The Empowerment Network (empoweromaha.com) marked 20 years of collaboration and impact during the African American Leadership Conference and Revive Black Business Expo, held Sept. 30-Oct. 2 at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Under the theme “This Is Our Season,” the conference brought together entrepreneurs, business leaders, residents and community partners for conversations on entrepreneurship, wealth building, career advancement, leadership, health and civic engagement. The Revive Black Business Expo gave businesses and organizations opportunities to connect with customers, build relationships and generate revenue.
Featured speakers included Simon T. Bailey, James Bailey, Anna Barber, president, Barber & Associates, Dr. George Fraser, Suzan Hart, CEO, Suzan Hart Enterprises, Dr. Pamela Jolly, Dr. Randal Pinkett and Jaylen D. Bledsoe. Omaha Mayor John Ewing thanked community members and partners whose long-term work has turn shared goals into progress.
The conference recognized young people and adults participating in Step Up, Youth 360, My Brother’s Keeper and Skill Up, along with longtime partners and volunteers.
“We have invested in this conference, recognizing the people and partnerships that helped produce measurable results the last 20 years,” said Willie Barney, CEO and founder of the Empowerment Network. “Now we’re building on that momentum to look at what we can create over the next 20 through even deeper collaboration.”
Looking ahead, Barney introduced the 4-3-8 strategy, an economic empowerment approach centered on investing within the community, supporting Black businesses and strengthening institutions.
That collaborative model, which began in Omaha, has expanded to cities including Kansas City, New Orleans, Lansing, Tulsa and Syracuse, with emerging partnerships in several other communities nationwide. To learn more, visit empoweromaha.com.