Vol.80 - No.18

75 CENTS

OMAHA STAR

THE

Celebrating 80 Years

1938 2018

Dedicated to the Service of the People that NO Good Cause Shall Lack a Champion and that Evil Shall Not Go Unopposed

Believe in something.

Even if it means sacrificing everything. ~ Nike

Nebraska’s Only Black Owned Newspaper Vol. 80 - No. 18 Omaha, Nebraska

Friday, September 7, 2018

Andrew Gillum Shocks Political World and Sets Stage for Three Black U.S Governors

By Lauren Victoria Burke NNPA Newswire Columnist

Wildly outspent by a billionaire challenger and the daughter of a former Florida governor, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, 39, shocked the political establishment to win the gubernatorial primary in Florida on Aug. 28.

Gillum defeated former Congresswoman Gwen Graham 34-31 percent to win the Democratic nomination. He will now face pro-Trump Congressman Ron DeSantis in the general election on November 6.

Gillum’s victory caught many political observers by surprise. The 39-year old Mayor was polling in fourth place less than a month ago. But recent polls showed an upward movement to second place. Gillum and his supporters completed that upward movement by coming in first on election night.

Gillum’s victory sets up a historic opportunity for there to be three sitting African American Governors Gillum in the U.S. for the first time in history. Former Georgia lawmaker Stacey Abrams is the Democratic nominee for Governor of Georgia after a decisive July 24 primary victory. Abrams would be the first African American woman to be a Governor from any state should she win. Former NAACP President Ben Jealous is running for Governor in Maryland against moderate incumbent Republican Larry Hogan. There are also four Black candidates for Lt. Governor running this year for the first time in history.

Gillum’s progressive victory was cemented in part by a late visit from Sen. Bernie Sanders in support of his candidacy. Though he did not win, the Independent Vermont U.S. Senator who ran for President in 2016, focused on bread and butter issues many Americans identified with as he ran against Hillary Clinton. Sanders’ issue focus included income inequality, money in politics, corporate greed and raising the minimum wage. Despite the Democratic Party’s support of the moderate blue dog style of former U.S. Representative Gwen Graham, voters had other ideas and a progressive shift has likely been spurred by Donald Trump’s policies.

Gillum, a graduate of Florida A&M University, is viewed as the continuation of a progressive surge and a shift away from the establishment also seen in the shocking victory of Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez over longtime Congressman Joe Crowley in a primary for his New York House seat. Though her victory is not necessarily a symptom of a widespread trend, it is a signal that a political wave in the opposite direction of Donald Trump is on the horizon in less than 70 days on Nov. 6.

75 cents

Here’s How Colin Kaepernick is Beating the NFL

By David Dennis The NFL was in a different, seemingly unbeatable place back when Colin Kaepernick first decided to protest police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem back in 2016. The league had weathered the storm of criticism from its mishandling of domestic violence cases, namely the Ray Rice incident, powered through lawsuits and accusations that it was being less than forthright about the effect hits to the head have on its athletes. Through it all, ratings never wavered and popularity was steady.

So it was reasonable to have supreme confidence that a fringestarter on one of the league’s worst teams deciding to quietly protest during the national anthem would be but a minor blip on the league’s radar.

But things didn’t work out like that, mostly because Kaepernick’s protest hit white billionaires right in their white power sensibilities, causing them to overreact and the whole situation blow up in their faces.

I’m sure that all of the owners who may or may not have colluded to keep Kaepernick out of the league for the past two seasons thought he would just go quietly into the night.

However, these league owners sorely underestimated the power of protest and the determination of Black people to see equal rights in this country.

The longer they kept Kaep out of the league – out of spite, out of a need to make a point that independent thought and pro-Blackness wouldn’t be tolerated – the louder the rumbles became that the NFL had a systemic race problem from the top down.

Coaches came up with ludicrous

reasons for not signing him while trucking out trash quarterbacks who don’t hold a candle to Kaep’s on-field abilities. Owners found every excuse to keep him off of their teams and Black fans got increasingly fed up.

Meanwhile, Kaepernick did everything right. He donated his own money, won awards and watched the NFL trip over itself trying to figure out how to navigate a race conversation it wanted no parts of. Now, against all odds, he has the upper hand. The lawsuit against the league, alleging that the owners colluded to keep him out, is moving full steam ahead.

And the Labor Day announcement that Kaep has been signed by Nike throughout this entire ordeal and he will be the face of its new “Just Do It” campaign is the uppercut that has the NFL staggering towards the ropes looking for help.

At this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if Nike (owner of the NFL’s apparel contract for the next 10 years, which means the league has been indirectly funding Kaep’s movement, by the way) runs a Kaepernick commercial during opening kickoff for every game on Sunday, the season’s opening day.

All because of one man and his refusal to budge for something he believed in, and a White power structure built on a house of cards.

American athletics has never seen anything quite like Colin Kaepernick.

Unlike any athlete before him – not Ali, not Jabbar, not Robinson – Kaepernick is willing to watch the league that represents the pinnacle of his athletic achievement perish. The athletes before Kaepernick had a line of demarcation that was just before the destruction of their sport, but Kaep

KETV To Launch Weekday Noon Newscast

John and Laurann

KETV NewsWatch 7 has announced the addition of a weekday noon newscast.

The added newscast is another opportunity for KETV’s top rated NewsWatch 7 team to provide breaking news and weather information at a time that’s convenient for viewers. The half-hour local newscast launches on Monday.

“We continuously look for opportunities to serve our local viewers with important news and information on all platforms,” said Ariel Roblin, KETV president and general manager.

“Adding a half-hour midday local [newscast] will allow us to further our commitment to serve our hometown in a meaningful way.”

Roblin adds, “I’m thrilled we are able to deliver even more quality journalism and inspiring stories to Omaha viewers.”

KETV NewsWatch 7 at Noon will be anchored by John Oakey and the Weather Now Storm Team’s Laurann Robinson.

KETV NewsWatch 7 at Noon is part of a revamped midday lineup starting Monday.

The new GMA Day – featuring anchors Michael Strahan and Sara Haines – will air at 11 a.m. followed by KETV NewsWatch 7 at Noon, then The Daily Blast Live at 12:30 p.m. All KETV newscasts can be streamed live on KETV.com, in the KETV News App or in the NewsOn App.

Ira Combs, Dr. Idalene & Rev. William Williams Among ‘Salute to Families’ Honorees Community leaders have selected the recipients of the 2018 Salute to Families awards. Each spring, people across the Omaha area nominate families and/or individuals they feel exemplify strong family life and commitment to our community. This year Ira Combs will be honored with the Family Advocate award.

Dr. Idalene and Rev. William Williams will receive the Challenged and Successful award.

For more than 140 years, Heartland Ira Combs Family Service (HFS) has been a leader in providing for the needs of thousands of children

and families our area. In recognition for helping the agency create the path to a better tomorrow, the Salute to Families program highlights strong families and individuals who place a high priority on building and strengthening their bonds, while encouraging individual growth.

Other honorees include: Diane & Sen. Ben Nelson, Melia & David Vankat and Willie Podestá Young.

The “Salute to Families” recognition program began in 1982 when Heartland Family Service recognized one family in the community. This has grown to today’s practice of honoring four families and one family advocate. Honorees are nominated by their friends, neighbors, or colleagues.

This year’s General Chair for the Salute to Families Steering Committee is Karen Burkley, and Connie Kinnear is the Selections Chair.

The HFS Salute to Families Recognition

Just Shred It, 9-15!

See In the Village for details.

Dr. Idalene & Rev. William

Dinner will be held at Happy Hollow Club on Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. The event is open to the public, and individual tickets or tables are now on sale. Formal invitations will be mailed this fall. If you have questions about the event, or if you would like to nominate a family for next year, please contact Nicole Tromler at 402-552-7424 or NTromler@HeartlandFamilyService. org.

Thanks for the memories Aretha.

1942 - 2018

doesn’t have that point of no return.

If the NFL and all its corruption, lies and inequality crumbles, then it crumbles. Kaepernick doesn’t need an NFL paycheck anymore, nor is he concerned with trying to reach another Super Bowl. He is not trying to change the league from within.

He’s trying to change the world. And anyone with that mindset and power of being unafraid of consequences is more dangerous than 32 billionaires with power complexes.

To be clear, this isn’t some benevolent gesture from Nike. The company wouldn’t be doing this if it didn’t see dollar signs at the end of See Kaepernick continued on page 2

Creighton Awarded Grant to Increase Diversity in Health Professions

Creighton University’s Department of Health Sciences-Multicultural and Community Affairs (HS-MACA) has been awarded a federal Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) grant totaling more than $3 million over the next five years. The grant will fund HS-MACA’s new Pipeline to Success Program, which helps students from disadvantaged backgrounds in the Omaha community and around Nebraska access and complete the education and training necessary to become health professionals.

The Pipeline to Success Program is designed to continue to increase the diversity Kosoko-Lasaki of the health care workforce by providing educational opportunities to qualified individuals from economically or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds, improving retention, increasing matriculation and graduation rates, providing training in primary care settings, as well as providing training in opioid abuse, mental and behavioral health.

The HCOP award is part of the programs managed by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the Health and Human Services Administration (HHS).

“There is a paucity of minority representation in the healthcare professions in the nation,” said Sade Kosoko-Lasaki, MD, associate vice provost for Health Sciences and professor of surgery (ophthalmology), and principal investigator on the grant. “This award will help Creighton University to continue on its mission of increasing the racial minority representation in its health sciences schools.”

Kosoko-Lasaki and her team have addressed health disparities in the workforce in the Omaha community for more than 18 years. Since 2000, the office of HS-MACA has provided pipeline information, education and training to over 10,000 disadvantaged students in Nebraska and in the U.S. Some of these individuals are in the healthcare profession.

The Pipeline to Success Program guides students through educational and clinical shadowing activities designed to help them prepare for admission into undergraduate and health professional schools.

Community partners include Metro Community College, Omaha Public Schools, Heart Ministry Center and One World Community Health Center.

For a list of all 2018 HCOP awardees please visit: https://bit.ly/2wr7rq2.

The Hate U Give, 9-18.

See In the Village for details.

Page Two

LOCAL NEWS

THE OMAHA STAR

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Kaepernick continued from page 1 the rainbow. Judging by Twitter’s excitement and support of Kaep, this new apparel line is looking to produce tons of money for the company, which will likely attach earnings to some charitable ventures. But even if Nike is doing this for money, the fact that there’s money to be had in amplifying those fighting for social justice is a win for people like Kaepernick – as long as the message doesn’t get lost in translation.

There’s always the fear that a big corporation like Nike can tamp down Kaep’s message as corporations often do, but Black people – the same Black people who have put the NFL under unrelenting pressure over the past couple of years – aren’t going to give the company a free pass. Any indication that Nike isn’t doing right

by Kaepernick is for sure going to lead to the type of backlash and turning away that has damaged behemoth organizations in the past. In short, Nike can’t screw this up because the wrath of Black America and all of its massive influence and buying power isn’t something Nike wants to jeopardize.

What seemed like a story that would go away quickly has become a thorn in the NFL’s side. The death by a thousand cuts that could have all been prevented if the league simply allowed a man who deserved to play to earn a living at what he was clearly qualified to do. But now, Kaepernick has a billion-dollar campaign backing him and a lawsuit that can be catastrophic to the league.

What’s worse is that the NFL has exposed itself as a bastion of White supremacy, where rich White men try to exert power over the Black men who work for them. The league has been revealed as a place threatened by Black excellence and an organization that bends to the will of Donald Trump.

Will the NFL actually die from all of this? No, of course not.

But it sure as hell can become baseball: a sport where billionaires play with their money far removed from the cultural relevance it once had; all because of a refusal to embrace the changing cultural dynamics dictated by Black America.

This all seemed so impossible two years ago.

