EMPOWERMENT NETWORK











LIVING THE COVENANT

The key challenge is for every individual, family, and leader to make a difference by committing to live the covenant.

Do your part...Live the Covenant. 

 

What is the Network doing?

Article reprinted from May 2008 Revive! Omaha Magazine...

Empower Omaha! Update

Despite the challenges and issues that continue to persist in our community, this is an exciting time to be alive.  Many promising solutions and initiatives are coming together in an unprecedented way in Omaha.  Faith communities are coming together and moving outside the walls of the sanctuary.  Promising education and youth development initiatives are heating up.  Legislative action is helping to move us closer to a community that will treat all students equally.  Economic development plans and strategies are moving past the flip chart, slide show and story board phase.  It’s a time of transition and transformation.  Let’s keep it rolling.  Let’s move forward with a sense of urgency. 

Omaha, this is our time.  This is our time to move past what has separated us.  This is our time to not be limited by what has held us back for far too long.  This is our time to walk out in faith and embrace the possibilities that God has for us.  We must think different.  Act different.  Most of all, we must work together!

April 27, 2008 marked the 1 year anniversary of the public launch of Empower Omaha!  Empower Omaha! is an initiative created and developed by the African-American Empowerment Network following 9 months of community meetings, forums, summits, surveys, research, and testing.  The Network consisting of leaders and neighbors from all areas of the community was established with a three-fold strategy:  Empower African-Americans, Empower North Omaha, and Empower the Greater Omaha area.  At the very first official meeting, we made a commitment that we would be positive, proactive, and build partnerships.  We have had some solid successes and great learning experiences over the past year.  Overall, we have stayed on track and are beginning to see strategies come to life.  It’s always challenging to convert plans from paper to action.  It’s encouraging to report that things are coming together.

The mission of the Network is to Connect, Communicate, Coordinate, Collaborate, Create, and Celebrate our way to a total transformation of our neighborhoods, community, city, state, and region.  We will build on the great work that so many individuals, organizations, ministries, and businesses are doing every day.  We will do it through strategic planning and collaboration.  We will do it by coming together, praying together, working together, and celebrating together.  We will do it one person, one home, and one block at a time. 

In the past year since the launch, over 1,000 leaders and community representatives have contributed to the development of the Empower Omaha! Covenant.  Progress has been made on many fronts.  New partnerships have been formed.  There’s a lot of work still ahead of us, but we are building momentum and with God on our side, we will see the tangible fruit of our labor.

The Network has worked together and partnered to help continue the transformation that is occurring in our community and city.  Members of the Network have been busy at work over the past year.  Here’s just a sampling of the type of work that has been completed:

  • Helped bring together over 300 organizations and over 1,000 participants;
  • Presented the State of African-Americans in person to over 1,000 individuals;
  • Distributed over 3,000 copies of the Empower Omaha! Covenant,
  • Met with city leaders, elected officials, business executives, faith leaders, and community organizations to discuss plans to improve the quality of life in Omaha;
  • Supported African-American businesses, organizations and cultural events;
  • Led prayer walks and community outreach efforts in targeted neighborhoods;
  • Partnered with churches to launch adopt-a-school and adopt-a-block strategies;
  • Hosted meetings, conferences, and major events engaging hundreds of participants;
  • Helped to enhance, develop and promote existing and new communication and media vehicles;
  • Coordinated an important economic and community development networking trip to Kansas City;
  • Worked together to produce an African-American physicians directory and African-American behavioral health directory;
  • Partnered with Building Bright Futures to host the first interactive community outreach meeting;
  • Partnered with the North Omaha Voters project to help increase voter turnout and participation in the state’s first caucus;
  • Hosted the 2nd Annual Rebuilding the Village Conference, including 3 national speakers;
  • Hosted the Stop the Violence Conference:  2nd Annual Crime Prevention Summit;
  • Participated on Crime Prevention site-visits to Milwaukee, Chicago, and Kansas City;
  • Helped raise over $5 million dollars in commitments to assist with making the covenant a reality;
  • And, partnered with participating organizations to support other major events and efforts.
     

The first year was a time of connecting, communicating, and building the foundation. 

Connecting…

It’s incredibly important to bring people together and even more important to develop strong relationships.  Hundreds of organizations and over 1,000 individuals have participated in meetings, summits, and conferences hosted by the Network.  Meetings, planning sessions, and networking opportunities occur every week for at least one of the covenant areas.  The Network Planning Team meets every month on the 2nd Saturday to discuss strategies, updates, and next steps for implementing the covenant.  Empowerment Network Leaders meet twice a month to review strategies, direction, and partnership opportunities.  To build on the progress, we will look to create more opportunities for relationship building.

