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The Omaha Star is a weekly paper Next edition: January 13, 2023 Vol. 85 - No. 1 Omaha, Nebraska
Friday, January 6, 2023
75 cents
No More Empty Pots Leadership Program Spotlight: Katrina Brooks
Person of the Week: NOAH POLLOCK
Our first feature this week is our YOUNGEST reader, Master Noah Pollock who celebrated his first birthday on January 4, 2023. Noah is the son of Necy Pollock (Daryl Burgess). He has already developed a favorite newspaper, THE OMAHA STAR. His first words were mama, hi and dada. When he hears the ABC Song he stops what he is doing to follow along. He enjoys a game of peek-a-boo. He likes to dine on salmon and broccoli. His favorite activities are clapping, playing with the remote and listening to music. I asked Mom what he does that amazes her? “The way he loves people at such a young age. If he sees another baby crying, he will stop playing to give them a kiss.” Noah is exhibiting compassion for fellow man at a young age. Happiest Birthday Noah! We appreciate your support of The Omaha Star!
Publisher’s Pen Terri D. Sanders
Happy New Year. 2023 is HERE. Yes, COVID is ever present. China has identified more mutations of the virus and it has greatly multiplied itself and that concerning… The month of January in the Omaha Star is dedicated to Economic Development, Black Business and Entrepreneurs. I think it is important that we have a working definition of Economic Development and Economic Growth. Economic Development for the purposes of this writing is to look at the qualitative approach. Raising the quality of life for us humans. To define further, it is the rise in living standards,
advancement in technology and the overall “happiness” index of the community. It is a broader concept. Economic Development is long-term in nature; it is developing economies; it is an ongoing process; it also includes widespread policy changes, which would involve the government. By contrast Economic Growth is quantitative (measurable). Economic Growth is a narrower concept. This is short term in nature over a certain period of time. Economic growth may or may not require government support /aid or intervention. All that being said what is going on in our community? While we toss around the term economic development, what are we the people doing about economic growth. That is what is in our own hands. Are we developing businesses that contribute to the economics of our community. Are we providing spaces and places for the people to spend money? Or are we providing programs which does not equate with the
exchange of commerce and thus not increasing our economic growth. Development by definition is a long-term process that involves government, policies and procedures. On a personal note, I miss having shops in our community where I can spend the dollars that I generate in my economy. Boutiques, grocery stores
By Emily Unsen (Creighton University) Amy Zeller experiences at two or fouryear institutions. White students at public colleges are two and a half times more likely to graduate than Black students and 60 percent more likely to graduate than Latino students (Olivia Sanchez, 2021). One primary reason for this is a lack of support and representation available at institutions. This is No More Empty Pots especially an issue for firstcelebrated the five graduates generation students, who of its inaugural six- may feel they cannot go to month Emerging Leaders their families for the advice Experience Leadership and guidance they need. Program. The spotlight this This reality perpetuates week is on graduate Katrina inequality, so Katrina hopes Brooks. to mentor students giving Katrina is a trailblazer and them the support they need a first-generation college to challenge themselves and graduate with a passion for make it to graduation. mentoring and supporting “Everyone has so much students of color to potential,” she said. “I have successfully navigate and been blessed to be in roles achieve higher education. that allow me to help others She understands firsthand reach their truest potential having someone to look up and shine that light for to as an example can make others to see.” all the difference. Katrina earned her In her own experience as a Masters of Educational student, Katrina felt alone Administration from the in the college application University of Nebraska phase and throughout her Lincoln in 2015 and has courses. These experiences served in higher education helped Katrina find her administrative roles calling to serve Black and for 15 years. Through Brown first-generation her participation in the college students. Katrina is Leadership Program at No committed to being students’ More Empty Pots, Katrina biggest cheerleader, mentor enhanced her leadership and support system as skills to positively impact they are making difficult first-generation students decisions and navigating of color like herself. She through their own college hopes to continue providing
improved spaces and opportunities for students to thrive as leaders themselves. “I value being someone that people look up to and can trust. I will always reach back and help others the same way that my mentors did for me. I am who I am because of the mentors who helped me grow day after day, year after year,” she said. “It is only right that I try to do the same for others.” As a Black woman administrator and leader herself, Katrina is setting an example and creating representation at the table. She is motivated to blaze the trail for other future leaders and inspire students to pursue their dreams. No More Empty Pots is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that connects individuals and groups to improve selfsufficiency, regional food security and economic resilience of urban and rural communities through advocacy and action. The Leadership Program amplifies leadership and professional development opportunities for emerging leaders. The six-month cohort in 2022 is made possible through the P.E.A.R.L. Pledge Grant funded by the Pearl Milling Company to champion the success of Black women and girls. Learn more at www.nmepomaha.org
Pen continued on Page 3
Kiewit Luminarium Inspiring Curiosity
Situated alongside Omaha’s RiverFront, Kiewit Luminarium is a state-ofthe-art space designed for all to discover and explore. The 82,000-squarefoot facility will be a learning and entertainment
destination offering interactive exhibitions and engaging programs focused on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Kiewit
Luminarium
was a collective response to a need to incubate the region’s workforce, enhance Omaha as a livable community, and help position the city as a center for innovation, workforce development, and engineering. The project is a collaboration with Exploratorium, a global leader in the development of extraordinary science learning experiences, to create the center’s interactive exhibits and programming. Kiewit Luminarium’s structure was designed by HDR and is being constructed by Kiewit. Community
partners are also actively engaged in the co-creation process of this community asset. Heritage Services initiated the capital campaign and serves as project lead. More than ever, as we hope to emerge from a global pandemic, it is important to invest in the future of Omaha – building the city we want to reemerge into, preparing generations of future Omahans for resilient and creative thinking who value lifelong learning and teaching, curiosity and inquiry, community, inclusion and respect.
Government is not the generator of economic growth; working people are. ~Phil Gramm