Omaha Nonprofit Inclusive Communities Announces 2021 Award Winners
BY JR CONTRIBUTOR DAN MAGRUDER
On Sunday, July 18th, Omaha non-profit Inclusive Communities hosted their 2021 Humanitarian Brunch. As COVID-19 concerns remain a priority for many, the event was held virtually for a second consecutive year.
The main award of the brunch, Humanitarian of the Year, is typically awarded to an individual or group. However, this year Inclusive Communities presented the award to all of Omaha’s essential workers.
In a press release, Executive Director Maggie Wood wrote, “We saw here in Nebraska, the disproportionate effect of COVID-19 on Black, Indigenous and People of Color and lower-income communities. We saw repeated outbreaks among meatpacking plant workers, and the legislative battle that was undertaken to provide them basic protections. We are shining a light on their work, to prompt questions like – How do we care for the ones who have cared for us over this past year? How do we move towards honoring them in tangible ways that improve their daily lives?”
Maggie Wood, Executive Director of Inclusive Communities
Inclusive Communities also announced the winners of two other awards. The award for Volunteer of the Year went to Alexis Sherman, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at the College of Saint Mary.
The award for Partner of the Year went to OutNebraska, an organization who Inclusive Communities said “[helps] champion the Queer Table Talk series as well as its elevation of LGBTQIA2S+ communities across Nebraska.” OutNebraska is a Lincoln-based nonprofit that states their purpose is. “To empower, celebrate and grow LGBTQ+ communities in Nebraska.”
Finally, Inclusive Communities announced the winner of a new honor, award for the year, the Necessary Trouble Award, named for a favorite phrase of the late U.S. Congressman John Lewis (D-GA). The first award went to retired federal prosecutor Frederick (Fred) Franklin who worked as an assistant U.S. attorney in Nebraska for 22 years, including serving as the special prosecutor on the Jake Gardner grand jury following the killing of James Scurlock last summer.
Inclusive Communities recognized Franklin for his “commitment to the restorative justice process and for a lifelong career of steadfastly promoting equity and upholding the law.” In an email to NOISE, Krysty Becker, communications manager at Inclusive Communities, expanded on his achievements.
“Fred was selected because of his history of being an advocate for justice and equity in the field of law,” Becker wrote. “He has consistently been a champion behind the scenes for the Black community, and we felt it was important to elevate the breadth of his work beyond his recent role as a special prosecutor for the grand jury case. Fred had already retired from his nearly 22-yearlong career at the U.S. Attorney's Office by the time he was appointed for the grand jury. He was the second Black U.S. attorney hired in Nebraska, a number which hasn't risen significantly since. He continues to work to promote law as a path for BIPOC individuals. Following his retirement, Fred went into private practice. He saw the need for legal representation to be more accessible in the Black community. And he saw that people needed representation that they felt they could trust, so he has been providing service for these communities, especially in North Omaha. We celebrate all of Fred's work with this award.”
Executive Director Wood added in the press release that, “We recognize the bravery it takes to do the right thing, especially when it’s not the popular thing. From what we’ve learned about Fred, he has been getting into necessary trouble for a long time now, and that deserves to be elevated in our community.”
Becker also elaborated on the more recent use of the quote by the late Congressman John Lewis.
“Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and redeem the soul of America,” said John Lewis on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama on March 1, 2020 commemorating the tragic events of Bloody Sunday.
“We named our newest award this way in recognition of the profound significance of getting into necessary trouble for building a society that is based in justice and equity for all,” Becker wrote. “Inclusive Communities presents the Necessary Trouble Award to inspire others to speak truth to power. We recognize the bravery required by a single individual to confront injustice and still take measures to advance equity, reconciliation, and the restorative process in our community.”
As the Humanitarian Brunch fell on National Ice Cream Day, Inclusive Communities also partnered with eCreamery, an Omaha ice cream maker, to release four specialty ice cream flavors: Humanitarian Crunch, Necessary Truffle, Spirit of Pride Sorbet, and Volunteer Swirl.
“Maggie Wood, Inclusive Communities executive director, is a friend of Abby Jordan, co-founder of eCreamery Ice Cream,” explained Beth Weiss, director of public relations with eCreamery.
“...We truly value the importance of diversity and inclusion, both in our workplace and in life. We were honored to partner with Inclusive Communities. We support and commend the organization for the outstanding work they do in bringing people from all walks of life together to accomplish more,” Weiss wrote.
For more about the main event click here.