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BLACK MEN
UNITED / NANOSO



We broadcast diversity!™

OMAHA Local Organizing Committee

Black Men United (BMU) was formed in February 2003 to enhance the performance of existing organization within the Black community. The BMU operates as a "think tank" by providing a space where representatives of various organizations can share their missions, ideals, actions and events amongst other participating organizations. The BMU will provide existing organizations a "networking vehicle" where they may share information, resources, ideals, and/or personnel to support their initiatives and/or to challenge problems within the community. Despite the name, the participants have represented a diversity of leadership within the Black community.

On February 26, 2005, North Omaha activist and founder of BMU, Willie Hamilton, held a community forum at Skinner Magnet School. This meeting was called to establish a better working relationship between local elected officials and the community. Discussed topics included the empowering of the communities, by challenging educational issues, the lack of access to resources, and what strategies that should be implemented to better overcome these needs.

Invited guests were Mayor Mike Fahey, Omaha Public Schools Superintendent, John Mackiel, Omaha Police Chief, Thomas Warren, NAACP Tommie Wilson, Police Auditor, Tristan Bonn and various community leaders.

On October 29, 2005, a second community forum was held at the OPS Teacher Administration Center. A variety of topics were discussed including the “One City, One School District” issue and it's implications for the North Omaha community. At the conclusion of the second community forum many participants felt again there was a lively discussion on various topics, but no immediate concrete solutions to empower the residents of North Omaha.

By December 2005, Mr. Hamilton led supporters by providing support to Katrina survivors by providing community resources, referrals and emergency bedding. Hamilton and supporters became advocates for the Katrina victims to assure their successful adjustments to the Omaha community.

After nearly one year’s worth of development, Mr. Hamilton and his political partners began the next step towards effective civic engagement. The Native American North Omaha & South Omaha Coalition (NANOSO) for Latino voters was formed. Willie Hamilton (voted chairman) held subsequent follow-up meetings to draft a strategy to address specific goals in relation to voter education and to increase voter turnout. With the failures of local elected leadership, the coalition of Black & Latino voters will be seeking to develop in the next 3 years – a shared plan of endorsing and developing candidates based on the continued development of their local agendas through an open democratic process.

Upcoming Event
State of Emergency
National Stop the
Violence Conference
at UNO on March 20 - 23

To download the
"Sponsor Packet,"
click here.

For more information,
contact: Willie Hamilton
at 402-612-7059.

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