75 CENTS
OMAHA STAR
THE
Celebrating 80 Years
Congratulations Terence “Bud” Crawford!
1938 2018
33 & 0
Dedicated to the Service of the People that NO Good Cause Shall Lack a Champion and that Evil Shall Not Go Unopposed
Way To Go!
Nebraska’s Only Black Owned Newspaper Vol. 80 - No. 12 Omaha, Nebraska
Friday, June 15, 2018
75 cents
Something Unexpected By Mecca Slaughter, M.A. Professor at the University Of Tetova Tetovo, Macedonia (Slaughter was one of the first students of the Mildred D. Brown Memorial Study Center’s Jr. Journalist Program.) The moment I decided that I was going to pursue a Master’s degree I had no idea what I was going to do when I graduated. I knew I wasn’t the only graduate student that had this going through their mind, but after the struggle finding something in my field after finishing undergrad, I was nervous that if even pursuing this higher degree was going to help. Being a Black woman in Nebraska searching for a position in Broadcasting was a devastating task for me. News stations told me they had met their quota
Mecca Slaughter
or they hired from out of state. As someone who has lived in Nebraska for most of her life and wanted to continue to serve her state, I was never given that chance. My passion for journalism dwindled and it was no longer a passion but a feeling of a wasted degree. Here I was starting my second year of grad school worrying if all of this was worth it, not knowing what I was going to do. Classes had just begun and I was on edge. One day I found myself taking an extended break on campus and ran into one of the William H. Thompson program coordinators at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). She talked to me about the Fulbright. I was thoroughly confused about what that was. After she explained it to me I was upset I didn’t know about this before. After looking at the list of people who have received it form UNL, I understood why. I was a Black woman who wasn’t in the honors program. Did I really have a chance? I was told about the opportunity one month before the deadline. Would I be able to make the deadline? I did. From October 2017 to April 2018 I was in a nervous whirlwind. The Fulbright would give me the opportunity to travel to a different country and teach English. Would they want a broadcast student who couldn’t get hired by broadcasters in her own state? I didn’t have a lot of teaching experience and my essays were written with a journalistic voice, as opposed to the academic way of writing. But, I was confident in my writing and I knew if they wanted me, they would offer it to me. At the end of April I received an email stating that I would be teaching English in Macedonia for a school year. I will be teaching at the University of Totova in Tetovo, Macedonia. There is no correlation between this and my Broadcasting degree or my Master’s in Advertising and Public Relations. Instead of trying to push me into a mold, I am able to create my own. My last day in Nebraska will be the 29th of June. I have held so many memories here, from being a part of the Mildred D. Brown Memorial Study Center Junior Journalist, to graduating from Central High school, to receiving two degrees in a five-year period. It is my time to step out of my comfort zone and begin this new chapter that was almost never happened.
Family Housing Hosts 50-Year Anniversary Activities Established in 1968, Family Housing Advisory Services (FHAS) invites the community to join our 50-year celebration at 1 p.m. Saturday at 2401 Lake St. For 50 years, FHAS has been addressing housing and poverty-related issues in the Omaha community. From near-homeless families to homeowners, fair housing, access to tax credits, and financial education, FHAS has been improving quality of life, eliminating poverty and helping people achieve housing stability and financial security. Following the Juneteenth Parade, this community event will have free food, with community members sharing their journey to improved credit, reduced debt, increased income and homeownership. The event will include an MC, live music, balloon artist, face painting and prizes, including a 40-inch TV. Family Housing Advisory Services will honor Al Goodwin, Shirley Jordan and Sister Marilyn Ross for their contributions to housing and our community during this celebration. Clients will share their successes in achieving their goals. “FHAS is excited to help over 12,000 people each year along their journey to success. FHAS prevents homelessness, educates home owners, provides foreclosure options, develops financially-wise consumers (including youth as they transition out of foster care), offers affordable mortgage lending options, eliminates housing discrimination, and reduces poverty through tax credits. FHAS helps change the way we think about money, ownership and success, changing our community one household at a time,” said Teresa Hunter, Executive Director and CEO. For more information, please visit: www. fhasinc.org.
