On Jan. 16, the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Medicine will once again honor the life and work of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., with a keynote presentation by Willie Barney, founder and president of the Empowerment Network.
The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held from noon to 1 p.m. in Clarkson Tower, Lower Storz Pavilion. Barney’s presentation is sponsored by UNMC and Nebraska Medicine.
For more than 25 years, Barney has worked in strategic planning, marketing, communications, community building and facilitation. In 2006 he launched the Empowerment Network, a collaborative of residents, leaders, and organizations working to improve the economic condition and quality of life for African-Americans, north Omaha residents and the greater Omaha area.
Barney graduated with a double major in economics and business administration from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa. A strong supporter of lifelong learning, he has continued his education through advanced leadership training including, the Summer Leadership Institute for Community Development at Harvard University and Executive Leadership and Management Training at the Northwestern University Media Center in Chicago.
He and his wife, Yolanda, have been married for 18 years and have two children. They are both actively involved as associate pastors and ministers in their church where they lead financial empowerment and community and economic development initiatives.
Food and beverages are available for the first 200 people. Keyboardist Nate Asad and drummer Billy Foeman Quartey will provide musical accompaniment.
Parking for off campus visitors is available in Lot 63, located at 40th and Marcy streets from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A shuttle will run between Clarkson Tower and Lot 63 from 11 a.m. to noon and again from 1 -2 p.m.
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