Less than 3 weeks after the signing of a bill making discrimination against natural Black hairstyles illegal in Nebraska’s workplaces and as CROWN bills (creating Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) are passing across the US, the federation approving equipment for this year's Olympic swimmers says caps designed specifically for afros will not be allowed
Read MoreOmaha non-profit organization, I Be Black Girl (IBBG), announced they had awarded over $50,000 in grants to small businesses earlier this month (June 2021). IBBG’s mission is to support Black women, girls and femmes, which they do through funding allocation, events and policy advocation.
Read MoreA concept developed in the 1980’s has been forced into public and political discourse this spring and summer.“Critical Race Theory” (CRT) asserts that certain American foundational systems have racialized backbones allowing inequalities to persist for centuries, and that race itself is more a product of society than biology. It is an academic framework for social and legal analysis that is rarely, if ever, taught in K-12 schools. And yet it’s become a topic of partisan debate - a debate that made its way to Omaha, Nebraska on a record-breakingly hot day last week (June 17). As temperatures reached 105 degrees outside, the social climate was just as hot inside the Learning Community’s North Omaha center meeting room packed with both proponents and opponents of CRT.
Read MoreSenator Terrell McKinney, who represents the North Omaha area, said the passing of LB451 “opens doors for more legislation addressing issues with race and discrimination." McKinney, along with I Be Black Girl CEO Ashlei Spivy, Professor Doris “Wendy” Greene of Drexel University, and Candy Jones, were recognized by Governor Pete Ricketts for their work and success passing LB451. The bill, which Ricketts has now signed into law, deems workplace discrimination on the basis of natural hair unlawful in the state of Nebraska.
Read MoreNigel Phillips’ father, Kenny Ingram, his mother and sister, Tonya and Sierra Phillips spoke to reporters for half an hour after a backyard memorial service for Nigel where friends and family released balloons near the spot where he took his own life during a police foot chase following a traffic accident. CLICK HERE to listen to a short podcast of highlights from the interview produced by NOISE and Figure Podcasts.
Read MoreRacial disparities in health care play a significant role in the morbidity and mortality in Black and Brown communities according to the Center for Disease Control website, including the lack of access to COVID-19 vaccines. On March 17, 2021 when then Douglas County Health Director, Adi Pour, Ph. D announced her retirement, Reverend Portia Cavitt from Clair Memorial United Methodist Church saw the televised announcement as an opportunity to voice concerns about vaccine disparities in the city. Knowing that multiple news outlets were present, she spoke publicly about the lack of permanent vaccination clinics in North Omaha.
Read MoreTen members of the Revolutionary Action Party (RAP) live-streamed an emotional press conference on Facebook from their headquarters in North Omaha on Friday evening to collectively grieve the death of one of their founding members, Nigel Phillips. Omaha Police reported that Philips died by suicide the previous night after an attempted traffic stop for expired registration.
Read MoreOmaha’s Intercultural Senior Center (ISC) has gained accreditation from the National Council on Aging’s National Institute. This makes the ISC Nebraska’s first accredited senior center. Located at 55th and Center Street, the ISC’s mission statement reads, “Our mission is to improve the dignity, quality of life and physical well-being of seniors from around the world through advocacy, education, access to social services, and cultural enrichment activities that benefit the entire community.”
Read MoreNorth Omaha is getting a new bike/pedestrian trail brought to life through an agreement between the City of Omaha, Omaha Municipal Land Bank, and the Natural Resource District (NRD). The Beltline Trail will begin at the intersection of Hamilton Street and Military Avenue and terminate at 31st and Sprague Street.
Read MoreFamily and friends of James Scurlock organized a vigil at the now-closed bar, The Hive to celebrate his life in remembrance. Scurlock, a 22-year-old Black man, was fatally shot by the Hive’s white owner Jake Gardner during one of the Omaha protests in response to the killing of George Floyd in late May.
Read MoreGovernor Pete Ricketts announced at his last COVID-19 briefing that the state filed paperwork to the federal government stopping the $300 federal unemployment insurance effective June 19. Those who filed for unemployment last week however, will still receive the extra $300 this month. The state will join 23 other states, all led by Republican Governors withdrawing from the program from mid June through July.
Read MoreAt least 6 members of the Revolutionary Action Party, an activist group that hopes to “empower and instill a revolutionary consciousness” in Omaha communities, were arrested by Omaha police on the evening of May 22 following a rally and cookout that ended with a confrontation with police outside of the Omaha Police Officers Association Headquarters.
Read MoreThe Omaha City Council held a public hearing on May 18 and approved the Mayor’s resolution “condemning and denouncing discrimination, hate speech, harassment and intimidation against all people.”
Read MoreOn May 14, protestors occupied all four corners of the intersection at 72nd and Dodge streets to stand in solidarity with the Palestinians and protest against the occupation and bombardment by Israel. The diverse group of a little over 50 protestors stood waving Palestinian flags and carrying signs in support of a Free Palestine.
Read MoreAll seven seats on the Omaha City Council are up on the ballot in 2021. On April 6th, Omaha residents voted in the primary, with the top two candidates moving on to the general election on May 11. Polls will open May 11 at 8 a.m. and remain open until 8 p.m. As general election day moves closer, we’ve put together a clear guide on the candidates running for each district with some information about their campaign platforms.
Read More“In the last few days, I was already incredibly vocal about gun violence in 2021,” Maggie Miller said reflecting on the days just before the recent deadly Westroads Mall shooting in Omaha. “It’s very important to me that people like my friends and my family know that someone they love has experienced this trauma, ” said Miller. Maggie Miller, Au.D., is a research audiologist at Boys Town National Research Hospital.
Read MoreThe Omaha Police Department released the bodycam footage of the fatal police shooting of Kenneth Jones Friday afternoon (April 23, 2021). This release comes after multiple calls by the public and requests from reporters, including NOISE and the Omaha World-Herald, to release the footage in the wake of last month’s grand jury decision.
Read MoreMACY, Nebr.— William King hosts a ribbon cutting for a new high speed internet service on the Omaha Tribe’s Reservation. The $117,000 system was funded 99% by the CARES Act.
Read MoreOn Monday, April 19, after proclaiming Rodeo Week and riding a horse around the governor’s mansion three times, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts took questions from the media. With horse trailers as a backdrop, reporters inquired about his office's new media credentialing application and the letter from Media of Nebraska challenging its validity and constitutionality.
Read MoreAn unknown man placed stickers promoting neo-Nazism outside of Temple Israel, a Jewish synagogue serving 642 Omaha families, on April 15. Local police are investigating the incident as a hate crime. Video surveillance outside of the temple captured a man walking his dog and placing two large stickers on poles outside of the synagogue.
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