REACH to Provide Cardio in the Community Creighton University’s Health Sciences Multicultural and Community Affairs Department (HS-MACA), the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health Program (REACH) will host the 3rd Annual LET’s MOVE LET’s REACH Community Physical Activity Day on Saturday, September 15. This free event will focus on promoting health and reducing health disparities in the AfricanAmerican community by increasing participation in physical activity.

The half day of “Cardio in the Community” will begin at 8:00 a.m. with a one-mile Run/Walk event from 24th and Cuming Street to 24th and Lake Street. Following the race, additional activities will take place on 24th Street between Lake and Burdette streets. Fun activities and performances will include Zumba, MixxedFit, step shows, drill teams, health screenings, and a host of activities for kids and adults. The day will end at 2:00 p.m. There will be a variety of summer refreshments and vendors present. A raffle with prizes will be held at the top of each hour. In the event of rain, activities will be moved to an alternative spot.

Beyond creating an enjoyable day for the community to have fun and visit with friends and families, this event is a very positive way to celebrate the spirit of North Omaha and learn more about the value of physical activity in reducing the risk of heart disease and improving quality of life. Bring family and friends. More information will be provided upon completing the schedule of events. To register for the Run/Walk, go to: https://www.eventbrite. com/e/2018-cphhe-reach-physical-activity-day-cardio-in-the-parkwalkrun-tickets-49110927105?aff=ebdssbdestsearch Your participation is important for the success of this event. Your attendance makes a powerful and transformative impact in the lives of the Omaha community.

For more information contact: Mervin Vasser at 402-280-3029; Aminatu Issaka at 678-687-2398; or Dr. Richard Brown at 402-3067158. You can also visit: https://www.creighton.edu/health/cphhe/ reach/community/physicalactivityday/

Signature Verification Completed for Medicaid Expansion Initiative LINCOLN – Secretary of State John Gale has announced that county election officials have completed their task of reviewing 136,791 signatures submitted as part of the petition to expand Medicaid eligibility. County certifications have been received by the Secretary of State within the time period required by law.

“After careful review by our counties, I can confirm that the statutory requirements for valid signatures have been met,” Gale said. “The measure will be placed on the 2018 general election ballot, barring an order from the district court handling the pending lawsuit that challenges the initiative petition.”

At least 84,269 valid signatures were required to add the petition question to the 2018 general election ballot. “104,477 valid signatures were certified to my office, which amounted to a 74 percent acceptance rate,” said Gale.

In addition, signatures of more than five percent of registered voters were collected in 47 of the state’s 93 counties. This meets the distribution requirement of 38 counties for an initiative petition.

“Certified letters will be mailed to the sponsors, notifying them as to the results of the petition campaign,” added Gale.

Gale went on to say that the next steps in the process would be announced by his office at a later date. “We will schedule dates for a public hearing to be held in each of the three congressional districts as well as produce a brochure about the initiative that will be distributed to each of the county election offices.”

Information about the Medicaid expansion petition may be found on the Secretary of State’s website at: http://www.sos.ne.gov/ elec/2018/elections.html.

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September 7, 2018

Omaha Native Supports Navy’s ‘Silent Service’ Half a World Away in Guam

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Robert Zahn Navy Office of Community Outreach

SANTA RITA, Guam – A 2012 Omaha North High School graduate and Omaha native is providing a critical maintenance capability to the U.S. Navy’s submarine force in the Pacific as part of a hybrid crew of sailors and civilian mariners working aboard the expeditionary submarine tender USS Frank Cable.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Destiny Spellman is a religious program specialist aboard the Guam-based submarine tender, one of only two such ships in the U.S. Navy. The Frank Cable and its crew provides maintenance and resupply capabilities both in port and at sea.

A Navy religious program specialist is responsible for assisting the ship’s chaplain in Spellman all duties. They act as a Photo by Mass Communication personal secretary and are Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown the personal security for the chaplain who is in a non-combative status. They also coordinate volunteering programs aboard the ship.

“I like when people come to me with their issues,” said Spellman.

“It feels good to help people.”

Spellman credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Omaha.

“I grew up in a small town and I learned a lot like the value of hard work,” Spellman said.

Guam is also home to four Los Angeles-class attack submarines, Frank Cable’s primary clients, but the ship can also provide repair and logistic services to other Navy ships like cruisers and destroyers.

The submarine tenders provide maintenance, temporary berthing services and logistical support to submarines and surface ships in the Pacific Ocean as well as the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean.

With a crew of more than 600, Frank Cable is 649 feet long and weighs approximately 23,493 tons.

According to officials at the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet headquarters in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the ships, submarines, aircraft and Navy personnel forward-deployed to Guam are part of the world’s largest fleet command and serve in a region critical to U.S. national security.

The U.S. Pacific Fleet encompasses 100 million square miles, nearly half the Earth’s surface, from Antarctica to the Arctic Circle and from the West Coast of the United States into the Indian Ocean. All told, there are more than 200 ships and submarines, nearly 1,200 aircraft, and more than 130,000 uniformed and civilian personnel serving in the Pacific.

The integrated crew of sailors and civilian mariners builds a strong fellowship while working alongside each other. The crews are highly motivated, and quickly adapt to changing conditions. It is a busy life of specialized work, watches and drills.

“You make rank fast on this ship,” said Spellman. “There’s more opportunities to see the world, because we go on a lot of deployments, which is nice.”

Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Spellman is most proud of making the rank of petty officer second class while serving in the Navy for just two years.

“Making second class was just a culmination of a lot of hard work through the past few years,” said Spellman.

As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Spellman and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, one that will provide a critical component of the Navy the nation needs.

“My family is surprised I’ve stayed in the Navy so long. I just want to make my family proud. I’m a family oriented person, so serving means more about protecting and serving my family because that’s what’s so important to me,” said Spellman. “I also feel like I’m a part of a group of elite people in the Navy.”

POW/MIA Chair Installed in Memorial Stadium – ‘You are Not Forgotten’ At 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, the world will mark the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended the hostilities of World War I. To commemorate this event, Memorial Stadium has designated a special POW/MIA chair. Each game this season, a veteran of U.S. military service will take his or her post next to this unoccupied chair in honor of the more than 800 Nebraskans lost in combat, but whose fate remains “UNKNOWN.” A plaque will be installed permanently by the chair with the following verbiage: “You are not forgotten.

Since World War I, more than 92,000 American soldiers are unaccounted for.

This unoccupied seat is dedicated to the memory of those brave men and women and to the sacrifice each made in serving this country. …” The unoccupied chair is located in North Memorial Stadium Section 33, Row 18, SEAT 27.

Later this season, Nebraska Football will salute all Veterans and active military at the Veterans/Military Appreciation game vs. Illinois on November 10. At that game, there will also be special recognitions of the 100th anniversary of the cease fire when the warring nations initiated an armistice to end hostilities in World War I. The UNL campus is one of only a few universities that still maintains a full complement of all military branches represented through its Reserve Officer Training Corps. While self-reported, there are more than 1,100 students who are veterans, members of the military or dependents with many faculty and staff who have military experience. The Military and Veteran Success Center is a full service center for this student veteran population, offering educational support and retention programs to assist in their academic success.

LOCAL NEWS THE OMAHA STAR Page Three The Links Inc. Donates Hygiene Products to Marcus Garvey Meets Malcolm X at Homeless Youth in Need the Sōl Food and Music Festival Boxes and small tubs filled with

September 7, 2018

By Shomari Huggins

Wordz & Agro Festival. Dis Poem is held annually in Port Antonio, Jamaica. On the final Sunday of April, poetry, food, and heirloom seed exchange are on display in Portland parish, which has been described as Jamaica’s most well-kept secret. The MX Sōl Fest mirrored the artistic integrity and community energy of Dis Poem. A strong dose of collaboration by local community members made this festival possible. University of Nebraska at Omaha, Outrspaces, Hi-Fi House, Falcolnwood Park & Hullabaloo music festival, City Sprouts, Aframerican Bookstore, and Homer’s music are some of the local organizations that lent their energy to the fest. Plans are already underway to ensure the festival is an annual success.

Look out for more community happenings centered on food security by the Shabazz Community Garden and the MX Sol Fest Committee online at facebook.com/MXFoodFest.

toothbrushes, toothpaste, body wash, shampoo and clothing were delivered to the Youth Emergency Services It was a lively occasion when the Malcolm X Center on Aug. 25 to help provide Sōl Food + Music Festival (MX Sol Fest) took toiletry and hygiene products for place in Omaha on Aug. 25 at the Malcolm young adults in need.

X Memorial Foundation. Around 200 guests The center, at 2602 Harney St., took in the sights and sounds of poetry, dance primarily serves homeless youth and performances, reggae, spoken word and Afro-soul other youth in need of emergency music. Food and artisan vendors encircled the new services and short-term shelter in greenhouse and festival stage. Omaha’s immense Omaha. Toiletry items were gathered talent was represented by young performers and by the ladies of The Omaha Chapter veterans of the local and international arts scene. of The Links Inc. during a social “Sip Native Jamaicans and students of Marcus Garvey, and Shop” event organized by the Ras Takura and Richie Innocent highlighted the chapter’s newest members through the festival as international spoken word artists. support of African American beauty From left, Geneen Scott, Monique Farmer, Tahnee Planning and accommodations were coordinated supply store owner Shawndra Dailey. Markussen, Terri Sanders, Tasha Tyson and Tiffanie by a subcommittee of the Malcolm X Memorial Dailey owns and operates Shadez of McCowen at Shadez of Us Beauty Supply Foundation and the MX Sol Fest Committee. Ras Us Beauty Supply, 7117 Ames Ave., inside Baker’s Plaza. The store opened its doors about two years Takura worked closely with the Committee to ago and has been successful in growing its customer base since that time, said Dailey. bring Omaha a festival similar to his Dis Poem “We’ve been fortunate to have a good amount of customer traffic come through the store every day,” Dailey said. “So, when The Links came to me with the idea, I was pleased to support it. We know there are youth in our community who are in need, and this was a fun way to bring awareness to that need and help collect toiletry items for the youth.”

The Chapter collected approximately $600 worth of hygiene products, including clothing and cash.

Youth Emergency Services provides critically-needed resources to youth and helps empower them to become self-sufficient, said Executive Director Mary Fraser Meints. The center helps youth in crisis get back on their feet including providing immediate needs for food, shelter, clothing and safety, and helping them build a support system.

“Many people don’t know there’s an issue with youth homelessness here in Omaha,” said Meints. “We sincerely appreciate the support from the Links. Support from our community helps us reach more kids who are in need around the city.”

Meints said the majority of youth served through the program tend to not meet criteria for services from other nonprofit organizations at the state and local level. In some cases, those kids would fall through the cracks without the support of Youth Emergency Services, said Meints. Meints said the African American population of youth in need of services is also higher than other sub-groups who use the services.

The Links programming focuses on five facets, which include Services to Youth, The Arts, National Photo by Davie Gram, LLC Trends and Services, International Trends and Services, and Health and Human Services. “Our members Festival-goers stick around for a group photo actively contribute to the Omaha community as role models, mentors, activists and volunteers,” said Chapter President Terri Sanders. “We maintain a chain of friendship, while simultaneously helping build a better community.”

The Links Inc. was founded Nov. 9, 1946, in Philadelphia, Pa., and today consists of nearly 15,000 professional women of color in 288 chapters located in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the After a brief nap, we hit the road. We reminisced Commonwealth of the Bahamas and the United Kingdom. It is one of the nation’s oldest and largest

By Austin Adams about when I was a little kid. We would park on volunteer service organizations of extraordinary women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and I’ve been writing the recaps of the Nebraska 10th and Military at the National Guard Armory, ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry.

Cornhusker football games since the 2005 and walk over the bridge to the stadium. I made Members of The Links Inc. contribute more than one million documented hours of community service season. In those days my father, Braymond fun what crazed my dad and his partner in crime annually – strengthening communities around the country and the globe.

To learn more about Youth Emergency Services, visit: yesomaha.com.

