Over 1,100, including 400 youth participate in 3 day national Empowerment Network conference in Omaha, Nebraska.

By Willie Barney

It’s hard to believe it has already been a week.  Thank you, Omaha and national friends.  The Empowerment Network team and our partners went all in for the 16th Annual Rebuilding the Village Conference.  Omaha responded. 23 cities from across the country responded.

When I was in prayer after last year’s event, the words “Run It Back” came into my spirit!   Bring Magic back and build on the experience.

GOD has blessed in amazing ways.  We stepped out in faith and followed what we believed He was telling us to do.

Some wondered.  Would people come back?  Would the community support it?  Could it be bigger and better?

Over 1,100 participated, including 400+ youth and the experience was even more magical!

Magic took things even higher than last year providing even more wisdom, full ride scholarships, internships in Los Angeles and business opportunities with his companies.  Plus, he unexpectedly raised $90,000 to support the Network!

The six national keynote speakers were phenomenal, and the sessions were well attended.  Made for a difficult decision about which breakout to attend.  The feedback has been off the charts.

Representatives from over 20 cities attended including partners from Kansas City, Tulsa, New Orleans, Columbus GA, Denver, Little Rock, Atlanta, Chicago, Davenport/QC, Sacramento, Washington DC and other communities.

20 major sponsors invested.  Dozens of volunteers supported it.

50+ local and national speakers shared their wisdom and insights to help build safe and thriving communities.

We had over 400 youth engaged in the event.  They joined us for panels, main stage sessions and the Step-Up Omaha Interns and Youth 360 also had their own summit within the conference in partnership with J Shannon, David and Next.

The federal government including USDA, Dept of Justice and Health and Human Services all had key leaders in attendance.

The 4 tours (Black owned trolley and bus companies), three covering North Omaha and one citywide were well received.

30+ Black businesses benefitted directly.  We supported Black restaurants and organizations.

The Village at 24th and Lake reception was well attended and featured music, food, shopping and visits to the museums and new businesses.

Businesses throughout the whole city experienced economic benefit including hotels, airlines, transportation, shopping, food, and entertainment.

We cannot thank you all enough.

Thank you, Magic.  Thank you to the Empowerment Network team.

Thank you to the board.

Thank you, speakers, panelists, sponsors, and volunteers.

Thank you to our national guests.  Thank you, Omaha, for being amazing hosts.

Thank you to my wife, son and daughter who helped in so many ways and have sacrificed greatly over the years.  Love you and appreciate you!

Let’s Win Together Omaha!   Let’s win together national partners.  Let’s build safe and thriving communities in every zip code.

The Native Omaha Days Organizing Committee, Native Omahans Club, Omaha Economic Development Corporation, Empowerment Network, and community partners present…The 24^th Biennial Celebration.

The Native Omahan Club has once again joined forces with the Omaha Economic Development Corporation, Empowerment Network and dozens of community partners engaged in the Native Omaha Days Organizing Committee to develop and present their 24th Biennial Celebration.  Attracting thousands, the Native Omaha Days Festival will once again help to accelerate the positive momentum in the community.  The events have a major economic impact and now has expanded to venues city-wide.

Event organizers are preparing for the biggest and best celebration to date, featuring traditional events: Gospel Fest at Morning Star Baptist Church; Stroll Down Memory Lane in the Village at 24^thand Lake; Native Omaha Days Homecoming Parade along North 30^thStreet; Native Omaha Day Event, Omaha Day Classic Golf Tournament; Sunday Worship Services; Blue Monday and more!

In addition to the long-standing traditional events, this year’s full week of activities will again include:  trolley tours, golf outings, jazz and gospel music, class and family reunions, Culture Fest with children’s activities and something for all ages and more!  The parade, always a crowd favorite, is planned for Saturday morning between 10 am and noon from 30^th and Lake to 30^th and Sprague.

Attractions added in 2021 are back including the Village Festival Square at the Bryant Resource Center at 24^th & Burdette with food trucks and small business vendors for locals and visitors to shop and explore unique crafts. 

New this year…Excellent exhibits and an African American Book Signing will be featured at the Great Plains History Museum.  The Culxr House will present Divisible Documentary – film that explores the impacts of redlining in Omaha; specifically in Near North Side.  All activities and updates will be posted at nativeomahadays.org

The Food Vendor Informational Meeting hosted by the Native Omaha Days Organizing Committee will be held again this year.  The event will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2023 from 10 am to 11 am at American National Bank, 3147 Ames Avenue.  It will serve the purpose of having food vendors learn the requirements and guidelines to obtain a food permit.  Representatives from the Douglas County Health Department will be on hand to share information.  Go to nativeomahadays.org for update information on date and location.

“We are excited to see the community partnering again to make this a tremendous community event,” said Michael Maroney, President and CEO of Omaha Economic Development Corporation.  “We are working with the Native Omaha Days Organizing Committee, Omaha Police Department and dozens of other organizations to make this a safe, fun and enjoyable experience for the entire community.  We’re also looking forward to showcasing more of the projects that have come to fruition since the last Native Omaha Days celebration.”

The organizers are calling on the whole community to play a role in making the Native Omaha Days celebration a major success. 

For more information and a complete schedule of activities, please go to www.nativeomahadays.org.

Click here to register for the Parade

Click here to Advertise in the Native Omaha Days Guide

Click here to Become a Vendor

Click here to Become a Volunteer

Initial List of Events (Full list will be available at nativeomahadays.org

Monday, July 24

GREAT PLAINS BLACK HISTORY MUSEUM

Great Plains Black History Museum invites you to attend their African American Author’s Book Signing, Help support our local authors and Museum by stopping by.

