The Omaha Star brought "joy and happiness" with positive news about the black community. Positive role models were celebrated, families were honored,
and individual accomplishments such as new jobs or graduation from high school or college were common features. The Omaha Star brought respect by reporting local and national news with black perspectives. The Omaha Star also encouraged its readers to become involved politically by voting.
During World War II, the Omaha Star asked challenging questions of their readers, like “What does it mean to be a citizen?” The paper encouraged full participation in war efforts.
The Omaha Star addressed controversial issues such as racism and war. By the end of World War II, Mildred and Edward divorced. Edward left the paper and Mildred was in charge of everything as the "Advertising and General Manager."
Mildred understood the importance of jobs and used her paper's power to develop and expand opportunities for African Americans in Omaha. The paper refused ads for businesses that would not hire blacks and called for boycotts of local and national businesses that discriminated in hiring.
The Omaha Star, in existence for more than 66 years, has been Nebraska's largest African American newspaper and the city's most effective device to improve the lives of African Americans. Since 1938, the policy of the Omaha Star has been to print only positive news and to be a vigilant champion for African-American progress. Located in the heart of Omaha's African American community, two blocks south of 24th & Lake Street, the Omaha Star building is a surviving symbol of culture, strength, positive journalism, information and education to individuals in Omaha and the surrounding areas.
The Omaha Star has received many awards over the years. It was inducted into the Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame on July 9th, 1996 and it also has received the Golden Spike award. In addition, the Omaha Star is a member of the National Newspapers Publishers Association.
The Omaha Star, as suggested by its naming after a celestial body, will continue to be a beacon of light providing education, and positive information to the community and the body of readers that it has so proudly served for many many years
