Parking info: Parking will be validated on the lot on 10th and Jackson St.
Activating Youth Power Summit 2022
Elevate Omaha, along with KANEKO and other community leaders, planned this event to equip participants with the skills needed to engage in the fight for our rights in the current political realities of this country and the State of Nebraska. Participants also had the opportunity to weave stronger networks, receive training on community organizing, and obtain advocacy strategies applied by young leaders through different training sessions. Check out our past speakers and photo gallery for a recap of the event!
September 10th, 2022 8:30am-3:30pm | Kaneko 1111 Jones St, Omaha, NE 68102
Featured Speakers
Keynote speakers
Brittany K. Barnett (she/her/hers)
Brittany K. Barnett is a best-selling author, attorney and entrepreneur who thrives at the intersection of hope, justice, and freedom. As a corporate attorney, Brittany was committed to pro bono representation of clients unjustly sentenced under federal drug laws. Her dedication to this life-changing work resulted in freedom for numerous people serving fundamental death sentences for federal drug offenses -- including seven clients who received executive clemency from President Barack Obama.
Jose Eduardo Alvarado (19) is currently a Junior at Texas A&M International University, studying Political Science/Pre-Law. Upon completion of his degree, Jose plans to attend law school where he will pursue Immigration Law in order to become an Immigration Attorney. As an aspiring lawyer and active member/officer of the Pre-Law Chapter at the university, he emphasized how the Carne y Arena experience impacted his career trajectory for the better.
ARANZA MARIA OBSCURA (she/her/hers)
Aranza Maria Obscura (23) serves as a Youth Program Advocate at Emerson Collective. In her role, she supports Emerson’s summer internship program and drives youth engagement for the Carne y Arena exhibit. Her passion is centered around creating opportunities for youth to become agents of change. Aranza is a first-generation graduate from Texas A&M International University where she earned a B.A. in English and Communication. During her time there, she mentored first-generation students both in the non-profit sector and at her university.
breakout room 1: advocacy toolkit
Description: Panelists will collaborate in providing a blueprint for young advocates to have different tools to advocate for themselves and the issues they care about.
ERIN COOPER
(SHE/HER)
Erin Cooper serves as the State & Federal Relations Coordinator for the University of Nebraska System. In her role, Cooper helps to build positive and productive relationships with the state and federal elected officials, their staff, and other policymakers.
She has worked on key initiatives such as executing the NU System’s legislative agenda, creating and coordinating the annual ‘I Love NU’ Day at the state capitol, and creating the NU System Student Advocacy Network to empower and elevate student leaders on all four campuses.
A native of Omaha, Nebraska, Erin holds a bachelor's degree in global studies from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and is currently pursuing her Master of Legal Studies Degree at the University of Nebraska College of Law.
GAB RIMA
(THEY/THEM)
Gab Rima is the Co-Founder and Education Lead at Strongly Worded Letters, an Omaha-based educational resource for civic engagement. Outside of their advocacy work, they are the full time Assistant Manager at Urban Abbey, a local coffee shop, book store, and progressive/inclusive United Methodist Church. In their free time, they enjoy writing poetry and enjoying Omaha’s local art scene.
RUBY MÉNDEZ-LÓPEZ
(SHE/HER/ELLA)
Ruby was raised in Crete, NE where she found her love for community. She has carried the love for the past decade working alongside community members statewide to fight for justice for all Nebraskans.
breakout room 2: climate change
Description: The purpose of this session is for speakers to educate young people about climate justice, share their experience working in the field and amplify various ways to get involved in the fight for climate justice. This is a three part session: education, Q+A and a sustainability activity.
GRAHAM CHRISTENSEN (He/Him/His)
Christensen is the Founder and President of GC Resolve, a communications and consulting company, who focuses on grassroots community development, mobilization, and education with an emphasis on environment and equality, and the creation of more resilient communities. Current projects under GC Resolve include educating and advocating for a change in the food production system to incorporate regenerative principles. Through these efforts, the RegeNErate Nebraska network was founded.
Christensen owns and operates a second business GC ReVOLT, a solar and alternative energy development company, and is the State Secretary and a Director for the Nebraska Farmers Union. Graham is still actively involved in operating Christensen Farms, Inc. with his family, where the Christensens are adopting regenerative principles on their farm.
JOEY GRUBER (SHE/HER)
Joey Gruber (She/Her) recently graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with degrees in Communication Studies and IT Innovation. Joey is very passionate about the environment and waste reduction. During her time at UNO, she advocated for composting on campus, the divestment of fossil fuels, free sustainable menstrual products for all students and more. In her free time, Joey enjoys being in nature, hanging with friends, and looking for the best vegan chicken & waffles.
