Community Features
Over 300 leaders gathered virtually for 9th Annual AALC
Published: September 27, 2020
The Empowerment Network’s 9th Annual African-American Leadership Conference was held virtually on Thursday and Friday, Sept 24th and 25th.
Hundreds of leaders and influencers convened with the understanding that the economic progress of African-Americans has a direct and positive impact on people of all races and ethnicities.
Research conducted by MAPA shows that in the Omaha/Council Bluffs region, the area would experience an increase of $4 billion in economic activity by addressing racial inequities and maximizing its diversity.
The AALC event has grown into one of the largest gatherings of African-American leaders in the nation focused on economic progress and closing wealth, health and educational gaps.
The theme this year was “The Turning Point and a New Path Forward.”
“After an unprecedented year of addressing what can be considered as four pandemics, including health, economics, police/community tensions and racial justice, African-American leaders and allies from across the country gathered virtually for two days of inspiring and results-oriented discussion, strategy and action,” said Willie Barney, President of the Empowerment Network.
“We believe this year, even with all of its challenges, can be a year of transformation for African-Americans and others.”
“We really focused attention on ownership, wealth and career advancement,” said Vicki Quaites-Ferris, Director of Operations for the Empowerment Network. “This was one of the best groups of national, regional and local speakers we’ve ever had for the conference.”
National strategist and thought leaders joined local and regional experts to focus on solutions including career advancement, entrepreneurship, home ownership, revitalization, reducing violence, educating and preparing our youth, improving access to health and healthy foods and building stronger communities.
Thursday night kicked off with a powerful presentation by Dr. Randal Pinkett, CEO of BCT Partners, on the benefits of racial equity and diversity. And, for the first time, the conference featured a special regional panel.
Leaders from Minneapolis, Ferguson/St. Louis, Kansas City, Madison, Quad-Cities and Cleveland discussed the racial disparities faced by African-Americans in the Midwest and the innovative solutions being implemented on the ground in those cities to address the gaps.
Mayor Melvin Carter, the first African-American mayor of Saint Paul, Minnesota participated in a lively and informative session focused on public policy to directly address poverty and building wealth.
Teresa Hunter, CEO of Family Housing Advisory Services and John Ewing, Douglas County Treasurer, shared briefly about the collective and collaborative strategies that resulted in measurable outcomes for African-Americans in Omaha, pre-Covid, and new recommendations to maintain and accelerate progress during and beyond the crisis. Cities from across the nation have expressed an interest in replicating models developed and implemented in Omaha to reduce unemployment, decrease gun violence, improve educational outcomes and catalyze large scale revitalization.
Hall of Fame business leader, George Fraser, CEO of FraserNet along with Dr. Pamela Jolly, CEO of Torch Enterprises and Jaylen Bledsoe, 22 year old CEO of Bledsoe Collective, closed out the evening with a national panel examining how the simultaneous pandemics are impacting African-Americans across the country and outlining strategies to transform this moment into a turning point.
Friday was a full day of large group keynote presentations from the main auditorium and interactive breakout sessions featuring national and local speakers focused on addressing poverty and closing gaps by building wealth. The virtual conference web-site was designed by Michael Young of Technology Consulting Solutions and Jonathan Chapman of the Empowerment Network and Church on Purpose. Chapman also managed the production of the two days of interactive media and speakers.
The day started with a historical look at how policies and systems have impacted African-Americans and created some of the issues faced today including tension between police and black communities and the large and growing wealth gap.
Barry Thomas, Director of Equity and Inclusion at Omaha Public Schools and former Director of Social Studies, gave a compelling presentation on the history of African-Americans in the state including the parents of Malcolm X. Thomas pointed out that the state of Nebraska came in to existence partly because of the Haitian revolution which caused France to sell land to the United States known as the Louisiana Purchase.
Morning presentations and panels followed focused on building wealth, scaling black-owned businesses, advancing careers, and implementing effective equity and diversity plans.
Dr. Pamela Jolly delivered an insightful piece on key aspects for building wealth and announced the launch of 2nd cohort of the Omaha Legacy Wealth Initiative. David Stevens, Senior Financial Consultant and Certified Financial Planner at TD Ameritrade provided an insightful overview of key considerations for making strategic investments.
Pastor Martin Williams, pastor of Ambassador Worship Center and CEO of Barak II, LLC, a real estate development and investment company, provided attendees with the ACCESS code for scaling black businesses. BC Clark, manager at Nebraska Enterprise Fund, gave 12 key elements and secrets to help black businesses create jobs. Candice Price, owner of two businesses including HomeTeam Auto, highlighted important solutions to help black business with growth.
Dr. Randal Pinkett and three members of the Redefine the Game cohort gave a stirring, challenging and empowering presentation on the topic bringing our authentic selves into the work environment. Pinkett played a video clip featuring the late Chadwick Boseman as he played one of his most memorable roles, Jackie Robinson in 42. “God made me to last,” Robinson replied after being challenged by racists as he broke the color barrier in the major leagues.
