Great Plains Black History Museum Celebrates 50 Years and Future Growth

Story by Josefina Loza

Today, Lozafina had the privilege of joining a sold-out crowd at The Venue at Highlander as the Great Plains Black History Museum celebrated an incredible milestone: 50 years of preserving, protecting, and sharing Black history across Nebraska and the Great Plains.

Founded in 1976 by the visionary Bertha Calloway, the museum has spent five decades ensuring that stories often left out of traditional history books are preserved and passed on to future generations. What began as a grassroots effort has grown into one of the most important cultural institutions in our region.

The anniversary celebration was both a reflection on the museum's remarkable legacy and an exciting glimpse into its future.

During the event, the museum honored its first-ever Hall of Fame induction class, recognizing ten community leaders, including Nebraska Heisman winner Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers, legendary track and field star Roger Sayers, the late Rudy Smith, and Bertha Calloway, among others, whose contributions have helped preserve the history, culture, and legacy of North Omaha and the Black community. The afternoon was filled with stories, memories, gratitude, and a shared commitment to ensuring these histories continue to be told for generations to come.

But this celebration was about more than looking back.

Museum leaders also provided an update on their $15.2 million capital campaign that will transform the organization from its current 1,200-square-foot space into a new 18,000-square-foot cultural destination in North Omaha. The future facility will feature expanded exhibition galleries, immersive digital experiences, archives and research spaces, educational programming areas, community gathering spaces, and partnerships that will help elevate Black history on a regional and national level.

Today, the museum announced it has reached approximately 40% of its fundraising goal and continues working toward the next phase of construction. Once campaign milestones are reached, the vision for this transformational project will begin to take physical shape.

As someone who has had the honor of working alongside the Great Plains Black History Museum through Lozafina, I've witnessed firsthand the passion, dedication, and determination behind this work. The museum isn't simply preserving artifacts. It is preserving stories. It is preserving truth. It is preserving a history that belongs to all of us.

The best part? There are many ways our community can help ensure the next 50 years are even stronger than the first.

You can:

• Visit the museum and experience its exhibits firsthand.
• Become a member and support its mission year-round.
• Make a charitable donation to help advance the capital campaign.
• Volunteer your time and talents.
• Attend programs, events, and educational opportunities.
• Share the museum's story with others.

History lives here. Legacy continues here.

Congratulations to Executive Director Eric Ewing, the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, donors, members, and everyone who has helped carry this mission forward over the last five decades.

The Great Plains Black History Museum has spent 50 years preserving our past. With the support of our community, its next chapter may be its most impactful yet.