75 CENTS
OMAHA STAR
THE
Celebrating 80 Years
She Ready! India Garrett awaits the Juneteenth parade
1938 2018
Dedicated to the Service of the People that NO Good Cause Shall Lack a Champion and that Evil Shall Not Go Unopposed
Nebraska’s Only Black Owned Newspaper Vol. 81 - No. 13 Omaha, Nebraska
Friday, June 28, 2019
75 cents
OPS Board President Marque Snow Announces Candidacy for State Legislature OPS School Board President Marque Snow has announced he is running for the Nebraska State Legislature in Legislative District 9. As an active and civic-minded neighbor in South Omaha and Midtown for nearly a decade, Snow has emerged as one of Omaha’s foremost leaders, fighting to bring more resources for better schools, neighborhoods, and quality of life for all families in the area. “I am determined to bring resources to our schools and neighborhoods that our state has neglected for too long,” said Snow. “The families and kids of these areas deserve their fair-share, and it will be my mission to make sure that happens.” Elected to the Omaha Public Schools Board of Education in 2013, Snow is currently serving his second year as OPS Board President where he has championed equity, rigor, and accountability not only for teachers, students and families but also for the entire community of Omaha. Snow is dedicated to making sure all disadvantaged children have access to the programs, support, and opportunities they need to succeed. He works to empower educators, students, and families to make sure local schools are able to respond and thrive with the ever-changing needs of the district. Snow “As a state senator, I will be a maverick in the legislature, where I will continue to stand up for the community and people of South and Midtown Omaha,” said Snow. “The State can and must do more addressing the needs of this district. I will be the leader that makes sure the state is accountable to the working families and children of our neighborhoods.” Snow was born in Marion, Ohio and raised across the United States. He attended high school in South Korea thanks to his parents’ service in the US Army. After attending the University of South Dakota, Snow and his now-husband moved to Omaha in 2011 where he began his career working with disadvantaged youth in South Omaha. Currently, as Program Director at The Nebraska Center for Workforce Development, Snow is focused on getting students interested in the building and technical trades in Omaha. During his free time outside of the School Board and work, Marque mentors with the 100 Black Men of Omaha and also serves on the African Culture Connection Board.
National Black Leaders Push for Fair 2020 Census Count
By James Wright WASHINGTON INFORMER – Leaders of numerous African American organizations recently convened in the District to deal with the upcoming 2020 census that could affect available resources and the political representation of Blacks in the century’s third decade. Melanie Campbell, president and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP) and the convener of the Black Women’s Roundtable, had the leaders and representatives of key African American and civil rights organizations meet on June 18 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill to talk about the 2020 Census and its importance to Blacks. “The 2020 Decennial Census will be the most critical census count of our lifetime,” Campbell said. “In 2010, African Americans and Black immigrants were under-counted by more than 800,000, leaving our communities with a shortage of government resources. We cannot let this happen again. “Further, the 2020 presidential election is also taking place next year,” she said. “For that reason, the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and our Unity Diaspora partners are strategizing, organizing and mobilizing to make sure our people are fully counted and vote to build power for the next generation. Our future depends on it.” Article 1, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution requires the federal government to conduct a count of all within the borders of the United States every 10 years, with the year ending in a “0”. The data collected from the census count will be used to decide how many representatives will serve individual states in the U.S. House of Representatives. Plus, non-states such as the See Census continued on page 3
Memorial Bricks are going fast. See Religious page to get yours.
