.
4. Increase the access to testing. Reinforce the need for testing.
Commitment: Governor Ricketts agreed to the importance of expanded testing.
Initial Actions: Governor Ricketts launched TestNebraska, a major statewide initiative which will help identify geographic areas to focus on and lead to contact tracing to prevent further spread. The state of Nebraska will partner with Charles Drew and One World in the local community. The One World implementation started on Thursday, May 14th. Charles Drew implementation has also started.
5. Push for more masks and face coverings to be made available in North and South Omaha.
Commitment: Governor Ricketts agreed to support efforts in Douglas County to make more masks available.
Initial Actions: Douglas County and others have made over 26,000 masks available within the past two weeks for North and South Omaha. African-American and North Omaha leaders will be working with Douglas County and other to make more masks available.
6. Identify the funding allocated for Nebraska through the Federal Cares program which has made $1.099 billion available to the State and $160 million to Douglas County to address COVID 19 issues. Assure that North and South Omaha receive equitable funding from Federal and State sources. And, use scorecards for tracking and reporting purposes.
Commitment: The State has agreed to track by category and department the amount allocated and invested/spent with North and South Omaha organizations.
Initial Actions: A draft tracking report has been created and a diversity and inclusion scorecard. The State of Nebraska has identified plans to allocate the funds by category.
7. Formally address the plan to prevent spread of COVID in State Corrections without sharing sensitive safety procedures.
Commitment: Governor Ricketts agreed to have Director Scott Frakes share plans without sensitive safety procedures. Governor Ricketts also committed to testing incarcerated individuals if an incident occurs.
Initial Actions: A follow-up conference call with State Corrections Director Scott Frakes and DC Jail Director Michael Myers was very productive. As of June 13, 2020, nine state employees have been diagnosed with COVID and have been quarantined. One incarcerated individuals has tested positive in State Corrections. All institutions have comprehensive plans in place. As of June 11th, all incarcerated individuals can be tested within the state corrections system.
8. Assure that unemployment claims are met on a timely basis.
Commitment: Governor Ricketts and his team were already working to increase staffing to support faster service. Staff has increased from 35 to over 160. Governor Ricketts was open to a proposal to help increase capacity in Douglas County with emphasis on Heartland Workforce Solutions.
Initial Actions: Staff has been increased from 35 to over 160. Barriers are being reduced. Governor Ricketts is considering additional funding to support Heartland Workforce Solutions to assist with unemployment work in North and South Omaha.
9. Working with North and South Omaha media to spread the Stay Home, Stay Safe and Support the Village campaign which also incorporates the Governor’s six point plan to Stay Healthy. (campaign should include physical and mental health)
Commitment: Governor Ricketts agreed to support PSA’s and personal participation with radio interviews. The communications team is reviewing COVID 19 funding to assess the ability to invest in education campaigns. Governor Ricketts also committed to assuring communications materials for education, resources and promotional materials will be culturally specific.
Initial Actions: Governor Ricketts has been a special guest on three African-American radio stations in North Omaha. In addition, the State of Nebraska has actively participated with the communications strategy in North Omaha and South Omaha. The leadership group working with Black/North Omaha media and Hispanic/South Omaha media are presenting a long-term communications and outreach plan. The State of Nebraska has started advertising campaigns on the three radio stations.
10. In addition to the 10 Point Plan, Governor Ricketts and his team will work with North and South Omaha on an expanded short-term and long-term economic and health transformation strategy to address long-standing issues and gaps. Make the state of Nebraska a thriving and prosperous state in every county for all people including all races, ethnicities and zip codes in rural and urban communities with a special and intense focus on North and South Omaha which have suffered decades of health disparities driven by socio-economic issues.
Commitment: Governor Ricketts agreed to partner with the North and South Omaha leadership groups to develop and implement strategies to address short-term and long-term economic and health issues that addressed before COVID 19. Some of the immediate needs are directly related to the success of small businesses.
Initial Actions: Governor Ricketts and Tony Goins, Director of Economic Development for the State of Nebraska have created task forces to specifically address COVID related business issues.
Governor Ricketts has agreed to on-going planning and strategy sessions to work with the North Omaha and South Omaha leadership groups to implement targeted strategies.
Governor Ricketts is working with African-American leaders to implement the programs and Anthony Goins, Director of Economic Development, Dannette Smith, Director of Health and Human Services and Scott Frakes, Director of Corrections are working directly with leaders to move things forward.
Community Features
Experienced Community Banker, Karnetta Rushing joins the Carver Legacy Center team
Community Features
Confirmation and Momentum: May 2025 was a historic and unprecedented time
On a personal and professional level, the month of May 2025 was incredibly confirming. Game changing. Unprecedented. Historic. It was a time of confirmation, transition and transformation.
I had the opportunity to present in New York at a national Black economic summit that featured Governor Wes Moore, Killer Mike – musical artist and entrepreneur, CEO’s, investors, funders, researchers, media execs and many others. The keynote presentations and points of emphasis all completely confirmed the models we have been implementing for the past 18 years and the next phase we are preparing to launch.
