One of the direct and measurable outcomes from Christmas in the Village at 24th and Lake is the involvement and engagement of black businesses, artists and creatives.

Between the businesses located in the district and the vendors, food trucks, artists, musicians, contractors and service providers that take part, over 60 Black businesses generate income by being part of Christmas in the Village.

“It’s a great example of keeping money circulating in the community,” said Willie Barney, president of the Empowerment Network and owner of several businesses with his wife, Yolanda.

Many businesses have reported in the past that the event represents their highest day of sales for the year.

The sales were not as high this year, but even with the cold weather, thousands were in attendance at the 12th Annual Christmas in the Village at 24th and Lake.  History shows that many of the visitors will come back once they realize the stores and businesses are in the community.

The Empowerment Network’s Holiday Boutique was held in a heated Big Tent on the northeast corner of 24th and Lake.  It housed 20 businesses in a new setting that presented some challenges with the weather but served the need when the normal venue was not available.

“Most of the businesses did well and some sold out or nearly sold out of their merchandise,” said Aisha Conner, manager of the Village Empowerment Center and coordinator of the Boutique.

Styles of Evolution, Ital Vital Living, Revive Center, Omaha Star, Carver Legacy Center, 95.7 The Boss Radio Station and others located in the Village also benefit by creating awareness of their products and services and generating sales.

“We had a really great day of sales,” said Imani Murray, co-owner of Ital Vital Living.  “We had over 400 come to our store.”

Eight additional businesses are located at the Fair Deal Marketplace.  The innovative small business center made of shipping containers is now full including three new businesses that are currently undergoing grand openings.

Locally owned food trucks including SoCo Cafe, Boiling Claws, Haven Express Omaha and Smokin’ Guns served up wings, BBQ, seafood, soul foods and other tasty dishes.

“We had a good day,” said Devaute Nunn, co-owner of Haven Express.  “We really appreciate the Empowerment Network creating this opportunity for us.”

Creatives, artists, musicians and sound engineers also benefit from Christmas in the Village through the Holiday Concert in Dreamland Park.

This year included another impressive line-up with the following artists:  Big Wade and musicians, Gus McNair, The Arvies, Jarron Taylor, Millicent Crawford, Kathy Tyree and Eric and Doriette Jordan.

The artists receive honorariums for their dedication of time and using their gifts to provide beautiful holiday music for the event.

“The Holiday Concert has always been a major part of the event,” said Barney.  “Not only is there amazing music, singing and dancing, we want to provide this platform for the artists and make sure they are compensated for their time and using their gifts.”

Dozens of other contractors, entrepreneurs and businesses ranging from photography, videography, branding, security, marketing, design, print media, radio and other industries are paid for their services as part of the event.

While the primary focus is bringing kids and families together for a cultural celebration and holiday tradition, creating opportunities for businesses to generate income, create jobs and recycle money in the community are also important goals.

Comments from some of the Holiday Boutique Vendors:

Dawawn

Owner, It’s Not a Game Apparel

One of the best and most successful events I have attended in a while. I will definitely will be there next year. Thanks for the opportunity.

Sarah

Owner of Kreative Ways

The event gave a great opportunity for my business to be highlighted and show the community that Kreative Ways exist. Everyone that came to the table loved it and I ran out of business card. Gave out 250 to people.

I was able to connect with all customers, first time customers that patronized me four years ago when I started and also met new ones that loved my products.

Rehab Luka

Owner of Yass Beautiful

The Holiday Boutique was amazing. This is a great way to get exposure for my local business. I was so grateful to be there because I didn’t know how to get myself out there for the community to know about my business.  I want to thank you so much for doing this for the community.

Ida Causevic

Owner of Moss Lady

I feel it was great exposure…All and all it was definitely worth it.

“It was such a blessing,” said Tawanna Black, founder of the nationally recognized Center for Economic Inclusion based in the Twin Cities.

She and her husband, Eric, drove over six hours with their children, Traviata and Christian, to take part in the Empowerment Network’s 12th Annual Christmas in the Village at 24th and Lake in North Omaha.

“We have been wanting to come down the last few years, but it hadn’t worked out,” said Tawanna.

“Watching the videos and seeing all of the promotional materials on social media, we just knew it was something we wanted our kids to experience. There’s nothing like this in the Twin Cities.”

The family came early and stayed nearly the whole day as there were so many activities and they wanted to see them all.

“We loved, laughed, smiled, hugged and literally shopped til we dropped,” said Black.

“We rode the carriage ride, took family photos, shopped with the vendors, visited the live animals, walked through the exhibits, took pictures with Santa and sang and danced in Dreamland Park. We got it all in.”

Traviata and Christian also shared their perspectives about that event.

Christian shared his excitement:

Going to Christmas in the Village was so fun. Seeing everyone so happy made me happy.

