ENGAGEMENT & COLLABORATIVE IMPACT
Empowerment Network Summary Transformation for Website 2024 (Report)
Beginning in June 2006, the Empowerment Network hosted meetings, summits and focus groups with residents and leaders to identify key issues and solutions. The first large leadership meeting was held in September 2006 when 70 leaders convened and agreed to work together. The first State of African-Americans and North Omaha was held in December of 2006 and continues annually with hundreds in attendance. Since that time, over 8,000 youth and adults have provided input into the plans.
In December 2013, the Transformation 2025 goals were outlined to accelerate the pace of rebuilding and transforming the city, with special emphasis on North Omaha and South Omaha. Transformation 2025 was officially introduced in May 2014 at the Empowerment Network’s Conference with 10 year goals and annual benchmarks. A comprehensive scorecard is updated each year by participating organizations & businesses.
Collectively, we were able to make measurable progress for African-Americans and North Omaha residents which has had a positive impact on the entire region. Hundreds of organizations and thousands of residents have participated in the work to create the momentum and generate these results:
Collective Results 2008 to 2023: in partnership with hundreds of organizations & businesses
- Reduced African-American unemployment from a high of 20% to a low of 7.5%.
- Connected over 2,000 residents in North Omaha to employment.
- Increased youth employment. Connected over 8,000 youth to career exploration, jobs & internships.
- Increased African-American household incomes. Increased from a low of $34,170 to a high of $39,434.
- Reduced African-American family poverty. 31.5% to a low of 21.5%.
- Increased African-American high school graduation rates. 64% to a high of 80%.
- Increased the number of African-Americans with college degrees. 16% to a high of 22%.
- Increased the number of housing units in North Omaha.
- Over 1,500 new mixed-income units developed.
- Launched hundreds of new businesses. A number of businesses have expanded creating hundreds of jobs.
- Reduced gun violence. Decreased as much as -70% in North Omaha and -60% citywide.
- Started the process of rebuilding the arts, culture, entertainment and business district at 24th & Lake.
- Increased visits to the North Omaha Village Zone area (16th to 36th, Cuming to Pratt).
- Launched and hosted events like Christmas in the Village attracting over 7,000 to the district and
engaging 100+ businesses and organizations. - Served as one of the catalysts to generate over $1 billion in public/private investments for redevelopment in
North Omaha. - Engaged national thought leaders as partners on the journey to close economic and social gaps.