Dr. Strong, Director of Inclusion at UNMC, sent a special message for women in the audience in recognition of the decision regarding Breonna Taylor. Dr. Chris Whitt, Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion at Creighton University, reminded attendees that they cannot leave their identity and who they are at home. And, LaKeisha Gatson-Dunham shared wisdom about advancing in the corporate Omaha while still being authentic. All said the Redefine the Game Institute was a great place to network, build a cohort of strength and helped them to confirm their purpose.
For the fourth year in a row, a panel of local CEOs highlighted their personal and professional commitments to support African-American led initiatives and strategies.
The conference included announcements of Big and Bold Commitments and Actions from CEO’s and other leaders as part of the next phase of the Transformation 2025 plan.
One CEO gave a preliminary report of partnering with the Network and others to bring as many as 200 jobs to North Omaha. A formal announcement is coming soon.
Another CEO provided an updated on the innovative partnership with the Carver Legacy Center and a commitment to assist with community revitalization efforts.
The final CEO on the panel gave an overview of his companies commitment to do more business with black-owned and minority-owned businesses.
These are just a few examples from three of 15 CEO’s that have made Big & Bold Commitments. More announcements are coming in the next few months.
Participants were encouraged to purchase lunch from black owned restaurants. In addition, throughout the day attendees participated in online networking sessions, interacted with speakers and attended a virtual black business expo. A number of businesses presented their products and services in a virtual environment.
John Beasley, a North Omaha native, was recognized with the African-American Legends Award for his international work and success in the areas of acting, directing and producing.
The afternoon featured well-attended sessions on: addressing racial unrest and the health pandemic; preparing youth to lead; creating new models for black-led revitalization; developing districts and spaces where African-Americans and others can gather socially for arts, culture and entertainment; and mobilizing voters to impact policy.
National leaders and Strategic Advisors included: George Fraser, CEO – FraserNet; Dr. Randal Pinkett, CEO –BCT Partners; Dr. Pamela Jolly, CEO – Torch Enterprises; Marshawn Evans-Daniels, CEO – FaithPreneur; Jaylen Bledsoe, CEO – Bledsoe Collective; Shawn Dove, CEO – Black Male Achievement and Mayor Melvin Carter, first African-American mayor of St. Paul, Minnesota.
Regional speakers and panelists included: Tawanna Black, CEO and Founder – Center for Economic Inclusion; Dr. John Odom, Founder of Charles Hamilton Houston Institute; Dr. Lance McCarthy, Founder – Ferguson 1000; Klassie Alcine – Executive Director – KC Common Good; and Tracy Singleton, Director Quad-City Empowerment Network.
Local leaders included: Dr. Cheryl Logan –Superintendent-Omaha Public Schools; John Ewing, Jr. – Douglas County Treasurer; Ben Gray – City Councilman – District 2; Richard Webb – CEO – 100 Black Men of Omaha; and 30+ speakers and panelists.
Community Features
Revive Black Business Summit launches new phase of collective economic growth
Building Wealth and Community by Expanding Businesses, Creating Profits and Advancing Careers.
By: Willie D. Barney, Co-owner Revive and Carver Legacy Center
Our first Revive Black Business Summit and Business Exchange for 2026 was held on Saturday, January 10th at the Revive Center Omaha – 24th and Lake, hosted by Willie and Yolanda Barney, focused on working together to double the number of Black Businesses with Employees.
Dreams and Visions are becoming reality. On Saturday, January 10, 2026, seventy Black business owners and entrepreneurs convened at our first Revive Black Business Summit of the year. This event was one of our best yet. Networking. Learning. Sharing. Business Exchange. Inspiration. Resources. Funding.
Yolanda and I have hosted these networking, business exchange and capacity-building events for 12 years. We have been blessed to work with over four hundred Black business owners and entrepreneurs in Omaha and hundreds more across the country.
We set a goal 22 years ago to help support, promote, connect, launch, and grow Black businesses. Saturday’s event at the Revive Center at 24th and Lake shows the incredible things happening in Omaha for Black businesses and the ever-increasing possibilities.
The Brookings Institution highlighted a 95% increase in Black Businesses with employees in Omaha. Our next goal is to help double the number of Black businesses with employees and create over 3,000 more jobs.
On Saturday, we had a number of owners in attendance running multi-million-dollar businesses and others who are at the start-up phase. The sharing of information, contacts and business exchange was real and impactful.
Carmen Tapio, CEO and Founder of North End Teleservices, is a notable example as she launched her business in the face of challenges to access capital even though she came with global experience and had helped others build extraordinarily successful businesses. She overcame those obstacles and now leads the largest Black owned business in the state, creating hundreds of jobs and careers. NET has been recognized as one of the fastest growing businesses in the country.
Tapio highlighted some keys to success: It starts with faith. Form partnerships. Don’t quit. “If it’s in your heart, if it’s in your spirit, don’t quit! There is a pathway there for you. It is not a straight line.”
