The 2025 African American Leadership Conference brought together hundreds of entrepreneurs, business owners and community leaders Oct. 24 at the Hilton Omaha Downtown for a day of connection and empowerment.
Organized by the Empowerment Network (empoweromaha.com), the event carried the theme “Dreams & Visions: No Longer Deferred. We Choose to Build Together,” emphasizing collective action and economic progress. Keynote speakers included Jay Bailey, CEO of Atlanta’s Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs, and Omaha’s first Black mayor, John Ewing Jr.
Bailey inspired attendees with a call to build lasting legacies: “Plant seeds that will grow trees whose shade you may never sit under.” Under his leadership, the center has supported more than 600 Black entrepreneurs and generated $550 million in economic impact.
The day featured strategy-focused breakout sessions on entrepreneurship, leadership, finance and health, with speakers such as AJ Johnson, Kim Roxie, Dr. Will Moreland, Suzan Hart and Dell Gines. Attendees had high praise for the sessions.
A standout feature was the Revive Black Business Expo, which showcased local Black-owned businesses and sparked new partnerships and mentorships. Youth from Step-Up Omaha and Youth 360 also played an active role, reinforcing the conference’s inclusive mission.
Estimated to generate more than $600,000 in economic impact, the event further positioned Omaha as a model for Black-led development.
Key partners included American National Bank, Mutual of Omaha, Carver Legacy Center and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. With additional support from the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, a program of the Obama Foundation, the Empowerment Network is committed to building safer communities through education, career pathways and violence reduction.
For more information, visit empoweromaha.com.