I then woke up at 3 am to board a flight after the two-day event to get back in time to facilitate a leadership meeting and then a separate conversation about voter turnout and mobilization. More confirmation about the expansion of the model.
My friend and one of the original members of the Empowerment Network and Omaha 360, John Ewing was elected as Mayor of Omaha. The first Black mayor elected in the city! A committed leader and man of God, who has served this community with passion and excellence for 40+ years. We have worked together for over 20+ years and the visions we discussed are becoming reality. Great things ahead.
The next day was the start of our 18th Annual Rebuilding the Village Conference with national guests from eight different cities focused on creating safe, thriving, and prosperous communities. This year was different as we redesigned and dedicated the conference to elevating deeper collaboration, rediscovering economic self-sufficiency, building wealth, pooling, and investing resources and working together toward community transformation.
One of the most significant moments was having the opportunity to facilitate a panel featuring representatives from some of the most successful Black Wall Streets in the history of this nation. A long-held vision! For years I have researched Black Wall Streets and now have the opportunity to document the keys to success. Absolute confirmation.
I was also blessed to have the opportunity to recognize JoAnna LeFlore Ejike and the Malcolm X Foundation for their work and in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Malcolm X’s birth. JoAnna shared some key information regarding why Malcolm’s dad moved to Omaha, and I have always appreciated Malcolm’s message of self-help.
We also celebrated our National Empowerment Champion, Ryana Parks Shaw, Mayor Pro Tem from Kansas City. She has led many projects and she’s an incredible champion for the Empowerment Network, KC 360 and KC United for Public Safety. She introduced and led the approval of a $30 million fund to support community-based violence prevention and intervention efforts in KC. She shows what’s possible through strong leadership skills, effective policy making and commitment to community.
A week later, my daughter graduated from high school. What an incredible blessing. My son, mother and stepfather joined us along with many members of Priscilla’s village. She had a great experience at Central and is now headed to UNL.
Then last week, after an intense 360 meeting that I’ll speak more on very soon, we loaded a bus to Tulsa’s Black Wall Street to present the collective action plan that I have facilitated with the engagement of 250+ Black leaders and change makers we’ve convened collectively with a planning team. It is already producing fruit.
In addition, we took 25 Omaha entrepreneurs, community builders and national strategic partners to Tulsa this past week. I had the opportunity to introduce the comprehensive model that I have been developing, piloting, and evolving for nearly 35 years. The response to the models and framework has been overwhelmingly positive.
While in Tulsa, we launched the next phase of the Revive Black Business Network and Empowerment Network. We focused intensely on relationship development, business connections and exchanges, fund development and access to capital, housing and development, history and cultural tourism, and education and youth development. We had the strongest feedback of any session we have facilitated. Let me just say some strategic business relationships were established and expanded.
History was made again. We met with Mayor Monroe Nichols in Tulsa, Oklahoma home of Greenwood’s Black Wall Street on our Rebuild and Transform Tour. The first Black Mayor of Tulsa. He was also part of our State of Black Tulsa Summit.
104 years after the massacre with two survivors in the audience. He announced the establishment of the Greenwood Trust which will include an initial $105 million to help begin to address home ownership, business loans and other economic development initiatives to further reinvest in rebuilding Greenwood!
As he met with us on Friday, May 31st, he sees the Tulsa Empowerment Network as a key partner on the journey. Congratulations to all of our friends and partners in Tulsa. Thankful to be a part of this next phase.
It was truly a transformational month. I finally feel free to speak more openly about the bigger picture and I am incredibly encouraged by the confirmation coming from thousands of participants, partners, and supporters from across the country and even internationally.
I am now preparing to release some significant pieces including an article I have been working on and updating for five years. The article will be an introduction to some upcoming books. Thank you, Jesus!
Momentum is building and accelerating. Grateful to so many supporters and partners in Omaha and across the country. Walking in faith. Walking in purpose.
Get engaged. Stay engaged! Let’s build together.
Community Features
95% increase in the number of Black-owned businesses with employees in Omaha
A recent story by the Brookings Institution highlights a 95% increase in the number of Black-owned businesses with employees in the Omaha metro.
The Brookings reports leads with the statement that Black-owned businesses are driving economic growth in America.
The report uses data from the Census Bureau’s Annual Business Survey showing an increase of 182 Black-owned businesses with employees in Omaha from 2017 to 2022.
That is great news for the organizations and businesses working to increase the number and size of Black-owned businesses.
“This is incredible. A 95% surge in Black-owned businesses with employees in Omaha is more than a statistic—it’s a testament to resilience, innovation, and economic empowerment,” said Frank Hayes, CEO and Founder of Hayes & Associates. “This growth fuels generational wealth, strengthens communities, and drives the local economy forward. When Black businesses thrive, Omaha thrives!”
The Brookings report shows that minority businesses are driving economic growth in the entire country.
Some neighboring cities in the Midwest and partner cities also performed very well when it comes to increasing the number of Black owned businesses.