Raheem Sanders, MPH Sanders, CEO and Managing Partner of PPRP, a national data, research and evaluation firm shared insights on how to grow profits and build community effectively by maximizing AI and data.
Sanders emphasized AI should be used to increase your sales, revenue and profits, not just to save money. “It should make you even more productive. Go from 2-3 proposals in a month to 10-20 proposals.”
Keele Taylor MA,PHR,SHRM-CP Taylor, CEO of HR-Minded with 20 years of experience and a growing national client base provided insights for hiring, onboarding, retention and preparing your business for growth and staying compliant while doing so.
“Onboarding starts from the moment you post your position,” said Taylor. “My job is to help you stay compliant in all areas of HR, not just hiring.”
Candice Price, serial entrepreneur and community builder, co-owner of HomeTeam Auto and several other enterprises, presented strategies to generate multiple streams of income. Growing from an initial investment of $1,750 to co-owning businesses worth millions.
“Partnerships are essential,” said Price. “And, don’t take no for a final answer. Don’t let a no shut you down. There are others out there who will help you.”
Phillip McClain, CEO of the Mensch Group provided an overview of the exciting new projects he is working on to build community through innovations in real estate. He is currently leading a $20 million development in North Omaha and has offices in Chicago and cities.
“I’m excited to bring even more innovative developments and options to North Omaha,” said McClain.
We were also blessed to have numerous resource organizations with us providing funding, training and expertise: Carver Legacy Center, Omaha 100, Nebraska Opportunity Exchange, Hayes & Associates and HR-Minded.
Thank you, Carver Legacy, and HR-Minded for helping to sponsor the event.
Our next Summit is coming up March 7th. Learn more at reviveomaha.com. Omaha is on the move. Come grow with us!
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Community Features
Christmas in the Village at 24th and Lake Draws Thousands to North Omaha for 15th Annual Celebration
OMAHA, Neb. (Dec. 21, 2025) — Thousands gathered in North Omaha on Saturday, Dec. 6, for the 15th annual Christmas in the Village, a vibrant holiday festival that brought economic energy and community pride to the 24th & Lake district.
“Since the launch of Christmas in the Village, new organizations, businesses and venues have opened in the historic district,” said Willie Barney, CEO and founder, Empowerment Network. “These events attract families, visitors and tourists that support the arts and cultural venues and shop with the vendors and businesses. Businesses report this as one of their top sales days and a significant way to gain new customers that come back throughout the year.”
Christmas in the Village brought residents, families and community members together to experience live entertainment, carriage rides, arts and crafts, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus and shopping in the holiday boutique. The celebration spanned from 24th & Ohio to 24th & Burdette.
“Christmas in the Village is one of North Omaha’s most beautiful traditions,” said Kimara Snipes, executive director, One Omaha. “Black joy on full display. Kids running around with cocoa and candy canes. Families taking pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Live music, small businesses lined up, people hugging in the street like a big family reunion right in the heart of our community. This is what it looks like when we invest in ourselves. This is what it looks like when a vision turns into a tradition.”
Organized in partnership with the Omaha Economic Development Corporation (OEDC) and dozens of community businesses, the event has served as a critical economic engine for the area.
“The important thing about Christmas in the Village, or events like this, is that it brings communities together,” said Buey Ray Tut, CEO of Spark and event vendor. “It brings people together, and it gives us pride in the community that we live in. So I not only think it’s an important event, I think it’s a critical event for our community to grow and thrive.”
More than 100 local businesses, organizations, artists and ministries participated in this weekend’s event, continuing a tradition of community collaboration and economic support that has grown steadily since the festival’s inception in 2011.
“I can’t believe it’s been 15 years since we’ve had the privilege to host this amazing holiday tradition in North Omaha,” said Vicki Quaites-Ferris, VP of Community Development for the Empowerment Network and Christmas in the Village Event Director. “We started out with 1,000 visitors and have since grown to host well over 10,000. Bringing joy to children and families while creating wonderful memories to last a lifetime is something I am proud to have been a part of.”
She added, “We have been blessed with businesses, organizations, churches, and families who have supported us each year. I am already looking forward to hosting the 16th Annual Christmas in the Village at 24th and Lake on Saturday, December 5, 2026.”
This year’s sponsors included American National Bank, Charles Drew Health Center, Douglas County Visitor Improvement Fund, KETV, Nebraska Department of Economic Development, Revive! Omaha and Veridian Credit Union. Supported by the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance (MBK Alliance), a program of The Obama Foundation, the Empowerment Network is committed to building safer environments for all residents by increasing educational and career success while reducing violent crime.
To learn more about Empowerment Network and Christmas in the Village, visit https://empoweromaha.com/.
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About the Empowerment Network
The Empowerment Network is a nonprofit organization committed to advancing economic, social and civic progress within Omaha’s African American community, North Omaha and the region. Through collaborative efforts and innovative initiatives, the Empowerment Network strives to create opportunities for empowerment and transformation in every zip code and neighborhood in the City of Omaha and other national communities.