Alicia mountain (SHE/HER)
Alicia Mountain, originally from Nebraska, is a first-generation college graduate and former student athlete. She has always been passionate about people and the planet, but only recently discovered how that would translate into a career. As an undergraduate student, she took an interest in environmental work while studying Biology. Alicia then enrolled in DU’s Environmental Policy and Management Master’s program and concentrated in energy and sustainability. It was during her time as a graduate research fellow that she learned and became passionate about the intersections of housing, justice, and environmental sustainability. Upon graduation, she took a job with National Wildlife Federation that allowed her to tap into her passions of helping people and protecting the planet.
breakout room 3: how systems fail youth
Description: This breakout session will discuss how systems (foster care, schools, mental-health clinics, housing) have failed youth, give audience a sense of awareness/empathy of how this issues have impacted their peers/community (humanizing the issue), and create a call to action to attendees.
TOMMIE DE LEON
(She/her/hers)
Tommie is a UNO student majoring in black studies and communications with a minor in Chicano/Latino studies. When she is not studying she likes to read social justice books and spend time with her cats.
MAEVE HEMMER (She/her/hers)
Maeve Hemmer (she/her) is a senior at UNO studying Political Science and minoring in Human Rights, Criminal Justice, and Sociology. During her senior year of high school, she took a criminal justice class where she had the opportunity to tour a Nebraska prison. This tour gave her an up-close look at the immense change that must happen if our goal is community healing and restoration. Through her time in college, she has become very involved in advocating for change in our criminal system and raising awareness around incarceration in Nebraska.
Maeve has a passion and vision for helping our community deliver transformative justice that supports people toward achieving and maintaining holistic wellbeing. She plans to attend law school and ultimately use her education and experiences to solve issues impacting Nebraskans.
TENA HAHN-RODRIGUEZ (She/her)
Tena (she/her) brings a full range of career experience to Black and Pink National as a DEI professional and educator. Her background as an entrepreneur, educator, and community organizer has made her one of the most recognizable people in Omaha. As co-founder of REVEL, Omaha’s only LGBTQIA2S+ safe social space and community fundraiser, Tena has focused her efforts to organize, support, and celebrate Omaha’s LGBTQIA2S+ community since the event’s inception in 2014. Tena’s career experience as a dance and fitness instructor made her an entrepreneur at the age of 32, and an educator to three generations of youngsters and countless active adults. A lover of music, movies, social media, and an avid reader, Tena’s non-profit career ranges from Program Associate to Business Development Manager, and Director of Strategic Partnerships. She hopes to bring her passion for young people, North Omaha, and trans and queer youth of color to this role. She lives in North Omaha with her wife Nannette, and two energetic rescue pups, Chewie and Roxy. Her child Jos is thriving in Baltimore, Maryland as a makeup artist. Tena is a native of Omaha, and a GLSEN board member. She was the former Entertainment Director for Heartland Pride and is also an AFAA certified trainer and a licensed Zumba, MixxedFit, CTY, and indoor cycling instructor.
MIAH SOMMER (He/him/his)
Miah Sommer is a social entrepreneur and the founder and Executive Director of Astute Coffee (formerly The Bike Union), a non-profit coffee shop that provides workforce development and life skills to youth who have been impacted by the foster care. Sommer grew up in Omaha where he currently resides with his wife Katie and their children Henry and Charlie.
breakout room 4: reproductive justice
Description: Attendees and facilitators will discuss how reproductive justice impacts young people and what they can do to advocate for themselves in the current political climate. The purpose of this breakout session is to empower young people to feel more comfortable asking questions and advocating for themselves, and create a safe space for open dialogue about the history of reproductive justice.
Dr. ERIN FEICHTINGER
(She/her)
Dr. Erin Feichtinger joined the Women’s Fund as Policy Director in May 2022. She brings her extensive experience working on policy to increase housing security, food security and economic security at both the local and state level. Dr. Feichtinger has worked on several successful policy initiatives including Omaha’s Rental Registration and Proactive Inspection Ordinance as well as legislation increasing tenant protections and access to justice, increasing access to SNAP and affordable childcare. Her most recent efforts to secure federal funding for rental assistance and legal representation for tenants in eviction court has resulted in increased housing stability for all Nebraskans.
Dr. Feichtinger has a degree in special education and a Ph.D. in history from Loyola University Chicago. She loves reading, research, music, learning the drums and spending time watching her daughter interact with the world.
KATE KOUGH
(She/her)
Kate Kough (she|her) is an educator with many roles, including at Planned Parenthood, UNO, and Midland University. At Planned Parenthood, She co-facilitates the Omaha Teen Council and provides education to the community through outreach and giving presentations. At UNO and Midland, she teaches Human Sexual Development, Gender Studies, and Sociology. Some of her favorite topics to teach are anatomy, LGBTQ+ topics, abortion, birth control, and adult sex ed. Before being an educator, she earned her Master’s in sociology at the UNO. She is most passionate about empowering people to seek the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their lives. In her free time, she likes to hang out with her cats and friends, cross stitch, and watch trash TV.
