75 CENTS
OMAHA STAR
The Omaha Community Wishes You Well Phyllis J. Hicks
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
For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands. (Psalm 91: 11, 12)
Nebraska’s Only Black Owned Newspaper Vol. 81 - No. 7 Omaha, Nebraska
Friday, April 5, 2019
75 cents
A Farewell to My Home and the People I Love: An Editorial By Phyllis Hicks Publisher of The Omaha Star My life has seen many changes, where I have learned, worked and served people of the Omaha community in various ways. I retired from OOIC after thirty-five years of teaching, counseling and placing unemployed and underemployed in the Omaha community. Leaving there to start working in the private sector at the age of fifty-two to work at CSG, which involved customer and technical service, as a customer service analyst. I gained multiple computer skills, troubleshooting for the cable industry. Each job was different and afforded me many opportunities. The first job was with a non-profit which allowed me to be of service to people in the community. The second career was working in the private sector, where the bottom line and profit was the main goal of business. Spending a total of forty-five years at these two types of businesses prepared me for working at The Omaha Star, where we help people, inform and educate people, always having to watch the bottom line. Two role models, Mildred D. Brown and Dr. Marguerita Washington, served as mentors and role models preceding me as publishers of The Omaha Star. Little did I realize, some forty years
ago, when I came into The Omaha Star to drop off an article, Mildred asked me when was I coming to work for her, which I had no intention of ever doing. But, in 2005, I came on for a brief time, not realizing I’d be working fourteen years later, as a favor to Marguerita and my mother, not only working, but being appointed publisher in 2016, upon the passing of Marguerita. Although I studied journalism in college as a minor, I never thought it would become my profession. But, as I look back, my work as Public Affairs director, PR and a job placement counselor at OOIC would give me skills to write, edit and publish the paper. In addition to my professional work, my civic affiliations aided in my work with The Omaha Star including being on the City Charter Review Committee, Omaha Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Omaha, appointed by the mayor of Omaha as Omaha representative on the Governor’s Nebraska Job Training Council, Nebraska Vocational Education Advisory Committee, Board member at Christ Child Society, Executive Board Member Metropolitan YMCA, Commissioner and Executive Member of the Nebraska Commission for National and Community Service, co-founder of the Salem Stepping Saints, which I was active for over fifty years and co-founder and board member of the Mildred D. Brown Memorial Study Center. I am also a proud member of the Salem Baptist Church for the past sixty years. I, over the course of the years, have been honored by different organizations and entities. Some of those include the Black Heritage Award as Woman of the Year, WOWT TV “Someone You Should Know Series, KETV “Heartland Hero” Series, OIC’s of America Inc.,
Renowned Psychiatrist to Keynote ‘The Mind is the Matter!’ She wears many hats in the black community including wife, girlfriend, mother, sister, aunt, boss, student, single mother, Gi-Gi, grandmother, diva, lover, ex-lover and working woman. She is often described as strong, independent, bold, fierce, brave, magical, a modern day super woman who is encouraged to continue to make the world rock. In fact, she carries lots of bags in hopes of living up to those expectations. However, what happens when she feels as if the Dr. Janet Taylor weight of the world rests on her shoulders? In recognition of Women’s History Month the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc., Greater Omaha Chapter, wants to let you know, “The Mind is the Matter!” In partnership with The University of Nebraska at Omaha and The University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing, the NC100BW Greater Omaha Chapter presents its annual Mental Health Summit, “The Mind is the Matter.” This year’s theme is, “Bridging the Mental Health Gap: Awareness and Disparities.” The summit will take place May 6 from 8 a.m. till 3 p.m. at the Thompson Alumni Center on UNO’s campus. The target audience is people interested in learning more about mental health concerns and how those concerns impact the African-American community as well as those who have a desire to advocate on behalf of black women and girls. The one day summit will provide a selection of nine break-out sessions. Local facilitators will present on topics such as addiction among African Americans, Mental health treatment: evidence–based best practices for African American communities, anger management, domestic violence, family counseling, community treatment programs for African Americans, and crisis intervention. The keynote speaker is Dr. Janet Taylor, psychiatrist. Dr. Taylor is a frequent contributor to This Morning, The Today Show and Good Morning America addressing motherhood, parenting and mental health issues. Dr. Taylor is also regularly featured on CNN, MSNBC and ABC.com’s Mom’s get Real. Local healthcare providers, doctors, nurses, behavioral/mental health providers, counselors and social workers are encouraged to attend. The summit will offer continuing education units/contact hours for medical mental health professionals, social workers and other professionals in the Omaha area. There are mental health, health and/or therapy related vendor opportunities available. All are welcome to register and attend the summit. For ticket information please go to Eventbrite and type in “Mental Health Summit, 2019. Observe Mental Health Awareness Month by attending the summit. For more information about the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc., Greater Omaha Chapter, go to www.nc100bwomaha.org.
