Black History in Omaha

Following are some of the articles I’ve researched and written related directly to Black history in Omaha. When I share these on social media, I use the tag #omahablackhistory. See the author’s note at the end of this article for additional details.

Summary Articles about African Americans in Omaha

1. Fast Facts About African Americans in Omaha
2. Black Heritage Sites in Omaha
3. African American Firsts in Omaha
4. African American Politics
5. Businesses Owned by African Americans in Omaha
6. Notable African American Women in Omaha
7. Black Schools in Omaha
8. Black Hotels in Omaha

Civil Rights, Black Power and Social Justice in Omaha

1. Citizens Civic Committee for Civil Liberties, or 4CL
2. Black Association for Nationalism Through Unity (BANTU)
3. Omaha DePorres Club
4. Omaha’s Black Panthers
5. Omaha Urban League, Urban League of Nebraska
6. NAACP Youth Council
7. Omaha NAACP Chapter
8. Emancipation Day and Juneteenth in Omaha
9. Lake-Charles Community Organization

Significant Black History Events in Omaha

1. Omaha Civil Rights Movement
2. The Murder of Vivian Strong
3. The Lynching of George Smith
4. The Lynching of Will Brown
5. Mob Terrorism in Omaha
6. Timeline of Race and Racism
7. Redlining
8. North Omaha Riots
9. Jack Johnson Riots
10. An Unsolved Murder in North Omaha
11. “Framed: J. Edgar Hoover, COINTELPRO and the Omaha Two Story” a series by Michael Richardson
12. Omaha’s “Black Mayor”
13. Stone Soul Picnic

Black Community Leaders in Omaha

1. Community Leaders
2. A Biography of Malcolm X in Omaha
   • Malcolm X Park
   • Malcolm X Birthsite
   • Malcolm X Day
3. Beverly Blackburn
4. Elizabeth Pittman
5. Silas Robbins
6. George Wells Parker
7. Rev. Dr. John Albert Williams
8. Mondo we Langa (David Rice) and Edward Poindexter
9. Eugene Skinner
10. Mildred Brown
11. Dan Desdunes
12. Lucinda Williams
13. Dr. Marguerita Washington
14. ‘Cap’ Clarence Wigington
15. Dr. Rodney S. Wead
16. Harry Buford, Jack Broomfield, and Billy Crutchfield
17. Harrison J. Pinkett
18. Anna R. Woodbey
19. Jessie Hale-Moss
20. Nathaniel Hunter
21. Bertha Calloway

Black Business People in Omaha

1. Black Businesspeople in Omaha
2. George P. Johnson
3. Helen Mahammitt
4. Alfred Jones
5. Jim Bell
6. James Jewell and Jimmy Jewell, Jr.
7. Paul B. Allen
8. Charlie Hall

Black Politics in Omaha

1. People from North Omaha History
2. North Omaha’s African American Legislators
3. Omaha’s “Black Mayor”
4. Justin Wayne
5. Tanya Cook
6. Brenda Council
7. Ernie Chambers
8. George Althouse
9. Edward Danner
10. Rev. John Adams, Sr.
11. John Adams, Jr.
12. Johnny Owens
13. Dr. Aaron McMillan
14. Ferdinand Barnett
15. Dr. John A. Singleton, DDS
16. Dr. Matthew Ricketts
17. Edwin R. Overall
18. Amos P. Scruggs

Black Nonprofits in Omaha

1. Beverly Blackburn and the JFK Rec Center
2. Near North YMCA
3. Colored Old Folks Home
4. Gene Eppley North Omaha Boys Club
5. Bryant Resource Center
6. Run, Johnny Run Youth Center
7. Omaha Colored Commercial Club
8. Negro Women’s Christian Association of Omaha, aka Near North Side YWCA
9. Wesley House

Black Sports in Omaha History

1. Omaha Rockets Independent Black Baseball Team
2. Omaha Colored Baseball League
3. A History of North Omaha’s Red Dot Athletic Club
4. A History of the Midwest Athletic Club

