UPCOMING EVENTS…
PAST EVENTS…
OMAHA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Desegregation & Integration Case.
1974-1978
ifty years later: Webb vs. Omaha Public Schools. Did the desegregation case affect integration in the educational system in Omaha today?
This day-long workshop is an opportunity for the Omaha community to discuss and hear about the efforts of the seven brave women to challenge the segregation educational regime in Omaha to allow Black Students to attend schools outside of their segregated neighborhoods. We will share the perspectives of educators who have experienced the process and shared their stories. Potso Mahlangeni Byndon, Esq, the grandson of one of the interviewers, will present an overview of the case and explain why this case rocked the white status quo, who fought this case up to the U.S. Supreme Court, which rejected the Omaha Public Schools effort to maintain the segregated schools. Racism was denied, which resulted in school busing. The Omaha World-Herald wrote an editorial against the interventors’ efforts. Yet, some African American community members question that looking at the academic achievement, the results of internal segregation in particular classes for Blacks, the schools did not provide quality education to African American students as indicated by the data or lack of data to demonstrate achievement and quality education.
We will have breakout sessions in the afternoon after a community discussion on the importance of the current climate with racial diversity and issues related to eliminating affirmative action and placing certain personalities who do not support racial integration in key human resources and community positions. There are means to keep racial groups divided and in conditions of second-class status, as indicated by housing, redlining, prison increase, child welfare issues, disproportionate numbers in juvenile justice, lack of jobs, lending practices of banks (Wells Fargo cases), and apartheid conditions.
There are African Americans who support a separate system because whites have yet to afford equal opportunities for jobs to participate, as indicated by both the numbers within public and all-white institutions that taxpayers support. Education has been considered the stepping stone for groups’ upward mobility. However, that has not been the case in Omaha, as indicated by the lack of African Americans in local, city, county, and state government positions. We want participants to join in this robust discussion about the Omaha 1974 busing case and where we go from here. This is open to the public and will be held in the North Omaha Learning community building in North Omaha at 1612 North 24th Street.
For more information, contact A’Jamal Byndon, the Chair of the Board Movement in Omaha for Racial Equity, at 402-212-7083. Registration can be found on the Moreomaha.org website, or you can call the number to register. The event is from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 12, 2024.
Racial and Historical Trauma in Living in Nebraska (notably Omaha)
Book Discussion Uncovering the Roots: Exploring Historical Trauma in Omaha Through My Grandmothers’s Hands—A Journey of Healing from Lynching, Redlining and Racial Profiling”
Rev. Dr. Cynthia Lindermeyer from American Public University and A’Jamal Byndon, Chairman of the Board of Movement in Omaha for Racial Equity, will facilitate a discussion of the book My Grandmother’s Hands Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem.
During the first part of this event, we will provide an overview of the book. In the second part, we invite the participants to share their experiences reading the book and its implications for the historical racial traumas in living in Omaha, NE.
This event will be held at Fabric Lab, 2514 North 24th Street, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. We ask that you register online before the event at Moreomaha.org
For more information contact A’Jamal Byndon, 402-212-7083
MEDIA & RACE: If It Bleeds Does it Lead in Omaha?
Hannah Mcilree is a local reporter who has covered many topics and issues. She interviewed me some months ago regarding the work of the Movement for Racial Equality on race and antiracism issues and the declining graduation rate for students of color in the Omaha Plantation Schools. She will engage the host on topics of reporting the local news media and how People of Color from a different perspective are portrayed in a negative light as People of Color. If it bleeds, it frequently leads to what the media cover in our respective communities. Hanah will give us a bird ‘ s-eye view of the media status in our community, particularly as someone who has worked in other cities. African and Latin news needs to be timely, and too often, we must utilize social media to get so-called news out regarding truthful topics and check in reality. That does not occur within our communities.
Meanwhile, too many false mouthpieces engage with reporters or media pundits about how the media is broadcast. As the old truism goes, those who know of, don’t tell, and those who speak too often are often on someone’s secret payroll. One of the local Omaha Star's philosophies is only “Good News.” Meanwhile, oppressive and destructive new conditions are created because the local opportunists are engaging in the nonrealities of our dysfunctional organizations' non-investigative reporting or news. Welcome to Throwing Down Heavy Light.
For more information contact A’Jamal Byndon, 402-212-7083
LEARNING THE LEARNING COMMUNITY!
Gerald M. Kuhn II is the Chief Executive Officer of the Learning Community Douglas Sarpy County. He has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s in social justice. He has served on other boards in the community. He was a board member of the Learning Community in Sub District 1. He has previously worked with the City of Omaha dealing with disabilities director. He is a native of Omaha and is currently working on issues related to early childhood education. Over the years, African Americans and other People of Color has not been adequately informed by the Learning Community. This interview and event is one such opportunity.
For more information contact A’Jamal Byndon, 402-212-7083
PARENT INVOLVEMENT IN OPS: WHAT WENT WRONG??
Suzanne Dau has appeared in our programs to discuss race and cultural diversity issuesissues of race and cultural diversity. We have explored her work with youth and support for youth involved in sports. She is actively engaged in other volunteer endeavors. We talked with Suzanne about her support for the youth at Northwest High when her son played Sports. She shared with us the challenges she faced as a parent, and we invited her to talk about issues and ways to improve parents engagement, volunteers, and community engagement in the public schools. There is a serious gap in the graduate rates of African American students, and many are not aware of the underlying issues of why students fail and what administrators and taxpayers can do to transform a failing or gaslighting education system in Omaha.
Although we focus on certain schools, there is a general breakdown in support for public education as indicated by the teachers and administration who offer constructive feedback and often encounter toxic environments where there is little constructive feedback based upon school board members who believe their allegiance is to the dysfunctional system that fails to produce academic and meaningful results. We know the digital divide, broadband differences, and technological gaps in communities of color and families who experience economic hardships. This program will offer opportunities for participants to help students, families, and communities with lifelong education in our communities and neighborhoods.
Black Studies Issues & Challenges!
Dr. Nikitah Imani, Professor and Former Chair of Black Studies, is very much involved in the academic community and dealing with Afrocentric challenges. He spoke before many groups in the community. We invited him to speak, and he did something that most academic or college professors need to do. He had nine or ten points on which he based his lecture or presentation. Then, he helped us develop white fragility personalities and deconstruct the foolishness in our diversity and ethnic studies programs. Folks were able to have an honest talk from a table talk perspective about why they were not engaged in supporting the Black Community. He is one of the only people living in Nebraska who wrote an academic article on Malcolm X and his legacy of the struggle for our historical cause. We seek more practical and academic folks to publish on the Black and African experiences on national and international levels in a publicly funded education system. Many have graduated with advanced degrees, but they are bystanders and victims of American Democracy, as Malcolm X used to say. Welcome to Throwing down some Heavy light.
OMAHA HOUSING AUTHORITY AND BED BUGS!
