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Omaha Star
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Nebraska’s Only Black Owned Newspaper Vol. 83 - No. 8 Omaha, Nebraska
Friday, April 16, 2021
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Walker to take over as interim vice provost for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion
The Sanders Family: Symone said YES
L:R Lorna Wisham (Mother/friend) Cleveland, OH, Porsha and Daniel Sanders (Brother and wife), Terri Sanders (Mother of the Bride), Shawn J. Townsend (Love of her life), Symone D. Sanders (Love of his life), Averi Sanders (Sister), and Daniel Jose (Brother) Tupelo, MS. Family and friends gathered on the rooftop of the Zena Hotel, Washington D.C. as Symone D. Sanders, Omaha Native, was escorted by Shawn J. Townsend, the Love of her life, while blindfolded to a rose laden poolside cabana while being serenaded by an acapella soloist to the song by Stevie Wonder, Knocks Me Off My Feet to receive the surprise of her life…Shawn proposed and Symone replied, ABSOLUTELY. Family traveled from as far as Tupelo, Mississippi; Cleveland, Ohio; and Omaha, Nebraska to witness this life event. Shawn and Symone began the journey of this relationship two years ago to the date. Symone is currently the chief spokeswoman for Vice President Kamala Harris and is part of the all-female White House communications team. Shawn is the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Nightlife and Culture in the city of Washington D.C. Shawn, a native of South Carolina, received his bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications from New Mexico State University. Symone attended Sacred Heart Elementary School, Mercy High School and Creighton University. She is the daughter of the late Daniel E. Sanders and Terri D. Sanders, Omaha Star Publisher. Symone is eagerly anticipating becoming the future Mrs. Townsend. A date for the nuptials has not been set.
Publisher’s Pen By Terri D. Sanders
COVID-19 has not been totally removed from society, but it has been slowed a bit. Personally I have received David Turnbo Photography both vaccinations which gives me a green light to travel while maintaining CDC guidelines for travel. After being grounded since December 2019, I am looking forward to traveling and new experiences locally and internationally. So much is happening and so rapidly. Sometimes it is a challenge to find GOOD NEWS which the Omaha Star is dedicated to reporting. Recently I participated in a dialogue with the Jewish Press facilitated by ADL on the discussion of race. Did you know that North Omaha was at one time home to the Jewish population of Omaha? We share some life experiences when it comes to racism in our cultures. Communication is key and keeping it flowing is the recipe for understanding. While the ancestors from neither culture were born here, we are here now and we will strive for understanding and growth. In preparation for this opportunity I read the recent book by Don Lemon, This is the Fire: What I Say To My Friends About Racism by
Sarah Walker, PhD, associate professor in Creighton University’s Heider College of Business, is now serving as interim vice provost for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion. She began her new role March 22. “One of the things that I would really like to do in this role is try to align all of the diversity and inclusion efforts that we have across the University,” Walker says. “There are things going on in the medical school, the law school, other parts of the University, and I’d like to find out what synergies we have and discover ways that we can be most effective and efficient with our resources.” Walker, an associate professor of management, is filling the role left by Christopher M. Whitt, PhD, who left the University in March after accepting a Sarah Walker, Ph.D. position at the University of Denver. Creighton has launched a comprehensive and thorough search for a permanent replacement and aims to have the position filled by Jan. 1, 2022. “Dr. Walker brings exceptional credentials and experience to the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion,” says Creighton President the Rev. Daniel S. Hendrickson, SJ, PhD. “I look forward to her leadership and expertise as we as a University build upon our recent advances in this important work, which has intensified in the last year, and as we continue to move purposefully forward in becoming an anti-racist institution.” Walker’s research interests include examining the experiences of marginalized individuals at work with a specific focus on individual and organizational-level strategies for creating more equitable workplaces. She remains an active researcher and has published in a variety of journals throughout her career, including the Journal of Business and Psychology; Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion; Industrial and Organizational Psychology Perspectives; and the Journal of Applied Psychology. Walker’s background in industrial-organizational psychology provides her specific expertise in diversity, recruitment, selection, training, testing and measurement. While earning her PhD, Walker worked as a consultant for Valtera Corporation (now Corporate Executive Board) on projects related to personnel selection and training. Prior to joining Creighton University in 2018, Walker served as an associate professor in the Marilyn Davies College of Business at the University of Houston – Downtown (UHD) for 10 years. While at UHD, she co-authored two federally funded grants which resulted in $1.1 million awarded to the institution. The federally funded grants were designed to increase opportunities for underrepresented minorities in graduate degree programs. With a background in business and academia, Walker says she hopes to take a datadriven approach to evaluating some of Creighton’s diversity and inclusion initiatives, Walker continued on page 2
Don Lemon (CNN). This is a great read and I highly recommend this book. Recently, I had the opportunity to have lunch with Dr. Benjamin Chavis, President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publisher Association, NNPA, a trade association of approximately 231 African American-owned community newspapers from around the United States. Mildred D. Brown was at the table when this association was organized over 75 years ago. Omaha was and is relevant nationally and is recognized for our contribution to the fabric of community communications. Dr. Chavis shared with me why a paper like the Omaha Star is important. Our community can depend on getting information through the pages of our paper that is TRUE. All forms of media do not report the truth and what is true to our communities. Please support the Omaha Star with a subscription to your home and or office. I also encourage that you advertise on the pages of the Omaha Star and that our readers support our advertisers. This summer we are looking forward to launching our Junior Journalism program designed to introduce3 high school aged students to the various professions included in journalism. If you know a student5 who would be interested, please submit their name and contact information to our offices. We strive to support local issues and families with our articles and photos. We encourage you to share your news with us by submitting information to: publisher@omahastarinc. com.
Next Issue: April 30, 2021 Information due: April 23, 2021
Shonna Dorsey Joins Mutual of Omaha Foundation
The Mutual of Omaha Foundation is pleased to welcome Shonna Dorsey to the organization’s Board of Directors. Dorsey joined Mutual of Omaha in 2018 and currently works as an Information Services Manager. Dorsey is a seasoned community leader with extensive volunteer and nonprofit board experience. She has worked with several community organizations and has devoted significant personal efforts towards helping youth access opportunities to explore technologyrelated careers. “Shonna has a solid understanding of Shonna Dorsey the needs facing the Omaha metro-area,” stated Gail Graeve, Executive Director of the Mutual of Omaha Foundation. “Her knowledge of the nonprofit landscape will benefit our approach as we weigh investments that aim to strengthen the community. This expertise is timely as we continue support organizations helping our most vulnerable neighbors navigate real-time challenges presented by the ongoing pandemic.” When invited to join the Board of Directors, Dorsey immediately accepted the opportunity to work with other Mutual of Omaha leaders to support the company’s charitable strategy. “I am passionate about organizations that invest in the potential of people,” Dorsey shared. “Working closely with the staff and other members of the board provides a unique opportunity to see our community from a broader perspective. I’m excited to be part of this team and to support the mission of the Foundation.” The Mutual of Omaha Foundation was established in 2005 and supports nonprofit organizations based in the Omaha-metro area. Its mission is to break the cycle of poverty and invest in civic initiatives that strengthen the community
Native Omaha Days July 26 August 2, 2021
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