Where:  2221 North 24 Street
Time:  12:00-3:00 p.m.
Contact:  Eric Ewing @ (402) 932-7077
Gpblackhistorymuseum.org

Tuesday, July 25

GREAT PLAINS BLACK HISTORY MUSEUM

Great Plains Black History Museum invites you to attend their African American Author’s Book Signing, Help support our local authors and Museum by stopping by.

Where:  2221 North 24 Street
Time:  12:00-3:00 p.m.
Contact:  Eric Ewing @ (402) 932-7077
Gpblackhistorymuseum.org

Wednesday, July 26

FESTIVAL SQUARE (Food & Retail Merchants)

GospelFest at Morning Star

6:00 pm

Thursday, July 27

FESTIVAL SQUARE (Food &  Retail Merchants)

DIVISIBLE DOCUMENTARY

Presents a screening of Divisible, an educational documentary film that explores the impacts of redlining in Omaha, specifically the Near North Side.

Where:  Culxr house
3014 North 24 Street
Time:  7:00 p.m.
Contact: Lizzy Barrett
(607) 220-8927
Website:  DivisibleDoc.com

NATIVE OMAHA CLUB
Social Mixer

TECH HIGH DANCE

Classes of 1975, 1976 and on.  School dance featuring Ed Archibald
Where:  Highlander
2120 North 30 Street
Time:  6:30 p.m.
Cost:  $15
Contact:  Darlene Brown @ (402) 880-3929

Friday, July 28, 2023

Omaha Days Golf Classic

FESTIVAL SQUARE (Food & Retail Merchants)

Stroll Down Memory Lane
24^th and Lake
Presented by:  OEDC and Empowerment Network
6:00 to 9:00 PM

Saturday, July 29, 2022

Native Omaha Days Parade
10:00 AM
North 30^th from Lake to Sprague

Native Omaha Days
Day Party
Native Omahan Club
North 30^th from Lake to Sprague

FESTIVAL SQUARE (Food & Retail Merchants)

_____________________________________________

Native Omaha Days Festival

Presented by:  The Native Omaha Days Festival is presented by the Native Omaha Days Organizing Committee, Native Omahan Club, Omaha Economic Development Corporation and Empowerment Network.  

The Native Omaha Days Organization Committee and community partners include: Omaha Star Newspaper, EverGreen Capital Management, 24th and Lake Businesses, American National Bank, Omaha Police Department, Bryant Resource Center, Vickie Young, YouTurn, Freedomtainment, North End Teleservices, Revive! Omaha Magazine, Great Plains Black History Museum, Leo Louis II, NONA, Ital Vital, nocredevelopmentgroup, Long School Neighborhood Association, North Omaha Business Improvement District, MAYS and the North Omaha Village Revitalization Plan.

Paul Bryant will be one of the national keynote presenters during the Empowerment Network’s 16th Annual Rebuilding the Village Conference in Omaha, Nebraska on Friday, June 9th.  The conference features Earvin Magic Johnson as the luncheon keynote, six national speakers including Bryant and representatives from 20+ regional and national cities.

Bryant is the Vice President of External Affairs for the H.J. Russell & Company, the largest African American owned business in the state of Georgia and the 14^th largest Black business in America. He plays a significant, public-facing role extending the Russell brand into communities they work, build, and invest.

Bryant will return to Omaha to share national best practices in a keynote entitled:  The Herman J. Russell Story…Building Community through the Intersection of Public Policy, Partnership and Scaling of Black Businesses in Atlanta.  He will then lead a breakout session to walk through the key principles required to scale Black businesses in today’s environment.

Paul Bryant is an Omaha native.  He is a recognized innovator and leader who has invested greatly in creating the next generation of talented young men and women.  In Omaha, he held key leadership positions in both the corporate sector and non-profit arena.

In the corporate sector, Bryant launched major initiatives in the banking and research industries.  He encouraged Gallup to field important polls regarding Black and urban communities.

He started the groundbreaking Wesley House Leadership Academy where he focused his attention on the development of young Black men well before other national programs started to launch their efforts. Bryant was also one of the founders of the Striving for Succes:  Black Male Summit in partnership with the Empowerment Network, Urban League and 100 Black Men of Omaha.

Bryant has lectured at Morehouse College, Creighton University, and the University of Nebraska-Omaha.  He is a Pulitzer Prize nominated author of 3 books and his leadership influence extends to more than ½ million students through an international network of over 1,500 schools.  He relocated to Atlanta, Georgia where he and his wife have both excelled in new positions.

No stranger to leadership, Paul previously served as the CEO of three nonprofit agencies:  The United Minority Contractors Association; Urban League of Nebraska; and, United Methodist Community Centers, Inc.

His corporate career also includes a Senior Vice President post with The Gallup Organization; and Officer Positions with Wells Fargo and the First National Bank of Omaha.

Paul earned two master’s degrees from the University of Nebraska and attended Creighton University school of law.

Paul is the recipient of numerous awards:

• The 2017 Mentor of the Year – 100 Black Men of Atlanta
• The City of Omaha’s Martin Luther King “Living the Dream” award.
• The University of Nebraska’s Alumnus Achievement award.
• The Teacher of the year for the Creighton University “Upward Bound program”
• Named “Facilitator of the Year” by INROADS Inc.
• Named “Achiever to watch in the Millennium Success Guide”
• Named a Black Achiever by the YMCA
• One of the Ten “Outstanding Young Omahans by the Junior Chamber of Commerce

Paul is also a member of the prestigious Benson High School Hall of Fame, along with another noted Omahan, investor Warren Buffet.

Paul and wife Robin have been married for over 30 years and have 3 children.  He is an unapologetic believer in God and says his most cherished accomplishment was having his family recognized as the Community Service Family of the year, by the Heartland Family Service.