Connections have not only happened within African-American organizations.  The Network has worked to build bridges and partnerships though-out the Greater Omaha area.  Partners from every area of Omaha have agreed to work with the Network to help implement the Covenant.

Communicating…

One of the weaknesses identified early on during one of the community meetings was the lack of consistent, timely information.  To answer this challenge, a new web-site, www.empoweromaha.com, was launched to help share information about the Network and the Covenant.  In addition, e-mail distribution lists were created to inform Network participants of important events, activities, alerts, and opportunities in a more timely fashion.  We also partnered with the Omaha Star, omahaurbanconnection.com, and other local media to help spread the word.  Through the web-site, www.empoweromaha.com, participation in parades and other community events, partnerships with churches, and feature stories in the media, over 100,000 people have been exposed to the Empower Omaha! message. 

Coordinating and Collaborating…

Year 2 will focus on Coordination, Collaboration, and Creating new projects, initiatives, and efforts to make the covenant a reality.  Goals have been set.  Strategies and plans are in development.  New partnerships and collaborative efforts have already been launched as a result of new relationships developed through the Network.  Even more partnerships are in process.  Unified efforts in areas of Employment, Housing, Crime Prevention, Education, Youth Development, Voting, Neighborhood Restoration, Health, and building Healthy Families are underway.

 

Moving Forward…

Major investments will be needed to help transform our community.  Omaha has pockets of incredible growth and a few areas that have been totally left behind by the progress.  The Network’s vision is that all citizens of our city will be empowered to walk in their purpose and fully utilize their God-given talents, strengths, and gifts. 

We know it will take millions upon millions of dollars to make this covenant a reality.  Significant financial commitments have now been made to help jump start specific efforts.  We believe it’s just the beginning.  Moving forward, we will actively seek financial partnerships to help raise the funds necessary to accomplish our objectives.  While we will work to partner with others throughout the region and nation to bring resources into our community, it’s equally important that we use our own resources to help make the change we desire possible. 

Imagine this.  African-Americans in the Omaha area spend an estimated $700 million each year in this economy.  What would happen if we made a commitment to put just 10% of that back into the community?  We would have an instant and annual pool of $70 million to work with to rebuild our community.  Just as importantly, we will need individuals, families, and organizations to make commitments to be mentors, volunteer to serve, come outside of their homes and churches, get involved in neighborhood programs, participate in neighborhood cleanups, build strong relationships with youth, support and look out for each other.  In a sense, we are calling on everyone to do their part and Live the Covenant.  That is the only way that we will, Rise Up and Rebuild the Village.

We thank God for every person, church, organization, and business that has given of their time and resources to partner with us.  Your commitment, dedication, and leadership are having an impact.  The momentum is building and we’re just getting started. 

It will take all of us working together to totally transform all areas of our community.  Don’t Just Talk About It, Be About It.  Let’s get to work.


A sampling of comments from participants about the Network, Covenant, and people DOING THEIR PART...

"Being a part of the Network and the Covenant has helped me to agree with my wife to adopt.  We have started the adoption process and I have changed my schedule to attend the classes.  I have also made a commitment to host singles' and marriage conferences in North Omaha.  I will write about the Covenant and continue to contribute strategically at meetings."
          - Femi Awodele, Author, Speaker, President - Christian Couples Ministry, Int.

"The Covenant has brought folks together with varied gifts and talents...with the goal of improving our community.  It has brightened my spirit.  I have expanded my knowledge of what is going on in all areas of our community.  I have assessed my personal commitment in all areas of the Empowerment Challenge.  I'm committed to sharing the covenant with others, staying involved with the planning, and searching for Federal economic opportunities to bring to the table.  We need to keep the energy."
          - Louise Latimer, Office of Senator Ben Nelson

"The Network has given me renewed energy and hope.  I have been an active participant, promoted the work of the covenant and contributed financially to support the Kick-off luncheon.  Timing for the Covenant couldn't be better.  We have formed a housing consortium and alliance that will advance the work of providing better housing and commercial development in North Omaha."
          - Michael Maroney, President - Omaha Economic Development Corporation

"A a part of doing my part, I initiated a community walk.  Though our group is small in size, we completed our 7 week commitment to walk together 4 days per week.  Now that we have experienced the benefits of regular exercise we are continuing our walks.  I'm also working with the health team on the Empowerment Walk."
          - Gladys Harrison

"It's helped me to step up to the plate and step out on faith to help make our community a better place for our families, youth and our elders.  Looks like something is finally going to happen in our community.  As a part of doing my part, I'm working with the Tuskegee Airmen to help open a museum in their honor and the Alfonzo W. Davis Chapter.  I will be supportive of the Network, the Covenant, and work to make this dream come true."
          - Dr. Dennis Edwards

