Omaha Land Bank Selects Second Ambassador Class, Celebrates Successful First Year
Omaha, Neb. - After a successful inaugural year, the Omaha Land Bank has selected 17 ambassadors for the 2022-2023 program year. Following a kick-off event this month, ambassadors will learn the ins and outs of the Land Bank, including the acquisitions and dispositions process; affordable housing policy considerations; understanding tax lien certificates and the foreclosure process; and diversity, equity, and inclusion training. New facets of the program include panel sessions with Land Bank board members, training on housing financing and economic development, and a panel with Land Bank’s community partners.
With the knowledge that homeownership and equity can change the lives of generations, the Land Bank focuses on intentional partnerships and opportunities, such as prioritizing the purchase of buildable lots by residents of historically red-lined areas like Donald Curry with Talented Tenth Group.
“I’m most looking forward to digging into the Land Bank process,” said Merinda Collins of Shamrock Development. “Finding out more about the land that is being acquired and what folks plan to do with it. There is excitement around the mission, which is to create better places around Omaha. As a developer, that's what I want to see in general.”
For the second year in a row, many of the selected ambassadors work in commercial lending, banking, real estate development and realty alongside community advocates. The Ambassador program compliments Greater Omaha’s growing development —and revitalization-focused education and empowerment efforts. Partners like SPARK CDI, work with the Land Bank to develop a pipeline of redevelopment and infill development that is focused on community good and resident-led change.
“The program was recommended to me because of my interest in real estate development and my commitment to the North and South Omaha communities,” remarked Guillermo Diaz, a real estate development coach for SPARK CDI. “This program in particular is one of a few in Nebraska that is really about diversity, equity and inclusion, and SPARK’s mission, which is to profoundly transform disinvested neighborhoods into prosperous and thriving communities, goes hand in hand with the Land Bank’s mission.”
Members of the 2022-2023 Ambassador program class are:
- June Bear-Noonan, Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition - District 1
- Merinda Collins, Shamrock Development - District 1
- Geri Knight, One Heart Project Nebraska - District 1
- Guillermo Diaz, SPARK CDI - District 2
- Clarice Dombeck, SPARK CDI - District 2
- Decker Gabriel-Woods, Manifest Acres - District 2
- Keiria Lowe, CCVisions - District 2
- Malinda Williams, Omaha 100, Inc - District 2
- Bridget Bumgardner, Boyd Jones - District 3
- Gabrielle Estivo, NP Dodge - District 3
- Aidan Posey, Apogee Professional Services - District 3
- Laura Schoenrock, Omaha Land Bank - District 3
- Saul Quintana, Dallas Johnson Greenhouse Inc. - District 4
- Jared Anderson, City of Omaha - District 5
- Patrick Falke, Attego Group - District 6
- Warren Ford III, Goosmann Law Firm, PLC - District 7
Through Ambassador participant relationships, the Land Bank has significantly expanded its community outreach efforts, meeting with neighborhood associations, corporate and religious leaders, and nonprofit organizations such as the Metro Area Continuum of Care for the Homeless (MACCH). When asked about her ambassador experience, Autumn Evans, Evans Masonry, said “The Land Bank Ambassador program was extremely educational and was a great way to become more active in the community by meeting others who care about the development of our city. It takes a village to develop creative solutions and strategies for revitalization.”
“Being bilingual will help me to build relationships and create more equitable access with Spanish-speaking community members,” added Diaz. “This is really a great time for the Land Bank, SPARK and community development overall.”
The Omaha Land Bank serves as a catalyst for transforming distressed properties into community assets. It partners with community entities focused on revitalization and affordable housing with the goal of reducing the number of vacant lots and finding suitable solutions. By driving community revitalization of underutilized areas, the Land Bank unlocks development potential, encourages economic development, and enhances neighborhood growth. The Land Bank welcomes the community to engage in this work. To learn more, visit omahalandbank.org or call 402-800-1240.
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