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It’s a beautiful thing when the village comes together. The weather was beautiful, too.

30 small businesses, venues and organizations came together to host the very first Fall Festival in the Village at 24th and Lake. The new event builds on the successes of Christmas in the Village and Native Omaha Days activities hosted at 24th and Lake.

“The goal since we launched Christmas in the Village ten years ago and developed the North Omaha Village Plan was to build towards having large monthly and weekly events at 24th and Lake to further advance the district,” said Willie Barney, CEO of the Empowerment Network and co-owner of the Revive Center and Carver Legacy Center.

“It was phenomenal,” said Terri Sanders, publisher of the Omaha Star. “They had a chance to have fun and learn about the history and see the future of the Omaha Star when they stopped by.”

“Seeing the kids having such a great time was the best,” said Cynthia Hume, site director for OEDC’s Fair Deal Village. “They were all enjoying the games and petting zoo and I remember one little girl skipping across the parking lot saying ‘this was so much fun’ as she was leaving. That’s what it is all about.”

The Empowerment Network, OEDC, Revive, FHAS, Omaha Star and others teamed together to host the first Christmas in the Village and new businesses and venues have joined in along the way in the historic district at 24th and Lake.

Barney started bringing the businesses and venues back together for additional planning in late August of this year following one of the most successful Native Omaha Days on record, planned and hosted by the Native Omaha Days Organizing Committee.

He felt this was the time to create a collective master schedule and calendar to keep the great things happening at 24th and Lake front and center.  The initial planning team has continued to expand and now includes 30+ businesses, venues and organizations.  Even more are joining now.

“The holidays are a significant time for most businesses. When we work together, 24th and Lake is a great location for music, food, shopping, connecting with history and celebrating black culture,” added Barney.

Fall Festival is a great example of this collective approach.  Each business and venue agreed to take on a part of the event and offer something unique for children and families.  The goal for the team was to start small just like Christmas in the Village and build as they go.

“We were blown away by the turnout,” said Brigitte McQueen, executive director of The Union of Contemporary Art. The Union provided free pumpkins, craft making, a new exhibit and introduced their Pursuing Legacy project with Denise Chapman.

“We ran out of pumpkins and produce, brought more out and ran out again because there were so many families,” added McQueen.

In addition to the face painting, cartoon characters, hula hooping and other free activities, families supported the small businesses in a big way.

“We were excited about all of the families that came out to support the event,” said Yolanda Barney, co-owner of the Revive Center.  “We were pleasantly surprised about the number that attended.  Our team is planning ahead for the Trunk or Treat event.  We really appreciate the support of the community.”

“It was so amazing, such a great turnout,” said Imani Murry, co-owner of Ital Vital Living that offered the free face painting and food for sale by Little Ve’s and their own smoothies and juices. “It went so well for our business and Little Ve’s that we sold out of just about everything.  Plus, we provided face painting for over 300!”

“This was definitely successful and I think we’ve found another annual event,” said Eric Ewing, executive director of the Great Plains Black History Museum. “We had nearly 200 go through the museum in just four hours.  Guests learned a little history and the kids were able to get a treat, too.”

That is exactly the vision and goal for The Village at 24th and Lake.  A long time theme for the village revitalization efforts has been “A Rich History & Thriving Future.”

The event went extremely well even though one of the main attractions ran into a major snag. The hayride was not available as the farmer coming from Springfield, who was providing the trailer, had a flat tire without a replacement.

Organizers said it was disappointing to not be able to host the ride for the community after all of the coordination, but they are now planning to add it to the Trunk or Treat on October 30th.

All of the other activities were in place and fully enjoyed by those in attendance.

“Being a community advocate and business owner, there was something magical in the air Saturday,” said Michael Young, president of Technology Consulting Services and co-owner of Rooted Synergy Gallery. “Live music, activities for all ages and the community coming together to support businesses is exactly what this district needs.”

Based on the attendance and all of the smiles, laughter and positive energy, the future is bright for The Village at 24th and Lake.

Connecting families, friends and community to outstanding events and a positive environment including music, food, activities, arts, culture and small businesses, all within the historic walking district, that’s a beautiful thing.

