Nebraska Commission on African American Affairs

Happy Malcolm X Day! Today, the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation () in Omaha celebrated 101 years of Malcolm X and held a press conference to open up the conversation on the next phase of development for the Malcolm X Memorial Campus.

Guest speakers included Omaha Mayor, John Ewing (), MX Developement Group, and Brenda Council.

Next Tuesday will be the 2026 Nebraska Primary Election. Please make sure to vote if you are eligible.

We prepared a short guide with information on how to vote, how to get an ID if you are eligible to register but do not currently have one, and information on the federal, state, county, and city offices that you might see on your ballot this year!

Please note that Lincoln and Omaha municipal elections occurred last spring. You can find your specific sample ballot here: https://www.votercheck.necvr.ne.gov/voterview.

Congratulations to the on the turnout at their Grand Opening event for their amazing new building here in Lincoln!

This weekend, the Commission participated in the Midlands African Chamber Foundation, Inc.'s Pitch Black Conference.

Our Executive Director, Mo Boyd, served as the opening speaker to a day filled with fantastic panels and networking opportunities and the hallmark element of the day: the pitch competition.

Also pictured is Commissioner Jason Roberts.

Commissioners not pictured but in attendance include Commissioner Fatou Sogoyou-Bekeyi and Chair Tim Clark.

The Nebraska Commission on African American Affairs’ strategic plan is broken up into thematic subjects outlining objectives, approaches, focuses, and projects and programs to guide its operations from 2026-2029.

Today we are focusing on the Policy and Advocacy section of our strategic plan. Here is an overview:

Our Approach
The Commission seeks to be one of the primary voices for African American and diasporic communities in Nebraska in policy decisions.

Our Approach
The Commission will build and strengthen relationships with elected officials and community stakeholders, facilitate dialogue on issues affecting African American and diasporic communities in Nebraska, and actively engage both policymakers and the public in its legislative advocacy efforts.

Our Focus
The Commission will ensure African American and diasporic communities have impactful representation in policy decisions that impact their lives.

Our Plans
- Annually host three Policy Roundtables
- Annually host one “Working With Your Elected Officials” Training
- Publish an Annual Legislative Agenda
- Publish an Annual Legislative Impact Report

The Commission’s Legislative Affairs Committee facilitates policy engagement:
- Dr. Lawrence Chatters, Chair
- Dr. Eboni Caridine
- Rev. Dr. Tremaine Combs
- Dexter Myers
- Veronica Sargbah
- Fatou Sogoyou-Bekeyi

Thank you for following along over the course of the month!

The Nebraska Commission on African American Affairs’ strategic plan is broken up into thematic subjects outlining objectives, approaches, focuses, and projects and programs to guide its operations from 2026-2029.

Today we are focusing on the Criminal Justice and Public Safety section of our strategic plan. Here is an overview:

Our Objective
The Commission seeks to create conditions that advance fairness, accountability, and trust in the justice system while fostering opportunities for successful community reintegration.

Our Approach
The Commission will build partnerships with law enforcement agencies and community organizations, promote community-police dialogue initiatives, advocate initiatives that expand reentry and second chance programs, and engage policymakers to implement equitable justice reforms

Our Focus
The Commission seeks to reduce disparities in policing, sentencing, and incarceration, expand access to reentry and second-chance programs, strengthen community-police trust through dialogue, accountability, collaborative initiatives, and advance policies that promote fairness in the justice system

Our Plans
To facilitate our objective between 2026 and 2029, the Commission will:
- Host six Community-Police Dialogue Sessions
- Convene four Public Forums on Justice System Reform
- Publish a Report on Racial Disparities in the Justice System
- Support three Workforce Reentry Partnerships

Our Commissioners
Criminal justice and public safety experts on our Commission include:
- Dr. Lawrence Chatters
- Tim Clark
- Rev. Dr. Tremaine Combs
- Clarice Jackson
- Ted Lampkin, LIMHP
- Veronica Sargbah

Programs and Events Sponsorships
Partnerships drive our work forward!
We offer a Community Sponsorship for Nebraska organizations creating programs aligned with our strategic priorities and our Programs and Events Committee meets monthly to consider applicants.

Stay tuned for more information!

The Nebraska Commission on African American Affairs’ strategic plan is broken up into thematic subjects outlining objectives, approaches, focuses, and projects and programs to guide its operations from 2026-2029.

Today we are focusing on the Education and Youth Development section of our strategic plan. Here is an overview:

Our Objective
The Commission seeks to improve educational outcomes and career readiness for African American and diasporic youth in Nebraska.

Our Approach
The Commission will focus its efforts on strengthening collaboration among schools, post-secondary institutions, and businesses to expand access to mentorship, educational resources, career readiness, and skill-building programs, while advocating for policies that remove systemic barriers to academic and career success.

Our Focus
The Commission will empower African American and diasporic youth by improving conditions that advance academic achievement, strengthen career readiness, and remove systemic barriers to long-term success.

Our Plans
To facilitate our objective between 2026 and 2029, the Commission will:
- Convene three Education Stakeholder Roundtables to produce policy recommendations
- Connect 200 Youth to Mentorship Opportunities hosted by Nebraska based organizations
- Publish a Resource Guide on Scholarships, Internships, and Pipeline Programs
- Sponsor six College and Career Readiness Summits
- Develop an Action Plan for the Recruitment and Retention of Educators of Color in Nebraska

Programs and Events Sponsorships
Partnerships drive our work forward!
We offer a Community Sponsorship for Nebraska organizations creating programs aligned with our strategic priorities and our Programs and Events Committee meets monthly to consider applicants.

