Omaha council hears plan to direct $1.06 million federal violence-prevention grant to Empowerment Network

The Omaha City Council on Monday heard a public presentation from the African American Empowerment Network on a proposed agreement to administer $1,057,287 in federal Community Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative grant funds to community-based organizations.

Willie Barney, CEO and founder of the Empowerment Network, said the award is intended to build capacity at grassroots organizations that provide violence-intervention and prevention services. "I respectfully urge the council to continue moving this funding forward," Barney said.

Nadia Spurlock, the network's community engagement, policy and fund-development specialist, described two years of planning and emphasized that much of the money will flow to neighborhood groups. "This moment should be a point of celebration. It is years in the making and long overdue," Spurlock said, adding that over 85% of the…