CEO and Founder
Willie Barney is best known for his role as the Founder and CEO of the Empowerment Network. The Empowerment Network is a collaborative of residents, leaders and organizations working to facilitate positive change in Omaha, Nebraska and other cities across the country.
Formed in September 2006 and launched in April 2007, the Network works collectively to improve the economic condition and quality of life for African-Americans, North Omaha residents and citizens in the Greater Omaha area. Hundreds of organizations and thousands of residents have participated in the groundbreaking approach. The work has received national recognition from the Obama Foundation, as one of four model communities, ABC News, CNN, Washington Post, Department of Justice and others.
Barney is also the Founder and President of WDB Resultants, a national consulting firm that specializes in strategic planning, communications, research, facilitation and diversity & inclusion initiatives. The Resultants experience includes working with clients in the small business, corporate, non-profit, and faith-based sectors across the country. With over 30 years of experience, Barney is a strategist, facilitator and catalyst who consistently works effectively with partners to get things done. He is a highly sought after speaker and thought leader with a proven track record of bringing groups together to accomplish strategic visions.
Before launching his own businesses and several non-profits, Barney rose through the ranks to become a senior marketing executive in the media industry. During his time with Lee Enterprises and later through his consulting firm, Barney had the opportunity to work across the U.S. with hundreds of small businesses and major corporations on marketing and advertising strategies.
Barney and his wife, Yolanda, have launched a number of businesses. In addition to WDB Resultants, he is president of SMB Enterprises, a company that provides positive events, media and entertainment in the greater Omaha area. SMB is the parent company of Revive! Omaha, the North Omaha Community Guide and the Revive! Omaha Black Business Guide. Revive also created the Revive! Black Business Network in Omaha, bringing over 350 black business owners and entrepreneurs together for networking, capacity-building and expansion.
Revive! Omaha leads one of the largest black business expos in Omaha in partnership with the Empowerment Network’s African American Leadership Conference. In 2019, Willie and Yolanda expanded SMB with the launching of the Revive Center Omaha and in 2020, announced an exciting new venture, the Carver Legacy Center, a Black-owned financial institution and wealth-building system.
Through collaboration with the Empowerment Network, Barney has partnered with Dr. Randal Pinkett, Dr. Jeffrey Robinson and Damita Byrd to launch the career advancement and leadership program, Redefine the Game Institute; worked with Dr. Pamela Jolly to create the Omaha Legacy Wealth Initiative; and, launched a Youth Entrepreneurship Program with teen millionaire, Jaylen Bledsoe. He is currently working on new cohorts with national leaders, Suzan Hart, on collaborative leadership and Anna Barber, on fund development.
Barney graduated with a double major in Economics and Business Administration from St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa. A strong supporter of life-long 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.
Willie has received numerous local and national awards. Most recently, Barney and the Empowerment Network were recognized by the Obama Foundation as one of four model communities. The Network also received national community service award from the Department of Justice for their work in helping to reduce gun violence by nearly 70 percent. The National Education Association recognized Barney and the Empowerment Network in 2020 with the national Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Award.
Willie and Yolanda have been married for 25 years. They have two children, Nehemiah (22) and Priscilla (17). Their focus, passion and purpose is working together with others to see communities and each person reach their full potential. Strong believers in legacy wealth and entrepreneurship, both of their children have also launched small business enterprises.