MCC Names Summer Academy after its Creator, Dr. William H. Dodd Asia Rollin Omaha Star Intern Hampton University For many years Metropolitan Community College has strived to assist its students in achieving academic excellence. One program that allows students to explore education options is the Dr. William H. Dodd 2018 Summer Academy. On June 7 Metro Community College held the Dr. William H. Dodd Summer Academy Naming Ceremony and Reception. During this time those who participated were a part of Metropolitan Community College’s (MCC) faculty and the Omaha community took time to honor the legacy of Dodd. Participants in the ceremony included: MCC President, Randy Schmaizl, Associate Vice President of Equality
Charod Dodd
and Inclusion, Cynthia K. Hooch-Grayson, Student Support Services, Mark E. Patten, Sr. Coordinator of Single Parent Program, Kathy J. Trotter, First Year Coach, Fred Whitted, Student Service Advisor, Single Parent Homemaker Services/Heartland CAMP, MCC students Brenda Tenorio- Melendez and Bill Dodd Malik Myles gave insight to their success in the Trio Program. Throughout his life, Dodd was no stranger to giving back to his community. He started his career at MCC in 1988. During this time, he was the inaugural Director of the Student Retention Services/TRiO program. Dodd valued higher education and working with disadvantage youth. Throughout his time at MCC, Dodd started the Single Parent Homemaker Program. This program gives parenting students career education workshops and resources. The Dr. William H. Dodd 2018 Summer Academy allows high school students to have an on-campus experience while participating in other programs at MCC. Student Support Services Program/ TRiO has been in place at MCC for 33 years. The program helps low-income, first generation college students in earning their bachelor’s degree. “We house the Single Parent and Displaced
Homemaker Program which Dr. Dodd initiated, and we also partner with the University of Kansas and the Heartland CAMP,” said Mark E. Patten Sr., Director of the Student Support Services/TRiO. MCC had 52 students participate in their May 11 Commencement Ceremony. “We has over 150 academic achievers with GPAs over 2.70,” said Patten. The academic future of MCC students is bright. “Our programs are competitive meaning that rigorous objectives must be met and stellar grants written,” said Cynthia K. Gooch-Grayson, Associate Vice President of Equality and Inclusion. The Student Support Services and TRiO Programs have grown tremendously since their founding. “It is so very fitting for us to rename the summer program in Dr. Dodd’s honor, ensuring a legacy of learning. As our goals mirror all that he was about: being helpful and supporting those who desire to positively change their life’s trajectory through educational access and post-secondary attainment,” said Gooch-Grayson. Dr. Charod Dodd, son of the late Drs. William and Bernice Dodd, along with his wife and son, were at the ceremony to rename the Summer Trio program to the Summer Academy.
Goodwin
Sister Ross
Jordan
Pastor Roxane Arvin Harper to Speak at 1968 All School Reunion Omaha Benson, Central, North, South and Tech high schools will observe their 50th graduation anniversary Aug. 10-12. The 1968 All School Class Reunion will be an opportunity for classmates to reunite, reminisce and revel in the fact that they are blessed to be able to share in this monumental celebration. The reunion weekend includes the following activities:
Aug. 10 – Meet and Greet at Love’s Jazz & Arts Center, 2510 N. 24th St., 6-10 p.m. Aug. 11 – Dinner & Dance at UNO Pastor Roxane Arvin Harper Thompson Center, 6705 Dodge St., 7-11 p.m. Aug. 12 – Breakfast on your own at The Golden Corral, 6006 N. 72nd St., 8:30-11 a.m. The committee is honored to have 1968 Tech High graduate, Roxane (Arvin) Harper as the speaker at the Saturday evening dinner. After graduating from Tech, Roxane continued her education at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, where she received a Bachelor’s Degree. She received a Master of Sociology Degree from the University of Nebraska Lincoln. Roxane has resided in Northern California since 1975 and she has been an ordained minister since 1987. She professes a strong prophetic anointing on her life and loves the Lord Jesus Christ with all of her heart. She has been called by God to pray the prayer of faith and has witnessed numerous divine and supernatural miracles of healing. Roxane and her husband, Willie M. Harper, jointly pastor the Jesus Christ for All Nations Church in northern California. The pastors have nine children, thirteen grandchildren (with number fourteen on the way), and three great-grands. Stepping Out Productions will provide the music for the dinner. For information on the weekend events or to make reservations, email omahaclassof68reunion@gmail.com.
Men’s Health Register for Youth Last chance to submit Forum – Graduates - June 29 issue Economic Summit Deadline July 9, 2018 June 19 Send Photos to phyllis@omahastarinc.com See In the Village for details
no later than June 19
See ad on page 12 for details