OMAHA — The Black-owned enterprise Carver Legacy Center opened for business Monday in a historic savings and loan building at 24th and Lake streets in North Omaha.
More than 75 people watched as the two couples who founded and own the Carver Legacy Center cut a ceremonial ribbon on the building they’ve renovated. The couples — Willie and Yolanda Barney and Martin and Lynnell Williams — also had a soft opening for three businesses that will operate there.
The first businesses to open were the Carver Business HUB, the Revive Omaha Store and Carver Legacy Financial Services. The store will sell products and services of local Black-owned businesses.
The HUB will connect Black-owned businesses to networking and business development resources and education with a number of partners, including the Williamses’ DreamBusiness firm. The HUB will be the new home of the Barneys’ Revive Black Business Network.
And Carver Legacy Financial Services is a joint venture with American National Bank that offers business and home loans. Plans call for a full-service bank branch eventually.
The enterprises are located in the historic Carver Savings and Loan Building, where the first Black-owned financial institution in Omaha opened in the 1940s.
The Revive Store will be open from noon to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays through Saturdays. Currently, products and services from nine businesses are offered there, including popcorn, inspirational and Christian gifts, hand-made candles, biscotti, children’s clothing and shoes that are custom-designed in Omaha and made in Italy.
The HUB and Carter Legacy Financial Services generally will be open by appointment only.
Willie Barney said the openings represent the second of three phases for the center, which aims to help African Americans in North Omaha and throughout the city build wealth through owning businesses and homes.
The first phase took place in 2020. The Barneys and Williamses acquired the Carver Building and began renovating it. American National Bank, led by executive co-chairs John and Wende Kotouc, began offering Carver Legacy Accounts to give people a way to invest in African American businesses and North Omaha. Deposits in those Carver accounts are being committed to African American community development, including businesses, individual home purchases and home construction, as well as for-profit and nonprofit real estate development, John Kotouc said.
On Monday, Barney said deposits in Carver accounts have grown to $9 million in the 18 months since the Carver Legacy Center was announced. He said about $1.5 million in loans have been made.
There was a festive atmosphere Monday outside the center as many elected officials joined businesspeople and community leaders for the ribbon-cutting and tours. State Sen. Terrell McKinney, whose district includes North Omaha, said the center will help shift focus to economics and wealth building in the area.
“It’ll go a long way for the North Omaha community, to build up some economic empowerment for residents down here,” he said. “So we can decrease the amount of poverty that’s here, be able to support each other and do great things in this area.”
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