Ben Gray was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. Soon after his high school graduation, he joined the United States Air Force. After basic training at 
Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, he attended photo school in Denver, learning photography and lab work. After coming to Offutt Air Force Base in 1970, he received a “Top Secret Clearance” and spent the remainder of his Air Force career as a photo lab technician.
He joined KETV Channel 7 in 1973 as a photo lab assistant and six months later was promoted to Photo Lab Manager. In 1976, Ben moved into the newsroom, taking the positions of reporter and photographer. In 1979, he also became the producer and host of "Kaleidoscope," a weekly half-hour program that highlights a range of subjects of interest to the community in general and minority communities in particular.
He has received recognition for local, regional, and national awards as reporter, photographer and show host including the National Iris and Gabriel Awards for the Best Half Hour Continuous Program, National Press Photographers Association Honorable Mention for Best Spot News, as well as local and regional Associated Press Awards for Best Investigative Reporting.
Ben is actively involved with at-risk youth. For example, he is a dedicated volunteer with the C.W. Boxing Club. His commitment received national recognition in the Wall Street Journal and on an NBC news special titled “Gangs, Drugs, & Guns.” Ben continues to devote additional time as a mentor for at-risk youth.
He is Chairman of the Omaha Public Schools African-American Achievement Council. This is a community-based group started by the Omaha Public Schools in and effort to include the community in helping to close the achievement gap between black and white students. In this capacity, Ben helped to initiate a number of efforts to achieve that goal. The Greeter program is one of the more high profile efforts.
Starting with Ben and two others, the Greeter program now has almost 300 men who greet students at the door of their schools every Monday. These men have taken ownership and pride in working to shape young people, assist teacher and administrators and build a bridge between the community and the school district.
The program has moved far beyond the Monday morning visits.
Ben’s voice and face are familiar at Omaha Public Schools as you can see him in the classroom, in the lunchroom, the meetings, participating in the activities -- active, involved, hands on, a champion of children, student achievement and success. Practicing social and community responsibility, promoting equal rights and representation of minorities within the educational systems and advocating for all the children of the Omaha area continues to be the focus of Ben Gray’s life.