Black Hospitals in Omaha History

1. Segregated Hospitals in Omaha
2. People’s Hospital
3. Salvation Army Women’s Hospital
4. Provident Hospital

Black Movie Theaters in Omaha History

1. Diamond Theater
2. Lothrop Theater
3. Ames Theater
4. The Ritz Theater
5. Alhambra Theater

Black Social Halls and Clubs in Omaha History

1. Druid Hall and the Prince Hall Masons
2. The Elks Hall and Iroquois Lodge #92
3. Midwest Athletic Club

Black Churches in Omaha History

1. Historic Black Churches in North Omaha
2. Zion Baptist Church
3. St. Benedict’s Church
4. St. Philip the Deacon Episcopal Church
5. Mount Moriah Baptist Church
6. Bethel AME Church
7. Cleaves Temple CME
8. Hillside Presbyterian Church
9. New Bethel COGIC
10. Mt. Calvary Community Church
11. Calvin Memorial Presbyterian Church
12. Hope Lutheran Church
13. St. John’s AME Church
14. Immanuel Baptist Church

Black Public Places in Omaha History

1. North 24 Street, aka “The Deuce”
2. Segregated Schools in Omaha
3. Tech High School 
4. The Old Carter Lake
5. Malcolm X Memorial Park aka Kountze Park
6. North High School
7. Monmouth Park School
8. Lake School
9. Howard Kennedy School
10. A History of Public Housing in North Omaha
11. Spencer Street Public Housing Projects
12. Logan Fontenelle Public Housing Projects
13. Hilltop Public Housing Projects
14. Pleasantview Public Housing Projects
15. Kellom Swimming Pool

Black Businesses, Iconic North Omaha Businesses, and Black Spending in Omaha History

1. Black-Owned Hotels
2. Skeet’s Barbeque
3. KOWH, North Omaha’s Black-Owned Radio Station
4. Bus Garage/Streetcar Shop at North 26th and Lake Streets
5. Carter Lake Amusement Park
6. Blue Lion Center
7. Carter Bank – Carter Savings and Loan Association
8. Webster Telephone Exchange Building
9. Duffy Drugs
10. Carter Lake Ballroom
11. Lane Drug Stores
12. Carnation Ballroom
13. Dreamland Ballroom
14. The Off-Beat
15. King Solomon’s Mines
16. Jim Bell’s Club Harlem
17. Allens’ Showcase Lounge
18. The Stage II Lounge

Black Newspapers in Omaha History

1. African American Newspapers
   1. The Omaha Star
   2. The Monitor
   3. The New Era
   4. Lake Charles Action
   5. Omaha Whip
   6. The Omaha Guide

Black Restaurants, Diners and Cafes in Omaha History

1. Carter’s Cafe
2. Tic Toc Diner
3. Live Wire Cafe
4. Reeds Ice Cream
5. Fair Deal Cafe – Omaha’s “Black City Hall”
6. Hillcrest

Historic Black Neighborhoods in Omaha History

1. Kellom Heights
2. 24th Street
3. Near North Side
4. 24th and Lake Historic District
5. 24th and Lake
6. Kountze Place
7. 30th and Ames
8. Saratoga
9. 16th and Locust
10. 20th and Lake

