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Omaha Star
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Nebraska’s Only Black Owned Newspaper Vol. 83 - No. 14 Omaha, Nebraska
Friday, July 9, 2021
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Omaha Downtown Rotary Inducts Aileen Warren as New President
Family of the Week:
The Keith Family Four Generations
Photo: Keith Family
Front Row Sitting: Percy Keith(son) (holding Ko’Nan Keith(Great Grandson), Maynard Keith(Patriarch), Doris Keith (Matriarch), Sylvia Wilson (Favorite Aunt) Back Row Standing: Kenton Keith (Grandson), Lauren Keith(wife of Kenton), Kaprice Keith (Grandson), Lisa Wooten(Cousin), Duane Wooten, Karen Keith Yapp( Daughter), Winston Yapp (Husband of Karen), Rashaan Yapp (Grandson), Charles Morris(Grandson -in-Love), Tabia Yapp(Granddaughter), Aisha Yapp(Granddaughter), Newton Ford (Aisha’s Friend), Saidah Mayo (Granddaughter), Elijah Mayo(Great Grandson), Andy Mayo(Grandson – in- Love) (holding Israel Mayo(Great Grandson)) Not Pictured: Kevin Keith (Son) who is pursuing a Ph.D. Combine a South Omaha family with a military background, one daughter and two sons, many granddaughters and grandsons, and a gaggle of great grands and you have the Keith Family. From a fitness instructor to a Real Estate Mogul to a dentist to students, to entrepreneurs to retirees, to football professionals that describes this family. When you see the word family in the dictionary, you see the Keiths. Photographed here on the estate of the elder statesman Mr. Maynard and Mrs. Doris (Dottie) Keith there is nothing but love and fun on these grounds. Mrs. Keith’s Sister is one of the elders and the legacy continues.
Aileen Warren, Associate Vice Chancellor and Director of Human Resources, has been chosen to lead the Omaha Downtown Rotary as it enters its 110th year. Aileen was installed on June 30th in a wonderful induction ceremony at the Omaha Field Club. Aileen, along with her amazing Aileen Warren leadership team, were sworn in by Allen Beerman, former Secretary of State. The Officers for next year include: President: Aileen Warren President-Elect: Sean Connolly President-Elect Designate: Lindy Hoyer Immediate Past President: John Sullivan Secretary: Lisa Tonjes Moritz Treasurer: James Stewart Board of Directors: Dan Ertz Dawn Gonzales Jeff Matuella Shane Sullivan Brett Frevert Shayne Fili Larry Guenther Gretchen Harvey Bev Carlson Bob Keefer Sandy Lempke Adam Leong Omaha Downtown Rotary is comprised of a group of dedicated people who share a passion for both community service and friendship. Becoming a Rotarian means Warren continued on page 3
Publisher’s Pen
By Terri D. Sanders
COVID-19 is still with us. In urban communities there are those who have abstained from taking the vaccination. For those who have taken the vaccination, awesome! For those who have not, that could be a deadly decision. Native Omaha Days is less David Turnbo Photography than 30 days away. Events have been planned and our community is looking forward to another biennial celebration. Seeing family and friends, oh what a time…There will be dances, strolls down memory lane, a parade and many events for “grown” folks. The founders of this event had in mind to celebrate community. The question has been lately what about the young people? Did you know that Bryant Center has the young people on the agenda and are actively providing programming and event opportunities? In the fall of 1966 Bryant Center was established at 2417 Grant Street. This is a program of St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Parish. History lesson: Moors (Black people) consisted of Berbers from Morocco and Western Algeria, sub-Saharan Africans from Mauritania, Northern Senegal, and Western Mali, Arab Bedouins and Arab elite mostly from Yemen and Syria. Yes St. Benedict was Black. If you are going down North 24th Street and see an area of basketball courts, THAT is Bryant Center. Below is a picture of Father Vitalis Anyanike former Priest at St. Benedict and Sundiata, caretaker for the Bryant Center and youth advocate. Sundiata believes that the young have been forgotten and strives to provide a safe and clean environment for recre-
Next Issue: July 23, 2021 Information due: July 26, 2021
ation in our community. The courts close at 9PM and remain locked when not open. You can find Creighton ballers on the courts, a female youth basketball team practices here, and anytime you can find a pickup game. Last weekend, BARNEY, the children’s purple dinosaur character made an appearance and entertained the kids and the young at heart. Yes, Barney was in the “hood” with his purple self. There are days when the community is served a free meal. This is wholistic care in our community. Many times you can find Sundiata giving words of wisdom to all who listen. While Father Vitalis is no longer at St. Benedict, his efforts in the community are ongoing. While this is a positive influence in our community, violence is ever present. On the fourth of July a 19-year old woman was killed in gang violence crossfire and three other people were injured. A community member asked me: What would Mrs. Brown have said…The Omaha Star was protected by the Black Panthers in Omaha during times of insurrection. In 2021 it is not insurrection it is straight up violence. I visited with the family of 19-year old Jazsmine Washington. She worked at Burger King and her Sister had picked her up from work on the morning of July 4, 2021. She had plans to attend cosmetology school in the fall. A graduate of Northwest High School. She was caught in the crossfire of two gangs. One group coming out of the alleyway across the street and the other in the parking lot where she was standing. SENSELESS killing of an innocent woman. Police tape everywhere on a Sunday morning. I saw a marker numbered 79. It has been said that there were more than 100 rounds of ammunition fired. Makes you think…WHY? When we meet again it will be Native Omaha Days weekend, be safe…
Native Omaha Days July 26, 2021 August 2, 2021
Central High School Principal Ellisa “Dionne” Kirksey
OPS announced in a letter to parents that Ellisa Kirksey, who is currently an assistant principal and the activities director at Central, will become Central High School principal of Central High School. She is known as Dionne to friends and colleagues. Kirksey will replace Principal Ed Bennett. Kirksey has more than 30 years of experience with OPS. In 1990, she started as a social studies teacher at King Science and Technology Magnet Center. In 1998, she moved to the OPS student and community services department. She began her current job at Central in 2000. According to the district, Kirksey holds an associate of arts degree in social studies from Coffeyville Community College, a bachelor’s degree from Emporia State University, a master’s degree in educational administration and supervision from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a master’s degree in secondary counseling from Creighton University. Kirksey was selected after a review of her qualifications and a panel-style interview, which included central office administrators, a school board member, a staff member and a parent. Dionne is the daughter of Carolyn Kirksey, the sister of Braxton Kirksey, and the niece of Anniece Russell (Texas). She is a member of Salem Baptist Church.
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