Thousands attend 11th Annual Christmas in the Village at 24th & Lake
The streets were once again full of smiling, laughing and dancing children, families and community members celebrating the holiday spirit at 24th and Lake.
After making the decision to convert the event into a drive thru in 2020, Christmas in the Village returned to the streets of 24th and Lake in a big way.
“Though last year turned out to be an excellent event and much needed escape from the pandemic with over 1,000 cars driving through, it was amazing to see children and families return to 24th and Lake to enjoy themselves and celebrate the season at Christmas in the Village,” said Willie Barney, CEO and founder of the Empowerment Network.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been 11 years since we launched the event and inspiring to see how much it has grown and the impact that it has made.”
Christmas in the Village is presented by the Empowerment Network and OEDC in partnership with dozens of organizations and businesses. Major sponsors include American National Bank, Douglas County Visitors Fund, North Omaha Turnback Tax Committee, Nebraska Arts Council, KETV, Revive and main stage sponsor, Veridian Credit Union.
It started as a vision from Barney. He presented the idea for the event to Vicki Quaites-Ferris, Stacy Henry, Deb Bunting, Michael Maroney and the OEDC team. They jumped on board and the first event was planned in just four weeks back in 2011.
Over 70 businesses, organizations, artists and ministries worked together to make the event possible this year.
“Christmas in the Village is a great example of what is possible when we collaborate and each business and organization does their part,” said Barney. “We have been able to create a high quality and well attended event with the help of so many partners. It has also served as a catalyst to show what’s possible here in this historic district.”
The day started with volunteers and businesses working together to place inflatable balloons and characters up and down 24th Street. Business owners swept sidewalks. Volunteers raked leaves. Tents and games were set up early in the morning.
By 10 am, children and families started arriving to receive free gifts from the toy giveaway arranged by 4 Urban and sponsored by UNO.
By 10:30, teams had put Street barricades in place and the event officially started at noon with the Bryant Center’s Condor Drum Corp leading Mr and Mrs Claus down N 24th Street in a horse drawn carriage.
“It was a beautiful sight,” said Vicki Quaites-Ferris, Director of Operations for the Empowerment Network and event manager.
“The streets were lined with families who were excited to see the drum team, elves, and of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus.”
That was just the beginning of a day full of interactive and fun activities. Some have called it a “Winter Wonderland.” People come from all over the region and some as far away as St Louis, Kansas City and Minneapolis rave about the event.
Visitors were treated to free carriage rides sponsored by the Network.
There were face painters in the Fair Deal and families could receive discounts and specials from the local businesses. One of the businesses, Still Poppin, was also celebrating five years in business.
At OEDC, children could wave to Mrs. Claus, receive a free goodie bag and play interactive games.
Tasty food was available on both ends of the event. Smoking Guns and A Taste of New Orleans food trucks were on the street and the Revive Center served customers throughout the day. Between the trucks and Revive those in attendance had a wide range of options.
Some new businesses experienced Christmas in the Village for the very first time. Ital Vital Living which opened this past summer selling smoothies and juices in the former location of the Cooler, hosted a Selfie photo booth and sold their delicious products.
“We had a great turnout and response throughout the day,” said Imani Murry. “24th and Lake is a beautiful place to celebrate the holidays and it was so awesome to see so many kids and families here. We’ve had some great events this fall and this was the largest.”
Just to the North, the Union returned as a participant with a balloon artist, interactive children’s activities and the highly popular Raku pottery.
The largest crowds always gather in Dreamland Park for an awesome holiday concert featuring some of Omaha’s top gospel and jazz artists, including Millicent Crawford, Kathy Tyree, The Arvies, Eric and Doriette Jordan, Chad Stoner and Big Wade.
Pear Tree Performing Arts wasn’t able to perform in 2020 but returned once again to deliver inspiring dance routines in front of a packed audience. The Sacred Heart children’s choir also joined in for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed the event.
Another crowd favorite is the live nativity scene complete with a camel, donkey and other animals. The Empowerment Network partners with Mt. Moriah and Scatter Joy Acres on the attraction that draws great reactions from kids.
There was plenty of hot apple cider and cookies provided by Styles of Evolution.
“We doubled up this year on cider and cookies and we ran out midway through the event there were so many people,” said Don McPherson, owner of Styles.
Kids and families enjoyed all their holiday favorites including hot chocolate, cookies, popcorn, cotton candy and other snacks available from different locations.
The Omaha Police Department handed out candy canes and stickers. The Black Police Officers Association has been involved every year as a sponsor and handing out toys and candy bags in partnership with Revive and Santa. The Omaha Fire Department provided an interactive experience that kids seemed to thoroughly enjoy.
