Today we celebrate the life and legacy of the honorable Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Last week, students across our city made homages to the memory of Dr. King, and developed a deeper understanding of our past, and our present. Omaha, being the most populous city in Nebraska, has a rich, heterogeneous culture that transcends the misunderstandings and superficialities of today.
Did you know that the Omaha Star newspaper was the first newspaper founded by an African American woman? How about the fact that another civil rights activist, Malcolm X, was born in Omaha at the nationally ranked University of Nebraska at Omaha Hospital in 1925?
Perhaps you've heard of the Underground Railroad? It is speculated that many of the early African Americans to Omaha arrived to Nebraska, and Omaha, via a part of the Underground Railroad located in Nebraska City.
How can you get involved in the celebration? Omaha has numerous events going on today, and year-round. Celebrate diversity, tolerance, and understanding. Educate yourself, your children, and your family for a better future, engaging present, and remembrance of the past.
Get involved today:
- Beginning at 9 a.m.: Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service 2013 :: Blessed Sacrament
- 11:30 a.m. - 29th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Luncheon :: The Omaha Hilton Hotel
- 3:30 p.m. - MLK Peace Walk :: Omaha Central High School
- 4 p.m. - Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Ceremony :: Creighton University
Tomorrow:
- 7 p.m. - Free Viewing of the Documentary Precious Knowledge :: Aksarben Cinema
Get involved year-round:
- Visit the Malcolm X memorial
- Visit the Mayhew Cabin -- Experience history at Nebraska's only nationally recognized underground railroad historic site.
- Visit the Love Jazz and Art Center -- Love’s Jazz & Arts Center (LJAC) is unique in that it is the only facility in the region to offer comprehensive African American arts exhibits, performance-based arts, cultural and historical preservation and archives of the contributions of African Americans, and African American based arts education.
- Visit El Museo Latio -- The first Latino art, history museum and cultural center in the Midwest.
- Get involved with the African Cultural connection - Encouraging people to increase their knowledge of African culture, using traditional African arts that relate to the values and principles of traditional African society and life.
- Get involved in the Empowerment Network -- Empowerment Network Mission: To transform the City of Omaha into a great city, thriving and prosperous, where all citizens are engaged and empowered and have full access to the incredible opportunities that are available in Omaha.
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