African-American Empowerment Network,
Empower North Omaha and Empower Omaha!

The Empowerment Network based in Omaha, Nebraska, has emerged over the past three years as a catalyst for bringing together individuals and organizations to accomplish visionary and strategic objectives.  The group has been successful in connecting groups and individuals from diverse backgrounds and rallying them around a common vision and mission.  Significant milestones have been accomplished and the foundation is set for unprecedented collaboration and results.

The Empowerment Network is a collaboration of over 500 organizations, businesses, and a diverse group of individuals including elected and appointed officials, business executives,  non-profit leaders, pastors and ministers, educators, violence prevention specialists, neighborhood leaders, community development experts, and residents. 

The organization’s focus is on improving the quality of life and economic position of African-Americans, residents of North Omaha and citizens of the Greater Omaha area.  Strategies and plans have been developed in a number of areas including: community engagement; job development and training; education and youth development; business development and entrepreneurship; housing and neighborhood development; violence intervention and prevention; voter registration and participation; arts, culture, and history revitalization; and, communications and media expansion and enhancement.

The purpose 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.

The group has launched major initiatives including the Empowerment Covenant, Empower North Omaha!, Empower Omaha!, and the Rebuilding the Village Strategy – a comprehensive and coordinated approach to redeveloping targeted geographic areas in a holistic way.
 

Who:
The Empowerment Network is a united group of leaders, community members and organizations working to facilitate positive, measurable change in our community.  Launched in September 2006, the Network works collectively to improve the quality of life for African-Americans, North Omaha and the Greater Omaha area.  The movement is based on 13 Covenant Areas and a strategic plan that focus on individual, leadership, and community empowerment.  The Network has helped gain significant financial commitments to help with rebuilding efforts in North Omaha and assisted with the launching of several new non-profit organizations. 

Over 2,000 leaders and community members, representing over 500 organizations, churches, groups, community-based organizations, social agencies, and businesses, have already participated in some way with this initiative.  Originally launched by African-Americans, the Empowerment Network has grown to include participants of all races and socio-economic status and gained support locally, regionally, and nationally.  The Network effort includes 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. 

Leaders and proactive citizens from the following areas have come together and worked collectively:  Business, Communications, Crime Prevention & Justice, Economics, Education, Environment, Faith, Healthy Families, Health, Housing, Neighborhoods, Politics, Technology, Cultural Arts, and others.  Leaders and citizens from across the community have joined in to help make the covenant a reality. 
 

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