Adams Jr, would go to the games and take Fred Faulkner were, with their fanny packs, redTo learn more about the Omaha Chapter of the Links Inc., visit: http://www.omahachapterlinksinc.org/ pictures and I would help him write the story and-white striped pants, mesh shirts, and AM/ chapter.html. for the upcoming issue of the Omaha Star. It FM radio headphones. He remembered he and was a nice way to earn a few extra bucks and Fred would say “the smell of football is in the my friends thought it was cool that I made it air.” We talked about how as kids my brothers onto the sidelines or TV sometimes. I started and I would collect cups after the games, and taking over full writing duties a few years back how my older brother was more interested in when the staff noticed I had some writing skills. the airplane flying above the stadium than the LINCOLN – AARP has a community-led program for the Community Challenge My dad retained his duties as the photographer. action on the field. When we got up to the media announced two Nebraska winners neighborhood engagement.

Grant Program to answer that Through the years I’ve had jobs that interfered will-call window, my dad introduced me to for its 2018 AARP Community “AARP is pleased to support call and help build momentum with my ability to go to the games and though everyone. “This is my son Austin. He writes the Challenge grant program to help fresh and innovative approaches for more livable communities my dad always insists that I tell my employers articles for the Star.” I smiled and nodded. He communities make immediate from local leaders to make nationwide,” said Nancy I had obligations to meet and should tell them walks me to my area and gets his photographer Omaha more livable for people of improvements and jumpstart LeaMond, AARP Executive that I can’t work during Nebraska football home credentials. We stuff our faces with hot dogs, games. My usual rebuttal was that they have a and he goes down to get set up for the revamped long-term progress to support all ages,” said Connie Benjamin, Vice President, Community, business to run and that I can’t just demand all tunnel walk and kick off. The band lines, up. The residents of all ages. A total of state director of AARP Nebraska. State and National Affairs. “This home games off, unless I wanted to find myself team runs out to the 362nd sellout crowd and the $1.3 million will be distributed “We are excited to watch these year, we are proud to fund more a new job. I work in the Restaurant/Hospitality jets flyover the stadium. The coin toss ensues to fund 129 “quick action” projects come to life in next projects in more communities in industry and it’s usually a deal breaker with most and Akron kicks the ball into the end zone for a projects across the country. weeks and months, which will all 50 states, Washington, D.C. touchback… and then the lightning comes, and I Nearly 1,600 applications were reap near immediate benefits for and Puerto Rico.” bosses. received from non-profits and the area’s residents.”

The Community Challenge I just began a new job at Early Bird Brunch think you know the rest of the story.

My dad and I, along with pretty much everyone government entities for the The City of Omaha’s project grant program is part of AARP’s and Bob’s Donuts in the Blackstone District.

When discussing my availability, I went out on in the stadium, at downtown bars, and all of program, now in its second year. will support outdoor physical nationwide Livable Communities a limb and asked for all home games off during husker nation, tried to wait out the storm; most Each of the projects, which must activity, active transportation initiative that helps communities operating hours. The hiring manager didn’t even of us were disappointed as we headed to the exits be completed by November 5, is and activation of public space become great places to live for in the heavy downpour, but I left with a grin designed to achieve one or more with park-like benches at bus residents of all ages. AARP bat an eye and gave the go ahead.

My dad picked me up early Saturday, and we and a different perspective. I’ve been taking for of the following outcomes: stops, planters for accessible staff and volunteers are working stopped at a sports tent sale, cause you can’t go granted the opportunity to do something positive • Deliver a range of gardening near senior housing with roughly 300 communities to the first game in last year’s gear, especially in our community, and also have an experience transportation and mobility and temporary, interactive art across the country, engaging with all Husker Nation being drunk on Scott that really no one else does. Plus I get to do options that increase connectivity, installations in a vacant lot. and mobilizing community Frost Kool-Aid and Adrian Martinez being the it with my dad, who I love and who loves me walkability, bikeability, and/ ONE Omaha used its grant to residents, delivering technical first true freshman to start at Quarterback in deeply. or access to public and private host Omaha NeighborFest2018: assistance and expertise to Thank you Phyllis Hicks, the late Marguerita program history. We got like six shirts, a hooded Activating People, Places and local leaders and organizations, transit. sweatshirt, and he even got some red and grey Washington, the late Mildred Brown and the Spaces. With an emphasis on and supporting the work of • Create vibrant public places warm up pants. As we left the tent with our entire staff at the Omaha Star for allowing me hands-on learning, the Sept. the 275 communities and two that improve open spaces, parks merchandise I dared him to let out a GBR the privilege to write another season covering 2 festival featured project states that have enrolled in the and access to other amenities. cheer. He grinned and screamed “Goooo Biiiiig Nebraska Cornhusker Football. Thank you for demonstrations, neighborhood AARP Network of Age Friendly • Support the availability of a Reddddd!” The people paused for one second, giving us Adams men memories and enduring tours, walk audits, a variety States and Communities. AARP range of housing that increases moments. Now GO BIG RED!!! and in unison responded “Go Big Red!!!” accessible and affordable of community-engaged local also provides resources and publications to encourage local vendors and live music. housing options.

The full list of grantees can action such as the Roadmap • Address other issues of be found at www.aarp.org/ to Livability and the AARP importance for communities. book-series Where We Live: Nebraska’s winning projects, communitychallenge.

“AARP has teams on the Communities for All Ages. both located along 24th St. Members of Alpha To learn more about AARP’s in North Omaha, include ground in communities across Kappa Alpha (AKA) improvements to public space the country who hear from livable communities work in Sorority Inc. visited the and a neighborhood festival to mayors, community leaders and communities across the country newly built Florence Boys bring communities together. local residents about the value and the AARP Community & Girls Club (BGCM) The grant recipients are the City of getting quick wins to create Challenge please visit www. on Aug. 10. Sorority of Omaha and ONE Omaha, long-term change. We developed aarp.org/livable. members delivered 100 backpacks to BGCM CEO Ivan Gilreath and staff. The donation was a part of the AKA national program service project, “One Million Backpacks.”

Through the partnership with the BGCM, students were given additional school supplies as an extra bonus. Sorority members also received a sneak peek of the new STEM model learning classrooms as they toured the new Florence facility.

The Backpack project was led by sorority member Damita Byrd, the Sr. Director of Diversity & Inclusion at the Empowerment Network. Gilreath said the club was happy to receive the donated backpacks and supplies from AKA again this year.

AKA would like to give a special thanks to community partners at the Empowerment Network for their community outreach donation of 15 bags to the Florence Club.

Rain Can’t Spoil the Game

AARP Announces Nebraska Recipients for Community Challenge Grants

Alpha Kappa Alpha Donates Backpacks to Boys & Girls Club

About Alpha Kappa Alpha Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. had its humble beginnings as the vision of nine college students on the campus of Howard University in 1908. Since then, the sorority has flourished into a globallyimpactful organization of nearly 300,000 college-trained members, bound by the bonds of sisterhood and empowered by a commitment to servant-leadership that is both domestic and international in its scope.

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COMMENTARY

THE OMAHA STAR

Express Yourself

Hideous Cuts I normally do not jump on the political band wagon, but this one stunned me. It cost $38,000 to $42,000 per year, per inmate to keep adults locked up and more for youth in confinement and the governor has clearly stated his dislike for this population. So they will continue to be a tax burden if left up to him.

Therefore, I’m confused why he would take such huge financial chunks from [the University of Nebraska] educational system and burden our children (students), tax payers and law abiding citizens with these hideous cuts to our most prestigious educational facility. Is he using [those funds] to keep people he obviously does not like in prison? I am confused regarding his priorities.

Yes, I work with the prison population and can identify many ways people can become reformed tax payers rather than continued tax burdens. I also have 5 grandchildren attending UNO, 3 with full ride scholarships who recognize that the yearly amount the state pays for people to be in prison could be a substantial contribution to anyone’s education.

Please let people know of this activity so they can vote according to proper priorities and have clarity of vision here. I remain confused, and feel the need to share this with you.

Peace and blessings, Teela A. Mickles (Editor’s Note: The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the policies and position of the staff and management of the Omaha Star newspaper.)

Mentoring Matters

By Debra L. Shaw “Show me a successful individual and I’ll show you someone who had real positive influences in his or her life.

I don’t care what you do for a living – if you do it well, I’m sure there was someone cheering you on or showing the way. A mentor.”

This quote comes from renowned actor Denzel Washington. To be successful, you must prepare.

To be even more successful, you must surround yourself with other successful individuals. This is the culture of mentoring.

The bestselling co-author of the legendary The One Minute Manager and a former Twitter executive joined forces to create the ultimate guide to creating powerful mentoring relationships.

While most people agree that having a mentor is a good thing, they don’t know how to find one or use one. And despite widespread approval for the idea of being a mentor, most people don’t think they have the time or skills to do so. Positive mentoring relationships can change the way we lead and help us succeed. In One Minute Mentoring, legendary management guru Ken Blanchard and Claire DiazOrtiz, a former Twitter executive, combine their knowledge to provide a systematic approach to intergenerational mentoring, giving readers great insight into the power and influence of mentoring

and encouraging them to pursue their own mentoring relationships. Using his classic parable format, Blanchard explains why developing effective communication and relationships across generations can be a tremendous opportunity for companies and individuals alike. One Minute Mentoring is the go-to source for learning why mentoring is the secret ingredient to professional and personal success. The information on One Minute Mentoring was captured from https://www. amazon.com/One-Minute-Mentoring-MentorBenefit/. All mentors, in any capacity, should be equipped to develop a rewarding relationship within their mentor/mentee partnership.

Whoopi Goldberg states, “We’re here for a reason. I believe a bit of the reason is to throw little torches out to lead people through the dark.”

Effective mentoring relationships allows you the chance to provide light to others who may be in the dark about their potential abilities to reach his or her goals. True mentoring opens doors, gives insight to ideas and suggests new techniques to overcome everyday struggles. Committed and dedicated mentors are needed in every established and active program, whether it’s a formal or informal environment. Visit the following website to learn about mentoring opportunities in your community – https://mmpomaha.org/. Become a mentor and create a legacy of giving back that lives on forever.

Mentoring Matters!

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OMAHA • PAPILLION • COUNCIL BLUFFS

September 7, 2018

Black Votes Matter

By Preston Love Jr. UNO Adjunct Professor Prestonlovejr.com Black Lives, Black Poverty and Black Votes Matter The Black/Urban/North Omaha Vote Based on my long-term experience and study, the Black vote (specifically the Black/Urban and North Omaha Vote) will vote Democratic.

Misunderstood again and again, over and over, by the Democratic Party and candidates, is that the Black vote, while loyal, will not be significant to victories, if the Black turnout is low.

THE THREE MAJOR FACTORS OF THE BLACK VOTE The Black vote will be low and will not be significant unless, one or more of the following factors exist: • Strong negative emotions * Presence of racism within the election cycle - Example: recent Alabama race • Strong positive emotions * Election of a Significant 1st Black (Ex: Harold Washington, Obama) - For the record: the Obama formula of strong metric targeting, calling and door knocking made a big impact in his winning in 2008.

Emotion, however was the critical factor. In 2012, the formula continued, but the emotion dropped. So did the Black vote. In 2016, Hillary Clinton used the same formula. The emotion was not there, and Blacks did not deliver! * Strong association with a candidate, perceived (or actual) to be very pro-Black.

(Ex. Bill Clinton, new Atlanta Mayor, Keisha Bottoms, (who ran on increased Black procurement) • Clear belief that an issue or candidate will translate into real and relevant change or actions toward change, immediately. * For example, jobs, economic development, community development * Note: Year after year, our national and state party fails to recognize that, while many, many issues affect the Black community and the community recognizes and affirms those issues, they will not translate into Black voter turnout.

They have heard it before and don’t feel the change. That’s not always a rational conclusion, but is the conclusion never the less.

It is imperative to understand that these factors cannot be manufactured. They either do, or they don’t.

Consequently, year after year, the strategies ignore or lack the understanding of the Black vote and create PROGRAMS AND STRATEGIES THAT MAKE GREAT SENSE GLOBALLY, but not for Black voter turnout. I realize that this is a bitter pill to swallow. Those strategies and plans, are where all of the $$ and resources go.

