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
Nebraska’s Only Black Owned Newspaper Vol. 80 - No. 20 Omaha, Nebraska
Friday, October 5, 2018
Public Hearings set for Medicaid Expansion Initiative
LINCOLN – Interested voters are invited to participate in three public hearings regarding Initiative Measure 427, which seeks to expand Medicaid eligibility. State law requires that Secretary of State John Gale host a public hearing in each of Nebraska’s three congressional districts whenever an initiative petition measure has been placed on the general election ballot. “An initiative petition does not go through committee hearings and floor debate like legislation does,” said Gale, “so the purpose of the public hearings is to help educate citizens and the media through a meaningful exchange of views on Initiative Measure 427 prior to the general election.” The dates, times and locations for each hearing are as follows: • Congressional District 2: Oct. 11, 6 p.m. Omaha Public Schools Administration Building Board Room 3215 Cuming St. Omaha • Congressional District 1: Oct. 16, 6 p.m. Nebraska State Capitol, Hearing Room 1525 1445 K St.
Lincoln • Congressional District 3: Oct. 30, 6 p.m. College Park of Grand Island Theater Room 3180 W Hwy 34 Grand Island Notice of each of the meetings will be published in newspapers in those areas. Agendas will be available for public inspection at the Secretary of State’s office during regular business hours. Those supporting Initiative Measure 427 will be invited to speak first, followed by those opposing the measure. All three hearings will be moderated by Secretary Gale. Members of the public are welcome to testify or just attend and listen. In addition to the hearings, the Secretary of State is responsible for printing and distributing written materials about Initiative Measure 427. Pamphlets will be made available through county election offices as well as the Secretary of State’s office. Gale said the pamphlets will be issued in the coming weeks. In addition, a copy will be published on the Secretary of State’s website: www.sos.ne.gov.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Schedule your mammogram.
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‘Empress of Soul’ Gladys Knight Coming to Omaha The great ones endure, and Gladys Knight has long been one of the greatest. Very few singers over the last fifty years have matched her unassailable artistry. Knight will be performing all her hits in Omaha Oct. 20 at the Holland Performing Arts Center. Tickets are now on sale at TicketOmaha.com, at the Ticket Omaha Box Office inside the Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St., or by phone at 402-345-0606. Tickets start at $49. Knight, a seven-time Grammy winner, songwriter, actress and singer, is known by many for belting out soulful hits in the 1960s and 1970s while famously part of the group, “Gladys Knight & the Pips.” Beyond that, she has enjoyed hits in pop, gospel, R&B and adult contemporary. All told, Knight has recorded more than 38 albums, including four solo albums during the past decade: “Good Woman” (1991); “Just for You” (1994); the inspirational “Many Different Roads” (1999);
Mural Project on 24th St. Honors North Omaha’s History and Future By Patrick Mainelli In a collaborative effort, The Union for Contemporary Art and Omaha Small Business Network (OSBN) have guided the development of a new mural at the intersection of 24th and Ohio streets. The mural, titled “The Ancestor, The Identity, and The Seed,” is anticipated to be complete in early October. After soliciting an open call for artist proposals, The Union for Contemporary Art facilitated a jury selection process, ultimately choosing Omaha-born artist Reggie LeFlore as lead artist and Detroit-based painter, Baber, as assistant artist. “We’re truly honored to be working with Reggie LeFlore on this project,” says Brigitte McQueen Shew, Executive Director of The Union. “Through our Neighborhood Arts program, we strive to deepen the connection between the residents of North Omaha with the arts, to instill beauty and pride, and to create monuments to our shared histories and experiences. Reggie has embraced all of that through this mural, and we’re excited to be able share his work with our community.” North Omaha community input was central to the mural’s design process from the beginning. In three public meetings held at The Union, LeFlore engaged in dialogue with members of the neighborhood about what they hoped to see See Mural continued on page 2
and “At Last” (2001). “At Last” showed the world that she still has what it takes to record a hit album. 2017 marked the release of “Where My Heart Belongs,” a new inspiration gospel album. Knight has taken on several television and movie roles throughout her decades-long career.
No stranger to performing and light choreography over the course of her work, Knight raised the stakes when she put on her dancing shoes to join the cast of ABC’s hit reality competition “Dancing with the Stars” for season 14. She has also See Gladys Knight continued on page 2
Scholarship Fundraiser in Honor of L.G. and Shirley Harrison
The L.G. and Shirley Harrison Memorial Scholarship was established by the Harrison children in 2017 following the passing of their parents in the same year. The scholarship benefits children attending Sacred Heart School where the family has a longstanding history. Not only did 10 of their 11 children attend Sacred Heart, but L.G. volunteered L.G and Shirley Harrison as a gym teacher and basketball coach for many years while Shirley worked as a reading assistant. The legacy continues with Cathy (Harrison) Banks sitting on the CUES Board, Lisa (Harrison) Jackson working as marketing and recruitment director, and both Cathy and Carla (Harrison) Griffin serving as mentors in the Mentor Program. In addition, Les “Pee Wee” Harrison former Harlem All Star and Globetrotter makes regular appearances at the school when he is in town, supporting the vision through his character education program. In March of 2017, the Harrisons presented a check for $30,000 to the CUES organization on behalf of the scholarship. As a result, ten families were awarded See Scholarship Fundraiser continued on page 2
Black People Are The Conscience Of This Nation By Jeffrey L. Boney The 2018 midterm elections are nearly upon us. The United States of America, in 2018, is at a major crossroads and there is too much at stake to simply ignore the importance of this critical election. If ever there was a time to vote, that time is now. And while there will be many candidates whose names will appear on ballots across this country, it is actually the future of the United States of America that is the most important thing on the ballot this November. These important midterm elections are shaping up to be some of the most important elections in modern times. The results of these midterm elections will not only determine the makeup of Congress, but they will also shape the overall future of this country. The current president has single-handedly emboldened the worst elements of society to openly express their racist views and bigotry in ways that have not been blatantly seen in America since the days of the Civil Rights struggle. The Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and other legislation that was introduced, helped to deal with issues of racism, police brutality, economic disenfranchisement, discriminatory judicial practices and attacks on voting rights that have existed in this country since inception. However, the
See In the Village for voting registration deadlines.
unrepentant hearts of racists in this country came to the forefront once again after the election, and subsequent re-election, of the nation’s first Black president in 2008 and 2012 respectively – President Barack Obama.
Rev. William Barber, co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, gives spirited keynote at the Phoenix Awards Dinner. PHOTO: Roy Lewis/Trice Edney News Wire
The current administration has shined a light on the darkness of racism and bigotry that has long been ignored and swept under the rug in this country. The divisive rhetoric and activity that this current administration has boldly encouraged, has now trickled down to many cities and states across this country, which is why voting in local and state elections is so important. “All politics is local” is a popular political saying that is most often associated with former Democratic House Speaker Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill, Jr. When you think about the phrase in itself, it makes sense that the things that impact you the most take place on the local level. Taxation without representation is a horrible position to be in. The President of the United States, whoever that elected person may be, plays an important role in what affects Black people, but the president can only do so much. All of the key decisions and pieces of legislation that impact Black people on a daily basis are made by individuals who are elected by regular citizens at the local, county and state levels of government. Those who are elected to office by regular citizens, then have the ability to appoint people to other key positions, as well as enact laws that will undoubtedly affect the quality of life of everyone, including those who didn’t vote. The detrimental outcome of Black people choosing to completely See Conscience continued on page 3
Need a ride to the polls?
Community shredding – Oct. 27
Phone 402-312-2891
See Oct. 19 issue for details