Events

Willie and Yolanda Barney honored as 176th ‘Faces’ by Omaha Press Club

Omaha community builders & entrepreneurs, Willie and Yolanda Barney,

176th Face on Barroom Floor on Thursday, Dec. 14

By Tom O’Connor, Omaha Press Club Communications
Faces Drawing by Jeff Koterba

Willie and Yolanda Barney wear many different hats while striving for one key goal – to help make Omaha a stronger, safer and more vibrant community.

The Barneys work out of the heart of North Omaha, where they have worked with many others to spearhead a variety of entrepreneurial initiatives aimed at such things as reviving Black businesses, providing employment opportunities for youth, enhancing career advancement and leadership skills, helping the community build wealth, and even reducing gun violence.

For their many contributions to Omaha, the Barneys were recognized by the Omaha Press Club on Thursday, Dec. 14, as the 176th Face on the Barroom Floor.

The ‘Faces’ honors newsmakers and leaders who have made an impact in the community and are recognized regionally and nationally for their work. Over the years, civic leaders, business executives, athletes, media personalities, entertainers, philanthropists and others have been recognized.

“The Barneys are special people,” said Roger Humphries, chair of the Face on the Barroom Floor Committee. “They have truly made a difference in our community. The magnitude of their efforts is almost mind-boggling. They have a relentless devotion to making Omaha better, and their many endeavors have positively impacted the entire spectrum of our society.”

Douglas County Treasurer John Ewing, who along with his wife, Viv, was the 165th Face in 2021, praised the Barneys for “their commitment to faith and how they live it out through their community service.” He added, “Willie and Yolanda are passionate about making Omaha the great city we want it to be. Their goal is to do it in neighborhood by neighborhood in every zip code.”

The Barney’s were roasted by Jonathan Chapman, Vice-President of Collaboratives for the Empowerment Network; John Ewing, Douglas County Treasurer and Viv Ewing CEO of Children’s Square; and Candice Price, Co-owner of Home Team Auto. Over 130 friends, co-workers, civic leaders and community partners joined in the celebration.

The Barneys, who have been married for 25 years, came to Omaha in 2000. They each have a strong media background.

Born in Hollandale, Mississippi, and living near Arcola, Mississippi, along Highway 438, Willie has more than 30 years of business experience. He worked for Lee Enterprises in Davenport, Iowa, for 10 years rising to senior level positions in strategic planning, marketing and communications before joining the Omaha World-Herald in 2000.

Yolanda, a native of Tacoma, Washington, has 29 years of media and publishing experience. She held key positions in advertising, sales and new product development with the Kansas City Star, Dallas Morning News, Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Quad City Times.

Willie is a graduate of St. Ambrose University in Davenport with a double major in economics and business administration. He also has received advanced training through the Summer Leadership Institute for Community Development at Harvard University and through the Executive Leadership and Management Training Program at the Northwestern University Media Center in Chicago.

Yolanda earned her college degree in mass communication from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Working together as a team the Barneys launched a number of businesses and organizations. Willie is probably best known in Omaha for his work with the Empowerment Network:

The Empowerment Network, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is a community-based collaborative including hundreds of leaders and organizations and thousands of residents. Launched by Willie with the support of Yolanda and other leaders in 2007, the network seeks to improve the economic condition and quality of life for African-Americans, North Omaha residents and citizens of Omaha.

It has been recognized as one of four model communities in the nation by the Obama Foundation, and the U.S. Department of Justice honored the network with its National Community Service Award for its work in helping to reduce gun violence by nearly 70 percent. It has garnered national media attention from among others ABC News, CNN and The Washington Post.

Some of the network’s most well-known collaboratives are:

Step-Up Omaha!, a youth employment and entrepreneurship program which has connected 8,000 youth and young adults to career exploration, jobs and internships.
Omaha 360, a violence intervention and prevention collaborative;
Cradle to Career, an education collaborative;
African-American Leadership Conference and Rebuilding the Village Conference;
Christmas in the Village and other cultural events at 24^th and Lake; and
North Omaha Village Plan/Transformation Plan.

With a dynamic team, board and dedicated partners, Willie leads the Empowerment Network, a nonprofit that is all about collaboration, he said.