Black Heritage Sites, Locations, Places and Markers

1. Omaha Black Heritage Sites
2. A Tour of the Omaha Civil Rights Movement

Other Omaha Black History Topics

1. Bertha Calloway’s talent shows
2. The Show Wagon in the parks
3. The popcorn man
4. The hot tamale man
5. The Bookmobile
6. Street corner doo-wop groups in North O
7. Kellogg’s Gas Station on North 24 Street
8. Phillips Gas Station on 30th Street
9. Hinky-Dinky Store at 24th and Lake Street
10. Former Charles Street Public Housing Projects
11. Safeway Stores
12. Pigley Wigley Stores
13. The Snack Stop
14. Merritt Drug Store at North 24th and Charles Street
15. The record store at North 24th and Charles Street
16. The Ritz Cab Company
17. “Jit-Nies” underground cabs
18. Cross Town Pawn Shop
19. Fried Fish Sandwiches at North 24th and Spencer Street
20. Tastee Freeze on North 30th Street
21. The Christ Child Center talent shows
22. Metoyers Bar-B-Que
23. Storz Beer Company on North 16th Street
24. Voyal Watson
25. Corby Park
26. CoCa-Cola Plant at North 30th and Spencer
27. Green Hill (aka Bedford Hill) on North 30th Street
28. Lothrop Drug Store at North 24th & Lothrop Streets
29. Slim Jenkins Place dances at North 16th and Lothrop
30. Teen Holiday dances at North 24th & Corby Streets
31. Mr. Corbin’s Popsicles
32. Parades
33. Dog House Bar on North 16th Street
34. Ritz Cab Company
35. Ritz Theater
36. The Snack Stop
37. McDonalds “After School” (24th & Cumming)
38. Merritt Drug Store (24th & Charles)
39. Anna’s Record Store (24th & Charles)
40. Big Jim.s Pool Parlor
41. Jitney Cab Stand & Rides
42. Bob Gibson’s Nightclub (Mr. G’s)
43. American Legion (Dances)
44. The Show Wagon (Talent Shows)
45. Myers’s Funeral Home
46. Thomas Funeral Home
47. Safeway Supermarket
48. Al’s Store (25th & Bristol)
49. Horace Mann Jr High
50. Lothrop Grade School
51. Central High
52. South High
53. Lothrop Drug Store
54. Nevelle’s Variety Store
55. Spencer Barbershop aka (Goodwin’s Barbershop With Ernie Chambers)
56. United Cab Company
57. Ritz Cab Company
58. Tuxedo Pool Parlor
59. Beacon Theater
60. Coca-Cola Plant (30th & Spencer)
61. Green Hill (aka Bedford Hill)
62. Dairy Queen
63. Spencer Shoe Shop (24th & Spencer)
64. Joe’s Fish Sandwiches (24th & Spencer)
65. Hinky Dinky Supermarket
66. Littlefield’s Beauty Shop (24th & Spencer)
67. Voyal Watson Beauty Salon
68. Bud Holiday’s Teen Holiday Center (24th & Corby)
69. Corby Park
70. Dr. Hawkins Office
71. Dr. Johnson Office
72. Joe’s Drive In
73. Miller Park Swimming Pool
74. Corbin’s Store & Popsicles (27th Maple Street)
75. Omar Bread & Bakery
76. Mildred’s Sandwich Shop
77. Irene’s Cafe
78. Beal’s Diner
79. the Ice Man
80. Bob’s Cafe
81. Sacred Heart School
82. Goodrich Ice-cream
83. Christ Child Center
84. Salem Baptist Church
85. Mount Calvary
86. Pilgrim Baptist Church
87. Rising Star Baptist
88. St John Baptist
89. McGills Blue Room Bar
90. Bali Hi Bar
91. M&M Bar
92. Crosstown Bar
93. Beacon Theater
94. Airport Drive-In
95. Peter Plenty Ice-Cream Truck
96. Mister Softie Ice-Cream Truck.
97. The Book Mobile
98. The Wirt Street TV Repair Shop
99. Al’s Bar 24th & Spencer
100. Omaha Ramblers Black Baseball Team
101. Allen’s Record Store
102. Federal Market
103. DeWitt’s Restaurant
104. Burdette Field
105. Peterson’s Bakery
106. Crosstown Cleaners
107. Crosstown Pawn Shop
108. Mickey’s Lounge
109. Apex Bar
110. Dailey’s Liquor Store
111. Elks Drill Teams
112. 24 Street Parades
113. Merritt Drug Store (24th & Charles)
114. Franklin School
115. Dorothy Eure

Would you like to see more Black history articles on NorthOmahaHistory.com? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Author’s Note: Hi, my name is Adam and I’m a white guy who grew up in North Omaha. While I was growing up, my mentors included Idu Maduli and Von Trimble, Sr. and Rev. Helen Saunders, as well as many other people. These caring, concerned adults made sure I knew that the community’s history was more than what I learned at North High School or McMillan Junior High, or from the Omaha World-Herald and other media. They taught me about things, people, events, places and organizations that mattered to African American history in Omaha, as well as Omaha’s history in general and national history. I don’t have any special or unique knowledge, and a lot is missing from my stories. Please share the truth, details, facts, and your other information in the comments below. Thank you.

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You Might Like…

• History of North Omaha, Part 1
• History of North Omaha, Part 2
• North Omaha History Timeline

