The Omaha City Council held a public hearing on an ordinance to approve an agreement with the African American Empowerment Network (AAEN) for $1,057,287, drawn from a federal community-based violence intervention and prevention grant.

Willie Barney, CEO and founder of the Empowerment Network, and Nadia Spurlock, the network’s community engagement and fund development specialist, described the award as a capacity‑building investment intended to send 85% of the Network’s allocation to local grassroots organizations that provide street-level intervention, case management and prevention work. Barney said the grant will support ‘‘building capacity, hopefully, maybe hire someone, a part time person’’ for administration and that the Empowerment Network is partnering with multiple grassroots groups already engaged in North Omaha.

Speakers from partner organizations, including Roscoe Wallace of Vibe Healing, said the funds target community-led providers who have operated with limited resources and strong local trust. The council asked several detailed questions about how the money will be spent, hiring timelines and data management:
- Administration: Councilmembers noted the agenda attachment lists $50,000 for an administrative coordinator; Barney said that position had not been filled and would be posted through an open hiring process if the council approves the agreement.
- Data/evaluation: The grant includes a $65,000 line item for data management and evaluation; Barney said the Empowerment Network plans to contract with an external vendor to build longitudinal measurement capacity and to help community partners track outcomes.
- Direct services and partners: Barney said about 85% of the award is allocated to grassroots partners and cited organizations that have been involved in the collaborative (examples mentioned in testimony included ViBe Healing, Visionary Lion and others). He said partners ‘‘work citywide’’ but that the initial emphasis is on North Omaha, and that programs are designed to be neighborhood‑ and person‑driven rather than strictly geographic.

During the hearing several residents and community advocates supported the initiative, calling it an overdue investment in grassroots violence‑prevention work. Other residents — including Ben Salazar and others representing South Omaha interests — urged the city and the Empowerment Network to clarify how Latino residents and South Omaha organizations will be included and to publish a partner list and outreach plan. Council members asked the Network to provide a partner roster and more specifics on outreach, and the Network agreed to provide that information before the council’s final vote.

The public hearing closed without a recorded final vote on the ordinance at this meeting. Councilmembers indicated they will expect additional documentation (partner list, hiring timeline and outreach plan) before final action.

No ordinance vote was recorded on the transcript; the item remains pending final council action.