ANDREW ALEMAN (He/him)
Andrew Aleman, LCSW (He|Him|His) is the Deputy Director: People Power & National Partnerships for Black and Pink National and Principal Consultant for Andrew Aleman Consulting. Mr. Aleman’s work is based in dismantling systems of oppression and shifting power to those who are targets of these oppressive systems. His areas of expertise include: Supporting LGBTQ+ youth and young adults, mental health, case management, community engagement, supervision, domestic & sexual violence, as well as community based sexual health education and advocacy.
In response to his community-based work, Mr. Aleman has been recognized by his community with the 2018 Heartland Pride Brad Fuglei Impact Award, 2019 Young, Black, and Influential Award for Advocacy, 2019 Ten Outstanding Young Omahans Award, and 2021 Omaha Entertainment and Arts Award.
Mr. Aleman is honored to serve as an Executive Board Member for ACLU Nebraska, Nebraska Affiliate Board Representative for ACLU National, and Committee Member for GLSEN Omaha.
ALEXANDREA WaLKER (she/her)
Alexandrea Walker is a citizen of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. She is a student at UNO studying Native American Literature and Tribal Emergency Management. At UNO she is the President of Inter-Tribal Student Council. She is the Youth Organizer with Great Plains Action Society and has worked on topics like Missing Murdered Indigenous Relatives, Climate Justice, and GOTV efforts.
breakout room 5: the power of the political seat
Description: The purpose of this session is to better understand the role that both city council members and state representatives play in our everyday lives. We hope that participants will leave with a deeper understanding of the power these political seats hold and a desire to be more civically engaged with the knowledge of how to utilize their voting power for change.
SENATOR TERRELL MCKINNEY (LD11)
(HE/HIM)
Terrell McKinney is a father, State Senator representing District 11 in the Nebraska State Legislature, community organizer, activist, and wrestling coach within the North Omaha community. Before running for office, he worked as a community organizer focusing on food insecurity, Medicaid expansion, and various other community initiatives. Terrell holds a Bachelor of Science in Sport Business Management from Maryville University St Louis and a Master in Business Administration from Midland University. He is also currently attending Creighton University School of Law.
SOPHIE GRAEVE (she/her)
During the 2022 legislative session, Sophie interned for a Nebraska State Senator. She is currently a social worker with a passion for local advocacy. She wants to help empower people to get more involved in local politics!
SARAH JOHNSON
(SHE/HER)
Sarah Johnson (she/her) is a community activist, small business owner, and policy influencer from Omaha. She ran for Omaha City Council last year and just produced a documentary, The Women Who Ran, about the historic campaign cycle. She's moving out of state in the spring but will always call Omaha home and still pushes for progress here in the meantime.
Cammy Watkins (she/her)
Camellia “Cammy” Watkins is an Omaha native who graduated from Omaha South High School. She received a BA Degree from Cornell College in Psychology and Vocal Performance. Cammy has almost 20 years of experience working with not-for-profit organizations ranging from affordable housing to performing arts administration. The opportunity to work with many different facets of the business world have provided Cammy with vast insights into the business needs of organizations. She is excited to utilize this expertise to partner with various industries as they begin the journey of creating an inclusive office culture.
In her spare time Cammy performs in local productions with theaters and non-profit arts organizations and churches. Cammy is the proud aunt of 3 nephews and 1 niece. She also enjoys spending time with her mother who is her inspiration for hard work, dedication, and mindfulness.
breakout room 6: us + them: redlining and social division in omaha
Description: This breakout session will address the history and impact that redlining has caused and continues to have on a divided city of Omaha. Presenters will define redlining, share their experiences related to social division, and reflect on its impact in their lives and community. Participants will have the opportunity to generate ideas and solutions to address social division in Omaha.
BRIANNA FULL (She/Her)
Bri Full is a community organizer and the Advocacy Coordinator at Spark CDI who believes in a holistic approach to community and neighborhood health. As a self-described politics and policy nerd, she has a passion for empowering community members to engage with their local forms of government to influence what goes on in their neighborhoods.
PRESTON LOVE
(HE/HIM)
Preston Love Jr. (He/Him) is an expert speaker, lecturer, and writer shaping civil rights and African American history, economic policy, youth leadership development and all things voting (registration, rights, and campaigns). His passion for youth education has created award winning children’s books where he captivates the attention of children and teenagers on history and civic education.
ALEX O’HANLON
(SHE/HER)
Alex O'Hanlon is an active community member born and raised in Omaha, Ne. Alex works as an Engagement Manager at One Omaha where she supports other neighborhood organizers with help finding funding, creating partnerships with other organizers and thinking strategically. In her free time she works with other community members to address social inequality through creating long lasting change in joyful ways mostly through collective gardening projects and seed saving, but she also really likes eating, dancing and swimming.
