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
“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” ~ Malcolm X
Nebraska’s Only Black Owned Newspaper Vol. 80 - No. 17 Omaha, Nebraska
Montaveous Completes Basic Training
Airman Thomas T. Montaveous Jr.
U.S. Air Force Airman Thomas T. Montaveous Jr. has graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. Montaveous is the son of Thomas Montaveous of Omaha and Joyce Bennett of Albany, N.Y., and grandson of Glenda Richardson of San Antonio, Texas. He is a 2017 graduate of Omaha Central High School.
Friday, August 24, 2018
75 cents
Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin Dies at 76 By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Contributor Aretha Franklin, arguably the greatest voice in music history, passed away at her home on Aug. 16. The Queen of Soul was 76. “She will be so missed as a mother, sister, friend, cousin,” said longtime friend Roger Friedman, who also covered the Queen of Soul for decades and originally broke the story about her cancer fight on showbiz411.com. “Her legacy is larger than life,” Friedman said. “It’s not just that ‘Rolling Stone’ called her the No. 1 singer of all time, or that she’s the Queen of Soul. Long live the Queen.” “The NNPA profoundly mourns the passing of our beloved ‘Sister Leader’ and Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin,” said NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. “Her creative genius was matched by her steadfast courage as a freedomfighting singer and leader for civil rights. Black America and all people of goodwill throughout the world will miss her, but her legacy will never be forgotten.” Dr. Chavis continued: “Long live the spirit and legacy of Queen Aretha Franklin.” Dorothy Leavell, the chairman of the NNPA and publisher of the Crusader newspapers in Chicago and Gary, Ind., said that she was saddened by the loss of the music icon. “I send a message of sadness and respect for our beloved Queen whose musical genius [shined brightly] and resounded around the world,” Leavell said. The fourth of five children, Aretha Louise Franklin was born on March 25, 1942, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Baptist preacher Reverend Clarence La Vaughan “C.L.” Franklin and Barbara Siggers Franklin, a gospel singer, according to her biography. Franklin’s musical gifts became apparent at an early age. Largely self-taught, she was regarded as a
child prodigy. A gifted pianist with a powerful voice, Franklin got her start singing in front of her father’s congregation. By the age of 14, she had recorded some of her earliest tracks at his church, which were released by a small label as the album “Songs of Faith” in 1956. She also performed with C.L.’s traveling revival show and, while on tour, befriended gospel greats such as Mahalia Jackson, Sam Cooke and Clara Ward. Hitting her stride in 1967 and 1968, Franklin churned out a string of hit singles that would become enduring classics, showcasing Franklin’s powerful voice and gospel roots in a pop framework. In 1967, the album “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)” was released, and the first song on the album, “Respect” – an empowered cover of an Otis Redding track – reached No. 1 on both the R&B and pop charts and won Aretha her first two Grammy Awards. She also had Top 10 hits with “Baby I Love You,” “Think,” “Chain of Fools,’“ “I Say a Little Prayer,” “(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You’ve Been Gone” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” Franklin’s chart dominance soon earned her the title Queen of Soul, while at the same time she also became a symbol of Black empowerment during the Civil Rights Movement. In 1968, Franklin was enlisted to perform at the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during which she paid tribute to her father’s fallen friend with a heartfelt rendition of “Precious Lord.” Later that year, she was also selected to sing the national anthem to begin the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. In 1987, Franklin became the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and was also awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Detroit. Prior to her passing, Stevie Wonder and the Rev. Jesse Jackson were among those who paid a visit to her at her home in Detroit.