Mr. Hasani Lee is advocating for the Omaha Plantation Housing Authority (OHA) to eliminate the bed bugs in the towers. The housing administration has dragged its feet and stonewalled the residents and the community, dealing with the terrible conditions in the units for many years. Mr. Lee will discuss his ongoing challenges in holding that administration accountable, including taking them to court. OHA has utilized the Omaha Police Department officers to escort advocates from the units who want help with such issues.
Many months ago, the overpriced attorney firm helped eliminate the union and many maintenance workers. This program will talk about examples of the administration’s incompetence and lack of engagement with our community. A’Jamal Byndon, the Chair of MORE, will interview Mr. Lee about how to correct this unacceptable public housing problem.
MORE also contacted Housing and Urban Development and got the runaround. HUD is an ineffective federal agency that needs to be eliminated. Their representatives were invited to several community events or forums; they were AWOL or missing in action. We wrote to the leadership in Washington D.C. and got a tepid response to help address the beg bugs. Queen Mayor gets to appoint the Omaha Housing Authority board members, who are out of pocket when it comes to meeting the needs of the residents. There is no systemic contact with residents to help improve OHA's housing quality.
RACIAL & ETHNIC DISPARITIES IN DOUGLAS COUNTY
Eliga Ali is a long-time community advocate and media consultant in Omaha. Eliga has one of the best historical video collections of meetings and community forums and understands the issues impacting African Americans in our community. He has been involved in helping to challenge the disproportionate number of youths of Color, particularly African Americans, in the draconian juvenile justice system in Douglas County. Eliga has long promoted that the conditions in the system create a form of genocide for Black folks, and we need to wake up and get out of the frying pan. This session will allow participants to hear his stories and incidents that we must confront to hold ourselves accountable to the next generation.
VOTERS & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Y’Shall Davis is the Statewide Civic Engagement Strategist for Nebraska Table. Y’Shall is a board member of MORE and is involved in voter registration, helping ex-felons gain their voices and vote rights in Nebraska. She has been an advocate for racial justice for a long time and has helped to deconstruct the criminal justice system. Y’Shall has an Associate Degree in Chemical Dependency Counseling and works in various areas to help with relapse prevention groups and programs. Y’Shall will talk about ways families can become involved in changing the system and improving the plight of families and racial groups in Nebraska.
NATIVE & AFRICAN AMERICAN FOCUS
Dr. Donna Polk is the CEO of the Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition (NUIHC). She is a longtime advocate for Native, African Americans, and other People of Color in Nebraska. We invited her to discuss some of her accomplishments and legislative issues that helped advance the work of many families in our community. Dr. Polk is a health advocate for the well-being of families in our state and has served on many committees and boards focused on social justice issues. We will explore the book she authored on Black Nebraskans and their contributions to our state. This will be an opportunity to offer historical issues linked to the current conditions we face in our respective communities. Dr. Polk is known to remind us that often when we speak of minorities or People of Color, we forget the significance of Native Americans in society.
African American Legal Issues & Anti-Racism in Nebraska!
MORE will interview Potso Mahlangeni Byndon about his recent cases dealing with the City of Omaha and legal issues impacting African Americans in Nebraska. We will also discuss the role of law schools, advocacy issues, and how to achieve racial justice in a segregated system that embodies apartheid with public funds.
The event will explore recent racial discrimination and sexual harassment in local government and the ongoing challenges African Americans face to get quality legal redress in Nebraska. Nebraska has a legal system that holds African Americans in triple jeopardy- Sexism, Racism, and Classism. The various white supremacy institutions act as a cabal by framing sinister work that does not address the all-white boards and leadership in many nonprofits. The courts practice affirmative action by creating and maintaining the school-to-prison pipeline. Many are the so-called leaders, and appointed personalities have little or no discernable focus on collective justice for African Americans. The local race advocacy organizations are spoon-fed to not focus on data, outcomes, and reversing the dismal conditions for the masses struggling against incredible odds. Participants will be allowed to ask questions during the program's second half. However, responses do not constitute specific legal action for individual cases. We will frame opportunities for future engagement for African Americans who are doing social justice.
This Zoom/Facebook Live Throwing Down Heavy Light program will allow participants to talk about issues central to African Americans in Nebraska. Register below or givebutter.com/leaglissuesne for an exciting discussion.
A Conservative & An Atheist Discuss Controversial Topics
Andrew wrote a series of thought-provoking articles, and A'Jamal and Andrew will banter about a variety of controversial topics in the news.
A'Jamal will allow other pundits to question or share ideas with participants. The goal is to help deal with intellectual fragility and the censorship of ideas that some find difficult to discuss. In a previous program, some participants logged out because they could not stomach issues dealing with controversial ideas in the intellectual marketplace. If you experience challenges with the contrary notions, suffer from white fragility, or other phobic topics, this is not the program for you. There will be posting so fragile minds can watch this in segments.
Literacy in The Black Community
March 27th, 2024
7PM-8PM
Literacy is a significant problem in the African American community. We are unaware of the specific numbers because no system or educational system routinely reports on such numbers. Nevertheless, there are different definitions and causes for illiteracy in our community. We are open to starting a dialogue with advocates and educational proponents about the substance and ways to reduce those numbers. It was reported on the Voice Advocacy Center that only 14 percent of the African American 4th Greater in Nebraska are reading at or above proficient. What is being done about it, and who are the champions to revere the historical trends?
Clarice L. Jackson, an Executive Director of Voice Advocacy Center, known for tutoring in readings, literacy screening, and Sped advocacy center, is organizing an event April 10-12 at the College of Saint Mary. We invited her to talk about how this event manifested itself and the potential outcomes of the events. Eight out-of-town experts on literacy are invited to share their knowledge on the problems and solutions to issues in the African American community. We asked for baseline information and post-conference expectations for this problem. Welcome to MORE Throwing Down Some Heavy Light.
A’Jamal Byndon, Chairman of the Board
Moreomaha.org
+402-212-7083 WhatsApp
A’Jamal Byndon, Chairman of the Board
Moreomaha.org
+402-212-7083 WhatsApp
Educational Community Forum
Tuesday, 26 2022
6:00 P.M to 7:30 p.m.
Featuring
School Board Members Margo Juarez Subdistrict 8
and Tracy Casady Subdistrict 9. Community forum
Location
Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition Inc
Call & Response
Selalelo- MORE Lunch and Learn Book Discussion
March 19th, 2024
Over the years, the Movement in Omaha for Racial Equity (MORE) has hosted book discussions featuring various authors. During March, which is Women's History Month, we are hosting a book discussion with author Ms. Gothataone Moeng. Her book is Call and Response: Stories. This book is a collection of short stories about family life in Botswana. We invite participants to read the book and become part of an online discussion with the author. We will start with an interview with Ms. Moeng about specific content in the book. After that, we will open it up for Facebook Live and Zoom participants to ask questions directly.
As someone who spent a couple of years in Botswana as a former Peace Corps Volunteer, many of the stories, cultural events, and incidents resonate with me and offer information about the changes in the lives of many Batswana.
The book gives the reader a rich insight into the nuances of Botswana's culture. Through this interaction, we will explore the differences and similarities related to social equity.
