75 CENTS
Omaha Star
The
Proudly Serving Our Community for Over 80 Years
Class of 1973 Reunion Committee
Dedicated to the Service of the People that NO Good Cause Shall Lack a Champion and that Evil Shall Not Go Unopposed
Nebraska’s Only Black Owned Newspaper Vol. 85 - No. 8 Omaha, Nebraska
Friday, February 24, 2023
75 cents
Publisher’s Pen Terri D. Sanders
COVID…need I say anymore…it is still with us. I have had several experiences in and about our community that I want to share. This week I was a proponent for LB455 and testified before the education committee. This bill is in support of a grant to distribute reading materials/ newspapers statewide to elementary aged school children. Not being an educator, I was surprised to learn that some students do not have the skill set to know to turn the page when reading because in this day and age everything is digital. No need to turn a page when you can scroll to get information, no book necessary. When I understood the magnitude of this statement I was saddened. Our children are so technology bound it is not common sense good. Think about this. If you have children in your lives, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE give them a book to read and have them to read to you and/or you read with them. As the saying goes, reading is fundamental. While it seems “old school” it is vital in our society. Opera Omaha welcomes to our city Allison Swenson, General Director of the company. She brings with her a wealth of experiences that is sure to benefit our local opera company. If you have not ever attended an opera, try it you might like it…Welcome Allison to Omaha! On Monday I will be part of a Community Conversation between friends: Rekindling Black-Jewish Allyship. with the Jewish Community (see page 8 advertisement). Hope you can join us. Did you know that in the 1940’s and 1950’s North 24th Street was predominately Jewish economic area? Join us for this in person conversation. •
All Metro Schools 50th Reunion Class of 1973 Calling all 1973 graduates from: Benson, Marian, Creighton Prep, South, Burke, Northwest, Rummel, Tech, North, Westside, Central and Bryan, join us for a fifty-year celebration, Friday, July 28, 2023 (during the native Omahan Celebration Weekend) for a Dinner-Dance. The event will be held at the Marriott Hotel, 222North 10th Street, Omaha. Social hour is 5pm-6pm and the Dinner Dance is 6pm-midnight. To obtain tickets and more information go to: www.1973reunion.com. •
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Black Children’s Book Week By D.M. Whitaker
Military, Veterans, Family & Friends - Volunteers Needed for Free Rally Point Nebraska Beta Program If you’re a veteran or a member of a military family, sign up today to take part in a free state supported beta test of Lightbridge, a mobile phone app focused on resources and routines to help our military, veterans, their family & friends live their best lives. Just scan in the QR code below to sign up and get started for free. Questions? Contact Joy Lewis at joy@lightbridgeinc.com. •
Of all the qualities necessary for success, none comes before character. ~ Unknown
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1. Read culturally representative to black children 2. Visit our black-owned book store and purchase books 3. Purchase children’s books from black authors 4. Donate black books to your child’s classroom, shelter, and/or church 5. Check out and request a black children’s book from your local library 6. Leave a review for a black children’s book that you love on Amazon or Goodreads 7. Find a community mobile library and donate a black children’s book We all know and love that Black History Month is here! And if you’re like me you celebrate Black History all year round with your children. But did you know about Black Children’s Book Week? It’s the last week in February (February 26-March 4) where authors, illustrators, publishers, librarians, parents… EVERYONE..celebrate the representation of black children in literature and media! This is so important to our black and brown children, because seeing themselves in books empowers and affirms them, and inspires them to love and enjoy reading.Here are some ways you can celebrate Black Children’s Book Week:
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And guess what?! You can do these things all year round. Diversify your classroom and home libraries with books that look like your children and/or black and brown children you know. And if you can’t find the book that represents what’s most important to you and the children you know and love, write it! Books are so important to children’s learning, develop a love of reading, give them access to new ideas, and provide them with the opportunity to explore new topics. Check out or pick up a black book by a black author today and share the stories and possibilities with children on who they are and who they can become. •
A river cannot rise beyond its source. What’s in the seed determines the fruit. ~ T. M. Alexander, Entrepreneur