Freedomtainment — #OmahaFreedomFestival

By: R. Nelson, A student at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, as part of Heather Nelson’s Service Learning Academy class.  What is Juneteenth? Juneteenth celebrates the ending of slavery in the United States. President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on June 1, 1863. Although the Emancipation Proclamation was signed on June 1st, Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19th because it was on that very day Texas, the last state agreed to end slavery.  History of Slavery in Nebraska Nebraska became a territory in 1854, and during that year, the “Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed the Nebraska Territorial Legislature to decide whether slavery should be legal...

By: Grace King, A student at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, as part of Heather Nelson’s Service Learning Academy class.  North Omaha is home to over 100 different churches. Whether you are affiliated with a religion or not, it is clear to see that churches are what bring communities together. North Omaha hasbeautiful churches that are still standing and still running today after more than 100 years! The Uniqueness of North Omaha's Churches A unique thing about North Omaha’s churches is that many of the early churches were built to cater to the different ethnic groups at the time. For example, Italian, German,...

By: Chakera J. Hough, A student at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, as part of Heather Nelson’s Service Learning Academy class.  Music has always been a form of expression that people have used to escape the reality of the real world. Getting lost in the rhythm of a song seems to be a form of healing for many people, especially the African American residents of North Omaha. The beautiful history that shapes the music of North Omaha has been enriched by African American culture for over 170 years. From jazz bands to church choirs, to orchestras, and much more, the power African Americans...

By: A student at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, as part of Heather Nelson’s Service Learning Academy class.

No matter how much you learn, it is difficult to understand the traditional culture and values ​​of the area. Due to the difficulty of adapting to its history and thinking, modern people prefer the latest trends and national cuisine. In my opinion, music is the only thing that can be loved regardless of time, history, or place. Even now, the old way of thinking has not changed, and a lot of music has been loved over time and is connecting with people's hearts. Jazz, which is still enjoyed by many people, attracted attention in North Omaha a long time ago. A number of well-known artists visited and performed, and the African Americans of North Omaha demonstrated their diverse talents.