They are great for the whole, but by in large, do not work for increased Black voter turnout.

THE TWO REMAINING ASSETS With that said, we’re left with two major

assets to draw from, for increased Black turnout: 1. To the aforementioned global strategies, specifically, metric and metric-driven targeting, extensive phone banking, and door knocking, let’s add, the strategy of block captains. A long-term, established, and proven method for Get out the Vote (GOTV). It has value in some communities, but it is marginal in povertystricken urban communities because it requires extensive volunteerism and sustainability of the volunteerism. Ultimately, you are going to run into the lack of any emotional stimulus.

Lastly, volunteerism is surrounded by many outside, highly funded groups, which are paying people $12.00 to $15.00 an hour. Should we continue? Yes! Absolutely yes!! But not with unrealistic expectations for an increased Black vote. “Don’t bet the farm on this alone, in the Black community”.

2. The existence of what could be called a built-in, and earned, voting infrastructure.

Notwithstanding the above-mentioned factors, there are other misunderstood and underutilized assets. All are not election time only assets. They are long-term developed and nurtured credibility, relationships that the Black community respects and will respond to. The Black church, the seniors, the street Blacks, our neighborhood associations, the social and Greek organizations, the year-round efforts to keep voting before the community, all need to be activated year-round.

That has always been the Black Votes Matter strategy. To overlook this asset is a mistake.

We are not utilizing this infrastructure (with the exception of the neighborhoods because of Precious McKesson).

CONCLUSION: WE NEED THE BLACK VOTE NOW • All candidates, including Black candidates, in the local races, need a strong Black Vote.

• Key Races that need a strong Black vote: * Eastman: Only got 44% of the Black vote in Primary. The Black vote is critical to victory * Krist: Ward got 56% of the Black Vote, Krist, 30%.

- Ward vote was not overwhelming in the black community (56%) and is not transferable.

- The Black vote can help the victory * Rayburn: Got less than 50% of the Black Vote - The Black vote can help the victory * Danner: Needs a strong Black vote - The Black vote can help the victory In summary, I restate my assumption is that there is a lack of understanding of the black vote and therefore no need for the party/candidates to seek wisdom-based counsel. The door knocking, phone calling and block captain work, must, and should, continue. However, actually getting the black vote out is more complex. Going forward, we need to ensure we are playing all of our cards.

To my community I say wake up, change from only based voting but add voting that’s improves our self-interest. If Trump doesn’t bring you to the Polls, you will get more of the same.

Use Of The ‘N-Word’ Is Far From The Only Measure Of Racism

By Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. Amid the continuing clamor of Trump’s chaotic presidency, the question of whether Trump had used the n-word became a media sensation.

Omarosa Manigault Newman, the president’s former aide, claims there is a tape of him using the vile racial slur. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said she “can’t guarantee” that a tape doesn’t exist.

Trump tweeted, “I don’t have that word in my vocabulary.”

The press pursued the question as if this would establish for once and for all whether Trump is a racist. Say what? Using the n-word has become unacceptable in civilized society, but its use is hardly the measure of racism.

In a brilliant article in The New York Times, Steven W. Thrasher puts this diversion to rest by arraying the many ways Trump has consistently and openly displayed his racial bias.

His list included calling majority Black nations “s—hole countries,” slandering immigrants as more likely to commit crimes, slurring Mexicans as rapists, and claiming that the White supremacists in Charlottesville, Va., included “some very fine people.”

Thrasher also details Trump’s penchant for insulting the intelligence of African-Americans – calling CNN host Don Lemon and basketball star LeBron James dumb, calling U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters a “low IQ person,” denigrating Manigault Newman as a “dog.”

We can’t allow Trump to dumb down racism, limiting the standard to whether one utters the n-word or not. There is more than enough repeated evidence of Trump’s bias, whether he used the word or not won’t change the self-evident conclusion.

Worse, Trump’s bias is now implanted in the White House. On the stump, he quite purposefully stokes up his audiences with racial slurs, providing powerful permission for his followers to echo his hatred.

And throughout his administration, racial bias is expressed in the systematic rollback of programs to enforce equal rights and justice under the law.

Trump has encouraged the police to get “rough” with suspects, and his Justice Department has essentially gutted Obama’s initiative to redress systematic bias in America’s urban police forces.

His judicial appointees are slowly rolling back affirmative action, furthering the perverse argument that affirmative efforts to overcome racial bias are

somehow a violation of the Constitution.

From the Department of Education to the Labor Department and the Environmental Protection Agency and across the government, civil rights divisions have been weakened, their authority and budgets cut. Conservative justices gutted the Voting Rights Act, and now Trump’s Justice Department has weakened efforts to block voting reforms that discriminate against AfricanAmericans, Latinos and the poor.

Republicans who increasingly are becoming the party of Trumpery overwhelmingly express approval of Trump’s “handling” of race.

Weakening enforcement of civil rights is immoral.

It is also pernicious. When the rights of AfricanAmericans are weakened, the rights of Latinos, of women, of the young and the disabled are also undermined.

Just as the movement for civil rights led to dramatic advances for women, for the young, for the disabled, the abandonment of civil rights enforcement will be widely felt. This puts a particular burden on Democrats and so-called independent voters.

Unlike the Republican Party, the Democratic Party is a ship made of diverse planks. If Blacks are abandoned, the ship will sink. If women are discouraged, the ship will sink. If Latinos are stripped off, the ship will sink.

If women, people of color and the young are weakened, working people are weakened. We float or sink together.

Democrats have no choice but to stand strong against the rollback of civil rights and the stoking of racial fears that have become the signature of Trump’s presidency.

Some argue that Trump’s racism is longstanding, evident early in his career as a developer.

Others suggest that the racial bias is instrumental, reflecting his political judgment that he prospers by dividing the country. The motivation doesn’t matter.

What matters is how we respond. My own firm belief is that Trump is wrong. Americans are better than he assumes.

We have overcome slavery and segregation and are building a diverse society that is our strength.

We care about equal justice and equal rights.

We don’t want to be torn apart by those who hate or to be driven by our fears rather than our hopes. Whether he used the n-word or not, Trump is spreading poison.

The only question now is whether citizens of conscience will come together to counter it.

COMMENTARY Stop Police Murders of Black Youth

September 7, 2018

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Contributor Roy Oliver has been convicted of murder for the killing of Jordan Edwards, a 15-year-old high school freshman.

Civil Rights leaders and others reacted with a sense of relief – if only temporary – after a Texas jury recently sentenced the former police officer to 15 years in prison for the shooting death of the unarmed African-American teen in a Dallas suburb.

“The child murdering cop just got 15 years in prison … he’ll likely serve all 15,” said activist Shaun King. “It doesn’t bring Jordan [Edwards] back, but it’s the closest thing to justice we’ve seen.”

A day earlier when the same jury found former Police Officer Roy Oliver guilty, King said it was an “answer to our prayers.”

“A bittersweet moment for his family and for all of us who’ve fought non-stop for justice,” King wrote on Twitter. “We’d rather Jordan be alive, but this was so important.”

Journalist Jamil Smith noted a connection from Jordan to Emmett Till.

“I look at his face and see Emmett Till, lynched 63 years ago today. This story didn’t end in the typical fashion, though,” Smith said. “Oliver was convicted. I hate that this news is so surprising.”

The jury deliberated for 12 hours before deciding the fate of Oliver, the former Balch Springs, Texas officer. In addition to the prison term, it imposed a fine of $10,000.

Oliver fired into a car full of teens on April 29 last year, saying he believed it was moving aggressively toward his partner.

Dallas County District Attorney Faith Johnson described Oliver as a “killer in blue” who violated his oath to protect citizens.

Prosecutors sought a sentence of at least 60 years while the defense argued for 20 years or less.

“The fact that Roy Oliver was even indicted for murder was already a small victory, but to be found guilty and convicted by a jury? These things don’t happen,” said Finessa Hudgens of Dallas. “So, although 20 years may not seem like much, this could be the start of something great,” Hudgens said.

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., the president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, wrote in an email that the Oliver sentence “finally breaks the systematic problem of denying equal justice to the families and victims of racially-motivated police murders of Black persons across the United States.”

White police officers must be held accountable, said Chavis, a long-time civil rights activist and onetime head of the NAACP. “The prison sentence should have been at minimum a life sentence for this brutal murder of an innocent Black teenager,” he said.

“But [today], at least police officers in America are put on notice: if you murder us, you will be punished and imprisoned. We must stop these racist police murders.”

THE OMAHA STAR

F.Y.I.

Page Five

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Page Six

THE OMAHA STAR

PRAISE, WORSHIP, DEVOTION, OBITUARIES & INSPIRATION

Mt. Nebo Hosts Laymen’s Conference Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church, 5501 N. 50th St., presents their 8th Annual Laymen’s Conference on Sept. 15 from 8:3011:30 a.m. The theme for this year’s conference is “Prayer – Fight All Your Battles on Your Knees and You Win Every Time,” taken from the book “30 Life Principles,” by Dr. Charles F. Stanley.

The scripture reference is II Samuel 15:31. The presenters for this year’s conference include members of Mt. Nebo Baptist Church, including Deacon Alex Horton and Minister Robert Eden for the men and Sis. Desiree Cannon, Sis. Lynn Gunn and Sis. Ivory Woods for the women’s portion.

Breakfast and registration will be available at 7:20 a.m. Lunch will also be served. Pre-registration is available on the church website at www.mtneboomaha.org. Rev. Terry L. Arvie is the pastor of Mt. Nebo.

#BlackLove: 99-Year-Old Walks Six Miles Daily to Visit Wife in Hospital

By NewsOne Staff

An elderly couple based in Rochester, New York is serving #RelationshipGoals and exemplifying the beauty of Black love. Luther Younger, 99, walks six miles every day to be by his wife Waverlee’s side at the Strong Memorial Hospital, CBS News reported.

Luther and Waverlee have been married for 55 years, the news outlet writes. Nine years ago Waverlee was diagnosed with a brain tumor and was given five years to live. After her diagnosis, she spent a lot of time in the hospital and her husband made it a point to be with her. Waverlee was recently admitted to the hospital for pneumonia and Luther makes the 6-mile trek to and from the hospital every day.

Many people have offered to drive him to the hospital but the former Marine insists on walking because it gives him time to reflect on his and Waverlee’s relationship.

“I got a wife. I don’t want to wait on the bus. I want to go up there to see my wife,” he told CBS News. “She is a beautiful lady and she treats me as a person is supposed to be … she made a man out of me.

That’s why I love her, because she’s tough. She’s not weak … That’s the kind of woman I want.” No matter what the weather condition is, he doesn’t let it deter him from seeing his wife who he lovingly calls his “cup of tea.”

The couple’s daughter Lutheta says his walks to the hospital keeps him going. “He’s always cared about her the way he does [now].

He loves my mom, He’ll do anything for her,” she said. Lutheta has launched a GoFundMe page to help cover Waverlee’s hospital costs.

Criticism Follows Williams’ Remarks at Franklin’s Funeral

By Lauren Victoria Burke NNPA Saying his subject was “Aretha the Queen of Soul,” Rev. Jasper Williams of the Salem Bible Church in Atlanta gave the audience gathered for Aretha Franklin’s funeral a few unexpected memories laced with political commentary.

Though he began simply, referring to the history of soul music and gospel, his talk became political as he appeared towards the end of the ten-hour service. Rev. Williams was one of over three dozen speakers at Franklin’s lengthy Detroit home going ceremony.

Rev. Williams referenced Black-on-Black crime, said single mothers are incapable of raising sons alone and proclaimed that Black America has lost its soul and it’s “now time for Black America to come back home.”

“Where is your soul, Black man?” he asked the audience at one point. “As I look in your house, there are no fathers in the home no more. Where is your soul?”

