Ira Combs and NOAH: In the Community and For the Community
No doubt about it, Ira Combs is a blessing to the community. After a long career working as a nurse at UNMC and other social and health organizations, Combs felt a strong calling to do more to positively impact his community.
Over the years, he could see the gaps in healthcare that were creating issues and leaving thousands of people un-served. Lower rates of health insurance. Poverty. Unemployment. Lack of transportation. Lack of awareness and information. Lack of access. He decided to do something about it and stepped out in faith to form the North Omaha Area Free Clinic (NOAH). His story is one of perseverance, faith, passion, hard work and commitment.
(Photo: Ira Combs and the NOAH Team)
“We want to make North Omaha the healthiest place in the state.”
Not one to seek personal attention, Combs just does the work. He is focused on making sure his community has what it needs, and if possible he wants to provide it at no charge. He has been quoted as saying, “We want to make North Omaha the healthiest place in the state.”
The work to make that happen is daunting, but he keeps plugging along with the assistance from his team and many others in the community working to improve conditions in North Omaha and for African-Americans and people of color.
He is also incredibly committed to reaching the youth. Combs has consistently created innovative and creative ways to get messages into the minds of children and teens. He has a “whatever it takes” mentality when it comes to making sure children understand healthy behaviors.
He is also incredibly committed to reaching the youth.
Whether it’s creating attention grabbing marketing materials, bus benches, radio spots, jingles or billboards, Combs and his team are dedicated to the cause. He’s even created superheroes and other characters to get the message across.
Knowing kids usually relate to people closer to their age and speak their language, Combs is dedicated to hiring younger staff members from the community.
Another key need that Combs identified over the years is the limited number of African-Americans and people of color in the health industry. Rather than complain, Combs did what he always does, he did something about it.
He launched Youth Expressions of Health (YEOH), one of the best youth training programs in the city. Every year, the program recruits youth and exposes them to career options available in the health field.
Shomari Huggins works with Combs to facilitate the highly impactful and successful initiative. A number of the graduates have entered the health field, attending and completing college in pursuit of their goals.
Through his efforts, Combs is lifting up the health of North Omaha. Though he does not seek attention, his work has brought him plenty of it. He was recognized by the White House under President Barack Obama’s administration.
Personally, Combs has lived through his own challenges, but always seems to have a positive and comforting spirit at all times. He has his own health obstacles and has cared for his loving wife, Victoria, who is confined to a wheelchair, for many years. Their love is as strong as ever as they continue to pursue this faith filled journey.
North Omaha is blessed to have Ira Combs and his team in place before, during and after this pandemic passes.
To connect with NOAH visit: noahclinic.org or call 402-933-0737
NOAH Clinic is a beacon of light in the community, by ministering to the hearts, body and minds of families and individuals in North Omaha. The clinic provides care to patients regardless of their ability to pay. Their primary value is “the needs of the patient come first.”
Services provided:
- Drive Thru COVID-19 Testing
- Physical exams for men, women and children
- Family Planning
- Health Education
- Medical Referrals
- Mental Health Screening
- Cholesterol
Personal Health Screening for:
- Diabetes, High Blood Pressure
- Anonymous HIV and Hep-C testing and risk counseling
- Anonymous STD testing and treatment
- Daycare worker and camp physicals
Health Classes and Support Groups:
- Smoking Cessation
- Weight Loss
- Diabetes Support
- Hypertension Support
- Grief Support
- Sickle Cell Support Group
Watch NOAH’s weekly show, COVID Conversations on Facebook at: facebook.com/NoahFreeClinic. The live show is hosted by Pastor Portia Cavitt and features guest panelists who discuss topics related to COVID-19. Noahclinic.org 402-933-0737
Coming Events
Aaron Johnson, owner of Oasis, nationally-recognized black-owned grocery store to speak at AALC
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
Coming Events
Frank Hayes, Founder of Hayes & Associates to share financial wisdom at AALC
Frank Hayes will share financial principles he has learned during his 40 years of advising clients 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)
Hayes is the founder of one of the oldest and most successful Black-owned businesses in the state of Nebraska. Through his leadership, Hayes had established accounting and consulting offices in several states and has clients across the country.
Frank and his team have assisted thousands of businesses and customers over the years with establishing a solid financial foundation. Through Hayes and Associates, clients have attained success through growth and expansion.
Beyond their day to day work with clients, Frank and his team have dedicated themselves to investing back into the community as volunteers, board members and support for churches, non-profits and small businesses across the community, but especially in North 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)
Frank Hayes
Hayes is the owner and President of Hayes & Associates, LLC, a CPA and consulting firm he founded in 1983 in Omaha, Neb. He has more than 40 years of experience in the financial services industry, including previous roles as the Director of the tax department at Grant Thornton CPAs and an internal revenue agent for the Internal Revenue Service.
Hayes earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Creighton University in Omaha. He also is a graduate of the Small Business Executive Education Program at Clark Atlanta University and the Minority Business Executive Program at Dartmouth College.
Hayes has received numerous honors during his career including induction into the Omaha Business Hall of Fame in 2009. He was recognized by the 100 Black Men of Omaha as one of its Men of Honor in 2013.
He has also received the Nebraska Society of CPA’s Public Service Award; the Otto Swanson Spirit of Service Award, sponsored by the NCCJ; the Distinguished Leadership Award from the Community Leadership Association of America; the Rotary Club of Omaha Free Enterprise Award; and the Western Heritage Museum African American Award for Corporate and Community Leadership.
Hayes currently serves on the Creighton University Board of Trustees as well as the Business Ethics Alliance, Great Plains Black Museum, Kaneko. He is a member of the Board of Directors at Mutual of Omaha Bank and the Companion Life Insurance Company.
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
Coming Events
Dr. DerNecia Phillips to share secrets to success in Corporate Omaha at AALC
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