“We set a goal in 2015 to work together to help create or scale 250 more Black-owned businesses with employees by 2025,” said Willie Barney, CEO of the Empowerment Network and co-owner of the Revive Black Business Network and Carver Legacy Center. “We’ve partnered with many organizations to host expos, markets, workshops, networking events and assist with raising capital and securing investments.”
“Even with the pandemic, we have collectively made substantial and measurable progress. This proves what can be accomplished in just five years and we want to help create or scale 250 more businesses before 2030.”
Locally, there are many support organizations and the entrepreneurs working to make things happen in Omaha:
- Nebraska Enterprise Fund
- Grow Nebraska
- Omaha 100
- Start Center
- Omaha Economic Development Corporation
- Revive Black Business Network
- Empowerment Network
- Carver Legacy Center
- Metro Omaha Women’s Business Center
- Hayes & Associates
- Business Seals
- Small Business Administration
- DreamBusiness
- Greater Omaha Chamber
- Urban League of Nebraska
- Midlands African-Chamber
- and others are focused on entrepreneurship and business growth.
“When we invest in small businesses, we invest in the heartbeat of our communities. These businesses don’t just provide services, they create jobs, generate local spending, and fuel economic growth. By empowering entrepreneurs in low to moderate-income communities, we build ecosystems of opportunity where every dollar earned circulates locally, strengthening neighborhoods and paving the way for generational prosperity,” said Veta Jeffery, CEO of Jeffery Consulting.
“These achievements are encouraging and proof that the focus on building an entrepreneurial economy-system is vital to building vibrant communities,” said Jim Reiff, Executive Director of Nebraska Enterprise Fund. “While a confirmation of our collective efforts, I see this as a call to action for the next five years and beyond. Each small business that expands or successfully starts improves all of the community.”
MOVING FORWARD
“The timing is perfect for this report as we turn our attention to Transformation 2030,” said Barney. “This should be a celebration point for Omaha and other cities and also inspire us all to push even harder after seeing what is possible.”
Investments through the North and South Omaha Recovery Program and other sources should help accelerate the pace of growth even more in Omaha over the next five years.
The additional funding is made possible through the partnership of the community and leadership of Senators Justin Wayne and Terrell McKinney to gain passage of LB1024 and LB531.
After a nearly unanimous vote in the Nebraska State Legislature and the signatures of former Governor Pete Ricketts and current Governor Jim Pillen, the legislation became law.
Awards were announced in January 2024 and The Department of Economic Development has led the allocation of funding and many Black-owned businesses benefitted from grants ranging from $50,000 to $2,000,000.
The future $30 million investment in the IHUB and $90 million business park in North Omaha will also make an impact.
These funds and other strategic investments will support the continued progress and help to increase the number of Black-owned businesses with employees. It also has an impact on future generations.
“When young people grow up seeing businesses start and thrive around them, they begin to dream bigger, knowing they, too, can build and contribute. This cycle of inspiration and opportunity fuels long-term economic resilience, ensuring that thriving businesses lead to thriving communities for generations to come,” said Jeffery.
Read the full Brookings report here: Driving prosperity: How Black-owned businesses fueled recent economic growth
For a listing of Black-owned businesses in Omaha. Revive Black Business Guide – Revive! Omaha
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More Details by Sector:
Analysis by Raheem Sanders, CEO of PPRP Innovations.
The growth in Black-owned businesses has not been confined to a single industry – it has been spread across multiple sectors of Omaha’s economy, with every major industry seeing increases. A U.S. Census Business analysis noted that from 2017 to 2019, the number of Black-owned firms grew in all sectors of the U.S. economy, and this broad-based growth has been reflected in Omaha as well.
Growth by Sector:
- Health Care & Social Assistance has been the #1 industry for Black-owned businesses in Omaha by total count of firms. In 2022, there were about 75 Black-owned health care/social assistance firms with employees, making up roughly 20% of all Black-owned employer businesses in Omaha. This sector saw about +56% growth from ~48 firms in 2017 to 75 in 2022. Nationwide, health care is also the top industry for Black business owners (49,872 such firms in 2022) (4).
- Professional & Technical Services and Construction each account for ~10–12% of Omaha’s Black-owned firms. By 2022, there were roughly 45 Black-owned professional service firms and 37 construction companies in Omaha – both nearly doubling since 2015.
- Other Services (personal services, nonprofits, etc.) nearly doubled to 30 by 2022.
- Transportation & Warehousing saw explosive growth from about 12 to 37 firms (~200% increase). Nationally, transportation/warehousing was the fastest-growing sector for Black owned businesses (nearly +150% from 2017–2022) (4).
- Administrative & Support Services also doubled (from ~15 to 30).
- Retail Trade and Accommodation/Food Services each expanded significantly (~100% growth).
- Real Estate doubled from ~6 to 15 (≈+150%), mirroring a national real estate surge (~102% growth) (4).
- Finance & Insurance remains the smallest category (growing from ~2–3 to ~4).
(Data Sources: Estimates for 2015–2017 are based on available Census percentages (1) and Omaha’s share of statewide data. Actual 2022 figures from Census/Brookings Institution (3)(4). 2025 is a projection assuming continued growth. All figures rounded.)