“Seventy percent of our households are led by our precious, proud, fine Black women. But as proud, beautiful and fine as our black women are, one thing a Black woman cannot do. A Black woman cannot raise a Black boy to be a man. She can’t do that. She can’t do that,” Rev. Williams said.

I had a serious conversation the other day with a middle aged man and we talked for a couple of hours about God. I’ve known him for years and we’ve had these discussions before but I noticed he has become stronger in his opinions which by the way are based on atheism. He is a likeable person, hard worker, great husband and popular. He is also a very talented artist and sculptor and concentrates much of his art work on the dark world of the supernatural. He has studied Greek mythology and loves any type of art work about this subject and is also very much into modern superheroes or any type of figure or being that has special abilities and powers. He collects books, posters, paintings, sculptures, comic books, and creates incredible statues of these creatures and has a waiting list of people around the world who want to purchase his work. I’m glad that he is gifted and successful but of course concerned that he will not consider the one who has all power and authority and is the creator of all things.

I know from our past conversations that he was not raised with any type of religious instruction or influence and never even entered a church until he was married in one. He loves history and has read about spirituality and has come to the conclusion that religion has always been used as a way to calm the masses and distract them from the discouragement and suffering of being controlled by tyrannical governments. To be honest, I’ve not really known that many atheist and as a Christian minister, I find it disturbing to hear someone say they believe God is nothing more than a figment of the imagination. He goes on to say that everything we see and know came from nothing and the Bible is just a storybook filled with fables and legends. He is also strongly convinced we are not spiritual beings and there is no such thing as an eternal life after this one.

Of course, in between all of these statements, I spend a considerable amount of time explaining what the Bible says all the while realizing that

“It amazes me how it is that when the police kills one of us, we’re ready to protest march, destroy innocent property,” he said.

“We’re ready to loot, steal whatever we want. … But when we kill 100 of us, nobody says anything. Nobody does anything,” he went on.

“There was a time when we as a race had a thriving economy. I remember we had our own little grocery stores. We had our own little hotels. They weren’t big and fancy, but they were ours. As bad as the days as Jim Crow and segregation were … it forced us to each other instead of forcing us on each other. We quickly come to realize that as a people, all we really have is one another,” Rev. Williams said during his 40-minute eulogy.

Social media quickly blew up after Rev. Williams spoke in response. Legendary singer Stevie Wonder proclaimed the phrase “Black lives do matter,” as he turned in the direction of Rev. Williams after the minister left the stage. Singer Gladys Knight’s performance was also viewed as a moment that brought the ceremony back from Williams’ political speech.

“Black Mothers been raising Black boys for years!! We’re still raising proud, accomplished and aware Black men!! I should have known! Rest of this eulogy has been a conservative Black confusion rant!” wrote attorney Barbara Arwine from her twitter feed during the speech.

By Parker Riley Who else but Aretha Franklin could bring Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Jesse Jackson, former President Bill Clinton and Minister Louis Farrakhan to the same stage? All four attended her funeral on Aug. 31, but some networks were not happy. Networks like ABC and MSNBC cropped Farrakhan out of their images on social media.

Farrakhan being at the Queen of Soul’s funeral did create negative comments on social media due to his anti-Semitic, anti-LGBTQ and sexist comments over the years. However, many people did not know they had known each other since 1972. In a statement, Farrakhan wrote, “In 1972, when I was minister in New York City, Temple No 7, the police attacked our mosque. Within a few hours,

I am using a resource that he does not consider reliable. Even though he has made up his mind against the Almighty, I also have faith and believe that with God no situation is hopeless and anything is possible.

I understand that God has given every person the free will to believe whatever they want and as we look around, we can see that people have definitely taken him up on that. In today’s world, it’s becoming more common to hear people say the Bible is not true and that all the thousands of gods and religions in the world are all the same.

I’ve walked with the Lord for much of my life, and have come to the realization that we cannot change someone’s mind. We can relay God’s message and demonstrate his character, we can pray and confess that God will intervene, and we can hope the Holy Spirit will influence and persuade an individual to consider turning to Christ but the rest is in God’s hands. The gospel of Jesus has the power to convict the human conscience and stir the soul but ultimately each person who hears how God so loved the world that he gave his only son to be crucified and save us, will either choose to accept his offer of salvation or walk away from him. The individual who embraces the God of the Bible becomes a Christian while those who reject him have simply made the decision to acknowledge an alternative idea and follow another path.

I could fill the entire newspaper with reasons why everyone should become a follower of Christ but I know there are others who could also do the same about their own worldviews.

I could tell stories from the Bible and I could share about those who were once unbelievers and have now miraculously turned to God and are excited, grateful, and filled with joy and peace. But you know, I’m not really thinking I can make anyone love God and like I said, I certainly cannot spiritually redeem or save anyone. In all honesty and sincerity, I just want to communicate about God’s infinite love for all of us and will pray that someone will want to know more about him.

(Read more at billyhollandministries.com.)

(Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent journalist and writer for NNPA as well as a political analyst and communications strategist. She can be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @ LVBurke.)

Aretha Franklin came to the mosque, to my office, and said that she saw the news and came as quickly as she could to stand with us and offer us her support. She asked me if Rev. Jesse Jackson had been there to show support. I said, not yet. She said, he’ll be here within 48 hours. Rev Jackson came and stood with the Muslims.”

He continued, “We marveled at her show of courage, fearlessness which was rooted in her profound love for her people and her desire for justice for us. Her activism, her selflessness caused her to stand with Dr. Martin Luther King and the civil rights movement as she joined the struggle of our people for liberty, equity and justice.”

Clearly, Aretha Franklin had Louis Farrakhan, 85, there for a reason. Let’s hope the Queen of Soul’s wishes could be respected by all.

Kids Talk About God

If Jesus Came With You To School, What Would You Do? (Part 2 of 2)

By Carey Kinsolving And Friends “If Jesus came with me to school, I would respect him and everyone else, too. I would not hit, would not call people names, and I would not shove or push,” says Michael, age 6.

We have a tendency to act one way around some people and put our best foot forward around others. Jesus said, “Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.”

(Matthew 25:40) Oops!

We live in a time when God indwells his people.

Living in light of this kingdom reality should elevate relationships with Christians to a different sphere. It should also have a sobering effect on the way Christians treat non-Christians. God created all people in his image, even atheists. We should be courteous and show respect to all, especially to those with whom we disagree.

“I would tell Jesus about my life and what’s hard for me at home and at school,” says Joe, 9.

“I would be very excited if he was here with me.

I would feel like there could be no reason to fear him at all because it would be so good with him.

“It would be a dream come true. ‘Thank you, Lord. Thank you,’ I would say. I would travel around the world telling others about Jesus and make more Christians in the world. That would be great!”

Thank you, Joe, for sharing your unbridled joy in the Lord. God wants all his children to live free in anticipation of seeing him. True confidence in life comes from being rightly related to God. Living apart from God breeds fear because we’re limited to our own resources.

Jesus appeared to scared disciples on Easter morning in a resurrection body and said, “Peace

to you.” The Scripture records, “But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit.” (Luke 24:37) When Jesus challenged them to examine his body and opened their understanding of the Old Testament concerning himself, faith began to replace fear.

When Christians live by faith, they stop worrying about what people think about them and start telling others about Jesus. The Apostle John wrote, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear because fear involves torment.” (I John 4:18) “If Jesus came to school with me, I would let him sit next to me,” says Kelly, 9. “I would listen to him to see if he had an idea to grow closer to God. When the time would come to say goodbye, I would pray he would come back again. When I would come home, I would hope to see him just sitting there on my bed waiting just for me.”

Kelly, thanks for this wonderful image of Jesus sitting on your bed waiting for you to come home from school. It brings to mind someone who sat on Easter morning. After an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and rolled back the stone of Jesus’ tomb, the Scripture records that he sat on it. (Matthew 28:2) Because an angel sat on a stone and announced Jesus’ resurrection, we can sit, stand and walk with him wherever he leads us.

Think about this: If you’re a Christian, Jesus is in you and with you wherever you go.

Memorize this truth: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) Ask this question: Do you have a sense of God’s presence at school, work, home or wherever you go?

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“Folks, he can’t see, but Stevie Wonder can hear. And he is offering a rebuke to the eulogy. Don’t think for a second, he isn’t!

And the folks in the room heard it,” wrote journalist Roland Martin, who attended the service.

“Reverend Jasper Williams’ plantation style speech at #ArethaFranklinFuneral is a prime example why there is a total disconnect between young Black people and the older Black church crowd. All that cowardly “you’s gots to do better” talk ain’t fooling these kids,” offered anti-racism strategist Tariq Nasheed on twitter.

Before Rev. Williams spoke, Smokey Robinson, Shirley Caesar, Jennifer Hudson, Chaka Khan, Jennifer Lewis and Ron Isley performed among many others. Rev. William Barbour and Rev. Jesse Jackson also delivered remarks.

“Aretha was in her very own special category,” said founder of Arista Records Clive Davis. “Her voice will be impacting others literally for centuries to come,” Davis added. A second tribute to Franklin and her music is planned at Madison Square Garden this fall.

Some Networks Cropped Farrakhan Out of Funeral Images

Every Person Chooses Their Own Path

By Dr. William Holland

September 7, 2018

& Cremation Services

Serving all cemeteries Pre Planning Discounts Beautiful Repast Area Available

And Both Black - Owned.

A Tradition of Caring Since 1939

7909 Mormon Bridge Rd 402-451-1000.

Free Space for Veterans www.forestlawnomaha.com

Together, The Press And the Pulpit Can Give Us Full Citizenship Immediately

3920 North 24th St. Omaha, NE 68110 402-453-7111 www.omahathomasfh.com

Both Born Out of Necessity For Self-Expression

PRAISE & WORSHIP DIRECTORY

September 7, 2018

ALLEN CHAPEL A.M.E.

Rev. Benjamin R. Finnell

Rev. Benjamin R. Finnell Presiding Elder and Pastor Tammi Tate, Public Relations Chairperson 2842 Monroe St. Ph: (402) 502-8003 Fx: 934-8581 Sunday School....................................9:00 a.m.

Sunday Worship...............................10:00 a.m.

Thursday Bible Study..........................8:00 p.m. via teleconference, dial-in number 563-999-2090 and access code 576989

KOINONIA AND FRIENDS OF CHRIST

ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CATHOLIC CHURCH

Pastor Tony E. Sanders Jr.

2423 Grant St. Omaha, NE 68111 Ph: 402-348-0631 • Fax 402-342-4451 Sunday Mass: 9:00 a.m.

Reconciliation: Sunday after Mass or by appointment

3208 Corby Street Omaha, NE 68111 Sunday School ..................................................9:00 a.m.

Sunday Worship .............................................10:30 a.m.

Thursday Bible Study ......................................6:30 p.m. www.KFCChurch.org

Pastor Tony E. Sanders Jr.

“Where Christ Jesus Is the Center of Attention” Rev. Dr. Leroy E. Adams, Jr. Senior Pastor 2019 Burdette Street Omaha, NE 68110 Ph: 402-342-0018 Fx: 402-346-9300

“Where Life is for Everyone” Drs. Mar n & Lynnell Williams Founders & Lead Pastors WEDNESDAYS Prayer 6:00 PM Worship 7:00 PM

Radio Broadcast: 101.3 fm 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. each Sunday Worship Service .............10:00 a.m.

www.ambassadorswc.com 402-341-1866 5417 N 103rd St. Omaha, NE 68134

Rev. Dr. Leroy E. Adams, Jr.

Sunday School .................8:45 a.m.

Excluding First Sunday Tuesday Evening Service.........7:00 p.m.

Pastor Rordy Smith Pastor Ramona Smith

Pastor: Rev. Vitalis Anyanike

ST. MARK BAPTIST CHURCH Pastor Jarrod S. Parker 3616 Spaulding Street, Omaha, NE 68111 Phone: 402-451-0307 Email: smbcsecretary@stmarkbaptist.org Sunday School – Sunday 9:00 a.m.

Worship Service – Sunday 10:15 a.m.

