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OMAHA STAR
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THE
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Nebraska’s Only Black Owned Newspaper Vol. 81 - No. 11 Omaha, Nebraska
Friday, May 31, 2019
Young Black & Influential Omaha Announces the 2019 Award Recipients Young Black & Influential Omaha (YBI), a community-based movement that centers black leadership and empowerment, announces its third year of award recipients. YBI was created in the fall of 2016 by Ashlei Spivey because she became frustrated with the Omaha leadership landscape. YBI became a place to challenge dominant narratives around what it look likes and means to be a leader, while also affirming black leadership. Going into its third year, YBI Spivey is building and providing a platform to the next wave of black leadership in Omaha. The 2019 awards event, themed “We Are the Movement,” will be held on June 30 from 2-4 p.m. at the Living Room at Mastercraft, 1111 N. 13th St. Starsky Wilson, CEO of the Deaconess Foundation, St. Louis, MO, will be the keynote speaker. “Three years ago, I had no idea that YBI would grow and evolve to be a true movement and I can’t wait to see what else is in store,” said Spivey. In addition to the awards event, YBI Omaha Wilson hosts numerous leadership development and networking opportunities for black influencers in Omaha. The 2019 award recipients are: Luper Akough, Andrew Aleman, Kelsay Brown, De Chapman, Camron Hairston, Keenan & Cam, Judy Kiagiri, Erica McGruder, TyVonn Merritt, Alisa Parmer, Riaunna Preston, Nadia Spurlock, Folly Teko, and Lindsey Williams For tickets or additional information, contact Ashlei Spivey at 214-608-8819 or connect@ybiomaha.com. More information about YBI can be found at www. ybiomaha.com.
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New Investment on North 30th By Dawaune Lamont Hayes NOISE On May 13, the City of Omaha, with Omaha Housing Authority, received a $25 million dollar Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI) grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The money will be used to fund the demolition and rebuilding of Spencer Homes apartments into a mixed-use, mixedincome development that is being called Kennedy Square. An award ceremony took place in the recently constructed Highlander neighborhood located on North 30th Street between Lake and Parker Streets. Mayor Jean Stothert, Congressman Don Bacon, City Councilman Ben Gray, and Othello Meadows, CEO of 75 North Development Corporation, gave remarks. “This is an opportunity for people in our community, who have suffered for a very long time to see some light at the end of the tunnel and it’s not a train coming at them,” said Gray. “Most importantly we want to thank the families in this neighborhood, in this community who have trusted us. Who met with us at Spencer Homes, who meet with us [at Highlander], meet us on the street and trust us to try and build a better neighborhood, a better community for them and their families and that is no small feat given the history of this neighborhood,” said Meadows, “We’ll never take that trust for granted.” This particular award will be leveraged
Photo Credit: City of Omaha
by the city and OHA with philanthropic partners like Sherwood and Scott Family Foundations furthering redevelopment along North 30th Street. New construction is already in progress including the Buffett Early Childhood Center located north of Howard Kennedy Elementary. News of the CNI grant and preliminary plans were met with mixed responses by community members on social media. Some eagerly welcomed the new investment while others immediately used the word “gentrification” in fear of mass displacement of long-time north Omaha residents. NOISE interviewed Steven Abraham, resident commissioner of Omaha Housing Authority, to get his take and response to speculation of gentrification, which by definition means, “the process
Richetta Wilson – Entertainer Extraordinaire – Hall of Fame Inductee By Jennifer S. Keys Omaha’s longstanding songstress Richetta Wilson is among the class of 2019 inductees into Nebraska’s Music Hall of Fame. Formed in 1994 by Nashville musician and songwriter Jim Casey, the Hall honors Nebraskans involved in the music entertainment industry who have made an impact on the Nebraska, Midwest, National and International music scene. It recognizes inductees’ involvement in recordings, live performances, songwriting and all other aspects of the industry. Since the early 1950s, Wilson has wowed audiences far and wide with her blending of musical genres. After starting her career at a young age in Omaha, she carved her path and remained involved in the entertainment industry for many years. Her dedication to her craft has inspired and opened many doors for others. In the following interview, Wilson Wilson reveals a small part of her incalculable experiences in show business. What are some of your earliest memories of the desire to perform? My father said I had the vocals and personality for success. With the backing of my family, I felt equipped to pursue my dreams. Being a native Omahan, what was the music scene like in the early part of your career? Nostalgically speaking, Omaha’s popular hotspots and music venues overflowed with local and out-of-town talent. Since then, the jazz scene in Omaha seemed to diminish. However, I am encouraged; it looks like it is on the upswing.