We hope you can join us on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at Noon (CST-USA) for this lunch and learn cultural experiences. In Southern Africa, it will be 8 p.m.
For more information, contact A’Jamal Byndon, Moderator of this Selalelo-MORE Lunch and Learn event. It will be a Zoom and Facebook Live event. We expect that other residents of Southern African counties will join us in this rich, culturally enhancing discussion. We have registration on Moreomaha.org. Webpage.
Copies of the book can be purchased on Amazon, Penguin Publishing Group, or your contacts for books.
This event is co-sponsored by Humanities Nebraska and the Weitz Family Foundation.
A’Jamal Byndon, Chairman of the Board
Moreomaha.org
+402-212-7083 WhatsApp
Transgender & Race
March 13th, 2024
7PM-8PM
Transgender is an emerging topic in the Nebraska Legislative Session. We have heard a great deal about race and the number of African Americans and others who are murdered because of their sexual identities in society. However, it is not talked about in many circles because of the stigma and lack of education on this topic. There are specific movements in various states to make bathrooms multi-sex; in other circles, transgender individuals are deciding to play sports in multiple communities. Nevertheless, this has become similar to racial challenges, such as discrimination that African Americans experienced in the United States. However, the pushback is sexual orientation is merely an individual issue and should not be elevated to groups or racial issues in the United States. From a white perspective, we will explore the local issues surrounding the medical community and what parents and advocates are dealing with in Nebraska.
Suzanne Dau has appeared in our programs to discuss race and cultural diversity issues. We have explored her work with youth and support for youth involved in sports. She is actively engaged in the LGTBQ+ community. It’s painful to see the level of racism practiced in sexual orientation groups against African Americans. We invited Suzanne to respond to questions about an article that appeared by Christopher F. Rufo, who wrote a piece called “Inside the Transgender Empire” in September 2023 for the Imprimis, a certified racist organization. There were issues that we want to explore in this dialogue dealing with Race and Transgender challenges in society. There are other sexual identities beyond straight, gay, bisexual, or pansexual. We will focus on Transgender and race for this program. We plan to invite an African American Transgender advocate for a future program.
A’Jamal Byndon, Chairman of the Board
Moreomaha.org
+402-212-7083 WhatsApp
Alleged Poaching in Namibia & Botswana
Environmental issues related to poaching in Namibia and Botswana and conflicts in African countries. Are there fair and justice for Africans interests? In the MORE-Selalelo Program, one of our goals is to explore international issues dealing with racial and ethnic conflicts. We have questions about incidents related to international poaching between Namibia and Botswana.
Other African countries have draconic policies where if they catch individuals attempting to harvest the horns of resources or killing elephants for their ivory, they can kill those foreign nationals. Some years ago, an African writer penned a powerful article that over 30 Namibian suspects of poaching had been killed through the Botswana ‘shoot to kill policy’ near the Chobe River. Some said they were executed by the Botswana Defense Force (BDF) because these individuals were not poachers. This mentality was established in 2013 by the Botswana government. Many know that former President Ian Khama was the architect of this policy. He is now hiding in South Africa because he fears for his life and that some want to kill him for his extrajudicial killings or corruption under his administration. This Khama even said, “They (poachers) would be shot even if they surrendered.”
Some of these innocent men were just fishermen.
Other non-partisan institutions, such as the INK Centre for Investigative Journalism (INK), examine this issue. This international conflict is not limited to Namibia. There have been over 25 Zimbabweans murdered in anti-poaching excursion in Botswana.
Many Africans do not discuss this because it’s a mentality imposed by
conversationalists in North American and European countries. We also have environmentalists talking about global warming and climate issues. We want to discuss to what extent we should be helping to shape those international issues. I had a chance to talk briefly with System.
Today, three Namibians are here to “throw down some heavy light.”
Sinvula Mudabeti is the National Executive Chairperson for the Namibian Lives Matter Movement. He is a keen advocate for social justice and known as a community
or national organizations dealing with various entities in Namibia.
Iuze Mahunga is an Committee Member of Namibian Lives Matter in the Omusati Region.
Sylvester Kabajani is the General Secretary and Member of the Namibian Lives Matter Movement in the Khomas Region. He is also a professional Cisco-certified cybersecurity analyst, business coach, and former Namibia Financial Institutions Union president.
This will be on February 27 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Welcome to “Throwing Down Some Heavy Light.”
For more information, contact A’Jamal Byndon, Chairman of the Board MORE
402-212-7083.
Youth & Family Engagement
This will be on February 21st from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Alex Johnson is a member of Banisters, a program that works on behalf of youth and families in the community. He is the Program/Team Lead for Douglas County. This involves leadership, facilitation, program fidelity, and community engagement. He is also
involved as a volunteer in a nonprofit agency in the community. I have known Alex for a few years, and he attended Northwest High School.
Welcome to “Throwing Down Some Heavy Light.”
For more information, contact A’Jamal Byndon, Chairman of the Board MORE
402-212-7083.
Exploring North Omaha & Black History
Wednesday, January 31st, from 6 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Adam F.C. Fletcher is a local grassroots historian who has taken it upon himself to research many of the significant aspects of North Omaha. He is known for his Facebook and web page postings of important African American locations in North Omaha, and his information can be found on his webpage. Adams has written several books on various topics. He lives in Olympia, Washington.
Adam's primary interest is helping to document events, locations, and buildings in North Omaha. There are other amateur historians in the community. Still, one task that Adam did was to focus on Matthew Stelly, who was a community advocate for many years and died a few years ago. There was little fanfare about his passing in the media despite his work. Adam did a ten-page obit on Matthew. Even the Black Studies Department, where he taught for many years, did not provide any tribute to Matthew. A program that has existed for years is called Making Histories Visible, The Black Museum, The Malcolm X Memorial Foundation, Black Studies, and others. What is your relationship with those traditional Black history-type promulgation organizations?
Please sign up on our More registration page (Moreomaha.org) so that we can gauge the attendance and offer participants opportunities to evaluate our forums.
For more information, contact A’Jamal Byndon, Chairman of the Board MORE
402-212-7083.
Challenging Systems
Featuring M,A, YAH Author and Community Advocate
Come Meet Vic Larson - Founder of Vic’s Popcorn and M, A, Yah, the author of Vic The Pocorn Bag
Location: 2 Dads & A Bookstore 1015 Galvin Rd S.
Saturday December 16th Noon-4PM
THE INVISIBLE CHILD
The Invisible Child - Book Discussion featuring Chris Bowling
Monday 12/11/2023
Location 1015 Galvin Rd S. Bellevue NE 68005 (2 DADS & A BOOKSTORE)
Chris Bowling is a reporter for Flatwater Free Press where he covers Omaha and social issues. Prior to joining Flatwater Chris was an investigative reporter and editor at The Reader where he reported on police transparency, affordable housing and systemic inequality. He is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s journalism program.
