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)
__________________________________________________
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.
_____________________________________________
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.
NEWS
20th Anniversary Leadership Conference; career advancement, entrepreneurship & community impact
Community Features
Thinking Big & Bold; $14 Million Development in North Omaha
By Co-Publisher, Willie D. Barney, July 2026
How a 12-year vision, bold partners, and persistence helped bring a $14 million job creation project to North Omaha.
A quick story about thinking big and bold. I realized this week that I never shared this behind-the-scenes piece I wrote a few months ago, when OEDC and CHI formally announced a $14 million job creation project that will bring 100 jobs to North Omaha. For me, this project is more than a building, more than a headline, and more than a ribbon cutting. It is a reminder of what can happen when we cast a vision, stay persistent, and believe that our community deserves solutions at scale.
North Omaha has always had talent, faith, creativity, entrepreneurs, families, leaders, and people ready to work. What we have not always had is the level of investment, access, and opportunity needed to match that talent. That is why this announcement matters. It shows what is possible when institutions listen, community leaders push, and partners are bold enough to stay at the table even when the work gets hard.
The Question That Opened the Door
Twelve years ago, I was in a meeting with Ann Schumacher, Pete Festersen, and Kevin Nokels, former vice president at CHI Health. We were discussing partnerships between the Empowerment Network and CHI Health to address needs in the community. Most of the conversation focused on health, which was important and needed. But I kept coming back to another part of community health: jobs, careers, and wages.
We talked initially about Step-Up and filling existing positions. Then Kevin leaned over and said something that stuck with me: “Why don’t you ask us to do something really BIG?”
WOW. I loved it. We were in the early days of creating the Transformation 2025 plan, and we were talking about taking solutions to scale. Kevin opened the door to do exactly that.
From an Idea to a Community Vision
After taking some time to think and pray about it, I called Kevin and said, “What if CHI could help with job creation by bringing one of their business units to North Omaha? What if that move could help address unemployment and create opportunities for entrepreneurs to do business?”
Kevin said, “Now you are talking.”
That was the beginning of a long journey. I asked Vicki Quaites-Ferris, our VP of Operations, to join me, and we started meeting with Kevin and members of his team to figure out ways to make it happen. As the idea gained momentum, we knew we needed a developer. I reached out to Michael Maroney because we had been working together for years on other initiatives. Michael joined in and made a commitment for OEDC to use its expertise and experience to help bring the vision to reality.
The Long Road to Fruition
We went through all kinds of plans, strategies, designs, and proposals. We looked at dozens of locations and buildings throughout North Omaha. We had one in the historic 24th and Lake area that was almost there, but we could not get it across the finish line. We looked at North 30th, Ames, 16th Street, and other locations.
There were barriers. Challenges. Changes in leadership. Then the pandemic hit, causing even more delays. If you have ever been part of real community development work, you know it rarely moves in a straight line. It takes vision, patience, faith, relationships, and a lot of people who refuse to give up.
Through it all, Michael Maroney and Pete Festersen kept pushing forward. I have not been as involved the last four years, other than working with State Senators to help get state funds approved through LB531. But Michael, Pete, OEDC staff, CHI leaders, elected officials, funders, and many others stayed with it and finally brought it to fruition.
A Win Bigger Than One Project
Now, North Omaha will see a $14 million project that is expected to generate more than 100 jobs with competitive wages and benefits. It will also double CHI’s capacity to serve meals across the region. That is impact. That is investment. That is what happens when a community-centered idea is given room to grow into something transformational.
I think it is important to say this plainly: Black communities deserve more than programs that manage poverty. We deserve investments that create ownership, jobs, careers, contracts, business opportunities, and generational impact. We deserve partners who do not just come to the community for meetings, but who are willing to bring real projects, real dollars, and real opportunity.
The Lesson: Ask Big, Stay Bold
This project reminds me why we have to keep thinking big. Sometimes the first idea is not big enough. Sometimes the first location does not work. Sometimes the timeline stretches far beyond what we expected. But when the vision is rooted in community and the partners remain committed, the outcome can still be powerful.
I am incredibly encouraged to see what is possible when we think big, cast a bold vision, and work with partners who are willing to stick with it even when it gets hard. Congratulations to OEDC and CHI Health. This is a big win for North Omaha, for the city, and for the region.
