2017 African-American Leadership Awards Honorees Announced
The Urban League of Nebraska Guild (www.UrbanLeagueNeb.org/AALA) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2017 African-American Leadership Awards.
Each year, the Guild recognizes eight deserving local African-Americans for their significant contributions in their community and professions in the following categories: Business, Community, Education, Faith, Government, Health, Young Professional and Youth.
The 2017 Honorees are…
Business Leader: Cort Bonner
Bonner is an Insurance and Financial Services Agent at Bonner Insurance Agency Inc., a customer-focused State Farm Insurance agency in Omaha. Bonner has supported various activities throughout North Omaha, including the Black College Tour and initiatives to improve student computer literacy.
Community Leader: Jami Anders-Kemp
Anders-Kemp is director of Omaha 360, an initiative of the Empowerment Network focused on reducing gun and gang violence and bringing peace and prosperity to every neighborhood in the City of Omaha. The collaborative includes more than 200 organizations from across the city.
Education Leader: Dr. Amber Williams
Dr. Williams is Director of Admissions at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, which has experienced record-breaking enrollment in recent years. Dr. Williams is the mastermind behind the Nebraska College Preparatory Academy, which is housed in Omaha North High School with an additional cohort coming to Omaha South High School in the near future.
Faith Leader: Reverend Kenneth Allen
Since 2008, Rev. Allen has served as Senior Pastor at Zion Baptist Church, a historic congregation in Omaha. Rev. Allen has also served as an adjunct instructor and guest lecturer at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, teaching courses on Theology and Religion in Afro-America.
Government Leader: Judge Wadie Thomas Jr.
The Honorable Wadie Thomas Jr. is a judge at the Douglas County Separate Juvenile Court in Nebraska. He joined the court in 1995 and is the first African-American male appointed to a judgeship in Nebraska.
Health Leader: Wayne Houston
Houston is Manager of Community Health Programs at the UNMC Center for Reducing Health Disparities. For 19 years, Houston has organized the Black Family Health and Wellness Association Health Fair, an event providing free health exams to more than 200 North Omaha residents annually.
Young Professional Leader: Jason Fischer
Fischer is Creative Director and Owner of Surreal Media Lab, a multimedia and marketing company, and a sought-after filmmaker in Omaha. His work has been shown at the Omaha Film Festival, and his documentary “Out of Frame: Unseen Poverty in the Heartland” – created in partnership with Omaha-based non-profit Together – won the bronze award at the 37th Annual Telly Awards.
Youth Leader: Jaden Wrightsell
Wrightsell is an academic scholar and star athlete at Omaha Northwest Magnet High School. She holds the school girls’ basketball records for career points and rebounds and girls’ volleyball record for career kills. She is active in her church and volunteers frequently with organizations including the Salvation Army, Community in Action, the OPS Citizen’s Advisory Board, and more.
The 2017 AALA recipients will be honored at the 28th Annual African-American Leadership Awards Gala the evening of Friday, June 2nd at the Hilton Omaha. Individual general admission tickets are $50 and reserved tables of ten are $1,000. Patron sponsorship levels are also available. To purchase tickets, tables or sponsorships, please visit www.UrbanLeagueNeb.org/AALA or contact Michael Cich-Jones, Director of Development and Marketing at the Urban League of Nebraska, (402) 453-9730 ext. 117 or michael.cich-jones@urbanleagueneb.org.