Stay tuned for more information!

Consider joining us for our General Body meeting on April 22 from 4:30-6:30PM in the Nebraska State Office Building's Otoe Room!

The Nebraska Commission on African American Affairs’ strategic plan is broken up into thematic subjects outlining objectives, approaches, focuses, and projects and programs to guide its operations from 2026-2029.

Today we are focusing on the Health and Wellness section of our strategic plan. Here is an overview:

Our Objective
The Commission seeks to serve as an advocate to address health disparities by promoting conditions that ensure access to quality, affordable healthcare and community support.

Our Approach
The Commission will collaborate with community partners, healthcare providers, and key stakeholders to advance policies that promote equitable access to quality, affordable healthcare while supporting holistic wellness initiatives that address preventative care, mental health, nutrition, and fitness through strategic outreach, education, and policy engagement.

Our Focus
The Commission will empower African Americans and diasporic communities by ensuring equitable access to quality, affordable healthcare and comprehensive wellness support, while amplifying their voices in shaping health policy and community health initiatives.

Our Plans
To facilitate our objective between 2026 and 2029, the Commission will:
- Sponsor four Regional Health forums with the Department of Health and Human Services, insurance groups, hospitals, clinics, and providers
- Sponsor six Statewide Mental Health Forums
- Sponsor three Community Health Fairs
- Publish a Culturally Competent Healthcare Provider Directory

Our Commissioners
Health and wellness experts on our Commission include:
- Dr. Lawrence Chatters
- Rev. Dr. Tremaine M. Combs
- Ted Lampkin, LIMHP
- JoAnna LeFlore-Ejike
- Jason Roberts

Programs and Events Sponsorships
Partnerships drive our work forward!
We offer a Community Sponsorship for Nebraska organizations creating programs aligned with our strategic priorities and our Programs and Events Committee meets monthly to consider applicants.

Stay tuned for more information!

The Nebraska Commission on African American Affairs’ strategic plan is broken up into thematic subjects outlining objectives, approaches, focuses, and projects and programs to guide its operations from 2026-2029.

Today we are focusing on the Economic Empowerment and Wealth Building section of our strategic plan. Here is an overview:

Our Objective
The Commission seeks to expand access to resources, programs, and opportunities that foster economic empowerment, entrepreneurial growth, and long-term financial stability for Nebraska’s African American and diasporic communities.

Our Approach
The Commission will leverage partnerships with state agencies, financial institutions, community organizations, and business leaders to create pathways that connect African American and diasporic communities with resources, programs, and opportunities supporting economic advancement.
The Commission will focus on building networks, increasing awareness of available tools, and removing barriers to access, ensuring equitable participation in workforce development, entrepreneurship, and wealth-building initiatives.

Our Focus
The Commission will expand equitable access to state-sponsored economic programs, entrepreneurship resources and wealth-building opportunities.

Our Plans
To facilitate our objective between 2026 and 2029, the Commission will:
- Establish a Black Economic Roundtable with leaders in business, banking, employment and government
- Publish an Annual Economic Equity Report
- Sponsor four Work Opportunity and Entrepreneurship events
- Sponsor four Financial Literacy Workshops

Our Commissioners
Economic opportunity and wealth-building experts on our Commission include:
- Dr. Lawrence Chatters
- Rev. Dr. Tremaine M. Combs
- Tim Clark
- JoAnna LeFlore-Ejike
- Anthony McLeod
- Dexter Myers
- Johnny Nesbit
- Jason Roberts
- Fatou Sogoyou-Bekeyi
- Michael Young

Programs and Events Sponsorships
Partnerships drive our work forward!
We offer a Community Sponsorship for Nebraska organizations creating programs aligned with our strategic priorities and our Programs and Events Committee meets monthly to consider applicants.

Stay tuned for more information!

The Nebraska Commission on African American Affairs’ strategic plan is broken up into thematic subjects outlining objectives, approaches, focuses, and projects and programs to guide its operations from 2026-2029.

Today we are focusing on the Community Engagement and Partnerships section of our strategic plan. Here is an overview:

Our Objective
The Commission seeks to actively engage African American and diasporic communities in the work of the Commission and cultivate collaborative partnerships that strengthen participation, and shared ownership of its initiatives statewide.

Our Approach
The Commission will create structured and meaningful opportunities for community engagement across all aspects of its work by cultivating partnerships with community organizations, faith institutions, advocacy groups, and policymakers.
We will host engagement activities aligned with our strategic priorities and keep communities informed through clear, consistent communication and opportunities for meaningful input. Community perspectives will be incorporated into planning, implementation, and evaluation.

Our Focus
The Commission will strengthen its connection to African American and diasporic communities by building trust, fostering collaborative partnerships, and ensuring opportunities for consistent and inclusive engagement.

Our Plans
To facilitate our objective between 2026 and 2029, the Commission will:
- Adopt 15 Memorandums of Agreement with nonprofits, faith-based organizations, advocacy groups, membership groups, cultural organizations, and government agencies
- Host six Regional Listening Sessions across Omaha, Lincoln, and Greater Nebraska
- Sponsor ten Community Activities and Cultural Celebrations

The Commission’s Programs and Events Committee oversees community engagement. Its membership includes:
- Johnny Nesbit, Chair
- Clarice Jackson
- Ted Lampkin, LIMHP
- JoAnna LeFlore-Ejike
- Anthony McLeod
- Jason Roberts

Members of the Programs and Events Committee oversee our Community Sponsorship Grant, which provides limited funds to Nebraska organizations creating programs aligned with our strategic priorities.

Stay tuned for more information!