By Denise Valdez-Alvarez
The Omaha Star is expanding its legacy with the development of the Omaha Star Park and the Omaha Star Museum, projects designed to honor founder Mildred D. Brown and educate future generations.
The park will feature historical elements, including a bust of Brown and a state of Nebraska historical monument for the DePorres Club. Brown’s apartment, located behind the operational offices, will become a house museum. The park is expected to open to the public this summer, said Terri Sanders, CEO of the Omaha Star Institute and publisher of the paper.
“Prior to this construction, it was a newspaper office. But people would still come in and I would still talk to them, and school children would come in and I would still give them the background, the update, and what the Omaha Star is,” said Sanders.
A bust of Mildred D. Brown at the Omaha Star Park in North Omaha, Neb., Feb. 26, 2026
Founded in 1938, the Omaha Star has served the community for 88 years. Brown, a Black pioneer journalist and civil rights activist co-founded the paper to uplift African American voices and empower readers.
Sanders said she continues Brown’s legacy by emphasizing the paper’s role as a community institution.
The Omaha Star preserves its historical significance through publications focused on positive community news.
“It is the good news. It’s not about what caught on fire, not who the police chased, or anything like that,” said Sanders.
As the only remaining African American newspaper in Nebraska, the Omaha Star also serves as an education resource for the community.
Ciara Lee Blackstone, co-founder and chief marketing officer at Knobbl, said the paper dedicates a section of the newspaper to educational opportunities and youth engagement.
The Omaha Star sign in North Omaha, Neb., Feb. 26, 2026
“Whether that be scholarships or grants that are coming out, or if we have a columnist speaking towards education or something simple as crossword puzzles or you know kids games that readers can participate in,” said Blackstone.
The paper is also working to attract young readers while maintaining a digital presence. New developments to their website will allow the paper to upload videos and multimedia content. The creation of the Omaha Star App will allow readers to get their news updates digitally.
“I’m excited to see how our engagement from the Millennials and GenZers increases with the use of the app,” said Blackstone.
