Empowerment Network Founder & President Willie Barney Headlines MLK Event

On January 15, the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Medicine once again honored the life and work of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., with a keynote presentation by Willie Barney, founder and president of the Empowerment Network. The event, which was free and open to the public, was held at Clarkson Tower, Lower Storz Pavilion. Barney’s message focused on working together to advance Dr. King’s vision and economic agenda. The key points were: 1) Reclaiming Dr. King’s Legacy; 2) Reigniting the Sense of Urgency; and, 3) Rebuilding Our Communities by Uniting and Finding Common Purpose. He encouraged the audience to use their gifts and do their part in making our city and state an example for the rest of the nation.

For more than 25 years, Barney has worked in strategic planning, marketing, communications, community building and facilitation. Barney graduated with a double major in economics and business administration from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa. A strong supporter of lifelong learning, he has continued his education through advanced leadership training including, the Summer Leadership Institute for Community Development at Harvard University and Executive Leadership and Management Training at the Northwestern University Media Center in Chicago.

In 2006, he worked with others to launch the Empowerment Network, a collaborative of residents, leaders, and organizations working to improve the economic condition and quality of life for African-Americans, north Omaha residents and the greater Omaha area. Find out more about Empowerment Network online at www.empoweromaha.com.