What genre of music do you consider your body of work? Music characterized as jazz & popular standards were my specialties. However, I performed all types of music. Who are your major vocal influences? I drew vocal influences from Dinah Washington and Sarah Vaughan and in later years, Dakota Staton and Gloria Lynn. At the beginning of your career, what was it like being a beautiful, black female entertainer? Great! I never found difficulty booking gigs. Although it was my career, I found it fun, exciting, and not like work. What were a few names of the venues you performed at in early Omaha? My first job was with Cliff Dudley at The Cave Under the Hill. Other spots were the Colony Club, Offbeat Supper Club, Allen’s Showcase, Angelo’s, Beef Baron at the Hilton – all Mickey’s locations – and too many others to name. On the road, what challenges did you face? Because I was traveling with the band, and I was the only female on the bus, our piano player, Roy Givens, whom was a little older and a family friend, had promised my mom he’d look after me. I remember traveling in the South with the Preston Love Band and because of Jim Crow, we had to sleep on the bus. For our meals, the white band members brought food to us. I realized that touring was not my thing. Who was your stylist? My hairstylists at various times were Rosetta McClain and Ann Young. I assembled my wardrobe and time to time, my daughters would assist. I had a clothing allowance which allowed me the freedom to shop wherever I wanted, thereby developing my style. It seems like the song “Kansas City” became your signature. How did that happen? That happened because I performed in Kansas City for many years, and it became one of my go-to songs.
What advice would you give a young musician today? Go for your dreams. Be open and accepting of constructive criticism. Some days were great and other’s not because all that glitters is not gold. In the long run, it’s been a great career and adventure. Who are a few of the musicians you have worked with through those early years? Respectfully, Cliff Dudley and his Orchestra. He helped me get my start in show business and getting my first gig. Working with Dudley was inspiring. Roy Givens and Buddy Graves, both pianist; Sonny Firmature; Chuck Pennington - Brownsville Jazz Series on the River. I also worked with Pennington singing a variety of jingles for radio and television advertisements. Also, I worked with Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald. Omaha’s Colony Club had two stages where Nancy Wilson and I performed. Our professional deportment soon blossomed into a friendship. You have close family ties, and they’ve always been important to you, as well as fellow musicians. Who are a few? Yes, my four daughters, my brothers, international jazz drummer Victor Lewis, my sister, Yvette Woods, my late husband Richard Wilson, and my father Richard (Dick) Lewis, who was also a musician. I acknowledge and appreciate the support of the fans. I treasure the musicians I have worked with through the years. I want to give a special mention to Eileen Dudley, Cliff’s wife. She would hold my little girl, Sharon, during rehearsals. I had many opportunities to move on to national acclaim and fame, but I loved my family and knew my family was most important to me. Other 2019 Nebraska Music Hall of Fame inductees include Beehive, Camille Metoyer Moten, Daybreak, Dereck Higgins, Ev Yates, Jimmy Bochnicek, Johnny Ray Gomez, Jorge Nila, Ron Cooley, Subby Anzaldo, and The Rumbles. The induction, performance and ceremony is June 30 at Ramada Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, 3321 S. 72nd St.
of renovating and improving a house or district so that it conforms to middleclass taste.” “This is not gentrification. I don’t know how I can say it in plainer words. This is not gentrification. This neighborhood choice award that we’ve received has specific guidelines detailed by the federal government, HUD guidelines, that say that once we remodel or demolish a unit, we replace that unit and we put individuals back in that unit that fit under that category. And the people that are there, the people who have been displaced, have first choice on what is taking place with this development so the people that are currently there, they have first choice in this new development,” Abraham added. Prior to the grant announcement, See North 30th cont. on page 3
R-Style Returns to Bridge Beats Summer Concert Series Lineup July 19
R-Style
Omaha Parks and Recreation’s Bridge Beats Summer Concert Series is back for its seventh season at the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge Plaza. This year, the City is bringing six free concerts to the stage. Concerts will be every Friday night beginning July 12 and lasting through Aug. 16 from 6-9 p.m. Showcasing some epic Omaha cover bands, concerts will cover genres and generations of some of music’s most popular hits. This lineup will have you dancing, singing along, and wanting more. Bridge Beats is a family-friendly concert series. Each concert will bring great entertainment and family atmosphere. Bubbles, chalk, giveaways, and activities will be at each concert for the kiddos. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets. Attendees are also able to purchase food from food trucks at the concert and adult beverages will be for sale. 2019 Summer Lineup: July 12 - Taxi Driver July 19 – R-Style July 26 - The Personics August 2 - On the Fritz August 9 - Heartland Boogie Band August 16 - Lemon Fresh Day For more information, visit www.bridgebeats.com or call 402-444-4640
What’s Salute to Graduates issue Spend an evening “The Blues of will be published June 28. with Compassion Knowing Why” In Action. Send photos of high school and college grads to See In the Village for details.
fwilliams@omahastarinc.com. Include grad’s name and school.
See In the Village for details.