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Omaha Star
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Nebraska’s Only Black Owned Newspaper Vol. 83 - No. 2 Omaha, Nebraska
Friday, January 22, 2021
75 cents
Free Ed Poindexter! Fifty years ago, two young men with bright futures were taken out of North Omaha’s community and disappeared into Nebraska’s prison system for a crime they did not commit. Edward Poindexter and Wopashitwe Mondo Eyen we Langa (known as David Rice) were leaders of the National Committee to Combat Fascism (NCCF), the successor to Omaha’s disbanded Black Panther Party. When a booby-trapped suitcase bomb killed an Omaha Police Officer on August 17, 1970, police and prosecutors immediately assumed the “Panthers” had masterminded the murder. They set out to prove it at all costs. But they were wrong. Mondo and Ed spent their entire adult Cutline lives in prison trying to get back into court to prove their innocence, yet Nebraska’s courts were unyielding. Mondo died in the prison infirmary on March 11, 2016, proclaiming his innocence to the end. His ashes were taken to Africa and trekked to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro. An African guide shouted “Uhuru,” which means “freedom” in Swahili, as he released Mondo’s ashes to the wind on the summit of Africa. Now, Ed Poindexter needs your help. Mr. Poindexter is 76 years old. He was 23, entering Nebraska Penal Complex. His current health issues include triple bypass surgery 2016 and chronic medical diagnoses of diabetes, peripheral artery disease, and end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis. No longer mobile without falling, he uses a wheelchair. Ed is not responding well to dialysis. He has blacked out eight times in eight months and revived with oxygen. He requires an organ transplant surgery. The only way that Ed can be released is to apply for a commutation of his life sentence from the Pardons Board, which consists of the governor, attorney general, and secretary of state. The commutation application was filed in August 2019 but did not appear on October or December’s meeting agenda. The Pardons Board needs to hear from the community. The Nebraska Pardons Board needs to know we believe these men were wrongfully convicted and that Ed has served enough time in prison. There is no point in keeping a man in a wheelchair incarcerated. Mondo and Ed did not receive a sentence of “life without parole.” Other prisoners convicted of first-degree murder who served life sentences have received commutations and released. They had exemplary records in prison. Both worked tirelessly within their confines, educating, organizing, and uplifting. Ed has earned a bachelor’s degree and completed a master’s degree requirements. He is well-liked and respected by prison professional and correctional staff. Ed has fulfilled the requirements for commutation and parole. Mr. Preston Love has been leading recent efforts raising awareness of Ed Poindexter’s case and advocating for his release. More information can be found on his website www.4urban.org. Write/email: Nebraska Pardons Board, PO Box 95007, Lincoln, NE 68509 ne.pardonsboard@nebraska.gov Call: Governor Pete Ricketts 402-471-2244 Attorney General Doug Peterson 402-471-2683 Secretary of State Robert Evnen 402-471-2554
It is a time for martyrs now, and if I am to be one, It will be for the cause of brotherhood. That’s the only thing that can save this country. Malcolm X, February 19, 1965 He was murdered two days later.
Marcus Bell, Executive Director of 100 Black Men, Omaha Inc.
The 100 Black Men of Omaha, Inc. is pleased to announce the selection of its new Executive Director, Marcus Bell. Mr. Bell brings with him over 13 years of management and sales experience along with 25 years of being connected with the 100 Black Men of Omaha as a member, mentor, and former board member. Mr. Bell replaces Richard Webb, who is stepping down after a little more than three years of service. Mr. Bell joined the organization in November 2020. “We are thrilled to have Marcus Bell as our next Executive Director,” said Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers, 100 Black Men of Omaha, Inc.’s Board President. “He brings the history, skills, talent and passion necessary to lead the 100 Black Men of Omaha, Inc. Marcus Bell is a proven leader, a disciplined manager and a champion for our organization.” As Executive Marcus Bell Director of 100 Black Men of Omaha, Inc., Mr. Bell will oversee an organization dedicated to helping our “Youth with Promise” to be Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to Lead. Founded in 1995, the 100 Black Men of Omaha, Inc. officially turned 25 this year. Marcus stated, “As we hit the 25 Year Anniversary of being the 100 Black Men of Omaha, I can’t help but reflect on being nine years old and seeing my father as a founding member of this organization. The 100 Black Men of Omaha runs in my blood and I look forward to taking the torch and building on the incredible foundation that has been set before me. When they think of “Respectful, Responsible & Ready to Lead”...the Omaha community will think of our Youth!” Marcus Bell is an Omaha Native who graduated with a Business Degree from Bellevue University. For the past decade, Marcus has worked in the Banking and Financial Services Industry, serving in roles from Branch Manager to most recently a Life Insurance Agent, where he earned one of the highest achievements in Financial Services, becoming a Million Dollar Roundtable Member (MDRT). Making an impact on his youth has been a passion of his since he began coaching youth sports in high school and continued doing so throughout college. Through the 100 Black Men of Omaha he has served as a mentor for 7 years and is a committed reader in the ‘Real Men Read’ program. He has participated as a group mentor “Goal Buddy” through Partnership 4 Kids and is a member of TeamMates Mentoring Program. In Marcus’ spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife and their two dogs, cooking, watching sports and listening to all types of music.
Publisher’s Pen By Terri D. Sanders
Since we last engaged each other much has gone on in our nation… Insurrection, s e c o n d David Turnbo Photography Presidential impeachment, Presidential Inauguration, Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday Observance, pandemic numbers rising and who knows what else is lurking on the horizon that has not popped off at the time of this writing…I am sad that due to the pandemic I could not travel to Washington DC to be a part of the festivities, but I am not the only soul so I am in good company. I want to be around for the next few years to see how things go and improve. The publications for the month of January was focused on Economic Development and specifically supporting Black businesses in our issues. If you are a business owner, where do your customers come from? How do you advertise? What is your ROI (return on investment)? Are you a brick and motor or are you web based?
Can you sell while you are sleeping? What are your margins? What kind of articles do you read? What books are you reading? What influencers do you follow? Do you have a mentor? Do you engage in social media? These are all valuable questions that you should be able to answer. Your business is not a hobby it is a business that you expect to turn a profit. I listened in on speakers on MLK Day and recall a couple of points worth sharing. ”We do not get credit for taking steps, we get credit for OUTCOMES,” stated Law Professor Raeneta Mack of Creighton University. Today I am going to apply that to economic development. No credit for investigating something, only credit is for taking action. No credit for looking up an establishment, only credit for actually going to check it out. No credit for complaining and voicing your thoughts, outcomes equal action. Economics is a marathon, not a sprint. It is long term. Economics is not only money it is social capital. Who you know, but more important, who knows you. Let’s weave justice into economics… The color of money. We want to set things straight and put things in order. Order is short term, justice is the goal it is long lasting. Think on that. Until February…
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