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LJAC BOARD OF DIRECTORS & STAFF
Neville Murray,
For more information please call (402) 502-5291
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EXHIBITIONS: Courage Under Fire An Exhibit honoring the 113 year History of Omaha’s Black Firefighters |
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About the Exhibit
Until recently, very little was known abut the history of Americas Black firefighters especially in Omaha. The most extensive history and collection of artifacts on the Black firefighter can be found in the African American Firefighter Museum in Los Angels, California. The museum, which is located in a building which once housed Los Angeles’ all Black unit prior to integration, was established in 1997 and contains historical data, pictures and artifacts from Black firefighters across the country.
The Omaha Association of Black Professional Firefighters (OABPFF) embarked upon a similar mission. In 1999, OABPFF acquired the former station house No. 14 located in historical North Omaha at 2028 Lake St from the city of Omaha. The building served as the last building to house a mandatory segregated unit of all Black firefighters prior to the integration of the department in 1954. The building currently serves as the headquarters for the OABPFF and also houses a standing exhibit and tribute to the history of Omaha’s Black fire fighters. The building was rededicated in 2005 and named the Davis Community Resource Center in honor of Herbert Davis, Omaha’s first Black Battalion Chief. Seeking to further its mission to honor of the historical legacy of Omaha’s Black firefighters, the OABPFF commissioned Courage Under Fire, a pictorial and video exhibit which contains vintage and current pictures of Omaha’s Black firefighters dating back to 1895 when the city hired the first Black firefighters to work on Hose Company 12. Courage Under Fire traces the 113 year history and experiences of Omaha’s Black firefighters, within the context of Nebraska’s and America’s history, through pictures and interviews of retired and current firefighters who candidly share their experiences, trials and triumphs. Over the course of time, one thing has remained true over the last 113 year history of the Black fire fighter—the more things change, the more things stay the same which will require them to continue to exemplify COURAGE UNDER FIRE. The OABPFF is pleased to present Courage Under Fire, which is made possible through the support of The Battalion Chief Herbert Davis Foundation and partial funding from the Nebraska Humanities Council and support from the Love Jazz Arts Center. Online Exhibition "African American Quilts from the Robert and Helen Cargo Collection," past exhibitions click on the photos for more infomation
"Anonymous" African American Portraits
“Dinner at Aunt Connie’s” Jazz Musician Icons
Rudy Smith "In Our Own Image"
Bernard Stanley Hoyes "Lamentations & Celebrations"
“Islands of Spirits
Juried Nebraska Art Educators Exhibition
African American
Ibiyinka Olufemi Alao
1st Annual African American
2nd Annual African American
"Flight For Freedom" The Tuskegee Airmen
Courage Under Fire 113 year History of Omaha's Black Firefighters
A League of Our Own: The story of Negro league Baseball
Loves Jazz & Art Center (LJAC) 402-502-5291 Omaha NE 68110-2219 Copyright © 2007 Love Jazz & Arts Center. All rights reserved. |
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Courage Under Fire An Exhibit honoring the 113 year History of Omaha’s Black Firefighters A special presentation and discussion of the history of Omaha’s Black Firefighters within the context of Americas history will be presented by Humanity Scholar, Dr. Spencer Davis on May 17, and May 31st from 1:00 p.m. -3:00 p.m. at the Love Jazz Arts Center. This event is free and open to the public and made possible through grant funding from the Nebraska Humanities Council. We invite you to come back and encourage you to share this information with others.
In addition to this memorable exhibition, ‘Courage Under Fire’ is also the title of the documentary that profiles the history of the Black Firefighter in Omaha through historic photographs and oral histories from current and past firefighters. The 60 minute film spotlights many of Bill Johnson’s rare photographs and his very important documentation of that history, as well as interviews with nine other Black Firefighters. “Courage Under Fire” The Movie was directed by Neville Murray and produced for Loves Jazz & Arts Center (LJAC). The idea came about when Captain Clifton Wells asked Neville (Executive Director, LJAC) to document the exhibition and obtain oral histories from many of the pioneers of the Omaha Black firefighters experience, including Linda Brown, the first Black female hired by the force in 1986. Because of the historical importance of these narratives and oral histories Murray decided instead to produce a full-length documentary. The film narrates the background to the staging of the unique exhibition and showcases the struggles and triumphs of the Black firefighters. Exerts from the film: (Bill Johnson Interview) The Full Length 60 Minute Documentary is available from the Loves Jazz & Arts Center GIft Shop & fron the Association of Black Professional Firefighters About the Presenters: The Omaha Association of Black Professional Firefighters, (OABPFF) was founded in 1974 with the purpose to advocate for equal employment opportunities and advancements for Black firefighters and to also help alleviate certain conditions within the Black community. OABPFF fulfills its purpose by engaging in the active recruitment, retention and promotion of Black Firefighters, and by engaging in community outreach programs that address the needs of the Black Community. The Battalion Chief Herbert Davis Foundation was founded to preserve the legacy of Omaha’s First Black Battalion chief by providing college scholarships to assist with the educational needs of Omaha’s Black graduating students. All donations to the Foundation are tax deductible. The Omaha Association of Black Professional Firefighters expresses our appreciation to the following individuals and organizations for helping to fund, create and design this exhibit:
LaVon Stennis Williams Neville Murray Love Jazz Arts Center Battalion Chief Herbert Davis Foundation Joe Hodges/HD Multi-Media Nebraska Humanities Council
The required matching grant funding was made possible through the membership dues paid and in-kind services provided by members of the Omaha Association of Black Professional Firefighters and the Love Jazz Arts Center
About the Presenters: The Omaha Association of Black Professional Firefighters, (OABPFF) was founded in 1974 with the purpose to advocate for equal employment opportunities and advancements for Black firefighters and to also help alleviate certain conditions within the Black community. OABPFF fulfills its purpose by engaging in the active recruitment, retention and promotion of Black Firefighters, and by engaging in community outreach programs that address the needs of the Black Community. ~ The Battalion Chief Herbert Davis Foundation was founded to preserve the legacy of Omaha’s First Black Battalion chief by providing college scholarships to assist with the educational needs of Omaha’s Black graduating students. All donations to the Foundation are tax deductible.
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