Stay connected with future events here.

Careers

Gibril Mansaray creating innovative partnerships in Sierra Leone

Mansaray announced his partnership for the first time on the stage at the Leadership Conference in 2019.  The response encouraged him to step out in faith at a larger level. He has since been recognized by global organizations for his significant impact.

In 2019, a request from his father to send USD 430 to support their ancestral village in Sierra Leone during a crisis changed Gibril’s life. What appeared to be a small amount of funds by U.S. standards fed his family’s village of 1,500 people for a week.

Realizing the significant impact of even small amounts of money, Gibril raised USD 3,400 to rebuild the village’s primary school. This effort led to Gibril founding the Pa Karim Memorial Foundation, named in honor of his grandfather, to expand educational opportunities in Sierra Leone.  Mansary will speak on his journey and how others can do similar work in partnership with other nations in Africa.

Gibril Mansaray

Gibril S. Mansaray is a man with deep roots. Born in Iowa, Gibril moved frequently during childhood, which helped him develop a unique ability to unite people, spark connections, and foster belonging. The son of a Western African Muslim father and an African American Southern Baptist Christian mother, Gibril often felt like “a walking division.” However, his passion for learning led him to major in sociology, setting the stage for his future work in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB).

The Pa Karim Memorial Foundation focuses on creating educational access, opportunities, hope, and empowerment for youth in remote villages of Sierra Leone. Their mission is to open doors of opportunity through quality education, unlocking the potential of young minds and igniting their dreams for a brighter future.

The Foundation’s core values include access, opportunity, hope, and empowerment. The Foundation is working on a joint effort with the Government of Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Energy and Xemplar Carbon & Capital to develop, finance and deploy 200MW of Renewable Energy infrastructure solutions across the Republic of Sierra Leone.

The agreement highlights how Xemplar Carbon’s strategic collaboration with the Pa Karim Memorial Foundation and Develop Africa Inc. (Sierra Leone N.G.O.) will ensure Local Content Policy (LCP) engagement and in-country capacity building.

Gibril’s work has not gone unnoticed. He was honored with the 2023 Amway Hero Award, recognizing his dedication to breaking down educational barriers and fostering empowerment through education. This award highlights his mission’s impact and collective effort’s transformative power. In the U.S., Gibril advocates for education and empowerment, urging others to recognize their potential to make a difference.

He believes that through collaboration and commitment, exponential change is possible. Gibril is married to Maurisa N. Mansaray, a Method Development Specialist with Midwest Labs and a classically trained cellist. The couple’s pride and joy are their three-year-old son, Moses, and their one-year-old son, Maaz.  You can learn more and donate to the foundation here: Develop Africa (reachapp.co)

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Careers

Moving Towards $1 Billion; David Stevens, CEO of Stevens Capital Partners

David Stevens, CEO and Founder of Stevens Capital Partners, is one of the nation’s top investors and wealth management leaders.

After spending nearly 20 years of his career at TD Ameritrade, where he ran the largest advice practice in the nation, David founded Stevens Capital PartnersTM, an SEC fee-only Registered Investment Advisory Firm (formerly known as Purposeful Wealth). David is a University of Nebraska at Lincoln graduate, a series 66 licensed (Investment Advisor), and holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation. He is a proud member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors and is on the Board of Directors for the Financial Planning Association of Nebraska.

David has been a guest speaker and panelist at local and national conferences throughout the financial industry. David and the team focus on your life, family, and priorities to help you determine, navigate, and achieve your goals. His commitment to the fiduciary model of investment management is one of the pillars that support his work ethic and core values.

He and his wife, Natalia have four children and live in Omaha, where he enjoys attending and coaching their children’s academic, musical, and athletic events. He sits on several boards and enjoys making a positive impact in the lives of others. Part of that commitment is his pledge to donate 10 percent of the profits of Stevens Capital PartnersSM to his community.

Goal is to Delight and Deliver!

Our clients cover a broad spectrum but are mostly high-net worth families, business executives, professional athletes, institutions, churches, and non-profits. They rely on us for wealth management, comprehensive financial planning, and our ability to strategize with them on matters within and outside their financial needs.