South Sudanese Immigrants and Challenges
Pastor Tut. T. Keat will talk about South Sudanese immigrants in the community and African Americans' challenges. We will provide an overview of current relations, challenges, and how to increase positive social engagement. Rev. Keat is the Executive Director of New Life Family Alliance, a human services agency that helps families in the community.
A'Jamal Byndon, Chairman of the Board of MORE, will moderate this dialogue and allow participants to raise concerns related to international issues. This Selalelo MORE program will be shared with others on the continent via Facebook Live and Zoom. This will be held at online on Monday, November 13, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
THE BREAKDOWN
Dr Patrick Velasquez and A’Jamal Byndon will be breaking down their report on the status of underrepresented students of color at UNO!
A Time For Building Film Showing & Discussion
This is a follow-up film to the famous Omaha film called A Time for Burning. Many are unaware of the rest of the story, and this event will offer opportunities to discuss the current racial climate and revisit a crucial historical documentary that many Omahans did not fully address about the role of churches in racial integration in the community.
It will be shown at Augustan Lutheran Church at 3647 Lafayette Ave on Wednesday, October 25, at 6 p.m. If some participants watch the video beforehand, the community discussion will start at 7:25 p.m. It is open to the public.
A'Jamal Byndon will moderate the event and discussion.
There are three questions we want participants to discuss
1. How far have we come in Omaha dealing with race relations?
2. Where and how does the modern-day church deal with racial and community engagement?
3. From watching the video--what can you (we) do to address racial healing in the community?
Decolonizing Wealth
Decolonizing Wealth - Book Reading
10/18 @ 6:30-8p
Decolonizing Wealth, written by Indigenous author and philanthropist Edgar Villanueva. He
sheds light on the world of philanthropy and its inherent inequities related to white supremacy,
savior complexes, and internalized oppression. Villanueva challenges readers to learn the dark
realities of philanthropy and discuss ways of repairing the decades of damage it has had on
communities of color specifically.
We hope folks in attendance have read the book and are ready to discuss learnings, reflections,
and the next steps in how we can start to make changes in our local communities around how
grants and funding are distributed.
Everyone is welcome, whether or not you have read the book! We will start the discussion with
an overview and highlights from the book, why this information and learnings are important, and
then open it up for discussion.
About Lindsay:
Lindsay Limbach (she/her) is from Kearney, NE, and has resided in Lincoln for the last 15 years.
She is passionate about systemic change collaboratively, starting at the local level. One of her
favorite ways of engaging is participating in book talks. “Nebraska is a small state in many ways,
and many of us have vast connections, specifically with philanthropists. I believe a book
conversation around Villanueva’s Decolonizing Wealth could be a great entry point to generate
ideas around how we, collectively, can connect with folks who make funding decisions and
encourage/work toward funding path changes in our community.”
Public Defender Community Forum
Community Forum: with Thomas C. Riley, Douglas County Public Defender
Date/Time. October 12, 2023, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location: NorthStar 4242 North 49 th Street (one block south of Ames Ave.)
Hosted by Movement in Omaha for Racial Equity
Moderated by A’Jamal Byndon, Chairman of the Board, and Terri Crawford, J.D.
Mr. Riley has been in this position for over 27 years. We will discuss recent law changes
and the challenges in addressing them. This office allows community members to get
justice in Douglas County with low or no incomes. The office represents parents and
juveniles in the Douglas County juvenile and individuals in the Criminal Justice system.
There are over 50 attorneys in the department.
This is one of the few times the public can ask questions and share ideas in the
community with the Public Defender’s office. The format is that the moderators will ask
Mr. Riley to respond to a series of questions with his opening comments. After that, we
will allow the audience to ask questions and comment briefly. Specific and private (client
or case) information will not be shared in a community forum, but members are invited
to speak to Mr. Riley or his staff later.
For more information, contact A’Jamal Byndon at moreomaha.org. or 402-212-7083
OTA - Racialized and Low Income Families
Movement in Omaha for Racial Equity (MORE) is hosting a
community conversation. Oversight, Accountability, and Transparency How state government
report on racialized and low-income communities and families challenges in the state. This
event will be hosted on Wednesday, September 27th, 2023, from 6:30 p.m. to 8: p.m.
The three Nebraska investigative offices are joining forces to discuss their findings and their
impact on residents in the state. With a focus on racialized and low-income families and
communities. Panelists are:
Jennifer A. Carter, Nebraska’s Inspector General of Child Welfare
Doug Koebernick, Nebraska’s Inspector General of Corrections
Julie L. Rodgers, Ombudsman of the State Legislative, is the office for resolving citizen
complaints.
There were public events that required more scrutiny. We will discuss their annual highlights and challenges to involve others in helping with their findings and corrective actions.
“This event will allow participants to talk directly with directors responsible for assisting in disclosing state problems in their respective areas. We are excited to facilitate other public and community engagement opportunities in the state government,” said A’Jamal Byndon.
Repentance and Reconciliation
Great White Saviorism or Social Justice for Reparations.
Paul Feilmann has been involved in social initiatives to bring justice and attention to
issues impacting Communities of Color. He participated in siting at the governors manor
to raise the horrible conditions in the Nebraska Department of Corrections. He sit-ins at
city hall with posters about poverty in Omaha, NE. Most of all, he has done things that
many nonprofits and social services agencies are purported to do in their mission, but
they have yet to get on that mother ship. We invited Paul to talk about his endeavors
and plans or strategic plans to do reverse engineering, as he calls one of these
solutions to action.
Welcome to Throwing Down Some Heavy Light. As someone working in the racial
diversity and antiracism field, it’s rare to find white folks taking the lead on such
initiatives as volunteers for antiracism or race equity work.
Patriarchy & Women’s Empowerment
Legal Issues in Communities of Color
Racism, Equity & Justice:
Dual Book Discussion
Jeremy Frick is the Vice President of Mission Advancement for Tri-Faith Initiative. This organization brings different faiths, bridges differences, and works with religious pluralism and spiritual groups to create a better society. Jeremy works on an educational program addressing white nationalism and training dealing with non-religious issues and people of goodwill. We invited him to discuss the upcoming RRSJ conference and the breakaway event related to the conference dealing with racism and race issues. He also will talk about the recent Pew Research Center survey about declining faith in religious communities and the importance of understanding different belief systems and those without religion. Tri-Faith is to help bring inclusive communities into everyday social justice activities.
Race & Religion
Black Elites & The State of Black Omaha
Trip Reynolds is a community member with an extensive background in many areas, such as human resources, he worked in major corporations, and most of us know him from his work at Cox Cable 22 many years ago. This program will explore his latest view on Wakanda and its implication in dealing with Jewkanda. There is symbolism that we must explore if we are to transform our community. As Dave Chapell remarks, we must respect the artist and those who have creative minds to avoid censorship.
We will talk about lynching, buffoon institutions, Uncle Tom's, lynching of African Americans, The empowerment Network, and other issues that have been swept under their institutional rugs in the communities of the oppressed.
