Marcos E. Mora was raised in South Omaha and is proud to be part of La familia Barrientos, one of the largest Mexican American families in Omaha, celebrated for more than 90 years of contributions to the city’s music scene. Surrounded by that cultural legacy, Mora carried forward a deep love for music, tradition, and community.

For more than 35 years, Cindy Gonzalez has been one of Omaha’s most trusted storytellers. An Omaha native, she has carved out a career not just writing headlines, but shaping how we see our city and ourselves.

Cindy’s reporting has spanned business, real estate development, city politics, immigration, demographics, and the stories of diverse communities, including Latinos.

Francisco “Paco” Fuentes was born in León, Guanajuato, Mexico, and came to Omaha as a child with his family, chasing the promise of new beginnings. From an early age, he embodied the values of hard work, humility, and dreams. Dreams he would turn into a lifelong mission to uplift others and his family.

We believe stories are the heartbeat of our community.

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we are launching a new feature series spotlighting Latinos who have left an extraordinary mark on Omaha and beyond. These are the trailblazers, mentors, visionaries, and everyday heroes whose impact continues to ripple across generations.

Remember when I said at $500 I’d spill the tea on my YES! Dance for a Chance song?

Well, fam, the wait is over… drumroll please.

We’re taking it back — way back — with “Time Warp” from The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

For those who don’t know, Rocky Horror is that cult-classic musical that’s been delightfully weirding people out since the ’70s. It’s bold, campy, unapologetically fun, and has this insane community vibe where everyone’s in on the joke. Honestly, it’s kind of perfect for me and for Lozafina.

When it comes to telling a story through the lens, some people just get it.

Cornelio Polanco is one of those rare creatives who can turn a simple shot into a cinematic experience. With more than 13 years of experience in film, TV, and commercial production, Cornelio has carved out a name for himself as one of Omaha’s go-to visual storytellers.

In response to growing community interest in holistic health, organizers are hosting Total Body Wellness this Friday, Sept. 12, at Massage Envy in La Vista, Nebraska. The free event, which is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., is designed to help residents reinvigorate their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Participants can expect a full morning of wellness offerings, including guided movement, wellness education, and opportunities to explore massage therapy and other health services.

What does success look like when you define it for yourself? How do you pursue your passions while protecting your mental, emotional, and overall well-being?

MENTOR Nebraska invites you to lean into these questions during its Black Youth Town Hall hosted at UNO’s Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center today from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The NExT Foundation, in collaboration with Inclusive Communities, will host Healing the Healers: Expressive Arts Session this Friday, Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. to noon. This special event provides a restorative space for community caregivers, advocates, and leaders to pause, reflect, and nurture their own well-being through the power of creative expression.

Inclusive Communities, a nonprofit known for its nearly 90 years of equity and belonging work, is reintroducing itself through a new brand strategy that blends history, community, and forward momentum.

The organization launched its “Get to Know Inclusive Communities” social media campaign which honors the legacy of workers and community builders while setting the stage for a month-long narrative about the nonprofit’s mission, programs, and people.

Omaha Bridges, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering under-resourced families in Omaha and Council Bluffs, will host its third-quarter graduation at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Mike and Josie Harper Center, Hixson-Lied Auditorium, on the Creighton University campus. 

The Great Plains Black History Museum will welcome author Kwame Gyamfi on Saturday, Sept. 6, for a special book signing and community event. The program will take place from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the museum’s home inside the historic Jewell Building, 2221 N. 24th St.

Small business owners across Nebraska are gaining new access to capital thanks to the launch of the Nebraska Opportunity Exchange’s $500,000 microloan fund. This initiative is designed to fuel growth for entrepreneurs who have the vision and drive but face barriers when it comes to financing.

We believe in investing in wildly talented creative changemakers, and we’re thrilled to introduce the newest member of our Lozafina family: Fiona Hti, part of Cohort 8.

Fiona is a 20-year-old third-year student at the University of Nebraska Omaha, where she is pursuing her passion for graphic design.

Heartwood Park is hosting over 70 events this summer. Below is a preview of this week’s event lineup. Heartwood Park, located at 301 South 145th Street within Heartwood Preserve in West Omaha, provides scenic green space and the perfect backdrop for year-round community and family-friendly events

In a move that deepens our commitment to social impact and inclusive storytelling, Lozafina is proud to welcome Inclusive Communities to our growing roster of clients.

For nearly nine decades, Inclusive Communities has stood as a guiding voice in Omaha, championing equity, dialogue, and social healing through Table Talks, human relations programming, youth leadership camps, and community events like the Humanitarian Awards. 

We’re proud to share that our client, Founder and Principal Coach Aimee S. Gibson, MBA, PCC, of BraveJoy Leadership, is currently serving on the Greater Omaha Chamber’s POWER Conference committee for the 2025 event.

The Great Plains Black History Museum invites the community to come together on Saturday, August 23rd, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the historic Jewell Building, 2221 N 24th Street, Omaha, NE, for a powerful gathering in honor of the 62nd anniversary of the March on Washington and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech.

Walking into the Younes Conference Center North, the energy was electric. Hundreds of young people from across Nebraska gathered with big dreams and open minds, ready to see what was possible for their futures.

The inaugural Nebraska Governor’s Youth Summit facilitated one-on-one interactions between high school and college students and business, college, and military leaders. Throughout the day, employers and educators presented student attendees with internship, scholarship, and job offers in Nebraska.

Lozafina is proud to announce its continued partnership with The Bloc for the 2025 50 Over 50 Nebraska Awards, a prestigious celebration that the nonprofit started to honor Nebraskans aged 50 and older who are shaping the state through leadership, innovation, service, and impact.

Set to take place on Oct. 25, 2025, at the Embassy Suites Downtown Omaha, this year’s awards promise to spotlight a powerful group of honorees.