Published: Wednesday, March 2, 2022
‘Get your finances in order first and amazing opportunities will be available to you’ was the core message heard at the Revive Center at 24th and Lake last Saturday.
One of the critical keys to success for business owners and entrepreneurs is having strong financials, personally and professionally.
The February edition of the Revive Black Business Summit was dedicated to building wealth, business credit, investments and gaining strong banking relationships.
“I’m thankful for another great response for the Revive Black Business Summit,” said Willie Barney, co-owner and co-publisher of Revive Omaha and co-owner of the Revive Center.
“Between the first two sessions we’ve had over 100 Black business owners, entrepreneurs and support organizations engaged. We’re going topic by topic and connecting participants with information and resources.”
The session held on Saturday, February 26th was a hybrid event including in-person and virtual attendees. It was the first time the Revive Black Business Network has gathered in-person since February of 2020, just before the pandemic started.
National speakers included strategic business partners for the Revive Black Business Network, Tawanna Black and Dr. George Fraser.

Black is the CEO and founder of the Center for Economic Inclusion which recently secured a five million grant to support business owned by Black and brown women in the state of Minnesota.
She emphasized the importance of individuals knowing and understanding their purpose and the values of their company as they consider various forms of capital and investors.
“As banks and investors are reviewing your credentials, you should be reviewing theirs as well,” said Black. “Your business has value.”
She also encouraged Black business owners to consider angel investors if it makes sense for their business.
“Majority companies use this as a key ingredient for success,” said Black. “Most of our businesses don’t know about or have access to venture capital. We need to change that.”
The Black Business Summits have proven to be of value to attendees based on the comprehensive feedback from current and future business owners.
“This has been one of the greatest business summits that I have attended,” said Karnetta Rushing retired former Vice President at First National Bank.
“It was extremely informational,” said Chef Jamil Djibril Bah traore, who leads both a for-profit business, House of Bah and a non-profit organization, Eat N Talk Africa.

Fraser, CEO of FraserNet and the PowerNetworking Conference returned as a cohost and keynote speaker once again for the second summit and delivered another powerful message.
“If you don’t have a system, you don’t have a business,” Fraser reminded the participants. “And, you don’t build a successful business without building people.”
Fraser’s message always resonates with the group.
“I thank each of you for your dedication and sharing your knowledge, this has been truly amazing and I’m taking notes on steps to help build myself and build my community,” said virtual attendee, Shawnita Mack.
Local speakers included Nicka Johnson, owner and founder of Budget to Success; Ernest White, First Vice President of American National Bank; Richard Webb, owner of Abundant Living; and, Earl Johnson of EverGreen Capital Management.
Winsley Durand of the Greater Omaha Chamber and Jim Reiff of Nebraska Enterprise Fund rounded out the event by providing overviews of the funding, services, training and networking opportunities their organizations have available.
The sessions have been well attended and appear to be making a major impact as participants are asking for more frequent opportunities.
“We should do this monthly, if not at least quarterly,” said Bridget Hadley, economic development manager for the City of Omaha.
“Thank you, Yolanda and Willie, for putting together another great business summit,” stated Linda Davis, owner of The New Beginnings Transitional Living Homes, LLC.
“I appreciate how your organization continually gives back and supports the Black community. As a business owner, this information is invaluable.”
Willie and Yolanda’s plan for 2022 is to continue hosting Summits on a monthly basis with different speakers and topics of most interest to attendees. For those looking to attend the upcoming events, Willie suggests you mark your calendar for the 4th Saturday of each month and stay connected to reviveomaha.com.
Black business owners and entrepreneurs can also become formal members of the Revive Black Business Network to take advantage of all of the opportunities and resources being provided throughout the year.