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The sun made it better, but it was cold!

With weather making it feel as low as 0 degrees in the morning, thousands still made their way to historic 24th and Lake in North Omaha for the Empowerment Network’s 12th annual Christmas in the Village.

“When we started the event 12 years ago, we wanted to create a cultural community celebration and holiday tradition for kids and families that they look forward to every year,” said Willie Barney, CEO of the Empowerment Network. “The fact that thousands would come out in this weather and enjoy themselves with smiles, hugs and laughter shows us we are accomplishing that goal.”

Christmas in the Village at 24th and Lake is presented by the Empowerment Network and Omaha Economic Development Corporation. Major sponsors include:  American National Bank, Mutual of Omaha, Douglas County Visitors Improvement Fund, Nebraska Arts Council, North Omaha Turnback Tax and Veridian Credit Union.  Media sponsors include KETV and Revive! Omaha Magazine.

Braving the cold, kids were lined up to see and take a picture with Santa inside the Revive Center and Lake Point building.

Heaters stood next to the area where families could board the free carriage in front of OEDC.

Parents and community members packed Dreamland Park to watch the Burke High Drill Team, Pear Tree Performing Arts and the Hope Community Choir.

Throughout the day visitors could hear the beautiful sounds of Omaha’s top artists and musicians in the background as they walked through the district celebrating the holiday.

“It was a wonderful time,” said Vicki Quaites-Ferris, Vice President of Community Development and Operations for the Empowerment Network, and event manager.  “So many families having a great time and enjoying all of the activities put on by our partners. Absolutely wonderful.”

The event started with the Bulldogs Drill team marching down 24th Street in front a horse drawn carriage holding Santa and Mrs Claus.  Guests lined the street and followed along as families and cartoon characters followed next in the carriages.

“The Drill team did an amazing job,” said Quaites-Ferris.  “They were excellent and brought great energy to kick off the day.”

From there kids, families and community members had dozens and dozens of options of where to go.

Face painting, Raku pottery, balloons, snacks, arts and crafts, letters to Santa, live nativity animals, free family photos, snack bags, hot cider, cookies, and hot chocolate all free for families.

The Omaha Police Department and Fire Department were both on hand.  OPD handed out candy canes and stickers.  The Fire Department had many youth excitedly sitting in the fire engine.

One of the most popular stops was the Black Votes Matter Toy Give Away sponsored by UNO Athletics.

“We gave out over 1,200 toys in less than an hour,” said Preston Love, Jr, Founder of Black Votes Matter and 4 Urban.  “This is our third year for the partnership and it feels great to help families, many of which couldn’t afford to purchase toys for the kids even though some are working two and three jobs.”

Kids and parents could be seen walking throughout the district with large boxes and bags with gifts, toys, snacks, gloves, hats and other goodies.

Excitement was in the air as children caught a glimpse of Santa for the first time or had the opportunity to see and touch a donkey, camel and other animals.

The Fair Deal Village provided delicious snacks, cookies, goodie bags and included face painting.

Another popular spot was the Big Tent on the Northwest Corner of 24th and Lake. The Empowerment Network hosted the Holiday Boutique with over 20 small black businesses and entrepreneurs.

“It was our first time during the 12 years that we had the heated tent for the Boutique and it took some adjustments with the weather,” said Aisha Conner, Village Empowerment Center Manager and coordinator of the Boutique.

“But, our vendors did very well.  Many of them selling out of merchandise or close to it.”

Local businesses like Styles of Evolution, Ital Vital Living and Fair Deal Marketplace attracted hundreds of visitors.

Styles of Evolution recently celebrated 18 years and a grand opening as they moved back into their restored, renovated and expanded spaced. Owners Don and Yvonne McPherson once again sponsored a free drawing to win a 40” big screen television.

“One of our main goals when we started was to connect families to small businesses for the holidays,” said Barney.  “This is awesome to see over 70 businesses, entrepreneurs, artists, contractors, media companies and musicians generating income and recycling dollars in the community.”

Ital Vital Living always has a creative display and activity at their location for community festivals.  For this year, they featured “Whoville” complete with the Grinch and some tasty smoothies and snacks.

The Elks gave out toys and provided food for kids.   Next door, the Carver Legacy Center gave out reindeer antlers, pop its and other items for kids.

Arts and cultural venues also attracted some large crowds.

The Union for Contemporary Art featured an exhibit and housed the Empowerment Network community partners showcase that highlight their services and hosted interactive activities for kids.

NorthEnd TeleServices, a first-time partner, gave out stocking stuffers and hosted a Make a Wish Tree.

The Great Plains Black History Museum presented three exhibits and hosted a balloon artists.

“We want to thank all of the community partners that worked with us to put on the event,” said Quaites-Ferris.  “We have families that have attended every year and a lot of new families this year as well.”

“Many of them said they had no idea all of these buildings, stores and venues were here.  They look forward to coming back even beyond Christmas in the Village which is exactly what we wanted to see happen.”

Photo Credits:  Surreal Media Labs

Initial Photo Gallery:  Christmas in the Village at 24th and Lake 2022

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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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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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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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