NEWS
Rebuilding the Village Conference Brings Local, National Leaders to Omaha
OMAHA, Neb. (May 15, 2026) — The Empowerment Network convened local, national and international leaders May 6-8 in Omaha for the 19th annual Rebuilding the Village Conference, a three-day gathering focused on collaboration, economic opportunity and community transformation.
“For nearly two decades, Rebuilding the Village has been a place where people come together to share what is working, learn from one another and strengthen the relationships needed to move communities forward,” said Willie Barney, CEO & Founder, Empowerment Network.
The conference brought together community leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, policymakers, advocates and residents for keynote conversations, breakout sessions and strategy discussions focused on safer neighborhoods, stronger families, entrepreneurship, education, housing, reentry, violence prevention and Transformation 2030.
The conference concluded Friday, May 8, at the Hilton Omaha Downtown with the Rebuilding the Village Conference and Luncheon. The day’s theme, “Intentional Collaboration: Working Together to Create Places Where We Can All Win,” guided conversations on measurable, community-led progress.
“For nearly two decades, Rebuilding the Village has been a place where people come together to share what is working, learn from one another and strengthen the relationships needed to move communities forward,” said Willie Barney, CEO and founder of the Empowerment Network. “This year was especially important as we advanced Transformation 2030 and focused on the next level of intentional collaboration.”
Transformation 2030 builds on the Empowerment Network’s work in North Omaha and partner cities, with goals tied to education, employment, housing, entrepreneurship, health, public safety, civic engagement and community development. The initiative includes goals of 100% of students reading on grade level, a 90%-plus high school graduation rate, 2,000 families connected to higher-wage jobs, 250 businesses launched or scaled with employees, 2,500 housing units developed, 60% homeownership in North Omaha and a 50% reduction in gun violence and incarceration.
Photo: Thelma French, CEO of Total Community Action, New Orleans
The conference featured speakers and representatives from Omaha and other cities, including Cleveland, Durham, North Carolina; Kansas City, Missouri; Lansing, Michigan; Minneapolis; New Orleans; St. Louis; Syracuse, New York; and Tulsa, Oklahoma. Sessions highlighted strategies in education, housing, business growth, workforce development, violence prevention, cultural tourism, health access, fund development, neighborhood revitalization and communications.
Breakout sessions focused on reaching education goals, creating housing through innovation and collaboration, doubling the number of Black-owned businesses with employees, connecting residents to higher-wage careers, reducing violence while decreasing arrests and juvenile detention, expanding cultural tourism and improving access to quality health care.
“Rebuilding the Village continues to be a powerful platform for bringing people together around what works,” said Jonathan Chapman, vice president of community collaboratives for the Empowerment Network. “The value is in the relationships, the shared learning and the commitment to take practical strategies back into neighborhoods, organizations and cities.”
The luncheon keynote panel focused on the national and global expansion of intentional collaboration through Empowerment Network 360, Village Strategies and Business Exchanges. National leaders shared lessons from their local work and discussed how coordinated, community-driven strategies can strengthen neighborhoods and expand opportunity.
The Rebuilding the Village Conference also served as a platform for advancing the Empowerment Network’s broader mission of connecting people and partners, communicating solutions and collaborating to address community issues. Since 2006, more than 10,000 residents and hundreds of partners have worked through the Network to support progress in jobs, safety, education, housing and health.
“Events like Rebuilding the Village are so important because they showcase Black talent locally and nationally in a way people don’t always get to see,” said Sheri Moore, Rebuilding the Village vendor and founder, Valincia’s Daughter. “They also create space for Black entrepreneurs who may not always have a place to sell their products and connect with the community.”
Rebuilding the Village is supported by sponsors like American National Bank/Associated Bank, Carver Legacy Center, CHI Health, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and PPRP Innovations, along with partners including The Charles E. Lakin Foundation, the Obama Foundation’s My Brother’s Keeper Alliance (MBK), Revive and Weitz Family Foundation.
As a My Brother’s Keeper Model Community, MBK Omaha and the Empowerment Network are working with partners to build safer communities and connect more young people to opportunity. MBK Omaha was selected as a Model Community for demonstrating population-level impact in Milestone 6, focused on keeping youth safe from violent crime and providing second chances.
In alignment with the purpose of the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, this year’s conference includes sessions focused on driving change, investing in the community, supporting students and helping them identify their strengths, gifts and talents.
To learn more about the Rebuilding the Village Conference, visit empoweromaha.com
