When Diana Gleisberg Meredith looks back at the fall of 2023, her memory is sharp and vivid, stitched with the sounds of oxygen tubes, the prayers of family, and the stubborn belief that she would beat cancer.

Her diagnosis came fast. One day, she was visiting her brother in Seattle. Two days later, she was at Nebraska Medicine, gasping for air, terrified.

“Not being able to breathe was panic-inducing,” Diana remembers. “Usually, you can calm yourself with deep breaths. But when you can’t catch your breath, it freaks you out even more. That’s how it all started.”

Tony Vargas has built his life around service, leadership, and the belief that opportunity should be within reach for every family. The son of Peruvian immigrants and a first-generation college graduate, Tony’s journey reflects both the challenges and possibilities of the American Dream.

For more than three decades, Dr. Lourdes Gouveia has been one of Nebraska’s leading voices on Latino immigration, labor, and community change. A Professor of Sociology and longtime Director of the Office of Latino/Latin American Studies (OLLAS) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, she built a nationally recognized program that continues to shape policy and understanding of Latino life in the Great Plains.

Roger Garcia has dedicated his career to uplifting families, youth, and communities through service, policy, and leadership. As a Douglas County Commissioner and Associate Director of Recruitment & Retention, he brings both professional skill and personal passion to the work of building a stronger, more equitable Omaha.

Born and raised in South Omaha, Dr. Maria Vazquez has built her life around a simple but powerful calling: to serve others. Today, as Vice President for Student Affairs at Metropolitan Community College (MCC), she continues to embody that mission by ensuring all students, regardless of background, have access to higher education and the support they need to succeed.

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