NEWS
Omaha Native, JeRonelle featured on Fox’s The Four
Photos: ©2019 Nehemiah Barney, Revive Omaha
Character. Integrity. Faith. Family. And, a captivating voice with an incredible range that will stop you in your tracks.
Revive Omaha was blessed to have a conversation with native Omahan JeRonelle about his experience on the hit tv show, The Four last year. Immediately following his performance on the show, reactions came in from around the world. He blew the celebrity judges and the international audience away with his gift of range, style and a falsetto that generated over 3,000,000 views on social media.
“Saaaaang.”
—Maxwell
“Excellent.”
—John Legend
“Amazing.”
—Omaha Family and Friends
It appears that he has blown up on the national scene overnight. But behind the scenes, JeRonelle has been “praying, preparing, grinding” and stepping out in faith since a very early age. “I started singing when I was 3,” said JeRonelle. His name was formed by combining the names of Jesus, his father Ron and his mother Michelle.
Actually, it was earlier, but 3 was the age that he could officially join the children’s choir at his family’s church, Salem Baptist Church. It was there at church and at home that he began to discover his God-given gift for music and singing. “I began to notice people’s reaction when I opened my mouth to sing and realized it was more than just me singing. It would have an impact on them.”
JeRonelle with consistent and unwavering encouragement and support from his mother Michelle, family members, and friends continued to sing through elementary, middle school and high school.
“I was the kid who was always in somebody’s talent show. Singing in the choir. I was always around music.”
He initially had not planned to go to college, he wanted to pursue music immediately after high school. His mother had other plans. “She wasn’t having that,” he said with a big smile as he thought about that life-changing moment. She insisted that he take at least one year of college. He agreed and was accepted at Clark Atlanta University and earned a music scholarship.
“One year turned into two, two into three and then four,” said JeRonelle. It was there that he had the opportunity to further develop what God had given him.
Immediately after graduation, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue his life long dream.
“It’s been tough. There have big highs and lows sometimes multiple highs and lows in the same day.”
Auditions. Rejections. Evictions. Bills.
Through it all JeRonelle consistently went back to the foundation that makes him more than a powerful voice. He called on his faith. He called on his family.
“This journey the past three years in Los Angeles has really helped me to develop even greater faith. My family has prayed for me. They have encouraged me with scripture. They have been there in the rough moments. God has always come through. Even when I was asking what now God? What’s going on? How am I going to do this? This journey has shown me how he comes through every time and everything is working for my good.”
Photos: ©2019 Nehemiah Barney, Revive Omaha
Last summer, just about anyone watching the show and listening to him sing Maxwell’s rendition of “This Woman’s Work” on the Fox show, The Four recognized instantly that they were listening to one of the most gifted voices we had ever heard. Even the other talented members of The Four reacted with awe.
From the first note, people in the audience and around the world gasped with their mouths wide open in complete shock as JeRonelle flawlessly sang. JeRonelle “kilt it” and “shut it down” as many said on his social media which collectively have gained more than 50,000 followers since his first appearance on the show.
His first song was exceptionally strong right out of the gate and was enough to earn him a chance to challenge one of the other chair holders. The audience was responding to him with great energy and feeling his stirring rendition of “Too Close” by Alex Clare.
But when he stood and delivered “This Woman’s Work,” Sean “Diddy” Combs, DJ Khaled and Meghan Trainer instantly knew JeRonelle had won the battle and earned his seat as one of the Four.
“Presence means everything and you, you were on point”, said Diddy.
Trainer who was obviously pulling for the other artist said, “I know JeRonelle has won tonight.”
“You got to be hungry,” said DJ Khalied. “JeRonelle, he came to eat.”
Now it was up to the audience. “On television, it appears that the vote comes back in 15 seconds. It actually takes three minutes,” recounted JeRonelle.
He could hear people in the audience: “We love you”. “We voted for you.”
He was praying. Thinking about what this moment could mean for him. Thinking about the encouragement from friends and family. Thinking about the sacrifices, long nights, highs and lows, the challenging and difficult circumstances and obstacles.
Thinking about all of the auditions and working for, praying for, grinding for a moment to break through. Thinking about the “we really love your voice, but you are not what we are looking for” moments he had experienced when applying in previous years for The Voice, American Idol, and even The Four.
And then, the decision came in.
“JeRonelle you have won the battle and you are now the newest member of The Four.”
The breakthrough moment. His gift has certainly made room for him and brought him before great men. With his voice, range, faith, character, integrity, and humbleness, there’s no question God has great things in store for JeRonelle.
The words of one of his original songs capture the essence of the moment;
“Seeds in the ground. New kid in town”
Although he lost his seat to fellow competitor James Graham, he is the first to tell you this was just one step on the front end of the journey. He is preparing now for his next season and what God has for him.
He is working on new music and focused on the opportunity to do some touring. Maybe, just maybe Maxwell or John Legend, or someone else will recognize the gift and come calling.
Follow and support JeRonelle on Instagram.
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.)