Bridge Church joined in for the first time with some excellent and engaging activities outside on Lake Street.
The Great Plains Black History Museum presented a Tuskegee Airmen exhibit and handed out free candy.
The Omaha Star provided a children’s activity book and sold subscriptions.
Families stopped by the Carver Legacy Center and received some swag and information from the Carver team and American National Bank. American National Bank is a platinum sponsor and has supported Christmas in the Village every year since it started.
One of the other major impacts with Christmas in the Village is the support for local small businesses. Many of them reported record sales during the five hour event.
“We truly appreciate the support from our community” said Valerie Bradford, owner of Divine Nspirations.
“An event like this can do wonders for a small business. We did very well and it’s such a positive experience for families.”
Further to the South, LeFlores New Look Fashions, Get N Go Foods and other businesses also participate and see the economic impact of Christmas in the Village.
Because of the pandemic, precautions were implemented to keep attendees safe. Most activities were held outside and masks were required when guests ventured inside buildings. Hand sanitizer was distributed and available at every location.
Although the group would much rather have had Santa interact directly with the kids all day, he was primarily waving through a window from a specially made office on 24th Street. It still created some awesome moments and memories.
“We want to thank all of our partners, sponsors and volunteers,” said Quaites-Ferris. “This wouldn’t be possible without them.”
Another major bonus was the nearly 300 residents that received their vaccinations through a partnership between the IMA, Mocha Docs, Douglas County Health Department, Mt. Moriah and the Empowerment Network.
“We worked with the county and they brought all three vaccinations and the booster as we requested,” said Pastor Portia Cavitt, president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance and Senior Pastor of Clair Memorial Church.
“I was out talking with the people and encouraging them to come get vaccinated right there on the spot. There was a tremendous response. We want the County to do more of this. Meet the people where they are.”
That was music to the ears of the organizers.
“The Village is a now a place where you can play, eat, shop, sing, worship, enjoy family, get healthy and have a great time throughout the year, not only during the holidays,” said Barney.
“When we created Christmas in the Village 11 years ago, part of the vision was to bring people back to 24th and Lake and to serve as a catalyst for holistic revitalization.”
“The momentum is building. We’ve come a long way, but even greater things are just ahead. 2022 will be the best ever.”
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2021 Photo Gallery
Community Features
Revive Black Business Summit launches new phase of collective economic growth
Building Wealth and Community by Expanding Businesses, Creating Profits and Advancing Careers.
By: Willie D. Barney, Co-owner Revive and Carver Legacy Center
Our first Revive Black Business Summit and Business Exchange for 2026 was held on Saturday, January 10th at the Revive Center Omaha – 24th and Lake, hosted by Willie and Yolanda Barney, focused on working together to double the number of Black Businesses with Employees.
Dreams and Visions are becoming reality. On Saturday, January 10, 2026, seventy Black business owners and entrepreneurs convened at our first Revive Black Business Summit of the year. This event was one of our best yet. Networking. Learning. Sharing. Business Exchange. Inspiration. Resources. Funding.
Yolanda and I have hosted these networking, business exchange and capacity-building events for 12 years. We have been blessed to work with over four hundred Black business owners and entrepreneurs in Omaha and hundreds more across the country.
We set a goal 22 years ago to help support, promote, connect, launch, and grow Black businesses. Saturday’s event at the Revive Center at 24th and Lake shows the incredible things happening in Omaha for Black businesses and the ever-increasing possibilities.
The Brookings Institution highlighted a 95% increase in Black Businesses with employees in Omaha. Our next goal is to help double the number of Black businesses with employees and create over 3,000 more jobs.
On Saturday, we had a number of owners in attendance running multi-million-dollar businesses and others who are at the start-up phase. The sharing of information, contacts and business exchange was real and impactful.
Carmen Tapio, CEO and Founder of North End Teleservices, is a notable example as she launched her business in the face of challenges to access capital even though she came with global experience and had helped others build extraordinarily successful businesses. She overcame those obstacles and now leads the largest Black owned business in the state, creating hundreds of jobs and careers. NET has been recognized as one of the fastest growing businesses in the country.
Tapio highlighted some keys to success: It starts with faith. Form partnerships. Don’t quit. “If it’s in your heart, if it’s in your spirit, don’t quit! There is a pathway there for you. It is not a straight line.”
Raheem Sanders, MPH Sanders, CEO and Managing Partner of PPRP, a national data, research and evaluation firm shared insights on how to grow profits and build community effectively by maximizing AI and data.
Sanders emphasized AI should be used to increase your sales, revenue and profits, not just to save money. “It should make you even more productive. Go from 2-3 proposals in a month to 10-20 proposals.”
