The Omaha Star brought "joy and happiness" with positive news about the black community. Positive role models were celebrated, families were honored, and individual accomplishments such as new jobs or graduation from high school or college were common features. The Omaha Star brought respect by reporting local and national news with black perspectives. The Omaha Star also encouraged its readers to become involved politically by voting.
During World War II, the Omaha Star asked challenging questions of their readers, like “What does it mean to be a citizen?” The paper encouraged full participation in war efforts.
A testimony to her accomplishments is easy to see in Omaha today. Mildred Brown was the first African American and one of only three women to be inducted into the Omaha Business Hall of Fame. And the Omaha Star is still operating under the leadership of Mildred's niece, Marguerita Washington. Mildred Brown died in 1989.
Mission Statement:
To help area students envision career possibilities in journalism and communications through educational programs and field trips, tutoring and mentoring, access to resources and inspirational archive materials and scholarship support.
Board Members: Dr. Gail Baker
Walter Brooks
Phyllis Hicks
Cynthia Gooch
John Heaston
Jim Nelson
LaTrina Parker
Dr. Marguerita Washington
Roberta Wilhelm
The purpose of the Mildred D. Brown Memorial Study Center:
The following are the purposes for the MBMSC has been established: to exist as a social, cultural, educational, non profit, and nonpolitical organization and to promote, encourage and support the education of the public and the instruction of individuals, regarding the history of Afro-American journalism in Nebraska and to foster understanding of the legacy of the Omaha Star, an African American newspaper published since July 1938 in Omaha, Nebraska, by providing educational programs and opportunities for research and support to students in journalism and education in Nebraska and elsewhere in the United States. Said organization is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes.
Objectives:
To maintain the historic records of The Omaha Star newspaper and related records of its founder, Mildred D. Brown
To foster the understanding of the importance The Omaha Star was and is to the community that it has traditionally served.
To receive and administer funds for the maintenance of the historic records of the Omaha Star and related records of its founder Mildred D. Brown.
To receive, acquire and hold real estate, personal property, gifts, donations, devises and bequests, for the benefit of the entity, except as restricted by Nebraska Law.
To make grants, donations and contributions to corporations, trusts, community chests, funds or foundations organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes.
Any decision that involves expending 50% or more of the MBMSC available budget must be approved by the Board of Directors with 2/3 or more of the votes in a wuorum meeting.
To establish educational programs and opportunities for research and support to students in journalism and education in order states. This communication must be maintained without jeopardizing the MBMSC’s nonpolitical nature and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any activities of any organization.
Mildred D. Brown