White Women
White Women Community Forum Zoom/Facebook Live event is about two women who developed a series of dinner conversations with white women to talk about racism. Their book. It is titled White Women by Regina Jackson and Saia Rao. The subtitle is “Everything You Already Know About Your Racism and How to do Better. Jackson and Rao's salient comments and observations illustrate the events we experienced in Nebraska during our Omaha Table Talk days dealing with antiracism work.
MORE was contacted to help them share their expertise in Nebraska because we are one of the only antiracism nonprofits with a mission to explore and expose racist behaviors. We have countless white women who are apologists and supporters of racism and who voted for President Trump. There are covert racist females in high places who support the antiracism cause because they think that unwittingly work is doing good. These closet racists and complicity bystanders cannot engage in actual work because of white fragility and their “internalized misogyny,” as cited by the authors. Such behaviors control the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission and other nonprofits or government agencies.
This book discussion will afford the authors and the participants to discuss interracial dinner experiences and what can be done to reverse the high level of racism practiced by white women who are often worse than their men.
A'Jamal Byndon, the Chairman of MORE, asks the participants to read the book and come up with questions and comments relevant to the book: White Women.
We also hope a few good women will see their light and support real antiracism work by including People of Color instead of their make-believe work. Nebraska is evolving into Texas, Florida, and other unenlightening places by accepting oppressive homogeny or racism.
Copies of the book can be found on Amazon.
Law Enforcement in Communities of Color!
The recent tragedy in Memphis illustrates that systems and law enforcement, regardless of their racial composition, can engage in racially motivated behaviors despite the officers being of the same racial group as the victims. Racial experts cite that People of Color can be water carriers for the oppressive system by acting as agents for those examples of brutality. We saw this in South Africa, Nazi Germany, and models within the United States, where racial groups were brainwashed to fight their respective groups' members for the system. These systems can promote a toxic culture of command and control that exists within many police departments of which Omaha is not exempt.
The murder of a civilian Tyre Nichols by law enforcement officials raises concerns yet again about the system of policing in our country and in Omaha, Nebraska. In times such as these, it is the responsibility of those who seek solutions in our community to provide space for dialogue about ways to prevent these tragic events from occurring. In addition, it is important to evaluate current institutional practices to ensure similar policies or practices that allowed the tragedies in Memphis (and Los Angelos in the past) are not in place locally.
We are hosting a virtual Zoom/Facebook Live Community Forum and are inviting officials from the FBI, the Douglas County Sheriff office, the NE State Patrol , and the Omaha Police Department. We seek to have open and honest discussions to address concerns around the issues of transparency, accountability, and community engagement particularly when it comes to interacting with communities of color in Omaha.
The Community Forum is scheduled for Thursday, February 16, 2023 at 6pm -7:30pm. This 90 minute community forum l will be open to the public to engage in meaningful dialogue to share experiences and opportunities for change to ensure the events in Memphis do not happen in Omaha.
This forum is co-sponsored by: Ben Salazar founder of Nuestro Mundo Newspaper, Movement in Omaha for Race Equity (MORE) and Inclusive Communities
Panelists are: Ben Salazar, Cammy Walkins, A’Jamal Byndon, and additional panelists TBA.
Nebraksa Politics PART 2
More invites you to: Nebraska Legislation: Part 2
Tuesday February 21st from 7PM-8PM CST
FREE via Zoom & Facebook live
In this forum, we will be discussing the latest Nebraska legislation issues, LB 1024 updates, and The Covid-19 funding joke! We will also discuss how it applies to African Americans and other People of Color and we also will be pushing advocacy as part of our agenda for testifying and fighting the oppressive system. This discussion will feature longtime community advocates Cheryl Weston & Dennis Womack.
MORE is an explicitly antiracist organization fighting for racial equity. We are committed to addressing the raw racism of public and private institutions in our city and communities.
CUBA AN AMERICAN HISTORY
More is inviting you to a discussion about Nebraska 2023 Politics: This will feature conservations about the Nebraska Unicameral for the 2023 session. We will also discuss how it applies to African Americans and other People of Color and we also will be pushing advocacy as part of our agenda for testifying and fighting the oppressive system. This discussion will feature longtime community advocates Cheryl Weston & Dennis Womack.
Nebraska Politics
Southern Africa Project
“A Look Into Into New Racism in 21st Century Africa “
The Southern Africa Project will help deconstruct the impact of apartheid in Southern Africa; and demonstrates clear similarities with historical racism in the United States. The sum of these efforts will efforts will facilitate understanding and acknowledgement of how historical racism has destroyed the Black communities.
Letebele’s approach is rooted in the realization that all “knowledge” in the sense of facts, information, or explanations about African history is peddled from a Eurocentric lens and philosophical basis. The time for Africans and African Americans to generate their historical knowledge. Through this project, Ms. Letebele will lead and collaborate with like-minded individuals and entities to explore the experience of knowing and contemplate newly discovered information about previously hidden elements of African and African American history; in pursuit and advancement of racial healing and knowledge.
A Discussion on Controversial Racial Issues!
Andrew wrote a series of thought-provoking articles, and A'Jamal and Andrew will banter about why folks are afraid to have candid conversations such topics such as Homosexual issues and flags, lynching in Nebraska.
A'Jamal will allow other pundits to question or share ideas with participants. The goal is to help deal with intellectual fragility and the censorship of ideas that some find difficult to discuss. In a previous program, some participants logged out because they could not stomach issues dealing with controversial ideas in the intellectual marketplace. If you experience challenges with the contrary notions, suffer from white fragility, or other phobic topics, this is not the program for you. There will be posting so fragile minds can watch this in segments.
An Ultra Conservative & A Social Justice Advocate.
The State of Black America
Dr. Nikitah Imani is a professor in the Black Studies Department at UNO. Since he is connected to issues dealing with the African American community and diaspora, I invited him to share significant highlights he perceives from his academic position at the University and his contactwith grasstops and community issues affecting our people. We will focus on what is right and wrong regarding issues impacting the African American community in Omaha and Nebraska. Please let me warn our listening audience that we will share not-so-pretty opinions, ideas, and problems that might make folks squirm in their high chairs or call out their uncles.
Oversight. Transparency. Accountability.
Movement in Omaha for Racial Equity (MORE) is hosting a community conversation. Oversight, Accountability, and Transparency How state government report on racialized and low-income communities and families challenges in the state.
The three Nebraska investigative offices are joining forces to discuss their findings and their impact on residents in the state. With a focus on racialized and low-income families and communities. Panelists are:
Jennifer A. Carter, Nebraska’s Inspector General of Child Welfare
Doug Koebernick, Nebraska’s Inspector General of Corrections
Julie L. Rogers, Ombudsman of the State Legislative, is the office for resolving citizen complaints.
There were public events that required more scrutiny. We will discuss their annual highlights and challenges to involve others in helping with their findings and corrective actions.
“This event will allow participants to talk directly with directors responsible for assisting in disclosing state problems in their respective areas. We are excited to facilitate other public and community engagement opportunities in the state government,” said A’Jamal Byndon.