Exceeding the expectations of our clients is too low a bar for us. We strive to delight.

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.  For more information on the Empowerment Network, please go to empoweromaha.com

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Careers

Racquel Henderson, helping to launch the Empowerment Network’s Skill-Up Omaha Collaborative

Racquel Henderson is well-known in the community for spreading the word about opportunities, resources and critical information.

Henderson recently joined EPIC Girls as the director of programs and strategic partnerships.  With her previous roles at Metropolitan Community College and UNO, Henderson has made a measurable impact in the lives of thousands of youth and young adults.

This month, she is will also begin working as a consultant and navigator for the Empowerment Network to help launch and coordinate the new Skill-Up Omaha Collaborative.

She has also established a strong reputation for keeping the community connected and informed.  Known as a trusted go-to person in the community, Henderson has an amazing track record of making things happen through her passion, advocacy, partnerships, strategic outreach and keeping things relevant and real.

Raquel Henderson

Born and raised in North Omaha, Racquel is a courageous leader that actively works to use employment as a tool to elevate peoples’ circumstances. In her work as an influencer, activists, and community advocate, she is a champion for change through education, employment, and community resources.

Racquel has spent more than 10 years serving her community by providing second chances in reentry programs and uplifting youth in higher education opportunities. Racquel has been pivotal with creating opportunities for individuals to elevate their lives and become the best version of themselves.

Previously, as the Pathway Coordinator for the Walter Scott Jr. Career Pathway Scholarship at Metropolitan Community College Racquel focused on the retention of first-generation and underrepresented students by providing intrusive academic support and guidance on the way to Career Placement. Racquel also serves as the Employment and Education Coordinator for Black and Pink — the nation’s largest prison abolitionist organization.

Additionally, Racquel is a Professor at UNO where she instructs a course centered on issues of race, ethnicity, and the criminal justice system. Racquel works with the Terraluna Collaborative on the Lived Experience Project which seeks to assist youth and families who have been impacted by the juvenile justice system in providing resources and workshops that facilitate healing with a focus on gathering their voices and stories, and is a Consultant for the Community Wellness Collaborative where she provides mentorship and employment skills for cohorts of young adults for the Health Care Collaborative Academy.

Racquel serves as a mentor with The Keys Foundation, where she works to improve academic achievement, self-esteem, social competence and avoidance of problem/high-risk behavior, and recently completed her master’s degree from the University of Nebraska Omaha, where she studied Criminal Justice and disadvantaged communities, and was inducted into the National Honors Society of Criminal Justice.

A 2024 Women’s Center for Advancement Tribute to Women Award Recipient, 2023 Urban League African American Leadership Award Recipient, 2023 Phenomenal Woman of the Year Recipient, 2023 ICAN Award Recipient, 2023 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Fulfill the Dream Award Recipient, 2022 Own the Pond Big Fish Award Recipient, 2022 Community Focused Award Recipient, 2021 Greater Omaha Chamber Changemaker Award Recipient, 2021 Ten Outstanding Young Omahan Award Recipient, 2018 Young Professional of the Year Urban League of Nebraska Award Recipient, 2018 MORE Women Award Recipient, and 2017 Young Black and Influential Award recipient, Racquel is deeply dedicated to her community and is committed to witnessing its flourishing.

In 2015 Racquel Founded of #TheBeProject — a movement based on bringing awareness to various jobs and resources to community members. She recently completed a 2023 National Fellowship in the Women Organizing for Justice and Opportunity National Leadership Lab and completed a fellowship with the National Youth Justice Leadership Institute and was inducted into Women’s Fund Circles 9, and is committed to growing personally and professionally while assisting in improving the lives of women and girls in the community.

Racquel serves with boldness and inspiration on the Board of I Be Black Girl where she assists in actively creating a change-making culture that centers Black women, girls and femmes to provide transformational change. Racquel also serves on the Board of YouTurn and NOISE.

She is a keynote speaker and who works to empower, influence and inspire individuals by meeting them where they are at, and helping them reach their max potential. Along with being a fearless leader who is passionate for her community, most importantly Racquel is a proud mother of two, a friend, neighbor, and community member.

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