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OMAHA STAR
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Nebraska’s Only Black Owned Newspaper Vol. 81 - No. 21 Omaha, Nebraska
Friday, October 18, 2019
It’s not your secret to keep. Don’t suffer in silence.
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Stacey Abrams to Be Featured Speaker at 2019 Lunch for the Girls Stacey Abrams, author, entrepreneur, nonprofit CEO and political leader, will be the featured speaker at Girls Inc.’s 19th annual Lunch for the Girls. The luncheon will be held Dec. 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the CHI Health Center Omaha, 455 N. 10th St. Stacey Abrams served eleven years in the Georgia House of Representatives, seven as Minority Leader, before becoming the 2018 Democratic nominee for Governor of Georgia. She was the first black woman to become the gubernatorial nominee for a major party in the United States and won more votes than any other Democrat in the state’s history. Following the election, she launched Fair Fight to “make sure every eligible American who should cast a vote will be able to.” Over the course of her career, Abrams has founded multiple organizations devoted to voting rights, training and hiring young people of color, and tackling social issues at both state and national levels. She is a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the 2012 recipient of the John F. Kennedy New Frontier Award, and a current member of the Board of Directors for the Center for American Progress. Abrams is also
the author of Lead from the Outside, a guidebook on making real change. “We are delighted to bring this strong woman who has broken many color and gender barriers in her professional and political life to the Omaha community,” said Girls Inc. Executive Director Roberta Wilhelm. “In preparation for her visit, our girls will learn more about voters’ rights, election security, the importance of being counted in the census, social justice, women’s Abrams health, and more. But they will also be excited to learn that Stacey’s leadership and bold style started young. In her, they will see opportunities and pathways for themselves to take part in our democracy. They, like those in our audience, will find her inspiring.” Girls Inc. is honored to welcome Stacey Abrams to its signature fundraising event. Past Lunch for the Girls speakers
Union for Contemporary Art Makes a Home for Community and Conversation in North Omaha
have included Malala Yousafzai, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Madeleine Albright, Barbara and Jenna Bush, Nicholas Kristof, Donna Brazile and Warren Buffett. Reservations for Lunch for the Girls are now available. Regular seating and Patron seating tickets are available, a portion of which is tax deductible. Reservations can be made online through the Girls Inc. of Omaha website (https:// girlsincomaha. org/events/lunch-for-the-girls), by phoning Girls Inc. at 402-457-4676, or by submitting a downloadable form (available on the Girls Inc. website) by mail or fax. ABOUT GIRLS INC All proceeds from Lunch for the Girls support the educational, cultural and
recreational opportunities for girls ages 5 to 18 at Girls Incorporated of Omaha, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to inspiring all girls to be “Strong, Smart and Bold.” Girls Inc. opened its first center in 1975, and currently operates two locations in north and south Omaha. Serving over 2,000 girls through its centers and outreach programs, Girls Inc. provides transportation from more than 50 schools in the Omaha area. Girls Inc.’s programs cultivate learning and skill development in the areas of academic support and enrichment; career and life planning; self-reliance and life skills; health and wellness; leadership and community action; and culture and heritage. Curriculum and activities are chosen to be intrinsically appealing to girls and to engender interest and enthusiasm. Athletic and enrichment activities are carefully chosen to complement our academic offerings as well as to develop physical health and fitness and to promote teamwork. In 2016, Girls Inc. collaborated with Nebraska Medicine to open an on-site health clinic, striving to improve the health outcomes of Girls Inc. girls, and reduce barriers to preventative care.
Camille Metoyer Moten Makes History as President of Omaha Downtown Rotary
Camille Metoyer Moten recently became the first African American female elected as president of the Omaha Downtown Rotary. Camille has been a member of the Downtown Rotary for 8 years. She has served in a variety of capacities including secretary, committee chair, board member, and she has offered her assistance at various Rotary events. So it was only fitting that she would become the club president someday. The Downtown Rotary has approximately 127 active members who gather on a weekly basis to network and fellowship, learn more about what is happening in Omaha and surrounding areas, and to follow the Rotary mission of service above self. The club also helps with special projects in the community, hosts its annual Honor Roll Luncheon, and provides scholarships and grants to Camille Metoyer Moten The Union for Contemporary Art in the historic Blue Lion building at the inter- a variety of community organizations. section of 24th and Lake. The Downtown Rotary is a part of Rotary International, an international service organization for Black small business and are actively whose stated purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide By Patrick Mainelli engaged in conversations concerning the humanitarian service and to advance goodwill and peace around the world. The Union for Contemporary Art support of entrepreneurs and economic (2423 N. 24th St.) has been working development in our community.” Work at The Union expresses their to foster meaningful dialogue in North Omaha Performing Arts Omaha since its founding in 2011. mission in seven distinct programs, presents Ailey II on Nov. 15 at the The organization’s dual missions of including: a gallery exhibition space, Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. promoting equitable social change and a free youth art education program, The show begins at 7:30 p.m. supporting the arts as a vehicle for a performing arts theater, a free-pick Tickets are available at that change put them squarely at the community garden, five fully-equipped TicketOmaha.com, in person at studios for local artists to develop the Ticket Omaha Box Office intersection of community and culture. “The work of our organization is their craft, an artist fellowship, and a inside the Holland Performing deeply rooted in a desire to help create neighborhood arts mural program. Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St., In all this work, The Union is or by phoning 402-345-0606. lasting change in North Omaha,” notes The Union’s founder and Executive guided by a belief in the power of This performance is sponsored by Director Brigitte McQueen Shew. In its art to spark introspection and change. the Nebraska Arts Council and eight years of operation, The Union has Public programming is regularly built Nebraska Cultural Endowment. Ailey II – Alvin Ailey American brought thousands of artists, thinkers, around community dialogue and an activists, and community members back open, accessible engagement with Dance Theater’s second company to the cultural heart of North Omaha to the arts. McQueen Shew explains: – is universally renowned for merging the spirit and energy of the country’s best young engage with the arts and find fellowship “Communication and connection with dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today’s most outstanding emerging our community drives everything we choreographers. Ailey II features 12 on-their-way-to-the-top dancers. The group will perform there. “The renovation of the Blue Lion do at The Union. While we are always new works and classics including Revelations. Revelations was choreographed by Alvin Ailey was a huge part of our commitment to looking for ways to use the arts as in 1960 and has been seen by more people worldwide than any other modern dance work. Founded in 1974 as a bridge between The Ailey School and the professional dance our community, to ensure that this part a means to educate and inspire our of our shared history will stand for at neighbors, we are also always listening, world, Ailey II embodies Alvin Ailey’s pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural least another 100 years,” says McQueen asking for their input – for their stories community that provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all people. Shew. “We are working closely with and insights.” Ailey II flourished into one of the most popular dance companies in the country under the This fall at The Union, two programs our community partners and neighbors leadership of Sylvia Waters from 1974-2012, combining a rigorous touring schedule with to beautify the 24th Street Corridor in particular reflect this dual commitment extensive community outreach programs. With Artistic Director Troy Powell at the helm, through public art initiatives and to sharing stories and inspiring new Ailey II continues to thrive as he brings a fresh dimension to this beloved company. neighborhood clean ups. We advocate See Union continued on page 3
Ailey II Takes the Stage at Orpheum Theater
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