BUSINESS LUNCHEON
Revive! Black Business Luncheon & Summits
Revive! Omaha Magazine was launched in 2008. One of the original goals was to highlight and support Black businesses. In 2013, co-publishers Willie and Yolanda Barney, launched the Revive! Black Business Luncheon and Summits to help support the launching, building and growing of successful Black businesses. They started by inviting a small group of entrepreneurs to join them on the journey.
Since that time over 350 black owned business owners, entrepreneurs and supportive organizations have participated. The monthly luncheon is held the 4th Friday of each month and has moved into the Revive Center located at 24th and Lake. In 2022, the team switched to a Saturday morning Summit.
The Black Business Luncheons and Summits also served as a launching pad for the Revive! Black Business Network and Revive! Black Business Guide and Directory.
Another part of the vision was to partner with the Empowerment Network and OEDC to become catalysts for the rebirth of 24th and Lake as a strong Black business district including arts, culture, entertainment and more. That vision is well on its way to becoming a reality.
New businesses and venues have joined in at 24th and Lake Street with more developments on the way. Willie and Yolanda started by encouraging other businesses to open in the Village at 24th and Lake and made the commitment over the past few years to launch their own businesses there including the Revive Center and the Carver Legacy Center. They have helped to convene over 30 businesses and venues at 24th and Lake, now working together to accelerate development and growth in the area.
Revive! also partners with the Empowerment Network to host the Revive Black Business Expo at the Network’s annual African-American Leadership Conference. It is one of the largest gatherings of Black businesses in the region.
Revive has also hosted workshops, summits and special events specifically for black business owners and entrepreneurs. Speakers have included local, regional and national entrepreneurs and business owners.
Willie and Yolanda have also assisted dozens of entrepreneurs with launching, expanding and enhancing their business. Over their careers, they have assisted hundreds of businesses with growth strategies, advertising, marketing, communications and events.
They are incredibly excited to see many of the businesses that have participated in the luncheon, expos and workshops are now growing and expanding their businesses and organizations.
Big things are on the horizon for the Revive Black Business Network.
Date: New schedule will be announced for 2024; Currently, Revive is hosting Black Business Summits on the 4th Saturday of each month
Location: Revive! Center
2402 Lizzie Robinson Ave, Omaha, NE 68111
Speakers and Special Guests have included: Jaylen Bledsoe, Dr. Pamela Jolly, Frank Hayes, Dell Gines, Willie and Yolanda Barney, Bridget Hadley, Calvin Jones, Jason Fischer, Karlus Cozart, BC Clark, Shonna Dorsey, Julian Young, Ernest White, Carmen Tapio, Lawrence Butler, Luper Akough, Michael Young and many others.
Topics have included: Access to Credit and Capital; Business Start-Up; Secrets to Success; Branding and Marketing; Operational Success; Developing Contracts; Resources and Opportunities; Maximizing Technology; Using Social Media; Hiring and Retaining Employees; Doing Business with Excellence; Networking to Grow Your Business; Impact of New Laws and Legislation; and much more. Speakers also share their personal journey towards business ownership providing great insights for emerging and seasoned entrepreneurs.
The Luncheons and Summit will start again in 2024. Stay tuned for specific dates and time.
BUSINESS LUNCHEON
Branding Leaders Deliver Powerful Messages at Black Business Summit
Revive Black Business Summit
Saturday, March 25, 2023 at the Revive Center Omaha
Black entrepreneurs, business owners and support organizations gathered together at the Revive Black Business Summit for a powerful, inspiring and action filled morning of networking, business exchange and sharing insights regarding Branding, Marketing and Resources.
Attendees raved about the experience as national and global branding experts shared their wisdom and experience on delivering on the promise.
George Fraser, CEO and Founder
FraserNet and PowerNetworking Conference
Dr. Fraser jump started the morning with a powerful introduction to branding. Fraser has worked with Fortune 500 companies and traveled the world teaching about branding, marketing and building strong black communities. A Black Business Hall of Fame member, Fraser talked about the challenges and opportunities facing Black Businesses nationally.
“The pandemic has forced hundreds of thousands of Black businesses to close, yet there are opportunities for those who are remarkable,” said Fraser. “Being good is not enough, we must be remarkable and excellent.”
Fraser also emphasized that a brand is a promise. “We need to find joy in what we do, be comfortable failing our way to success and have faith in the things we do.”
“Are you a brand or a logo,” said Fraser. “What is your promise and are you delivering on that promise?”
Fraser and his team are preparing for the 22nd annual PowerNetworking Conference which will be held August 2nd – 5th in Houston, Texas, rated by Forbes Magazine as the best conference in the nation for Black-owned businesses.
Devin Owens, Founder
Devin Owens was then passed the baton and took the group further down the path of branding and marketing. She began by reflecting on her own personal journey towards simplification and thus the launch of her business, Less the Agency.
She has worked with over 65 global clients and some of Omaha’s most recognizable Black-owned businesses and organizations, I Be Black Girl, the ACLU of Nebraska, STATUS Luxury Goods, Best Burger and others.
She pointed to the importance of brand consistency, voice, compass, promise and the connection between what we say and what we actually do.
One of the key messages was verbal identity: “An integrated system of words and messaging that differentiate your brand and make it recognizable across channels and touch points.”
Monique Farmer, CEO and Founder
Farmer has won national awards for her innovative leadership with branding, communications and PR. She has vast experience with corporate, public sector and small business marketing, communications and branding campaigns.
Farmer reminded the audience that in addition to our business brand, we also have a personal brand.
“What do people say when you are not in the room,” said Farmer. “That is your personal brand. What are you known for?”
Farmer walked the participants through some key components of branding:
- Brand reputation
- Experience
- Research
- Visual representation
- Embedding the story
- Brand promise
Farmer is also a college professor for the University of Texas at Austin and has a compelling and engaging style of presenting.
Teddy Young, Co-Founder
Young is the Co-Founder of Stable Gray with his business partner, CharDale Barnes. Young is known for his creative and industry leading approach to branding focused on understanding the emotional connections and problem-solving approach to business.
Stable Gray was named Small Business of the Year by the Greater Omaha Chamber and recently opened a second location in the heart of the historic 24th and Lake District.
Young brought a fresh approach by introducing the attendees to the importance of the emotional connections to brands.
“What does life look like when customers experience your product?”
To become better at branding and marketing, Young said business must understand how customers feel. What are their pain points? What do they want? What is the customer’s problem that you can help solve?
“How does your business help solve that problem and how does it leave the customer feeling?”
Farmer and Young tagged team and provided a list of questions for businesses to answer in order to conduct a meaningful audit of the brand.
The summit ended with a panel presenting local resources, funding and opportunities available through the Grow Nebraska Women’s Business Center, Small Business Administration, Nebraska Enterprise Fund and the Carver Legacy Center in partnership with American National Bank. Click here for more information on these resources and funding opportunities.
Resource Panel: Ernest White, Carver Legacy Center Ambassador and Vice-President for American National Bank; Jim Reiff, Executive Director with Nebraska Enterprise Fund; April Hibbler, Small Business Administration; and Eden Butler, Grow Nebraska Women’s Business Center.
Mark Your Calendar. The next Revive Black Business Summit will be Saturday, April 22, 2023!
Click here for more information.
PHOTO GALLERY:
Mark Your Calendar. The next Revive Black Business Summit will be Saturday, April 22, 2023!
Click here for more information.