Children’s Church (except 2nd Sunday) Holy Communion every 1st Sunday

Our Mission: “To exalt the Savior, edify saints, evangelize sinners and elevate society.”

“Jesus is the light of the world” Rev. James P. Walker, Senior Pastor mtcalvarycommunitychurch.org 5112 Ames Avenue Omaha, NE 68104 Ph: 402-457-4216

SALEM BAPTIST CHURCH Serving God and One Another in the Spirit of Excellence Rev. Dr. Selwyn Q. Bachus Senior Pastor

Rev. James P. Walker

CLAIR MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH MT. MORIAH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

Rev. Portia A. Cavitt, Pastor 5544 Ames Avenue, Omaha, NE 68104 Telephone: 402-451-8322 • Website: www.cmumc.net Email: clairumc@cumc.omhcoxmail.com

Dr. Ralph B. Lassiter, Pastor 2602 N. 24th St. Off: (402) 451-8800 - Fax: (402) 451-8522 mtmoriahomaha.net pastorlassiter@gmail.com Rev. Portia A. Cavitt, Pastor

Rev. Ralph Lassiter, Sr.

Weekly Services Sunday Morning Worship Service ..................................8:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.

Children’s Church (2nd & 4th Sunday) .............................8:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.

Life Development (Sunday School) .....................................................10:15 a.m.

Wednesday Word and Worship (WWW) ............................................ 6:30 p.m.

Sunday School ...................................... 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Worship ..................................10:45 a.m.

Overcomers in Christ...............Sunday 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday Bible-Prayer Service 11:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m

TABERNACLE OF FAITH CHURCH Pastor Barbara Mitchell 2404 Fort Street, Omaha, NE 68111 402-455-1800 Church 402-455-3390 Fax

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Rev. Kent H. Little, Lead Pastor Pastor Barbara Mitchell

Services on Sundays at 8:30 am & 10:50 am

MT. NEBO MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

7020 Cass Street, Omaha, NE 68132 402.556.6262 www.fumcomaha.org First United Methodist Church is a welcoming and inclusive community, inspired to grow with and in God.

Rev. Kent H. Little

“The Church Where Fellowship is Real” Pastor Terry L. Arvie 5501 N. 50th Street Ph: 402-451-4245 Fx: 402-451-2130 office@mtneboomaha.org www.mtneboomaha.org Sunday Morning Worship ...................................9:00 a.m.

Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting .....................7:00 p.m.

Wednesday Night Church School ......................7:30 p.m.

Youth/Children Ministry Focus (Wed.) ............7:30 p.m.

Pastor Jeffrey & Terri Booth 3025 Parker Street Omaha, NE 68111 402.905.9730 • www.fwcomaha.com Sunday at 10:00am Family Night each Wednesday at 7pm The Daily Journey each Wednesday at Noon Saturday Prayer from 7 - 8am

Rev. Kenneth A. Allen, Pastor Pastor Terry L. Arvie

Missouri Synod 2723 N. 30th Street 402-453-1583 Sunday School................................10:00 a.m.

Church Service...............................11:00 a.m.

YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME

WEDNESDAY 11:00 A.M. ~ Hour of Power Bible Study Wednesday is Family Night!

6:00 P.M. ~ Prayer & Praise Service 6:30 P.M. ~ Feast & Fellowship (Light Meal) 7:15 P.M. ~ Discipleship Academy (Classes for ages 5 & up)

PLEASANT GREEN BAPTIST CHURCH “Where CHRIST is Preeminent and the Word Prevails!”

Pastor Brian Page 5555 Larimore Avenue Church: 402-346-8427 www.pleasantgreenomaha.org

Thursday: Youth For Christ ............................................6:00 p.m Prayer & Bible Study ....................................7:30 p.m Sunday: Worship..............................................8:00 a.m.

Sunday School..................................9:30 a.m.

Worship............................................11:00 a.m.

Pastor Brian Page

Televised Broadcast Sunday @ 10pm on KPAO Cox Communication channel 22 & Century Link channel 89 Dr. Stan Rone Senior Pastor

RISING STAR MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH Pastor Darnell N. Johnson, Sr. 1823 Lothrop Street, Omaha, NE 68110 Phone: 402-451-3700 Fax: 402-451-3700 Email: Risingstarbaptchurchone@gmail.com Follow us on Facebook at RisingStarMBCONE

JOY OF LIFE MINISTRIES COGIC

Pastor Darnell N. Johnson, Sr. & Ladi J Pastor Eric Butler and Co-Pastor Cynthia Butler

Pastor Kenneth A. Allen

THE WORSHIP CENTER

Rev. James D. Wilkens

Pastors Eric and Cynthia Butler 6401 N. 56th Street • Omaha, NE 68104 Ph: 402-399-9628 E-Mail: Jolpastor@aol.com Sunday School...................................9:30 a.m.

Sunday Worship...............................10:30 a.m.

Sunday Evening Worship.................6:00 p.m.

Wednesday Night ..............................7:00 p.m.

Bible Study and Youth Ministries

2215 Grant Street Omaha, NE 68110 Ph: 402-346-1502 Fax: 402-344-2720 SUNDAY Sunday Morning Worship……………9:00 A.M. Sunday School……………………...11:15 A.M.

Wednesday: Prayer Power Hour ......................................12:00 p.m

HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH

8:30 am Early Sunday Morning Worship 9:30 - 10:15 am Sunday Morning Breakfast 10:15 - 11:15 am Sunday School 11:30 am Sunday Morning Worship 6:30 pm Wednesday Bible Study 8:00 pm Friday Night Service Noon day prayer Thursday - Saturday

ZION BAPTIST CHURCH

FREEDOM WORSHIP CENTER OMAHA

Pastor Jeffrey & Terri Booth

3131 Lake Street Omaha, NE 68111 402-455-1000 www.salembc.org

Rev. Dr. Selwyn Q. Bachus

“Come Get Your Hilltop Experience”

Pastor Jarrod S. Parker

Televised Broadcast – Sundays at 6:00 p.m., KPAO Cox Channel 22 & CenturyLink Channel 89

MOUNT CALVARY COMMUNITY CHURCH

Sunday School .................................................... 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship Experience ......... 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday Food and Fellowship.................... 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday (WOW) Word On Wednesday... 7:00 p.m.

Sunday School………………………8:45 a.m.

Sunday Worship Experience………...10:00 a.m.

Monday Bible Study…………………6:00 p.m.

Wednesday Bible Study….…….…….7:00 p.m.

2901 Fontenelle Blvd. 68104 Ph: 402-451-6622 • Fax 402-457-6901 Mass Schedule: Mon. - Fri. 8:30 a.m., Sat. 8:30 a.m. & 5:00 p.m.

Sun. 8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. & Noon (Spanish) Reconciliation: Sat. 4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. or by appointment

Prayer and Bible Doctrine Study Midday - 12:00 noon; Evening – 7:00 p.m.

BIBLE TRUTH MINISTRIES “Strengthing Families for Victorious Living” Pastor Rordy Smith Pastor Ramona Smith PO Box 1703 2402 Franklin St. Bellevue, NE 68005 402-292-9499 Web: www.BibleTruthMinistries.org Sunday School..................................9:00 a.m.

Sunday Worship Service...............10:00 a.m.

Wednesday Prayer & Bible Study......6:00 p.m

&

Rev. Vitalis Anyanike

HOLY NAME CATHOLIC CHURCH MORNING STAR BAPTIST CHURCH

SUNDAYS Prayer 9:00 AM Worship 10:00 AM

THE OMAHA STAR Page Seven

Sunday Sunday School…………….............. 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship…...........10:45 a.m.

Tuesday Tuesday Night Teaching……...........6:30 p.m.

Wednesday Prayer Meeting/BIBLE Study............7:00 p.m.

North 24th Street Church of God “Presenting the Never-Changing GOD to an ever-changing World!”

Dr. Stan Rone - Senior Pastor 2021 N. 24th Street • Omaha, NE 68110 (402) 341-4297 Sunday Kingdom Academy 9:00 a.m.

Worship Celebration 10:15 a.m.

Tuesday Prayer Hour 7:00 a.m. & 12:00 noon Wednesday Power Hour (Prayer/Bible Study) 6:30 p.m.

Youth and Children 6:30 p.m. www.theworshipcenter24cog.org

Page Eight

LIFE & STYLE/HEALTH & WELLNESS September 7, 2018 It’s A Family Affair Job Openings at the Obama Foundation –

THE OMAHA STAR

In Omaha, the surname Harrison is synonymous with sports, particularly basketball, but a few members of the family have added author to their repertoire.

Writing as a profession is not new to Lisa Harrison Jackson who is the first member of the Harrison family to write books. Her love for writing began at the tender age of nine. Since then she has penned more than 100 stories, plays, and poems. In 2006 and 2007 Lisa’s first two novels, Finally, You and Me and Can’t Stop Loving You were released through Harlequin’s Kimani Press imprint. She would go on to self-publish another novel, The Missing Part of Me and write and produce 11 stage productions in Atlanta, Georgia.

Although she has a passion for playwriting, she returned to her first love, writing books with the release of her latest inspirational title, Gifted: Handle With Care. According to Lisa, Gifted was birthed out of a period where she had experienced disappointments in her writing career. “The road to breaking into all three areas has come with challenges, particularly in television and film because Lisa Harrison Jackson you typically have to rely on others to move your project forward. For instance, when my husband and I were approached to produce shows for an up and coming network, we went in full speed ahead. The scripts were done, the cast was set, the locations secured. Everything was in place, with the exception being the network’s funding.

At the last minute, they had experienced issues with their funding and had to place the network launching on hold. It happened a second time with another rising network. This particular one had the backing of a major cable company, but poor management on their part caused them to lose their deal, which affected the rest of the producers and their projects. You can either wrap things up, and declare you’re done, or you can redirect. I chose the latter.

I am a published author and a playwright. I simply turned to my other passions while we wait for the right opportunity in the right season to come our way. When it does, we are ready!”

She credits her faith and her parents, LG and Shirley Harrison with giving her the determination and mental tools to navigate through the setbacks. “They always told us that we could accomplish anything we put our minds to. I enjoyed playing basketball, but writing was a greater draw for me. The creation process of developing a storyline along with 3 dimensional characters with interesting lives lured me in.”

It was the loss of both of her parents in 2017 that caused her to pull back from the whirlwind and reevaluate. “My parents had instilled a lot in me and even if that assignment had yet to materialize didn’t mean I would give up or could not encourage another person who may not have gotten as far as I have to continue to pursue their dreams, especially in writing.”

Gifted: Handle With Care teaches dreamers and dream helpers, whom Lisa refers to as Gatekeepers, how to discover their gifts as well as how to protect, perfect and preserve them along the journey.

The writing gene didn’t end at Lisa. This year, younger brother Vicente joined the club when he released his children’s book, My Nature Exploration in June. Vicente, who is city Park Ranger in Portland, Oregon, wrote his book out of the desire to see African American children, and other children of color, gain an appreciation for the beautiful outdoors that their White counterparts were enjoying.

“I believe it is necessary for children who are born in urban areas to experience nature and a matter of life or death in some instances. I do not mean to be so blunt, but statistics suggest otherwise,” he states. “Kids who are raised in an urban environment, in particular African Americans, deal with health-related issues that are specific to our culture such as high blood pressure and hypertension that can be alleviated with extra self-care and wellness. Getting into a natural environment and exploring activities such Vicente Harrison as hiking, camping, rafting, and bird watching helps us relieve stress and tension. The urban environment is confined, conflicts have proven to erupt with gang violence and other nuisance related activity that results from loitering in the urban environment. Exploring the outdoors and the opportunity to break away and get out allows for time to decompress, clear your thoughts, and lay to rest conflicts that happen all too often resulting in violence.

Adults and Children of color should take more time to responsibly explore the wonders of the great outdoors and the healing power of the natural environment will take care of the rest.”

After writing his book, Vicente enlisted the direction of older sister, Lisa, to help complete this endeavor. Lisa in turn, recruited her daughter, Chandler, a Graphic Design major at Texas Women’s University in Denton, Texas, to design the illustrations.

