Organization of the Week:
The Brothers of Beta Upsilon Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
The Beta Upsilon Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated as founded in Omaha, Nebraska on December 28, 1949. The National Chapter was founded November 1911 on the campus of Howard University. The charter members of the chapter were Brother John Butler, B.S. of Wilberforce, Ohio and Executive Secretary of the YMCA, Omaha Branch (The Butler Gast YMCA is named for him) and Brother Frank Wilkerson, a graduate student and an employee of the Omaha Urban League; they were joined by Brother George W. Woods of Forrest City, Arkansas, a graduate of A.M. & N. College now the University of Arkansas. Their friendship lasted over 50 years and were the brothers in Omega Psi Phi. Recently the organization fed over 300 families for Thanksgiving at the an event to commemorate a fallen Omega Brother, the Waddell Craig Robinson Memorial Thanksgiving Meal giveaway, also assisted by other members of the Divine Nine.
YOU are enough Shine
In honor of #blackgirlmagic, here are some quotes from Black women that focus on self-love, self-esteem, and so much more. Let these words remind you that you are enough, and you are so worthy of love. 1. “Self-esteem means knowing you are the dream.”~ Oprah Winfrey 2. “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.”~ Alice Walker
3. “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”~ Maya Angelou 4. “I was built this way for a reason, so I’m going to use it.”~ Simone Biles 5. “You are your best thing.”~ Toni Morrison 6. “I am a feminist, and what that means to me is much the same as the meaning of the fact that I am Black; it means that I must undertake to love myself and to respect myself as though my very life depends upon self-love and self-respect.”~ June Jordan 7. “One of the lessons that I grew up with was to always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals.” ~ Michelle Obama Continued from Page 3
“Self-esteem means knowing you are the dream.” – Oprah Winfrey
Aksarben announces new Executive Director for its Nebraska Tech Collaborative
The Aksarben Foundation, a network of business and community leaders focused on the most critical issues facing the heartland, announces Shonna Dorsey as the new Executive Director of its Nebraska Tech Collaborative (NTC). “Dorsey will lead the collective efforts to advance talent and entrepreneurial ecosystem development in Nebraska,” says Executive Committee Chair of the
NTC, Mike Lechtenberger. “Shonna has a track record of success in tech workforce development, including her leadership of internship and careerchange programs at NTC.” NTC is excited to continue partnering with Nebraska’s business stakeholders and talent builders to grow tech talent for the current and long-term economic prosperity of the state. “We are fortunate to live in a great state and we are fortunate to have Shonna leading this important workforce initiative,” says Mike Lechtenberger. Dorsey has been a part of the Nebraska Tech Collaborative since it’s start and brings with her vast leadership and relationship cultivation experience within the tech space. A seasoned community leader with extensive volunteer and not-for-profit board experience, Dorsey has worked with several community organizations and has devoted significant personal efforts towards helping youth access opportunities to explore technology-related careers. “Technology is always evolving, and so too is the challenge facing Nebraska in terms of tech-workers,” says Sandra Reding, “Each of us works in either a tech or a tech-enabled organization which makes the need for a tech-savvy workforce all the more pressing and the actions we take today will determine the trajectory of the state for the next twenty years to come.” The Nebraska Tech Collaborative, a statewide workforce initiative, was launched by the Aksarben Foundation in 2019 as a response to business leaders call to action for more tech-talent. With over 50,000 available jobs in the state, and nearly all jobs being tech specific or tech enabled, the need for talent continues to grow. Considering all possible solutions, including talent attraction, job upskilling, and statewide DEI goals, the NTC developed four goals around which to direct all focus and strategy by the year 2025: 1. Increase the number of tech workers by 10,000 2. Help increase the number of tech start-up companies by 300 3. Diversify the talent pool with 40% female and 20% underrepresented groups, and 4. Increase Nebraska’s tech profile nationally and ecosystem throughout the state “Shonna will be a tremendous addition to the NTC/Aksarben team,” says Mike Cassling, Aksarben Governor and Founding Chair of the NTC, “With her drive, determination, and proven track record of success in tech leadership, the NTC will be something to watch in 2023.” If you or your organization are interested in learning more about the Nebraska Tech Collaborative, or for more information on how to become a partner organization, please visit www.nebtechcollab.com. For more information about the Aksarben Foundation, visit www.aksarben.org.
Publisher’s Pen Terri D. Sanders
COVID, RSV and Flu are running wild in the country. This has been named the TRIPLEDEMIC, 3 in one virus. Adults, Children and those with immune deficiencies should beware. WASH those hands! The month of December in the Omaha Star is dedicated to self-care. This is not being selfish, but looking after your mental, physical and spiritual being for overall good health. What does this mean? How are we tending to our day-to-day well-being? I am including myself in this question. How do you balance your eating habits? How do you balance your rest, meaning the sleeping hours. Eight hours is the recommended amount, but what does YOUR body require? What keeps you awake? How do you alleviate that thing that keeps you awake? Should you drink a cup of warm liquid before retiring? What about the Continued from Page 3
“One of the lessons that I grew up with was to always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals.” - Michelle Obama