Mental Health in The Black community
‘Where's the outrage?' Access to mental health specialists is a problem for many black and brown families in Omaha. From affordability to a disconnect on available resources, kids who need help are not getting it. Many in the community are raising important questions...such as, "why is it easier to talk to a therapist once you're in the system than before?"
This forum is designed to address that question, and unpack others such as:
1) What is the disconnect between available resources and the families who need it?
2) Is local funding for low-income healthcare being properly allocated to reach those in need?
3) What can we propose to our local officials in order to bring solutions to the table?
Join us for this important community conversation.
A Hardcore Conservative Meets A Hardcore Atheist
MORE invites you to "A Hardcore Conservative meets A Hardcore Atheist.” Monday November 21 at 7PM CST. Andrew Sullivan is a long-time pundit who offers unique critiques on issues of the day in the local and national media. I met him over 20 years ago when he attended one of the rare times I was invited to speak at Creighton University. He also attended and participated in Omaha Table Talk events dealing with racism, social justice, and public policy issues. He described himself as a hard-hat conservative. We invited him to share or banter on contentious matters and help folks consider how to engage in debates and discussions using a level of civility. Welcome to MORE "Throwing Down Some Heavy Light."
Andrew will be discussing issues of the day dealing with race topics, racism, and white fragility. Andrew is a social critic who reads books that helps him sharpen these arguments around society's polemic and toxic environments.
MORE will host a community Zoom/Facebook Live interview forum with retired Captain Colene Hinchey of the Omaha Police Department.
She created a web page called BlueSnitch.com, which exposes the malfeasant in the Omaha Police Department. Since the elimination of the Public Safety Auditor, there has been an insignificant level of accountability to the community.
This event will afford the opportunity to learn about issues that require public and community oversight. Retired Captain Hinchey has been a one-woman operation and has created opportunities for others to help improve the standards of the Omaha Police Department.
We first heard of her from the First Sky morning program that is
on Facebook, which airs early in the morning. The hosts raised relevant questions, but their questions did not address solutions or systematic ways to engage or develop outcomes for closure to the challenge within the Omaha Police Department or its ineffective community
relations. We invited Colene on MORE, “Throwing down some heavy light,” to continue the conversation.
A'Jamal Byndon, Chairman of the board of directors, said, “This will be one of the first times in the history of Omaha where a community advocate and retired police official will have candid conversations are afforded about police-community issues that have been historically kept undercover. The increase in crime, unsolved cases, and basic racial demographic information that is not readily available to the public must be for coming in this city”. During the second half-hour of the program, participants will be afforded the opportunity to raise questions, concerns, and other relevant issues that are not discussed at the Empowerment Network 360 meetings held in North Omaha. Any taxpayer-funded entity should have public accountability and transparency. We will discuss the “Blue Shield” and the Internal Affairs Unit in Omaha
Police Department.
Blue Snitch
Native Life in South Africa
International Book Discussion: Sol. T. Plaatje, Native Life in South Africa, hosted by Movement in Omaha for Race Equity-Moreomaha.org and the Tswana History Matters on November 7th at 12 noon CST and 7 p.m. Botswana/South African time.
A few months ago, we watched a presentation about a south African female writer as part of an African literature book discussion. Dr. Victoria “Ntozi” Mahlangeni said we could use a similar format to discuss other African writers who don’t get much attention in the media. We decided to focus on Sol Plaatje. Mr. Plaatje is a Motswana man who grew up and lived in Apartheid South Africa. The book Native Life in South Africa was written in the early 1900s and is out of print. Plaatje, a political journalist, was one of the founders of the South African Native National Congress and (later became the African National Congress- ANC) the first advocate and writer for fair land redistribution in southern Africa. His book Mhudi 1930 was the first English novel printed by a Black South African.
Dr. Mahlangeni passed away in September to the spirit world or the world of our ancestors and A’Jamal Byndon, her husband of 43 years, decided to move forward with this event. A’Jamal met Victoria when he was a Peace Corps Volunteer in 1977. They got married in Lobatse, Botswana, in 1977, and A’Jamal was one of the founding members of Omaha Table Talk, a program to bring community members of various ethnic and racial groups to talk about race issues. One of A’Jamal and Victoria’s friends who grew up in South Africa shared that in her elementary and secondary apartheid education, they did not learn about some great heroes of the struggle in their formal education. Fast forward to many contemporary issues, adherents of African culture and literature are unaware of Bessie Head, a South African refugee novelist who lived in Botswana, and others who are the shoulders on whom we stand for continued progress. Bessie also wrote the introduction for a subsequent edition of the Native Life in South Africa book. Purchase the book here!
The event will be via Zoom and Facebook Live. It will air on Monday, November 7th, at noon CST in Omaha and at 8 p.m. Botswana/ South African time. A’Jamal will provide an overview of the importance of Plaatje’s efforts during the first half and then open it up for participants to make comments and raise brief questions or concerns.
This event is co-sponsored by several Omaha, NE nonprofits and the Tswana History Matters.
The listings of nonprofits are on the Moreomaha.org web page. For more information and registration, contact A’Jamal via Facebook messenger, WhatsApp, or phone at 402-957-2651(USA).
This event is co-sponsored by Tswana History Matters, Inclusive Communities, and Afromaha.
The Portable Malcolm X Reader Group
This event will be facilitated by A’Jamal Byndon, the Chair of the MORE board.
THE BOOK: The Portable Malcolm X Reader edited by Manning Marable and Garrett Felber.
Omaha is the birthplace of Malcolm X, and many are surprised we don’t have adequate support in the city of his birth and promulgation of Malcolm X’s teachings. Racist educational institutions are not about challenging the existing paradigms or their misdeeds. We are facing ominous times, as indicated by critical indicators both locally and nationally in the United States. There are ways to deconstruct the substance from the style and measure improvements for African Americans and others willing to join in the struggle.
Often folks look to leadership to help establish a way out of the maze. Malcolm X was one such truth-teller, and it cost him the ultimate sacrifice. His goal is to engage the oppressed and challenge hostile conditions. Just as we had 450 years of enslavement, Jim Crowism, and outright practice of genocide toward African Americans and other People of Color.
About seven lean years ago, we attempted to offer a course at the University of No Opportunity (the University of Nebraska Omaha). We did not get the minimum number of students to enroll in this elective course in the so-called Black Studies Department. We also planned to host a series at the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation in Omaha that did not happen for many reasons.
This weekly book discussion on Malcolm X and its implications for giving a fresh approach to reducing the historical and current raw racism practiced in public and private institutions is our goal. We will ask participants to read the book in the sequence of the assigned pages and log on to Zoom or Facebook Live to be engaged in robust discussions of the book. The knowledge or teachings can help us fight this worldwide pacification promulgated and apathetic dance with the status quo. Organizations, associations, and individuals have lost their way and become part of the machine that keeps people locked at the bottom of society. The time has come to call out and make it plain, as Malcolm used to say.
Medicare Challenges!
Medicare Enrollment challenges and questions, with Gina Landsperger, an independent insurance agent.
