Vol. 84 - No. 30 Omaha, Nebraska
Friday, December 23, 2022
75 cents
Person of the Week: Michael Scott is Back: Scott and Rolanda Taylor to UNLEASH Podcast
By Andy Roberts “Leaping Lizards!” this is some big media news. More on reptiles later. Two former standout Omaha broadcasters – Michael Scott and Rolanda Taylor - are joining forces to launch a new Omaha-based podcast with the backing of Omaha Magazine. Scott, now the second most famous offspring of Jamaican immigrants (yes, Kamala Harris is more famous, Michael) and Taylor, crossed paths at Omaha’s KETV. They remained in touch as their careers took them around the country, polishing their reporting and anchoring talents. Entertainment Tonight and major television market exposure now highlight Scott’s resume, while Taylor has covered national news and worked for VH-1, Lifetime Cable and HGTV, even doing a stint as a guest designer. She now works for a Florida-based investment company and pursues her artistic interests while Scott is semiretired and dabbling in politics, recently directing Juanita Johnson’s successful campaign for Omaha City Council. This duo now is ready to flex their journalistic chops again with Michael Scott UNLEASHED with Rolanda Taylor, a podcast to focus on a wide range of issues that should draw a large audience. It’s coming soon to a streaming service near you, and it may not have happened if not for a chance meeting with Omaha Magazine’s Gil Cohen. There should be no doubt that both are ready for this next step. Taylor said she’s open to great opportunities, both large and small these days, including adventures in a media environment that is vastly different from the one she left in the mid-2000s. “It’s rife with divergent, often bizarre points of view,” she acknowledged. Flattered that Scott had approached her, she recalled their shared chemistry and energy. “Why not get back into the communications game?” Taylor stressed. “Talking and expressing my opinion has become easier for me. Unlike the unbiased posture required in journalism.” Make no mistake, Scott loves the media spotlight, and a show such as Michael Scott UNLEASHED allows him to explore a new direction he has only started to sample. His appetite for opinion-based programming was whetted a few years ago when he was approached to do a community radio show in Omaha. He loved it, and while the station’s fortunes didn’t allow him to continue to pursue that interest, he was hooked. “I didn’t really want to get out of it,” he said. “The big thing was, I got to share my views.” That only happened once before when he ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 1998. Person of the Week continued on Page 3
Publisher’s Pen Terri D. Sanders
Did you know that the superintendent in Grand Island, Nebraska for the past six years was an African American woman? Dr. Tawana Grover is resigning as Grand Island school superintendent effective January 2023. Congratulations Wayne D. Hudson, FBI Academy graduate, our Chief Deputy Sheriff, in Douglass County, Nebraska who is moving to Shaker Heights.
Omaha Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Logan will resign effective June 2023. Three high level pro-
fessionals will exit their positions in the next six months. I know everyone has options and are free to exercise those options. I personally wish them great success at their next level. My question is how do we retain, support and nurture African American professionals in our state of Nebraska. Have we fluffed the covers and pulled back the sheets to find out why people are leaving “the good life?” Yes these are personal decisions. My question is WHY?
Publisher’s Pen continured on Page 3
“It is not a question of can you succeed; a better question is will you succeed.” ~George Johnson, Entrepreneur
Cooperative Economics - Putting Principles into Practice CHD Kwanza Luncheon Celebration by Asia Nared
The Center of Holistic Development (CHD) will hold the 16th annual CHD Kwanzaa Luncheon Celebration during the holiday season. The event will be held December 29, 2022, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Revive Center, 2402 Lizzie Robinson Avenue, Omaha. The luncheon event is on the fourth day of Kwanzaa, celebrating Cooperative Economics, the fourth candle, Ujamaa. The purpose of this community celebration is to educate and celebrate African American culture and the principles of Kwanzaa. It is celebrated from December 26th to January 1st. Kwanzaa is based on “the first fruits,” an African agricultural celebration, it represents the
time of harvest, ingathering, reverence, commemoration, recommitment, and celebration. It is a time of family gathering, community renewal and reinforcement of neighborly bonds. “Ujamaa,” the fourth principle, will be highlighted at the luncheon while also teaching how to put the Seven Principles, Nguzo Saba, into practice. The Celebration Leader for this event will be Johnny Nesbit, the president of Urban League Nebraska Young Professionals. JoAnne Leflore-Ejike, the executive director of the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation, will be providing the Community Charge to encourage utilization of all principles for the coming year. Please visit Center of Holistic Developments website, chdomaha.org, for more information on purchasing tickets.
No More Empty Pots Leadership Program Spotlight: Michelle Lee By Maya Tate (Creighton University) Amy Zeller The spotlight this week is on graduate Michelle Lee. Michelle is who many would call a “Girl Boss” with entrepreneurial energy! She has a diverse work background including joining the Army Reserves and Split Reserves when she was just seventeen years old after graduating from Omaha North High School. Michelle has experience No More Empty Pots cel- working for companies cenebrated the five graduates tered on software engineerof its inaugural six-month ing and risk management, Emerging Leaders Experi- and she currently serves as ence Leadership Program. a Senior Membership Rep-
resentative at a pharmaceutical benefits company. Throughout holding each of these positions, Michelle has remained passionate about seeing women lead and thrive in the workplace, especially in positions historically held by men. “Women have to wear different hats at home and at work,” Michelle said. “We learn how to have that work-life balance.” Michelle is also proudly transitioning to a more
No More Empty Pots continued on Page 3
WCA Tribute to Women 2023 Join our honorary chair, Dr. Katie Weitz, Ph.D., as we host the 36th Annual Tribute to Women Luncheon on Thursday, June 29, 2023. The purpose of this award is to pay tribute to women in our community whose actions have helped others to stay safe and grow strong. Each nominee must be an area resident who works and/or volunteers in the Greater Omaha Metro Area. A selection committee made up of community members will use the following criteria in their selection process:
•The nominee’s personal philanthropic and/or professional achievements •The nominee’s community involvement and impact on the Greater Omaha Metropolitan Area •The nominee’s demonstrated commitment to the WCA’s mission of empowering people to lead self-determined lives Completed nomination forms must be received by Friday, January 6, 2023 at 11:59 pm. We can’t wait to celebrate the next round of outstanding women! Questions? Please contact Development Coordinator Mekenzie Looney MekenzieL@wcaomaha.org 402-345-6555 ext. 348
The successful are tested within the furnace of adversity.