Keele Taylor MA,PHR,SHRM-CP Taylor, CEO of HR-Minded with 20 years of experience and a growing national client base provided insights for hiring, onboarding, retention and preparing your business for growth and staying compliant while doing so.
“Onboarding starts from the moment you post your position,” said Taylor. “My job is to help you stay compliant in all areas of HR, not just hiring.”
Candice Price, serial entrepreneur and community builder, co-owner of HomeTeam Auto and several other enterprises, presented strategies to generate multiple streams of income. Growing from an initial investment of $1,750 to co-owning businesses worth millions.
“Partnerships are essential,” said Price. “And, don’t take no for a final answer. Don’t let a no shut you down. There are others out there who will help you.”
Phillip McClain, CEO of the Mensch Group provided an overview of the exciting new projects he is working on to build community through innovations in real estate. He is currently leading a $20 million development in North Omaha and has offices in Chicago and cities.
“I’m excited to bring even more innovative developments and options to North Omaha,” said McClain.
We were also blessed to have numerous resource organizations with us providing funding, training and expertise: Carver Legacy Center, Omaha 100, Nebraska Opportunity Exchange, Hayes & Associates and HR-Minded.
Thank you, Carver Legacy, and HR-Minded for helping to sponsor the event.
Our next Summit is coming up March 7th. Learn more at reviveomaha.com. Omaha is on the move. Come grow with us!
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Community Features
Christmas in the Village at 24th and Lake Draws Thousands to North Omaha for 15th Annual Celebration
OMAHA, Neb. (Dec. 21, 2025) — Thousands gathered in North Omaha on Saturday, Dec. 6, for the 15th annual Christmas in the Village, a vibrant holiday festival that brought economic energy and community pride to the 24th & Lake district.
“Since the launch of Christmas in the Village, new organizations, businesses and venues have opened in the historic district,” said Willie Barney, CEO and founder, Empowerment Network. “These events attract families, visitors and tourists that support the arts and cultural venues and shop with the vendors and businesses. Businesses report this as one of their top sales days and a significant way to gain new customers that come back throughout the year.”
Christmas in the Village brought residents, families and community members together to experience live entertainment, carriage rides, arts and crafts, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus and shopping in the holiday boutique. The celebration spanned from 24th & Ohio to 24th & Burdette.
“Christmas in the Village is one of North Omaha’s most beautiful traditions,” said Kimara Snipes, executive director, One Omaha. “Black joy on full display. Kids running around with cocoa and candy canes. Families taking pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Live music, small businesses lined up, people hugging in the street like a big family reunion right in the heart of our community. This is what it looks like when we invest in ourselves. This is what it looks like when a vision turns into a tradition.”
Organized in partnership with the Omaha Economic Development Corporation (OEDC) and dozens of community businesses, the event has served as a critical economic engine for the area.
“The important thing about Christmas in the Village, or events like this, is that it brings communities together,” said Buey Ray Tut, CEO of Spark and event vendor. “It brings people together, and it gives us pride in the community that we live in. So I not only think it’s an important event, I think it’s a critical event for our community to grow and thrive.”
More than 100 local businesses, organizations, artists and ministries participated in this weekend’s event, continuing a tradition of community collaboration and economic support that has grown steadily since the festival’s inception in 2011.
“I can’t believe it’s been 15 years since we’ve had the privilege to host this amazing holiday tradition in North Omaha,” said Vicki Quaites-Ferris, VP of Community Development for the Empowerment Network and Christmas in the Village Event Director. “We started out with 1,000 visitors and have since grown to host well over 10,000. Bringing joy to children and families while creating wonderful memories to last a lifetime is something I am proud to have been a part of.”
She added, “We have been blessed with businesses, organizations, churches, and families who have supported us each year. I am already looking forward to hosting the 16th Annual Christmas in the Village at 24th and Lake on Saturday, December 5, 2026.”
This year’s sponsors included American National Bank, Charles Drew Health Center, Douglas County Visitor Improvement Fund, KETV, Nebraska Department of Economic Development, Revive! Omaha and Veridian Credit Union. Supported by the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance (MBK Alliance), a program of The Obama Foundation, the Empowerment Network is committed to building safer environments for all residents by increasing educational and career success while reducing violent crime.
To learn more about Empowerment Network and Christmas in the Village, visit https://empoweromaha.com/.
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About the Empowerment Network
The Empowerment Network is a nonprofit organization committed to advancing economic, social and civic progress within Omaha’s African American community, North Omaha and the region. Through collaborative efforts and innovative initiatives, the Empowerment Network strives to create opportunities for empowerment and transformation in every zip code and neighborhood in the City of Omaha and other national communities.