Riding the horse and carriage was my dream. It was so good. The choirs sang very well. And there were so many places to shop!

Traviata added these comments:

Christmas in the Village was amazing. It was exciting to see my parents loved by so many and excited to see people they used to work with.

I loved seeing Santa and so many other kids who were excited to get a photo with Santa and I couldn’t believe that there were live animals there and that we could touch a donkey, camel, and goat.

I also loved being able to see a lot of people I could relate to, everyone was so happy to see other Black people and seeing them smile made me smile.

“Hearing those comments is so encouraging and makes everything we do worth it,” said Vicki Quaites-Ferris, Vice President of Community Development and Operations at the Empowerment Network and event manager for Christmas in the Village.

Eric and Tawanna once called Omaha home.

Tawanna is well known for her leadership and economic development work with Destination Midtown and was one of the first diversity and inclusion directors in the city working with Cox Communications.

After relocating to Minneapolis 12 years ago, she has led the Northside Funders Group, a collaborative of 12 foundations and then stepped out in faith to create and launch the Center for Economic Inclusion.

The mission of the Center for Economic Inclusion is closing racial employment, income, and wealth gaps, and building racially inclusive and equitable regional economies.

Eric worked for two decades serving in a number of global business Development and integrated marketing leadership capacities and rising to the level of executive with Cargill.

He has now ventured into the non-profit industry as an executive director for Minnesota Diversified Industries (MDI). MDI is a Minnesota manufacturer and nonprofit social enterprise with the mission to provide employment opportunities and services for people with disabilities.

“One of things I love about Omaha is the way people collaborate,” said Eric. “To see nearly 100 organizations, businesses and ministries work together to make something like this happen is inspiring.”

Both Eric and Tawanna are committed to equity, economic advancement and elevating the culture. They see events like Christmas in the Village as essential and vitally important.

“It is incredibly meaningful to have Tawanna, Eric, Traviata and Christian make the six hour trip to Omaha to join us for Christmas in the Village,” said Willie Barney, CEO and founder of the Empowerment Network.

“Hearing their heartfelt comments and the impact of the event on them and their children is inspiring and opens our eyes to even greater possibilities.”

“Thousands of kids and families attend each year and it is beginning to draw from a larger region. It reinforces the original vision we had for creating this event. 24th and Lake is the hub that can bring people from all over the country to celebrate our culture through music, food, arts, entertainment and business.”

“This is such an amazing cultural experience. Absolutely phenomenal,” said Tawanna. “Willie and Yolanda Barney, Vicki Quaites-Ferris and all of the partners who help make this happen have created a masterpiece.”

Get Ready to Shop, Play, Eat, Sing and Enjoy!  

70+ small businesses, organizations, ministries and artists have teamed to make this the largest and best ever!  

Black-owned businesses located in the Historic 24th and Lake District are ready to serve you during the 12th Annual Christmas in the Village!

• Styles of Evolution
• Revive Center Omaha
  
• Revive Store
• Ital Vital Living
• Fair Deal Marketplace
• Divine Nspirations
• Still Poppin Gourmet Popcorn
• D-Marie’s North 24th Street Beauty Supply
• Haberdash ONE
• This and That Boutique
• Rooted Synergy
• Juanita’s Creations
• Snkrr Haven
• Carver Legacy Center
• Omaha Star

Plus, The Holiday Boutique returns in a new location under the BIG TENT at 24th and Lake.  The Boutique will feature over 20 vendors with beautiful and unique products.

Vendors under the heated tent include:

• Black Bottom Biscotti
• She So Hollywood
• The Love Movement
• YanantaKe’s Apotheracy
• Kreative Ways
• Zuri and Me
• Still Poppin’ Gourme
• Queen Sparkle Diva
• Brilliant and Resilient
• Fashionably Late
• Sonya’s Diva Boutique
• It’s Not a Game Apparel
• Moss Lady
• Simply Fab Luxury
• Mommy and Me Scents
• Tory’s Signature Teas
• On the Go
• Islasimone Candles
• Water Rocks Publishing
• Super Bros
• Yass Beautiful

Mobile Food Trucks with TASTY menus will also be available!

• Smokin Guns
• Haven Express Omaha
• Soco Cafe
• Boiling Claws 

Major sponsors for Christmas in the Village at 24^th and Lake 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.

The Christmas in the Village partners want to remind the community that street closures will take place at the following major intersections beginning at 10 am: 

• 25^th to 22^nd and Lake Street
• 24^th & Maple to 24^th & Burdette Street

Streets will reopen @ 5:30 pm.

Christmas in the Village is part of the on-going re-establishment of an arts, culture, business and entertainment district at 24^th and Lake envisioned in the North Omaha Village Revitalization Plan facilitated by the Empowerment Network, OEDC and community partners over 11 years ago.  It has served as one of the major catalysts for the development occurring in the historic 24^th and Lake district.