Empower Omaha!
African-American Empowerment Network

The focus of the Network is to empower the Greater Omaha area by developing and implementing a covenant and strategic plan that accelerates the economic well being and quality of life progress of African-Americans, North Omaha and the City of Omaha.  Our goal is to transform Omaha into a model city for all of its citizens.  Our vision of the future is that African-Americans throughout the city, residents of North Omaha and citizens of the Greater Omaha area will be measurably successful and prosperous.

Who:
Pastors, Business Owners and Corporate Senior Managers, Community Representatives, Elected and Appointed Officials, Entrepreneurs and Investors, Educators, and other non-profit executives and specialists in Social Services, Health, Crime Prevention, Legal, Accounting and other Professionals.  Over 1,000 African-American leaders and community members, representing over 400 organizations, churches, groups, and businesses, have already participated in some way with this initiative. 

African-American leaders from the following areas have agreed to come together and work collectively:  Business, Communications, Crime Prevention & Justice, Economics, Education, Environment, Faith, Healthy Families, Health, Housing, Neighborhoods, Politics, Technology, Cultural Arts, and others.  Other leaders and citizens from across the community have also made a commitment to participate in making the covenant a reality.  As we move forward, we will work to create a North Omaha Empowerment Network and a City-wide Empowerment Network.

Purpose:
To accelerate our progress by developing and implementing a covenant and strategic plan that empowers African-Americans, North Omaha and the city of Omaha to dramatically and tangibly enhance our quality of life and create a greater future for our children.

Structure:
We have established an informal structure for a diverse membership to create and implement a covenant (agreement) and strategic plan of action.  We provide a variety of planning sessions and forums for individuals and organizations to come together to share ideas and work collectively in gaining valuable input, setting priorities and developing integrated strategies.  The action plans are living documents, able to be adjusted based on the changing needs of the community.

Our mission is to Connect, Communicate, Coordinate, Collaborate, Create and Celebrate.  Our mission is not to duplicate the work of organizations that exist, but rather to support their efforts and help bring additional people and resources to the table.  Where we identify gaps that are not served by any organization, we will work to find partners that can fill the need or in some cases help support the creation of a separate organization to assure that the needs of the community are met.  We strive to facilitate positive, collaborative change through our member organizations and individuals. 

Values:            
Faith, Unity, Love, Respect, Family, Community

Principles:      
Positive, Proactive, Partnership, Purpose, Potential and Possibilities

Goal:              
To transform the City of Omaha into a model city for all citizens.

Vision of the Future:
 African-Americans are measurably successful and prosperous in all areas of life...
     Spiritually, Mentally, Physically, Socially, Politically and Economically

 North Omaha is measurably successful and prosperous in all areas...
      Spiritually, Mentally, Physically, Socially, Politically and Economically

Omaha is measurably successful and prosperous in all areas...
     Spiritually, Mentally, Physically, Socially, Politically and Economically

Mission:         

         Connect...bring groups and individuals together with a common purpose and plan

                   Communicate...share information, challenges, activities, and opportunities that are available

                   Coordinate...work together to better integrate our efforts; support existing successful projects and initiatives

                   Collaborate...identify opportunities for partnerships; pool resources where appropriate

                   Create...fill-in where we identify gaps

                   Celebrate & Challenge...measure and recognize successes while staying committed to developing and implementing solutions