We are approaching the Medicare enrollment process, and for many residents, the process is confusing at best. We invite Gina Landsperger, an independent insurance agent focusing on Medicare plans and health-related products. Clients and community members must understand their coverage options. She will discuss those critical issues one must consider with A’Jamal Byndon, the Chairman of the Movement in Omaha for Race Equity. During this time, with all of the information overload, it’s nice to have someone who can share relevant information in a timely fashion with senior citizens who are in the Medicare enrollment phase. We will have general questions and answers response part of this interview. In the second half of the program, participants will be allowed to raise direct questions to Gina about their particular situation or other concerns. She is here to walk participants through the entire process.
Book Discussion: Bad Mexican: Race, Empire, and Revolution in the Borderlands, with Dr. Patrick Velasquez and A’Jamal Byndon, Chair of theBoard of Movement in Omaha for Race Equity. Dr. Patrick Velasquez is a board member of MORE and is actively involved in social justice issues dealing with Latino/Chicano communities. He was born and raised in Omaha and was formerly the director of the Chicano Awareness Center, which was renamed the Latino Center of the Midlands. He was involved in doing social justice work and instrumental in getting the Omaha Public School to adopt some semblance of Multicultural Education for students of color in 1983.
Dr. Velasquez moved to San Diego and acquired his Ph.D. from the Claremont Graduate University in Southern California. He worked for many years helping Chicano/Latino Students survive within the university system by offering various educational services for those transitions. During our conversation dealing with historical issues affecting People of Color, mainly Mexican Americans/Chicanos, this book was read and offered as the foundation to help our people understand the terrible and racist events that impacted their lives. We will cover a brief overview of why the book Bad Mexicans: Race, Empire, and Revolution in the Borderland must be required reading to understand how conditions today are impacted by what happened generations ago.
Bad Mexicans
A Native Son's Long Invisible Shadow.
This event will be facilitated by A’Jamal Byndon, the Chair of the MORE board.
This event discusses a paper, Malcolm X: A Native Sons Long, Invisible Shadow, by Dr. Nikitah and Malcolm X’s recent induction into the Nebraska Hall of Fame.
Obembe-Ra Imani published (The Journal of Liberal Arts and Humanities (JLAH) Issue Vol 1. No February 2, 2020, pp 109-118 website www.jlahnet.com). He is involved in several community issues and recently pointed out that other professors at the institutions are advising students not to take Black Studies courses.
We must examine Dr. Imani’s paper as part of the road map and breadcrumbs that Malcolm left us to climb out of the racism in society against African Americans. We will discuss Malcolm X’s teachings and other issues pertinent to the African American community. The all-white Nebraska Historical Society recently inducted Malcolm X in the Nebraska Hall of Fame and Dr. Imani will discuss his thoughts on the event.
Racism in Omaha Exposed!
This week we host an interview and Q & A session with local business owner David Mitchell.
We invited David to "Throwing Down Some Heavy Light" because of his frequent challenges in dealing with Douglas County Attorney's office and the Omaha law enforcement clan.
This interview will be conducted by A'Jamal Byndon.
Some potential questions:
Over the past few years, I have followed your ordeal with racist law enforcement and county attorney staff. Please share with the audience these bogus charges and give the details of how they transpired?
You ran for the Omaha City Council and lost the election because of the unfounded charges. Why did they target you, and after this case was over, did they offer you any funds or redress for
their racist behaviors?
Many African Americans have never seen these individuals doing community forums or engaging with folks in a healthy fashion. What were your previous encounters with law enforcement, county attorney, or public pretenders in North Omaha?
POLICE BRUTALITY IN OMAHA NERBASKA
An Interview of historical Police Brutality in Omaha with Adam Fletcher Sasse, a local North Omaha historian.
Omaha is a racist and segregated city, and many cannot fully respond to issues confronting the community because of white fragility and apartheid behaviors. Judicial and law enforcement have been allowed to (conspire) ignore the facts of many people of color dying in law enforcement custody over the years, as indicated by Adam's report.
A'Jamal Byndon, a long-time community advocate and Chairman of the Board of MORE, will interview Adam Flecher Sasse.
Mr. Fletcher Sasse said he enjoys the privilege of not getting some repercussion because he does not currently live in Omaha. He also has gleaned from news clippings and other documents demonstrating the 33 examples of these killings. George Floyd's case comes to mind in Minnesota that was captured on video. Yet, if there were cell phone recordings, many more law enforcement officers would be held accountable for the historical traumas to African Americans in Omaha. The time has come for racial healing and transparency in Omaha systems.
The event is an open opportunity for folks to review the cases, help bring closure, and stop the hypocrisy of extraordinary gaslighting about police-community relations. A'Jamal will provide the opening questions and allow participants to raise questions and comments with Mr. Fletcher Sasse about the article. We ask the participants to read the report at: A History of Police Brutality in Omaha
Movement in Omaha for Racial Equity (MOREomaha.org) is sponsoring a book reading discussion on Trust No Shadows After Dark: African American Genocide in The United States of America.
The book was written by Walter Vincent Brooks, an African American Journalist, Social Research Investigator and Community Activist.
This event will be an interview with Walter Brooks and MORE’s board chair, A’Jamal Byndon and Board Member Nick Beaulieu will facilitate this discussion.
TRUST NO SHADOWS AFTER DARK BOOK DISCUSSION
Movement in Omaha for Racial Equity (MORE) is pleased to announce a virtual community forum on Tobacco, Race, & Advocacy The Impact of Tobacco on the Black Community. This event will feature Sterling Fulton, Director of Evaluation at The Center for Black Health & Equity and will take place on Thursday, June 9th from 6:00 pm to 7:00pm, via Zoom and Facebook live.
This interview and open dialog is free and open to the public.
MORE board member Lucia Rodriguez-Alvizo will interview Fulton about the impact of tobacco on the Black Community and why tobacco is also a racial justice issue.
This forum is intended to help community members become more informed about race issues and engage in anti-racism.
Fulton is a graduate from Hampton University and The Pennsylvania State University. She is the lead author of Health Justice in Tobacco Control and author of The Brain Trust Planner, and Love in Action; Overcoming the Destructive “Isms” in Today’s Society.
There will be ample opportunity for direct conversation and Q&A with Sterling Fulton during the event’s second half.
Tobacco, Race & Advocacy
CULTURAL ACTIVIST’S NEW CHARGE: MEMORIALIZING MALCOLM X
CULTURAL ACTIVIST’S NEW CHARGE: MEMORIALIZING MALCOLM X
Movement in Omaha for Racial Equity (MORE) is pleased to announce a virtual community forum on Memorializing Malcolm X. This event will feature JoAnna LeFlore-Ejike, Executive Director of the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation (MXMF), and will take place on Tuesday, April 26th from 6:30pm to 7:30pm, via Zoom and Facebook live. This interview and open dialog is free and open to the public.
MORE board members Alex Johnson and Karen Abrams will interview LeFlore-Ejike about her personal and professional history with racism and community activism. This forum is intended to help community members become more informed about race issues and engaged in anti-racism.