Teela Mickles is ‘In It to Win It!’ On June 11, native Omahan Teela A. Mickles announced her candidacy for the District 11 Nebraska State Senate seat. Mickles is the founder/CEO of Compassion In Action Inc., serving individuals confined in prison and families affected by incarceration, unofficially since 1984 and officially since 1994. Her dedication to the community and the City of Omaha has been demonstrated in her consistent service and commitment to reunite families in crisis and provide prevention strategies to break negative generational cycles toward criminal acts leading to incarceration. She networks with community agencies including OPD, UNMC, UNO, MCC, Creighton University, faith groups, the Mayor’s office, NDCS, individuals and trained volunteers to make changes in the community and surrounding areas. When Teela was 10, living in the Franklin Elementary School neighborhood, her parents, Blanchard and Etta Mae Johnson, sold their property at 3424 Blondo for the construction of Wesley Mickles House and Wesley United Methodist Church. At that time the area was 99% Caucasian. When Wesley House closed in 2010, the area was 99% African-American. Compassion in Action took occupancy of the former United Methodist Community Center Wesley House in 2013 with the blessing of OEDC President, Mike Maroney, who held the property until he was comfortable that the new occupant would carry on the history of service in this community. The former Wesley House is now the location of Compassion In Action and Mission Church. Mickles is the recipient of several awards including the Urban League African American Leadership Award, Outstanding Non-Profit Administrator Award, Partnership of the Year Award from NDCS, Advocacy Award from Heartland Family Services, Community Service of Excellence Award from UNO School of Criminology and Criminal Justice among others. She is the author of the book, “What If” which is available at the Book Worm book store and on Amazon. For more information, or to volunteer for her campaign, contact Mickles at teela@ compassioninactionin.com or 402-515-5277.
Juneteenth Parades Draws a Crowd of 12,500
The Omaha Branch of the NAACP hosted the 2019 Juneteenth Parade Celebration on June 15. During the opening ceremony, President Vickie Young welcomed parade participants, Mayor Jean Stothert presented the Juneteenth Resolution, and OPS School Board Representative Kimara Zuri Snipes prayed for a safe, uneventful, fun-filled parade celebration. An estimated 12,500 spectators of all ages lined North 30th Street. Another 2,500 individuals representing community organizations, drill teams, businesses, schools, dance groups, sororities and political figures paraded from 30th & Lake to 30th & Sprague. This year’s theme “Lest We Forget” is in memory of Will Brown who was lynched during
Best Float-Zaha Temple #52
Best Drill Team-Pleasant Green Baptist Church Marching Saints
the tragic apex of Omaha’s “Red Summer,” a period of heightened racial tensions and rioting. Rev. John Albert Williams, 1st President of the Omaha NAACP advocated for the release of Will Brown, but to no avail. September 28, 2019, will mark the one-hundred year anniversary of the lynching of Will Brown. Lest we forget, while raising awareness of the history and legacy of lynching and racial injustice in the Omaha area. Lest we forget, the Civil War was not necessarily about ending slavery in the South but about preserving the Union. By the end of the war, almost 200,000 black soldiers and sailors
Part of the 12,500 eagerly awaiting the parade
had fought for the Union and freedom. On Sept. 22, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln issued a Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation ending slavery within the United States and granting freedom to all slaves. On Jan. 1, 1863, President See Juneteenth continued on page 3
100 Black Men of Omaha Teams Win National Titles Congrats to the 2019 100 Black Men of America Inc. National African American History Champions representing the Omaha Chapter’s Junior and Senior Divisions – Omaha Beveridge Magnet Middle School and Omaha Northwest High Magnet School. Junior Division winners, Kennedy Alati, Dee-Dee Djon and Briana Reza-Rivera, coached by Chad Carlson and Sheila McCauley, took first place in the National Junior Division. As first place finishers, they received cash prizes, medallions, and educational items. Senior Division winners, Lal Nuni, HToo Say and Tehya Wynne, coached by Miss McCoy, took first place in the National Senior Division. As first place finishers, they received $3,000 scholarships, medallions, and educational items. Both teams will be recognized by OPS at its July 15 Board of Education meeting.
Senior Division: Front row, left to right: HToo Say, Lal Nuni and Tehya Wynne, and Thomas Dortch Jr., Chairman 100 Black Men of America. Second row: James Miller, National AAHC Coordinator, Alvin Cavalier, National AAHC Coordinator, Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers, President 100 Black Men of Omaha and Miss McCoy, Omaha Northwest. Back row, left to right: State Farm Representative and Richard Webb, Executive Director 100 Black Men of Omaha.
Junior Division: Front row, left to right: Briana Reza-Rivera, Kennedy Alati, and Dee Dee Djon. Second row: State Farm Representative, Sheila McCauley and Chad Carlson, Beveridge Magnet, Richard Webb, Michaela Jackson, Beveridge Magnet, Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers, and Thomas Dortch Jr.
Happy Birthday to Us! Get your Help the Omaha Star celebrate face on our 81st anniversary on July 27. the page! See In the Village for details.
See ad on page 10.