10, 20 and 30 Years of Service Awards, US West Manager’s Scholarship named for Phyllis Hicks, Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance MLK Award for community work with youth and by The Empowerment Network for community service. There were many others given, for which I am grateful. When I accepted the position at The Omaha Star, it was a part-time job, where I eventually learned all aspects of the paper, which I learned on my own. My responsibilities at the paper increased over the course of time, as Dr. Washington’s health began to decline. After her passing, the founding members, who were shareholders in the paper, voted for me to continue running the paper and serve as publisher. The Omaha Star has remained available through subscriptions, retail sales and now electronic issues. The paper is also available through archiving. All editions that are available can be reviewed through the archives. We have an active Facebook page, Twitter and a current up-to-date webpage for more news and information. All of this has been made possible by the associates and staff at The Omaha Star. I would like to offer special thanks to the helpers and staff who have supported The Omaha Star. I would like to thank weekly contributors and reporters who put in current news and feature stories. All staff at The Omaha Star are part-time but work countless hours to keep the paper out on time. Those individuals are: Phyllis Hicks, managing editor, Frankie Jean Williams, copy editor, Tanya Cooper, circulation/retail coordinator, Eleanor Riggs (deceased), bookkeeper, Carl
Hill, retail distributor, Debra Shaw, social media administrator and Ashley Dantzler, volunteer media developer. Special thanks to John Heaston, consultant and temporary advertising manager. My last active time at The Omaha Star will end April 15, 2019. I will be relocating to Las Vegas, NV to live with my son and family. I leave you with so long. It’s been good to know you. A long time this has been my home, but I must be moving on. Thank you for your support through all aspects of my life and for your faithfulness to The Omaha Star. Please continue your support of the Mildred D. Brown Memorial Study Center and The Omaha Star. The Mildred D. Brown Memorial Study Center was established to carry on the legacy of Mildred Brown. The purpose of the Study Center is to award scholarships to potential journalism students, to archive the important documents of The Omaha Star and to offer training to high school students in the areas of journalism and communications by providing hands on experience. The Study Center was created by Dr. Marguerita Washington, Phyllis Hicks and Roberta Wilhelm in 2007, followed by many other board members. The Mildred D. Brown Memorial Study Center is bridging the gap between The Omaha Star and the Study Center. The connection between The Omaha Star and the Study Center will continue to go on. Through the years Alonzo, my husband of fifty-three years, supported my endeavors, which was helpful in my being involved in many things. If I leave words for other young ladies and men alike to follow: if it’s something you want to accomplish you can. If you think you can you will. If you think you can’t, you won’t. Determination and hard work are key.
Longtime Community Leaders Thomas and Aileen Warren to be next Face on the Barroom Floor
An Omaha couple who have left an indelible mark on the community over the past three decades – Thomas and Aileen Warren – will be honored April 13 as the Omaha Press Club’s 160th Face on the Barroom Floor. Thomas Warren has served as president and CEO of the Urban League of Nebraska (ULN) since 2008, after retiring from a 24-year career with the Omaha Police Department including his final four years as chief of police. Since 2014, Aileen Warren has served as assistant vice chancellor, business and finance, and director of human resources for the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Prior to this, she worked at First Data Corporation for 17 years, where she attained the title of vice president of human resources. Her previous work experience also includes positions at First National Bank of Omaha and WorldCom. “We couldn’t be more honored – or excited – to receive Aileen and Thomas Warren this recognition,” the Warrens said. “We are quite aware of the illustrious people who have preceded us on the barroom floor, and we are humbled to be included among them. We can’t wait for the fun to begin and know it will be quite an evening.” Their roasters include a former Face on the Barroom Floor, an elected official, two business executives and the See Barroom Floor continued on page 2
‘My Sister’s Keeper’ Prepares for May 4 Walk My Sister’s Keeper (MSK) Breast Cancer Support Group is hosting their 6th Annual Spring Honors Walk on May 4 at Benson Park Pavilion. See the rest of the story on the health page.
In 2018, high steppers young, seasoned, male and female showed their support.
After the walk...the party!
Seasonal Job Fair – April 9.
America After the Civil War
Malcolm X Festival April 8-11.
See In the Village for details.
See article on the religious page.
See In the Village for details.