Thousands attend 12th Annual Christmas in the Village at 24th and Lake
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
Coming Events
Aileen Warren and Jay Warren-Teamer to present at AALC 2024
Aileen Warren and Jay Warren-Team will be co-presenters at the Empowerment Network’s 12th Annual African-American Leadership Conference on Friday, September 27, 2024.
Tickets available here: 2024 African-American Leadership Conference (aalcomaha.com)
Aileen and Jay will share insights gained from their highly successful careers. The topic is Delivering on Your Promise with Excellence.
Both are trailblazers in their respective workplaces and impactful leaders in the community.
Aileen has an extensive career in human resources leading departments for First National Bank, FirstData and UNMC. She is now the Executive Director for ICAN a nationally recognized leadership development organization for women.
Jay worked as a leader in the non-profit realm with Partnership for Kids and United Way of the Midlands before transitioning to the corporate sector. She previously worked at Mutual of Omaha, and now at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska where she leads the Nebraska Blue Foundation and diversity, equity and inclusion.
Both Warren and Warren-Teamer are members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
The session will provide a roadmap for establishing your personal and professional brand of excellence and delivering on the promise.
The African-American Leadership Conference which attracts hundreds of leaders will feature keynote, Eric ET Thomas, one of the nation’s top motivators, influencers, and New York Times best-selling author along with dozens of local and national speakers.
Tickets available. 2024 African-American Leadership Conference (aalcomaha.com)
Aileen Warren
Aileen currently serves as the President and CEO of ICAN, the Institute for Career Advancement Needs. ICAN is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop inspired, authentic leaders to transform the organizations and communities they serve.
A UNO Goodrich Scholarship recipient, she attended and graduated from UNO where she earned bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work. She also holds a certificate in Organizational Development from the Fielding Institute. After graduation from college, Aileen began her professional career working at a variety of non-profit organizations including the YWCA and Urban League of Nebraska. During this time, she honed her leadership skills by participating in the ICAN Influence Program and the Omaha Chamber of Commerce Leadership Omaha Program. She went on to have a long career in Human Resources working for First National Bank, First Data Corporation (now Fiserv), and UNMC.
She is very active in the community and has an extensive record of involvement with numerous organizations including the Boys and Girls Club of the Midlands, Women’s Fund of Omaha, Omaha Home for Boys, and the Omaha Downtown Rotary. She is a Past President of the Omaha Downtown Rotary and former President of the Board of Directors of the Women’s Fund of Omaha. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, and participates in the African American Empowerment Network. She is also a University of Nebraska Foundation Trustee and was recently appointed to the Omaha Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
Aileen has been recognized for her community contributions by being selected as the 2006 Boys and Girls Club of the Midlands Woman of the Year, a 2012 Omaha North High Viking of Distinction, and 2018 Ak-Sar-Ben Court of Honor recipient. In 2020, she and her husband, Thomas received the honor of having their faces on the barroom floor at the Omaha Press Club. In 2021, she received the College of Public Affairs and Community Service Alumni Award from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
She has been married to her husband Thomas for 39 years. They have three children – Jessica, Thomas Jr., and Alexandra. She also has three grandsons Evan, Kingston, and Princeton.
Jay Warren-Teamer
Jay Warren-Teamer is an Omaha native who has spent her personal and professional life serving our community. She received her B.S. in Child, Youth and Family Studies from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln and earned her Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Currently, she is the Executive Director of the Nebraska Blue Foundation and DEI at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska.
With her childhood friend, Ashlei Spivey, Jay co-founded I Be Black Girl and leads the groups’ giving circle, IBBGives. Since launching in 2018, IBBGives has invested over $150k to projects supporting Black women, femmes and girls in the Omaha metro. Highly engaged in our community, Jay has served on the boards of Kids Can Community Center, Women’s Fund of Omaha and MENTOR Nebraska. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Recognitions and awards include:
- WCA’s Tribute to Women Young Leader Award (2009)
- Women’s Fund of Omaha Inner Circle honoree (2017)
- Greater Omaha Chamber YP Council Changemaker Award (2018)
- Urban League of Nebraska African American Leadership Award (2019)
- UNO Chancellor’s Commission on the Status of Gender Equity – Outstanding Community Service Award (2021)
- UNO College of Public Affairs and Community Service – Alumni Award for Excellence in Public Service (2021)
Her greatest joy is her family. Jay is married to her high school sweetheart, Shannon, and they have two sons.
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.
Tickets available. 2024 African-American Leadership Conference (aalcomaha.com)
For more information on the Empowerment Network, please go to empoweromaha.com
Coming Events
Coach Melody McClellan will bring vital health and wellness message to Leadership Conference
Coach Melody McClellan a nationally recognized leader in the health and wellness field will present at the Empowerment Network’s African-American Leadership Conference on Friday, September 27, 2024.
Coach Melody’s health and wellness platform has continued to expand across the country. The work and calling is so strong for Melody, six years ago, she left her corporate sales position and went full time as a Health and Wellness Transformation Strategist.
The event which attracts hundreds of leaders will feature keynote, Eric ET Thomas, one of the nation’s top motivators, influencers, and New York Times best-selling author along with dozens of local and national speakers.
Tickets available. 2024 African-American Leadership Conference (aalcomaha.com)
Melody McClellan
Melody McClellan is CEO of Unwrap You, LLC. She is a published author of two books; Unwrap the New You Interactive Wellness Journal and Ohhmazing Wellness. Melody received the 2017 Excellence in Health Care Award and has over 20 years of experience in the health field, specifically in the areas of diabetes, cholesterol, obesity, and weight management.
Coach Melody creates and implements corporate wellness programs, develops personalized workshops, facilitates lunch and learns, and is a dynamic speaker. She engages groups of all ages in a variety of topics related to health and wellness. Her goal is to educate and improve health outcomes. In addition to her passion for health and wellness, Coach Melody is an ambassador for the American Heart Association, VP of Young Ambassadors for YWCA, Board Member of I AM ESTL The Magazine, and a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
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
Coming Events
Moving Towards $1 Billion; David Stevens to present at Leadership Conference
One of the nation’s top investors and wealth management leaders, David Stevens, CEO and Founder of Stevens Capital Partners, will present on investments and portfolios at the Empowerment Network’s African-American Leadership Conference on Friday, September 27, 2024.
The event which attracts hundreds of leaders will feature keynote, Eric ET Thomas, one of the nation’s top motivators, influencers, and New York Times best-selling author along with dozens of local and national speakers.
Tickets available. 2024 African-American Leadership Conference (aalcomaha.com)
David Stevens
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