Willie Hamilton, Executive Director and Founder of Black Men United, is a true grassroots leader in Omaha. Concerned about violence and other challenges in the Black community and wanting to create a better environment for his children he started Black Men United as a small grassroots organization dedicated to empowering and improving the community.
Join us this Friday, October 20th, at Big Mama’s, for our monthly Coffee Chat where Willie will be our guest speaker.
We asked him five questions . . .
1. What is your preferred mode of transportation?
Car and Uber.
2. What in your opinion is the biggest challenge to Multi Modal Transportation in Omaha?
Funding and resources – don’t believe there is a strong urge in Omaha to put emphasis on public transportation.
3. What, in your opinion, the the greatest multi-modal success in Omaha?
Bicycle lanes on main thoroughfares, bicycle availability in destination areas ie., Aksarben Village, Mid Town Crossing.
4. How did you come to have an interest in transportation?
A high percentage of people of color in Omaha do not own a car and do not have parents who own a car. The majority of employment opportunities are not in walking distance from their homes. Omaha needs public transportation where they can travel to all corners of the city 24/7
5. If you could magically change one thing about the transportation systems in Omaha, without limit to budget or feasibility, what would it be?
# 4 pretty much explains that. Any one of us should be able to travel to all points N,S,E and W across Omaha on public transportation.
Also expand Bike lanes, trails, Metro Area Transit is implementing ORBT, want to learn more about this.