Omaha conference focuses on equity, Black business development
The Rebuilding the Village Conference and Revive Black Business Expo took over CHI Health Center Friday. The event is centered on achieving equity, whether that’s showcasing Black-owned businesses or focusing on those conversations about Black wealth and long-term self-sufficiency.”It’s been almost three years since we had our last conference,” Willie Barney said. Empowerment Network founder Willie Barney said twice as many people attended this year’s conference and luncheon, with help from the keynote speaker’s appearance, NBA Hall-of-Famer, Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Barney said Magic’s knowledge goes beyond the basketball court. “His investments in technology, sports teams and even investing in urban areas,” Barney said. “So it’s a great opportunity for us to learn what has he learned over these 20, 30 years in investing in urban communities with a great level of success.”Barney said before every conference, the Empowerment Network polls the community on what information they need right now.”Really the last seven years, we’ve really shifted into now how do we build economic strength, businesses, business owners, homeownership, economic development and revitalization,” Barney said.As part of the shift, organizations and businesses were there to promote their wares and services.Shoe designer Nataya Thomas launched her line last year.”I just thought about what I wanted to do and have as my own, and I’m like, ‘I want my own brand,'” Thomas said.Thomas said she’s had success selling her shoes online and hopes to open a brick and mortar, but as a Black business owner, there have been additional challenges to getting her foot in the door.”I am in partnership with Nebraska enterprise fund, and so I’m working on getting business loans,” Thomas said. “I’ve tried to get grants but so far no luck. So, I’m just financing myself.”Barney said that is why Empowerment Network’s conferences are so important to focus on growth and networking.”The community has been saying, ‘we want to be part of the development,” Barney said.
The Rebuilding the Village Conference and Revive Black Business Expo took over CHI Health Center Friday. The event is centered on achieving equity, whether that’s showcasing Black-owned businesses or focusing on those conversations about Black wealth and long-term self-sufficiency.
“It’s been almost three years since we had our last conference,” Willie Barney said.
Empowerment Network founder Willie Barney said twice as many people attended this year’s conference and luncheon, with help from the keynote speaker’s appearance, NBA Hall-of-Famer, Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Barney said Magic’s knowledge goes beyond the basketball court.
“His [background includes] investments in technology, sports teams and even investing in urban areas,” Barney said. “So it’s a great opportunity for us to learn what has he learned over these 20, 30 years in investing in urban communities with a great level of success.”
Barney said before every conference, the Empowerment Network polls the community on what information they need right now.
“Really the last seven years, we’ve really shifted into now how do we build economic strength, businesses, business owners, homeownership, economic development and revitalization,” Barney said.
As part of the shift, organizations and businesses were there to promote their wares and services.
Shoe designer Nataya Thomas launched her line last year.
“I just thought about what I wanted to do and have as my own, and I’m like, ‘I want my own brand,'” Thomas said.
Thomas said she’s had success selling her shoes online and hopes to open a brick and mortar, but as a Black business owner, there have been additional challenges to getting her foot in the door.
“I am in partnership with Nebraska enterprise fund, and so I’m working on getting business loans,” Thomas said. “I’ve tried to get grants but so far no luck. So, I’m just financing myself.”
Barney said that is why Empowerment Network’s conferences are so important to focus on growth and networking.
“The community has been saying, ‘we want to be part of the development,” Barney said.