“I wanted to be able to do something that could gain exposure for my family,” said Vicente.

“For us it was always about family. When Lisa showed me my niece’s drawings and paintings, I knew that we could do something and before I knew it the book was done and we went to print.”

Neither Lisa nor Vicente look at this endeavor as a business opportunity, but as an assignment.

“Our parents were known for serving others, particularly youth in our North Omaha community.

We are picking up the mantle by encouraging and educating others on living their life to the fullest through the gifts that God has given them.” This is truly a family affair!

Both Gifted and My Nature Exploration can be purchased on Amazon’s website. The trio are available for book signings, speaking engagements and visitations by contacting 678-658-0829.

Barack and Michelle Obama Are Hiring!

Several paid job positions are available working for the Obama foundation in Chicago, New York City, and Washington, DC in the categories of development, digital, finance, people human assets management, public engagement, real estate, and more.

Barack and Michelle Obama are no longer the President and First Lady of the United States, but they are the founders of an organization whose mission is to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world. Their goal is to equip civic innovators, young leaders, and everyday citizens with the skills and tools they need to create change in their communities. And yes, they are hiring!

Here’s a list of their available job openings: Development • Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations • Director of Development • Regional Deputy Development Director Digital • Digital Audience Growth Associate • Communications Manager Finance • Financial Analyst • Manager of Financial Planning & Analysis Office of the ED • Chief Operating and Experience Officer People • People Human Assets Manager Program • Impact and Evaluation Associate

families with young children.”

Vision screenings will take place following these storytimes: • Sept. 12, 10:30 a.m. at A.V. Sorensen Branch, 4808 Cass St., 402-444-5274 • Sept. 25, 10:30 a.m. at South Omaha Library, 2808 Q St., 402-444-4850 • Sept. 29, 10:15 a.m. at Benson Branch, 6015 Binney St., 402-444-4846 • Oct. 9, 6:30 p.m. at Charles B. Washington Branch, 2868 Ames Ave., 402-444-4849 • Oct. 12, 10:30 a.m. at W. Clarke Swanson Branch, 9101 W. Dodge Rd., 402-444-4852 • Oct. 17, 10:30 a.m. at Willa Cather Branch, 1905 S. 44th St., 402-444-4851 • Oct. 19, 10:30 a.m. at Florence Branch, 2920 Bondesson St., 402-444-5299 • Oct. 22, 10:30 a.m. at Milton R. Abrahams Branch, 5111 N. 90th St., 402444-6284 • Oct. 25, 9:30 & 10:30 a.m. at Millard Branch, 13214 Westwood Ln., 402-4444848

Public Engagement • Manager of Engagement Operations Real Estate • Deputy Real Estate Director There are also general job opportunities and internships available, and according to their web site, they are looking to build a global community that will work together and support one another.

The web site says: As the Foundation grows, it is our goal to build a team... reflecting the diverse fabric of our nation. The Foundation’s ambitious plans will require powerful teamwork and dedication from a talented, multi-disciplinary staff. If you’re interested in joining the team, submit your resume and we’ll stay in touch.

To apply for any of the available paid positions, visit: www.obama.org/careers/ To apply for an internship, visit: www.obama. org/internship

Save Money and Improve Health by Dining at Home with Family

Did you know that one of the leading causes of personal debt is eating out? It’s costly! On top of the expense, thousands of hidden calories, butter, fat and sodium add up to poor nutrition for many families who eat out each week.

The solution is Family Dining!

City of Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert has proclaimed September as the sixth annual Omaha Family Dining Month. Live Well Omaha Kids encourages individuals and families to take the Family Dining Pledge. We invite the community to help spread the word by utilizing our 2018 Family Dining Month Toolkit for sample messaging, infographics, recipes, conversation starters, and to learn how families

and one lucky school can win prizes. Family Dining Month is made possible by funding from CHI Health.

Some of the many benefits of family dining: • Eating at home saves money – on average, eating three meals a week in, versus out, saves a family of four approximately $2,000 in one year!

• Studies show that kids who eat at home with their families are more likely to try new foods and eat more nutritious foods, such as whole grains, low-fat dairy, vegetables, fruit and lean meat.

• Family dining also benefits family communication, reduces stress, improves school

performance and supports healthy teen development.

The Family Dining Pledge and the 2018 Family Dining Month Toolkit can be accessed at www. livewellomaha.org.

About Live Well Omaha Kids (LWOK) Since 2006, LWOK has worked collaboratively to reduce and prevent childhood obesity in Greater Omaha by creating healthy environments for all children and families through advocacy, education, policy development, and environment change. LWOK is headquartered at Live Well Omaha.

Subscribe to the Omaha Star 402-346-4041 opt. 5 theomahastar.com

Sense Screenings Soon Available at New Library Storytime Series

Omaha Public Library (OPL); Boys Town Pediatrics’ Center for Childhood Deafness, Language and Learning; and Lions Club International will introduce a new storytime series this fall. Each OPL branch will host two special storytimes featuring senses – one about vision and another about hearing and language.

Following these storytimes, interested parents will have the opportunity to access free screenings for their children to help detect early signs of hearing impairment, language delay, or possible vision impairment by trained screeners from the featured organizations. Screeners can also connect parents with resources to help improve their children’s quality of life and to help prevent or reduce learning delays often associated with impairment.

“There are so many benefits to offering these opportunities,” said Youth and Family Services Manager Julie Humphrey. “Having access to these free, yet little-known community resources can have an incredibly positive impact on

• Impact and Evaluation Senior Associate • Online Engagement Associate • Online Learning Associate • Senior Associate, MBK Alliance Network • Senior Associate of Program Strategy & Operations

Hearing & Language screenings will take place following these storytimes: • Sept. 11, 6:30 p.m. at Charles B. Washington Branch • Sept. 13, 10:15 a.m. at Benson Branch • Sept. 26, 10:30 a.m. at Willa Cather Branch • Sept. 28, 10:30 a.m. at Florence Branch • Oct. 1, 10:30 a.m. at Milton R. Abrahams Branch • Oct. 2, 10:30 a.m. at Millard Branch • Oct. 3, 10:15 a.m. at W. Dale Clark Main Library • Oct. 10, 10:30 a.m. at Saddlebrook Branch • Oct. 13, 10:30 a.m. at A.V. Sorensen Branch • Oct. 16, 10:30 a.m. at South Omaha Library • Oct. 24, 10 a.m. at Bess Johnson Elkhorn Branch Additional information and resources are available at omahalibrary.org.

The Wellness Feed The Patient-Provider Relationship

By Taylor White-Welchen, MPH I’ve recently become extremely interested in and fascinated by the patient-provider relationship.

Does the patient-provider relationship influence health outcomes? Can patient satisfaction influence patient’s decision making processes?

Is the patient-provider relationship, in general, important? The answer to all of these questions is yes! Having a strong, effective, and transparent patient-provider relationship is actually quite important. Previous research has linked a strong patient-provider relationship with better health outcomes, a stronger motivation to care for diseases, and better overall disease management.

Not only is it important for providers to prioritize the needs of patients, but it is also important to prioritize their needs. Be assertive. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Tell your doctor how you feel. Share your concerns. It’s your appointment. Of course this might be easier said than done in some situations — especially for underserved, uninsured, and/or underinsured populations who might not have consistent doctor visits.

No matter your situation, it is still your appointment, your body, and your health.

So take charge, and work to strengthen your patient-provider relationship regardless of your situation!

EVENTS/CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING THE OMAHA STAR Page Nine Girl Scouts Chart a Course to Become the STEM Leaders of Tomorrow Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska and Girl Scouts volunteers to join Girl Scouts.

USA are meeting the needs of today’s girls Omaha resident and Girl Scout mother Connie Things to do, people to see, places to go. ofby theintroducing 30 new badges. As part of Girl Bitcon said her fifth-grade daughter discovers

September 7, 2018

In The Village!

Sept. 15 – Mt. Nebo will host their annual Laymen’s Conference at the church, 5501 N. 50th St, from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Breakfast and registration begin at 7:20 a.m. Lunch will also be served.

Sept. 15 – AARP is offering free document shredding from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Center Mall top level parking lot. Enter at 40th & Center Sts. Sept. 15 – In celebration of National Recovery Month, Prevention Means Progress (PMP) sponsors the annual “Hands Across the Bridge for Recovery” from 9-10 a.m., at the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge (Council Bluffs side). PMP is asking the public to join 1,000 hands across the bridge in an effort to unite Omaha and Council Bluffs in a demonstration of support for recovery from substance use and addiction.

Sept. 15 – Join Bemis exhibiting artists Sheila Pepe and Peggy Jones for a lively conversation covering feminism and gender identity in contemporary culture. A Contemporary Feminism exhibition closing reception will be held from 2-5 p.m. The conversation with Pepe and Jones will be held from 2-4:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. To register, visit www.eventbrite/o/bemis.

Sept. 16 – Worship in the Park with New Rising Star & Church On Purpose Omaha at Benson Park pavilion from 12-3 p.m. Free food, animal balloons, carnival games, dunk tank and raffle prizes. There will be a DJ and more.

Sept. 16 – Enjoy a free concert and the largest fireworks display ever staged in Turner Park – celebrating the Navy’s newest combat ship, the USS Omaha beginning at 7:30 p.m. with the music of UNO’s Maverick Marching Band and Symphonic Wind Ensemble. Billy McGuigan will join the UNO musicians to add his own style to the evening’s patriotic music. Park opens at 5 p.m.

Sept. 18 – Book Discussion at South Omaha Library, 2808 Q St., from 6-7:30 p.m. Adults and teens are invited to read “The Hate U Give” and join the intergenerational, multicultural discussion.

Jade Rogers, youth engagement manager for The Union for Contemporary Art and black studies

historian, will facilitate this discussion. Learn more about author Angie Thomas at angiethomas. com. Reserve your copy of “The Hate U Give” today at any Omaha Public Library location. For more info, visit omahalibrary.org/omaha-reads or phone 402-444-4850.

Sept. 20-23 – Lauritzen Gardens 15th Annual Antiques Show runs at Omaha’s Botanical Center.

The weekend kicks off Thursday with a special, reservations-only Collector’s Circle Champagne Reception and Preview Party. Daily show hours Friday through Sunday are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Show admission includes access to the garden and the Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory.

All Antiques & Design Academies sessions are complimentary to those with paid admission. For more info, visit www.lauritzengardens.org.

Sept. 21 – Embracing Our Season 7th annual African American Leadership Conference 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., at Hilton Omaha, 1001 Cass St. Register at www.events.r20.constantcontact.com/ register.

Sept. 21 – Free Coffee Friday with AARP at Scooter’s, 2928 Ames Ave, from 8-10 a.m. Get to know AARP and connect with AARP members and volunteers. Your first cup of coffee or tea to stay or go is free. Registration is not required.

Sept. 22 – Pastor Leroy E. Adams Jr. will be signing his new book, The Black Church, from 1-3 p.m. at Divine Nspirations, 2118 N. 24th St. Sept. 25 – Young professionals are encouraged to attend the Greater Omaha Chamber’s Young Professionals Exchange featuring 2017 Young Black and Influential Award Recipient, Dominique Morgan, National Director of Black and Pink, Inc. Join the conversation at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium at 5:00 p.m.

Get updates on Omaha’s recent developments and initiatives and facilitated workshops geared to help you develop action steps to engage our community and discussions about GOCYP’s target values. An early bird registration discount will be offered to the first 100 registrants. Ticket includes snacks all evening plus a drink at the after-party. Register at www.omahachamber.org.

Registration deadline is Sept. 20.

Scouts’ evolving programming, the badges answer girls’ calls to learn more about cybersecurity, environmental advocacy, mechanical engineering, robotics and space exploration.

In a safe all-girl space, Girl Scouts develop important soft skills, including confidence and perseverance, as well as hard skills, setting them up for success and preparing them to take action for a better world. Kate Lembree, a junior at Elkhorn South High School, is now considering engineering as a career possibility, thanks to her Girl Scout experiences.

