“It is important that we have a voice for our community”

TRANSCRIPT OF THE MISSION:

I’m Melissa Wright from north Omaha, where Nebraska’s first black-owned newspaper is not only still publishing, but is celebrating 86 years of positive reporting while preparing for a big move.

The Omaha Star, a fixture in north Omaha, has been in the community since 1938.

“In all our 86 years … we have never missed a release. And we’re not going to start now,” said Terri Sanders.

Terri Sanders, the fifth black woman to serve as editor of the Omaha Star, says her company is more than a newspaper.

“It’s important that we have a voice for our community… because without a voice… you get lost. That’s not possible.”

The focus of this paper is on …

“We cover the positive things in the news and the accomplishments of the community. As I mentioned before … graduates from fifth grade all the way up to college. We talk about who wrote a book … who’s new to Omaha … welcome here,” Sanders said.

Operated by a small team, the Omaha Star on historic 24th Street will soon look different.

“Not only is the newspaper’s office in this building, but behind the office … are Mrs. Brown’s living quarters, which are still intact … her whipped cream … the dressing table is still missing,” Sanders said.

The museum was founded to educate and motivate future generations and the community.

“Showcase black journalism, and that’s what the museum will focus on: black journalism and, of course, the story of Mrs. Brown in the background.”

Terri Sanders tells me that plans to convert the current space into a museum are expected to be completed by summer 2025.