On the business side, the Barneys are strong believers in entrepreneurship and have launched a number of enterprises in Omaha:

WDB Resultants, launched in 2003, a national consulting firm founded by Willie Barney and co-owned by Yolanda, who serves as vice president. The company specializes in strategic planning, communications, research, facilitation, and community-building through its work with clients in the small business, corporate, nonprofit, and faith-based sectors across the country.A sought-after public speaker and thought leader, Willie Barney is a strategist, facilitator and catalyst with a proven track record of working effectively with partners to get things done and accomplish strategic visions.
SMB Enterprises, also launched in 2003, is a company that provides positive events, media and entertainment in the greater Omaha area. One of the primary products of SMB is Revive Omaha, a print/online magazine focused on family lifestyle and empowerment for African-Americans. It was founded by the Barneys in 2008. The magazine highlights the positive work and outcomes of community leaders, businesses, students and families through a number of special editions, including the North Omaha Community Guide, Black Business Guide, and the student-focused Salute to Excellence. Yolanda is responsible for the publishing and print division of the company, producing local and national custom publishing products. She also oversees the online magazine.
Revive Black Business Network, which was established by the Barneys 10 years ago through Revive Omaha. Through monthly luncheons and summits, the network has brought together more than 350 Black business owners and entrepreneurs for networking, business exchange, capacity-building, expositions and expansion.
In 2019, the Barneys expanded SMB with the launching of the Revive Center Omaha. A center which provides a platform for chefs, cooks, creatives and entrepreneurs to introduce their products and services to the community.
Carver Legacy Center, a Black-owned financial institution created in 2020 by the Barneys in partnership with Martin and Lynnell Williams with the support of John and Wende Kotouc to help build Black wealth and create strong economies in the North Omaha communities. It is located at 24th and Lake streets.

Yolanda and Willie have received numerous awards. Yolanda was recognized for her efforts including the Mildred D. Brown Torch Bearer Award as well as the National Coalition of Black Women Economic Empowerment Award. Willie was recognized by Creighton University, University of Nebraska Omaha, and the Department of Justice. In 2020, the National Education Association presented Willie Barney and the Empowerment Network with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Award.

The Barneys have a son, Nehemiah, 22, who is studying film at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and a daughter, Priscilla, who is a junior at Omaha Central High School. In the family’s spirit of entrepreneurism, both children also have launched their own small business enterprises.

Active in their faith, the Barneys serve as associate ministers at Launch Church International.

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!

Photo Gallery

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.

Coming Events

Jan. 10th…First Revive Black Business Summit for 2026

The first Revive Black Business Summit and Business Exchange for 2026, hosted by Willie and Yolanda Barney, will focus on working together to double the number of Black Businesses with Employees. Building Wealth and Community by Creating Profits and Advancing Careers.

REGISTRATION is CLOSED for the Jan. 10th Summit. The event is at capacity.

We’ve had a great response with the summits and luncheons with over 400 Black businesses, entrepreneurs and support organizations participating during the past 12 years.

The Brookings Institution highlighted a 95% increase in the number of Black-owned businesses in Omaha with employees from 2017-2022. What can we do to double that number over the next five years by 2030?

The Revive Black Business Network and Business Exchange have helped to establish a strong system in Omaha where business owners are doing more business with each other and are now forming partnerships in Tulsa, New Orleans, Lansing, Atlanta, Kansas City and other national cities. Let’s keep building!

Keynote Speakers:

Carmen Tapio, CEO, North End Teleservices

Carmen will share key insights and steps she took to transform NET from a start-up business to becoming one of the fastest growing companies in the United States.

The Summit will also include updates from special guests including: Hometeam Auto Co-owner, Candice Price, Phillip McClain, CEO of The Mensch Group, Keele Taylor, CEO of HR Minded Consulting and Raheem Sanders, CEO and Managing PArtner, PPRP Innovations.

Candice Price: Creating Jobs, Opportunities and Multiple Streams of Income

Phillip McClain: Building Community through Real Estate Development

Raheem Sanders: Maximizing Data and AI to Create Profits & Jobs

Keele Taylor: Preparing Your Business to Hire New Employees

Business resources and funding opportunities will also be presented by: TreVon Brooks, CEO of Omaha 100; Davida Stewart, Client Relationships with Hayes & Associates; Karnetta Rushing, Business Development Officer, Carver Legacy Center; and April Hibbler, Nebraska Opportunity Exchange – Urban League of Nebraska.