One of the biggest challenges that the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) finds each year is that communities are oftentimes disengaged once the month of February is over. Companies and communities alike need to be engaged with the Black community, history and culture to be the best ally possible.
As Daniel Boyd, COO of the DREAM Organization here in Omaha states, “Making a difference in any community can be a catch 22. We see so many success stories, but we also see some of our youth grow and 'fall between the cracks.' Some fall so deep that they end up in positions that we all wish we could have done a little bit more for that kid. Those moments serve as motivation to continue down this path. We know we can't save them all, but we can keep trying!”
As companies, nonprofits, mentorship programs, such as DREAM, continue to develop new programs and change the inner city communities to provide a safer, better space, it is our mission to continue to help develop these programs with funding and support.
If 2020 taught us anything as a community, it is that we need to stand up and support one another, during the good, the bad, and even the uglytimes, and one of the ways to do this is through spotlighting local black-owned businesses during the month of February and the rest of the year.
At Omaha Media Group, we are proud to work with several black-owned nonprofits in our community that help foster positive and safe spaces for young children and teens and provide them with new opportunities.
One that we work closely with and support through school-drives, their annual fundraiser and other charitable ways is DREAM Organization and Warren Academy!
Steve Warren, the Founder and CEO of DREAM and Warren Academy, shares why he started this organization, “When we started DREAM and Warren Academy there were not very many not for profit organizations doing what we do. It’s been an incredible journey and we are proud of our growth and the work we have done. To be able to support so many young people that look like us has been priceless.”
The next time you are searching for a new nonprofit to donate to, consider some of these down below, the next time you are searching for a new restaurant, do a bit of research.
Here is a list that we gathered together of some businesses to support all year long because Black history is 365 days, not 28 days a year. #StrongTogether
Restaurants and Drinks
- Okra African Grill
- Best Burger
- Boiling Claws
- Crumb Cakes Bakery
- JuJu’sVegan Cajun and Creole Cuisine
- Krab Kings
- Mixins Rolled Ice Cream
- Dripped + Draped