“I knew I liked to make things, but I wasn’t really sure what engineers did on a daily basis. Now I know this is something I might like to explore as a career,” Lembree said. “Girls Scouts offers me a chance to explore STEM activities, a lot more than my school. My school doesn’t offer any STEM classes. They have AP classes, but no engineering classes or opportunities to build things.”

Today’s youth are more vocal than ever about the change they want to see, and Girl Scouts are the most equipped with the skills needed to make a real impact. The results are proven: girls who participate in Girl Scouts are more than twice as likely to exhibit community problem-solving skills than girls who don’t (57 percent versus 28 percent).

The unique Girl Scout environment provides fun, exciting and essential experiences that carry into girls’ future careers and life success; the KPMG Women’s Leadership Study shows that early exposure to leadership has a significant impact on a woman’s perceptions of her ability to lead. Additionally, 76 percent of women today wish they had learned more about leadership and had more leadership opportunities while growing up, demonstrating how imperative it is for girls and

unique STEM opportunities through Girl Scouts.

“My daughter attended a Girl Scout Cyber Girl Camp where she learned about Internet safety, met two female FBI agents and even built a computer from scratch,” Bitcon said. “She loved it and I love that Girl Scouts gives her a chance to explore STEM-related topics.”

The new programming includes: • Badges that prepare girls to be environmental advocates.

• Badges that teach girls how to program, design and showcase robots.

• Badges exploring cybersecurity and online safety.

• Space Science badges that enable girls to channel their inner NASA scientist as they learn how astronomers conduct investigations.

• A College Knowledge badge that shows girls how to research the admissions process, financial aid and other factors. This badge fills a specific need that girls asked for – and that many do not have support for outside Girl Scouts.

Girl Scouts of the USA works with top organizations in fields that interest today’s girls.

Together, these organizations collaborate on and fund content to provide the most cutting-edge programming available. Partners include Code. org, the Cyber Innovation Center, Elliott Wildlife Values Project, NASA, the SETI Institute and the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. Girl Scouts themselves also rigorously tested some of the new offerings, including the Space Science and Cybersecurity badges.

Girl Scout troops are forming now. Prepare girls to unleash their inner strength. To join or volunteer, visit www.girlscoutsnebraska.org/join.

FBI Internship & Collegiate Hiring Program Now Accepting Applications The FBI Omaha Division is coming to college campuses across Nebraska and Iowa. Two of the FBI’s key hiring programs have been launched and are accepting applications from now through Oct. 14. The FBI Honors Internship Program and the FBI’s Collegiate Hiring Program are designed to broaden the talent search for the FBI to attract the top tier talent to support the FBI’s mission.

The Honors Internship Program is a 10-week, paid internship for undergraduate and graduate students. While exploring the exciting career options, you’ll work side-by-side with FBI employees at one of their FBI headquarters locations or in one of their 56 field offices located across the country.

While you’re there, you’ll be exposed to the unique environment and operations of the FBI, and will have experiences you can’t find anywhere else. The FBI is seeking applicants from a wide range of academic areas, and you’ll be placed in assignments based on your educational

background, skill sets and unique life experiences.

The FBI’s Collegiate Hiring Initiative recruits graduating seniors or individuals who have graduated or will graduate with an undergraduate, graduate, or post-doctorate degree between December 2016 and September 2019 for full-time career opportunities. If you are not graduating within this timeframe or are not seeking a fulltime opportunity, please apply to the Honors Internship Program posting.

“We are seeking the best and brightest to join the ranks of this incredible organization and help continue the long tradition of excellence of the FBI.” FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Randall Thysse stated. “We are looking for people who want to do something more with their careers and contribute their unique talents to advancing the mission of this important organization.”

For more information on the FBI Collegiate Hiring Program and the FBI Honors internship Program please go to www.fbijobs.gov.

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Business Connection

Johnny ‘The Jet’ Rodgers Makes Appearance at GPBHM

Omaha’s own Heisman Trophy winner Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers stopped by the Great Plains Black History Museum on Aug. 18 to meet, greet, sign autographs and take photos with Cornhusker football fans. During his visit, he was asked about this year’s Husker team. Johnny stated he has high hopes for this year’s team, and that he believes they are going to really be competitive, may even shock a few people in the country and will do a lot better than past seasons.

The Great Plains Black History Museum is located at 2221 N. 24th St. and is open to the public at no charge on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 1-5 p.m.

For more information about the Great Plains Black History Museum, please phone 402-932-7077 or follow The Jet with GPBHM Director Eric L. them on Facebook at Greatplainsblackhistorymuseum.

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Page Ten

YOUTH/EDUCATION NEWS September 7, 2018 National Science Foundation Awards Grant The Global Search for Education: THE OMAHA STAR

Teachers Across America Are Reimagining School

By C. M. Rubin “The more we standardize school, the less our kids have the time and support to develop the ability to learn how to learn, think independently, and create initiatives that make their world better.”

“Our kids will be adults in a world where automated solutions absorb all routine tasks and jobs, where they will need to invent their own distinctive way to add value to their community, employer, or customer.” – Ted Dintersmith Ted Dintersmith recently won the NEA Friend of Education Award. As a former venture capitalist, a parent and an author, and believes that a child “excelling in the non-traditional might well have the ideal preparation for the innovation era.” He also thinks the best thing a parent can do is to raise children confident “of managing their own life.”

Most parents probably start out with that goal but then get caught up in the traditional college-ready admissions process, including standardized tests and the perfect transcript. How does one innovate in that context? Dintersmith traveled around all 50 U.S. states in the course of one school year and visited hundreds of schools. To his surprise, he met visionary, hardworking teachers in public school settings taking important steps to teach beyond standardized tests and re-imagine their schools.

Should we do away with standardized tests or do we just need to change them? Do you believe we should create assessment tools that measure what many consider “more important”?

If I had the opportunity to dictate changes, I’d eliminate standardized tests in the upper grades. In the lower grades, when kids need to develop basic ‘learning how to learn’ skills, these tests can play an important role if used as thoughtful diagnostics.

But in upper grades, most AP offerings revolve around standardizing mile-wide-inch-deep content.

In doing so, they diminish the role of student curiosity, voice, creativity, and true mastery. So, students sprint superficially through volumes of content, buy AP flash cards to cram for their exams, and then promptly forget most of what they studied! Just review some practice questions and ask, are these questions aligned with an important life skill, or more like giving a student a timed test on their performance of crossword puzzles and Sudoku? The College Board itself offers scant evidence that these tests predict anything of consequence, yet we ascribe outsized importance to them and they do considerable damage to the self-esteem of many.

There are some encouraging advances, like the AP Capstone project, which empowers kids to produce original and creative work. Also, some AP courses are becoming more open-ended, which is encouraging. But in the end, the more we standardize school, the less our kids have the time and support to develop the ability to learn how to learn, think independently, and create initiatives that make their world better.

What do we do about the immeasurable qualities of education that should be prized or sought after?

There’s a huge difference between standardized measures and informed assessment based on evidence. The skills and mindsets that will help a young adult in the innovation era are not suited to standardized testing. Can we really use a bubble test to precisely measure someone’s creative problem solving, critical analysis, collaboration, or leadership?

We have already seen how hard it is to standardize test something pretty basic, like writing skills. For over a decade, the College Board included an essay question in the SAT exam. Although there’s a value in seeing a student’s essay on a topic they can’t anticipate, the College Board wasn’t okay

with just transmitting the actual essay and letting admissions assess it. Instead they went further, grading the essays and reporting back a numeric score ranking students precisely against millions of other test takers. Unqualified reviewers were hired on a temporary basis and compensated by the number of essays they grade per hour.

These graders admit that they just look for fairly formulaic sentence and paragraph structure, and examples of esoteric vocabulary words.

We live in a world where an individual can use a digital portfolio to convey their competencies, and the portfolio can be assessed by an employer or an admissions officer. And just imagine how quickly we’d transform K-12 education if our kids strived to produce remarkable examples of creative work that, in myriad ways, makes the world better.

At the schools you visited in Indiana and Alaska, what was your take away in terms of the way teachers are embarking on projects unprepared and learning with their students, rather than already being experts in the subjects?

It takes a degree of courage to stand in front of students and say, “Hey, I don’t know how to do this, but we’ll figure this out together.” But that’s what these teachers did. In the world of innovation, a degree of fearlessness and ambiguity is exactly the mindset young adults will need. These teachers model this characteristic, trusting their students to learn what’s needed to accomplish student-driven goals. Given how readily kids can learn via online resources, these teachers prioritize challenging and guiding their kids, not lecturing them.

What if we used the K-12 years to help kids develop meaningful proficiencies, learn how to learn, and begin to get a sense of their mission in life? If we cut back on college-ready content (much of which is obsolete, irrelevant, or both), we could empower kids to develop distinctive, hirable proficiencies during their K-12 years.

Imagine if kids left high school with an economic safety net and multiple open career doors?

In Albuquerque, New Mexico, you met teachers upset because they aren’t trusted and have to face severe consequences for straying from a narrow, strict curriculum. Until the attitudes of school leaders change, how do you suggest teachers improve their students’ classroom experience?

We absolutely recommend that schools encourage teachers to explore and try, but not make anything mandatory. Far better to let a few teachers run with things, and then share lessons learned. That can be contagious, and no one is being forced to do something they don’t believe in. Across the country and around the world, we’re seeing how these “small steps leading to big change” can rally school communities to do the most amazing things. An energized, collaborative community is an unstoppable force when it takes a mission it believes in. While it may sound too good to be true, students learn deeply and joyfully when they love being in school.

What steps do you think should be taken to reach the high-level goals as seen in your trip to colleges in British Columbia, where they do not ‘teach to the test?’

We have so much to learn about education from our neighbors to the north. The provinces of Canada bring a sense of perspective and balance to education that is far closer to Finland’s than to ours. Their equivalents of standards are simple one-page summaries of what they expect students to accomplish in a given grade and subject. Instead of standardized tests, there is more trust extended to teachers, and kids have time to pursue their interests. Moreover, similar to Finland, kids in Canada do well on the PISA tests while attending schools free of test prep and standardized tests.

Why is it so hard for our country to understand this?

Metropolitan Community College is the last night’s monthly public board meeting. recipient of a $590,577 grant from the National The National Science Foundation’s Advanced Science Foundation’s Advanced Technical Technical Education grants program supports Education program. MCC successfully submitted curriculum development, professional the grant proposal for the purpose of implementing development of college faculty and secondary The Digital Manufacturing NEXUS: Intelligent school teachers; career pathways; and other Infrastructure for the Industrial Internet-of-Things, activities. The program invites research proposals a project that will educate students on the practical that advance the knowledge base related to application of the internet to physical things such technician education. The program encourages as manufacturing systems and methods, kitchen proposals from Minority Serving Institutions and appliances, cars, thermostats and more. other institutions that support the recruitment, “With this grant, MCC students will now be retention and completion (certificate, degree or able to measure things such as the efficiency of an program) of students underrepresented in STEM apartment greenhouse and learn how to implement in technician education programs that award improvements to help reduce unnecessary waste,” associate degrees. said Tom Pensabene, associate vice president for Workforce and IT Innovation. “We will eventually be able to expand into local high schools. The grant 27 TH ANNUAL FORT OMAHA helps further the College’s goal intertribal POWWOW of offering high-demand skill training for individuals, thereby Saturday, Sept Saturday Sept. 15 15, 2018 2018, 8 1-7:30 p p.m. m strengthening the workforce and Free and open to the public. the economy.”

Metropolitan Community College With an emphasis on twoFort Omaha Campus year institutions, the Advanced 5300 N. 30th St. Technical Education program Omaha, NE 68111 focuses on education of For more information: 531-MCC-2253 technicians for the highReigning technology fields that drive the Princess: economy.

Naomi Lieb, MCC’s Board of Governors Omaha/Ponca officially accepted the grant at

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