Celebrating Outstanding Black Women: 2018 Mary McLeod Bethune Awards Luncheon By Amanda Paris Public Relations Chair, Omaha Section National Council of Negro Women Inc. It was a beautiful sunny day for the Omaha Section - National Council of Negro Women’s Awards Luncheon, and the ladies were decked out in their beautiful hats and matching outfits, to pay tribute to outstanding women in the community. The awardees exemplified Mary McLeod Bethune’s Guiding Principles of empowerment, education, and community service. The UNO Thompson Alumni Center was inviting and the crowd was full of anticipation. The food was great and Dr. Lynnell Williams, Executive Pastor and Leading Lady of the Ambassadors Worship Center, was an awesome speaker, who spoke to a sellout crowd. The Silent Auction was a huge success, providing funds for book award scholarships for women of color attending college in the Omaha metropolitan area. The event was blessed with the showing of the Choose to be Great video and musical selections by vocalist Tyi Hakeem who mesmerized the crowd. In the crowd were Omaha city councilman Ben Gray and Douglas county treasurer John Ewing. Awards were presented to: Dr. Nichelle Horton-Brown, Field of Medicine; Adia Brightman, Field of Education; LaVon Stennis-Williams, Community Supporter; Vickie R. Young, Dorothy I. Height Leadership; Mona Lisa King-Ward, Mary McLeod Bethune Legacy; and LaMare’ Wright, Youth in Excellence. Book Award Scholarships were presented to: Kinzetta M. Harris, Angel M. Howard, Alexan P. Short, and Cheamera J. Gaines Liwaru. In 2019, the Omaha SectionNCNW will be celebrating its 40th anniversary in the Omaha community. Watch for more information to come and upcoming L to R: Dr. Viv Ewing, President. Awardees: LaMare Wright, Dr. Nichelle events. Like them Horton-Brown, Adia Brightman, LaVon Stennis-Williams, Vickie R. Young, on Facebook and Mona Lisa King-Ward, Kinzetta M. Harris, Asia Nared (standing in for follow them on Twitter. Cheamera Gaines Liwaru)
“I prayed with her,” Jackson said. In a statement, former President Barack Obama lauded Franklin as “The Queen.” “America has no royalty but we do have a chance to earn something more enduring,” Obama said. “For more than six decades since, every time she sang, we were all graced with a glimpse of the divine. Through her compositions and unmatched musicianship, Aretha helped define the American experience.” Obama’s statement continued: “In her voice, we could feel our history, all of it and in every shade – our power and our pain, our darkness and our light, our quest for redemption and our hard-won respect. She helped us feel more connected to each other, more hopeful, more human.” And, Obama added, sometimes she helped us just forget about everything else and dance. See Aretha continued on page 2
First Day of School Met with Enthusiasm, School Visits by New OPS Superintendent
Omaha Public Schools officially welcomed students back to classrooms Aug. 15. New school year. New school outfits. New superintendent. The day involved visits to a number of schools by the new superintendent, who began the day at 6 a.m. at OPS Student Transportation, 72nd Street and Military Avenue, where Dr. Cheryl Logan greeted staff members who were on their way to transport Classrooms are ready students. She also greeted Student Transportation of America at the bus lot near 50th and L Streets. Mount View Elementary staff were joined by local fathers coming to help give students high fives and smiles as they entered the school on the first day. Willie Hamilton, Executive Director of Black Men United, organizes the event each year as part of the annual Million Fathers March. Students at Florence Elementary kicked off their first day of school, entering a newly renovated building. The school upgrades were part of the Phase 1, 2014 bond. The new superintendent stopped in on those students as well as students at JP Lord Elementary, also housed in brand new quarters. In May, Omaha voters approved a Phase 2, $410 million bond, to continue making improvements to schools that are still in need. Field Club Elementary kindergarteners enjoyed lunch with the new superintendent and new firsttime principal Dr. Collette Nero. Castelar Elementary and Catlin Elementary Schools also received a visit from the district’s new leader. Her final stop was to assist with dismissal at North High Magnet School where she offered remarks to the freshman Class of 2022. The day concluded with a postmortem discussion with district leadership on what went well and areas of opportunity for improvement for the future. Prior to the start of the school year, the district kicked things off with a celebratory Back 2 School bash held at the TAC Building on Aug. 11. The bash included five of the district’s elementary schools, and student representatives from middle and high schools. It allowed families to meet and speak with their principals, and for students to chat with their teachers. It also included comic-book heroes, prizes and a few mascots to encourage school pride. “The start of the school year is a celebratory time. It’s a time for fresh starts, renewed goals and new beginnings,” said Dr. Logan. Parents like Gina Miller are anticipating a stronger Dr. Logan greeting eager student
“Education is for improving the The Forum is Back of others and for leaving with Spencer Danner lives your community and world – August 31. better than you found it.” See In the Village for details.
Aretha Franklin (Wikimedia Commons)
~ Marian Wright Edelman
See OPS continued on page 8
Candidate Forum at Big Mama’s – September 5. See In the Village for details.