MY ARTICLES ABOUT CIVIL RIGHTS IN OMAHA
General: History of Racism | Timeline of Racism
Events: Juneteenth | Malcolm X Day | Congress of White and Colored Americans | George Smith Lynching | Will Brown Lynching | North Omaha Riots | Vivian Strong Murder | Jack Johnson Riot
Issues: African American Firsts in Omaha | Police Brutality | North Omaha African American Legislators | North Omaha Community Leaders | Segregated Schools | Segregated Hospitals | Segregated Hotels | Segregated Sports | Segregated Businesses | Segregated Churches | Redlining | African American Police | African American Firefighters | Lead Poisoning
People: Rev. Dr. John Albert Williams | Edwin Overall | Harrison J. Pinkett | Vic Walker | Joseph Carr | Rev. Russel Taylor | Dr. Craig Morris | Mildred Brown | Dr. John Singleton | Ernie Chambers | Malcolm X
Organizations: Omaha Colored Commercial Club | Omaha NAACP | Omaha Urban League | 4CL (Citizens Coordinating Committee for Civil Rights) | DePorres Club | Omaha Black Panthers | City Interracial Committee | Providence Hospital | American Legion | Elks Club | Prince Hall Masons | BANTU
Related: Black History | African American Firsts | A Time for Burning

MY ARTICLES ABOUT THE HISTORY OF OMAHA’S NEAR NORTH SIDE
GROUPS: Black People | Jews and African Americans | Jews | Hungarians | Scandinavians | Chinese | Italians
EVENTS: Redlining | North Omaha Riots | Stone Soul Picnic | Native Omaha Days Festival
BUSINESSES: Club Harlem | Dreamland Ballroom | Omaha Star Office | 2621 North 16th Street | Calhoun Hotel | Warden Hotel | Willis Hotel | Broadview Hotel | Carter’s Cafe | Live Wire Cafe | Fair Deal Cafe | Metoyer’s BBQ | Skeet’s | Storz Brewery | 24th Street Dairy Queen | 1324 N. 24th St. | Ritz Theater | Alhambra Theater | 2410 Lake Street | Carver Savings and Loan Association | Blue Lion Center | 9 Center Variety Store
CHURCHES: St. John’s AME Church | Zion Baptist Church | Mt. Moriah Baptist Church | St. Philip Episcopal Church | St. Benedict Catholic Parish | Holy Family Catholic Church | Bethel AME Church | Cleaves Temple CME Church
HOMES: A History of | Logan Fontenelle Housing Projects | The Sherman | The Climmie | Ernie Chambers Court aka Strelow Apartments | Hillcrest Mansion | Governor Saunders Mansion | Memmen Apartments
SCHOOLS: Kellom | Lake | Long | Cass Street | Izard Street | Dodge Street
ORGANIZATIONS: Red Dot Athletic Club | Omaha Colored Baseball League | Omaha Rockets | YMCA | Midwest Athletic Club | Charles Street Bicycle Park | DePorres Club | NWCA | Elks Hall and Iroquois Lodge 92 | American Legion Post #30 | Bryant Resource Center | People’s Hospital | Bryant Center
NEIGHBORHOODS: Long School | Logan Fontenelle Projects | Kellom Heights | Conestoga | 24th and Lake | 20th and Lake | Charles Street Projects
INDIVIDUALS: Edwin Overall | Rev. Russel Taylor | Rev. Anna R. Woodbey | Rev. Dr. John Albert Williams | Rev. John Adams, Sr. | Dr. William W. Peebles | Dr. Craig Morris | Dr. John A. Singleton, DDS | Dr. Aaron M. McMillan | Mildred Brown | Dr. Marguerita Washington | Eugene Skinner | Dr. Matthew O. Ricketts | Helen Mahammitt | Cathy Hughes | Florentine Pinkston | Amos P. Scruggs | Nathaniel Hunter | Bertha Calloway
OTHER: 26th and Lake Streetcar Shop | Webster Telephone Exchange Building | Kellom Pool | Circus Grounds | Ak-Sar-Ben Den

Elsewhere Online

• Great Plains Black History Museum
• Making Invisible Histories Visible–A project of Omaha Public Schools led by high school age historians
• Urban League of Nebraska Black History Month
• Blackpast.org–An online reference center makes available a wealth of materials on African American history in one central location on the Internet.
• “Creating the color line and confronting Jim Crow: Civil rights in middle America: 1850-1900” by David Peavler for the University of Kansas in 2008.
• Great Plains Black History Museum Archival Collection Refurbishing Project
• The Omaha Gospel Complex In Historical Perspective by Tom Jack for the College of Saint Mary in Summer 2000.
• In the world but not of the world: A church’ s relation to its environment by James Earl Floyd for the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 8/1975.
• An Analysis of Negro Ritualistic ceremonies as Exemplified by Negro Organizations in Omaha by Ida Madonna Rowland for University of Omaha on 5/16/1938.

BONUS PICS