LeFlore-Ejike said she believes in the power of multicultural communications, and added that her work at MXMF is about empowering those who are hungry to live in their purpose, especially around grassroots movement building in the Black community.
Formerly a MXMF board member for nearly a decade, LeFlore-Ejike became the organization’s inaugural executive director this past February.
LeFlore-Ejike said she prides herself on activating her community “through the cultivation of creative entrepreneurship,” and that she prioritizes cultural awareness and unification.
There will be ample opportunity for direct conversation and Q&A with JoAnna LeFlore-Ejike during the event's second half.
This event will also be livestreamed via MORE’s Facebook page.
RACISM ANIMATES HER ACTIVSM
Please join MORE for a virtual community forum with Dr. Polk, April 12th from 7:00 to 8:00pm, via Zoom. This interview and open dialog is free and open to the public.
MORE board members, Alex Johnson and Karen Abrams, will interview Dr. Polk about how her personal and professional history with racism and oppression has animated her activism in antiracism and racial equity work. And, they will discuss what needs to happen to spur those most affected by these issues to respond, to participate in, and to come together to address racial equity and antiracism as a community.
“We were a military family that moved to 2906 Patrick Ave. (OHA Projects) in segregated North Omaha in 1964.” Although assigned to a Nike-Hercules missile site in Louisville, NE, Polk says her husband was told, “colored people can’t live there.” Living in North Omaha, Polk talks about how, “back then, there was what we called ‘Black City Hall’” at the old Fair Deal restaurant on North 24th St., where community leaders – the movers and shakers, regardless of income – came to talk things out. “That’s where you found out what was going on. That’s where you decided how to get involved.”
Though a lot has changed, too much has stayed the same when it comes to racism and racial equity, Polk says. “Now they’ve got all these DEI [diversity equity and inclusion] officers getting hired after the murder of George Floyd,” but it doesn’t feel like there’s been enough antiracist evolution since 1972 when Polk was hired by the Nebraska Department of Labor as the state’s very first Equal Opportunity Employment Officer. “I didn’t have any real power then,” she says, adding that it’s hard to see much power being given to today’s new DEI officers, either.
This event will also be livestreamed via MORE’s Facebook page.
RACE, EDUCATION, & ADVOCACY!
Movement in Omaha for Race Equity (MORE) is pleased
to announce a virtual community forum on Educational Equity and Accountability.
The event will be hosted
on Thursday, April 7, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. via Zoom/Facebook Live. It is free and open to
the public.
This event will feature an interview and open dialog with Ebony McKiver.
Educational Excellence, Council for State Social Studies Specialist.
The current climate has created a digital divide with students who
don't' have access to advocates; educational opportunities will meet economic challenges in
the marketplace. This event will discuss racial issues and allow the community to outline
gaps in their students' education with the current systems.
A'Jamal Byndon, Chair of the MORE Board of Directors, will interview Ebony McKiver about:
1. How can we ensure content and quality education for many left out of quality
achievement opportunities?
2. Do the racial issues come into play dealing with public and private education?.
3. How can parents and community members seek or demand more significant
involvement in their students' education and content with the curriculum?
This forum is intended to inform community members about becoming more engaged
and to learn tips and suggestions from professionals and parents in talking about racial
issues. In a city such as Omaha, which is thirty-three percent, People of Color, there
should be more opportunities for schools officials and board members on information
about the challenges we face to help with racial educational inequities.
There will be ample opportunity for direct conversation and Q&A with Ebony McKiver during the
event's second half.
Redlining and Racism in Omaha
Movement in Omaha for Race Equity (MORE) is pleased to announce a virtual community forum on Redlining and Racism in Omaha Race. This event will feature an interview and open dialog with Professor Palma Joy Strand. Palma Joy Strand is a Professor of Law in the Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Program at Creighton University.
Thursday, March 31, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. via Zoom. It is free and open to the public.
A’Jamal Byndon, Chair of the MORE Board of Directors, will interview Palma Joy Strand about:
1. Why and how does a White academic work on racism and work for antiracism?
2. How is Omahas history of redlining relevant to racism today?
3. What does it mean to say that racism is a system and why are data essential for describing and understanding that system?
This forum is intended to inform community members about becoming more engaged and learn some tips and suggestions from academicians in talking about race. In a city such as Omaha, which is thirty-three percent, People of Color, there should be more data and information on the challenges we face to help with racial healing. A’jamal said, “There is a lot of discussion about redlining, but few opportunities to change the historical facts in Omaha by practitioners".”
There will be ample opportunity for direct conversation and Q&A with Professor Strand during the event’s second half.
Racial Data and Research for Racial Conversations.
Movement in Omaha for Race Equity (MORE) is pleased to announce a virtual community forum on Race, Data and Research for Improving Social Conditions and Healing. This event will feature an interview and open dialog with Dr. Ryan Spohn, Director of the Nebraska Center for Justice Research (NCJR), a research center affiliated with the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Nebraska
Omaha. The event will be hosted on Thursday, March 24, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. via Zoom. It is free and open to the public.
A’Jamal Byndon, Chair of the MORE Board of Directors, will interview Dr. Spohn about data focusing on racial disparities in criminal justice and correctional systems. Various studies helped communities and groups understand why data and reports are critical for the recommendation for policy and administrative changes.
This forum is intended to inform community members about how to become more engaged and learn some tips and suggestions from academicians in talking about race and local data. In a city such as Omaha, which is thirty-three percent People of Color, there should be more data and information on the challenges we face to help with racial healing.
There will be ample opportunity for direct conversation and Q&A with Dr. Spohn during the event’s second half.
SOCIAL JUSTICE & ADVOCACY
We are pleased to announce a virtual community forum on Social Justice & Advocacy, for Black History Month. This event will feature an interview and open dialog with Cheryl Weston, a long-time advocate for North Omaha and African Americans. The event will be hosted on Thursday, February 22, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. via Zoom. It is free and open to the public.
A’Jamal Byndon, Chair of the MORE Board of Directors, will interview Ms. Weston about how, through various roles, she has helped advocate for African Americans in Omaha, despite the odds.
“This forum is intended to inform community members about how to become more engaged as well as learn some tips and suggestions from Ms. Weston,” Byndon said. “Ms. Weston will outline some of her techniques to stay involved in community and civic affairs despite pushback from others. She is one of the few credible messengers in Omaha who can’t be bought and sold, as African Americans like to say in the community.”
During this forum, we will discuss racial issues and current issues of the day facing African Americans in Omaha. “Ms. Weston consistently speaks truth to power,” Byndon said, adding that “the impetus for this event is to get more families and participants to become engaged in racial healing and in pushing back at those who seek division within our community.”
Cheryl Weston worked in Fortune 500 Company, was the director of Lead Safe Omaha Coalition for many years, and continues to work as a community activist and organizer in Omaha. There will be ample opportunity for direct conversation and Q&A with Ms. Weston during the second half of the event.
There are no upcoming events at this time.