Omaha Star facts for kids
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| Type | Weekly newspaper |
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| Format | Tabloid |
| Owner(s) | Terri D. Sanders |
| Publisher | Terri D. Sanders |
| Founded | July 9, 1938 |
| Language | English |
| Headquarters | 2216 N 24th St Omaha, NE 68110 |
| Circulation | 30,000 |
The Omaha Star is a newspaper that started in 1938. It was founded in North Omaha, Nebraska, by Mildred Brown and her husband S. Edward Gilbert. The newspaper is located in the historic Omaha Star building in the Near North Side neighborhood. Today, the Omaha Star is the only African-American newspaper still running in Omaha. It might even be the only newspaper in the United States ever started by an African-American woman.
Contents
The Story of The Omaha Star
Starting a Newspaper
The very first issue of The Omaha Star came out on July 9, 1938. It was printed at their offices on N. 24th Street in North Omaha. Five thousand copies were made and sold for just ten cents each. The newspaper's main message was "Joy and Happiness." It shared positive news about the black community in North Omaha, Nebraska. The Star celebrated African-American families, role models, and achievements. It quickly became a very important part of the North Omaha community. By 1945, it was the only black newspaper left in Omaha, which is Nebraska's biggest city.
Making a Difference
In the 1950s, The Omaha Star became well-known across the country. It shared the views of the Omaha African-American community on local and national news. The paper encouraged its readers to vote and to run for public office. The DePorres Club, an early youth-led civil rights group in Omaha, met at The Omaha Star offices. This happened in the early 1950s after Creighton University asked them to leave its campus.
Mildred Brown, as the publisher, used her influence to help black people get better jobs. She encouraged advertisers to hire black employees for more positions. Her reporting on civil rights and important events in the 1960s earned her praise from President Lyndon Johnson.
New Leadership and Continuing the Legacy
Mildred Brown passed away in 1989. Her niece, Dr. Marguerita Washington, then took over the newspaper. Dr. Washington led the Star until her own death in 2016. In 2019, the Mildred D. Brown Memorial Study Center bought the newspaper's assets. The Omaha Star continues to be published every week, both in print and online.
The Omaha Star Today
Reaching Many Readers
Today, The Omaha Star prints about 30,000 copies. It is sent to 48 different states. A survey from 2001 found that each copy of the paper was read about six times before it was thrown away. In its more than 85-year history, The Omaha Star has never missed printing an edition. Omaha jazz legend Preston Love worked for the Star as an advertising specialist before he passed away.
A Historic Building
In spring 2006, the newspaper's building was named an Omaha Landmark by the City of Omaha. In January 2007, the Omaha City Council gave a grant to The Omaha Star. This money was used to help remodel the building. The Star building is in an important area for business and community growth in North Omaha.
Marguerita Washington, who was the owner and publisher, worked with Metropolitan Community College. They created a special park next to the Star office. This park, called the "Mildred Brown Strolling Park," honors Mildred Brown. Students from Metropolitan Community College started working on the park's landscaping in 2007.
Current Leadership
In 2020, Terri D. Sanders became the new publisher of The Omaha Star. She is the mother of Symone Sanders. Terri D. Sanders bought the newspaper in June 2023.
Awards and Recognition
- In 1996, The Omaha Star was added to the Omaha Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame.
- The newspaper also received the Golden Spike Award. This award recognizes businesses that have greatly helped Omaha's economy.
- In 2007, Dr. Marguerita Washington started the Mildred D. Brown Memorial Study Center. This non-profit organization gives scholarships to journalism students. It is located at The Omaha Star building.
The Omaha Star is a member of the National Newspapers Publishers Association.
- In 2008, the Omaha Star building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This was because of its important role in the civil rights movement.
See also
- History of North Omaha, Nebraska
- List of newspapers in the United States