"It has provided hope to a community...we can control our own destiny and this personally makes me feel good about participating.  The Network has been extremely valuable.  I have gained knowledge, met new people, and have increased time to reflect on the future for North Omaha and African-Americans.  I'm working harder at staying healthy, exercising, and encouraging others to get involved.  I plan to stay the course until we make something happen to improve the human and economic condition of African-Americans in Omaha.  We will continue to help improve the health status of African-Americans and I will serve in whatever capacity that I am needed.  The process has been inspiring, informative, challenging and fresh.  We must keep the momentum going and begin to track our accomplished outcomes."
          - Dr. Richard Brown, CEO Charles Drew Health Center

"Finding a network of individuals that have similar goals as mine and are determined to make a positive change in Omaha.  I love how everything is broken down into groups...that way the Network can focus on many areas at the same time."
          - Creighton University Student

"The covenant has provided hope for our community.  I'm working to help bridge the gap between the Omaha Police Department and the community.  Seeing leaders come together has been very positive.  Personally, I have supported African-American owned businesses by purchasing books, dining at restaurants...  I'm also living the Covenant by going into the schools to speak to young people.  I'm also working to bridge gaps with the broader community.  I've made a personal commitments to see the Empowerment Network, North Omaha Concerned Clergy and Leadership Roundtable come together on the issue of violence in our community.  
          - John Ewing, Douglas County Treasurer

"Witnessing various African-American leaders coming together for the good of our people.  I have had the opportunity to work with leaders in various areas to stress the importance of behavioral health as a component of health.  I'm reminded by the Covenant to strive to be healthy and challenge others to be healthy.  My personal commitment to do my part is purchasing books from the African-American Bookstore and attending church.  I'm networking with other African-American leaders, participating in Network planning meetings and inviting others to join."
          - Doris Moore, President Center for Holistic Development

"Networking is crucial to the success of the African-American community.  The planning process has started with me making a personal covenant and commitment.  I am supporting the covenant events and activities, spreading the word, and volunteering to support specific efforts."
          - John Newsome, Community Advocate

"The Network has made me more passionate about what I'm trying to do in the community.   I'm very hopeful that we have a direction now and a movement has started.  I personally am supporting more African-American owned businesses...I'm adopting-a-school, attending meetings, spreading the word, joined the NAACP and Malcolm X Foundation, subscribed to  the Omaha Star and spend more with African-American businesses.  We finally have a plan."
          - Willie Hamilton, Founder - NANOSO, Black Men United

"The Covenant has given me great hope in the future...the "like-mindedness" of leaders and individuals to change things in our community.  Because of the Covenant, I have shopped at businesses that I didn't know existed.  It has required me to think even more about how my actions fit into the bigger efforts of the Network.  I'm working on a "Second Chance Summit" for ex-offenders to get back into society.  The Network has been great...getting a group of people to take responsibility for the issues and working together to move us forward."
          - Chris Rodgers, Douglas County Commissioner

"I haven't seen the community come together like this...the entire time that I've lived in Omaha.  We are positioned to make a real difference.  I thank God that I've lived to see the day when the community would work together in a positive, solution-focused way.  It's about community.  It's about people.  We have to embrace and address all areas of life.  Pastors are coming together.  Leaders are working together.  The community is getting engaged.  It's a wonderful thing."
          - Pastor Jeremiah McGhee, Senior Pastor - Mt. Sinai Church

"The Network has motivated me to personally commit to a weight loss program.  As a leader I have helped to convene and facilitate meetings.  I'm committed to continuing to develop Healthy Marriage and Teen Pregnancy programs.  I'm making a commitment to work with others to help address racial and ethnic health disparities."
          - Doris Lassiter - President - DORAL Group

"This is the best cooperative effort of Black people that I've ever seen in my lifetime in Omaha.  The Network is well-organized and has done a great job of keeping us informed.  My hope is that God will continue to provide the leadership and wisdom, and that we continue to follow it.  I personally want to help launch community block parties and figure out ways to recognize, thank and reward teachers and others who are making a difference.  Since the covenant started, I have become more active with ministries in my church, started my own business, spent more time reading and less time watching tv, spent more quality time with my family, and I'm working on a newsletter and web-site."
            -Rodney Nichols, Community Advocate

"I personally support the Empowerment Network and the development and implementation of a Covenant and Strategic Plan designed to empower African-American to dramatically and tangibly enhance our quality of life and build a great future for our children."
            -Janice Gilmore, Columnist - Omaha World-Herald and Revive! Magazine

 

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