HISTORICAL LANDMARKS Charles B. Washington Branch
How did Charles Washington unite his work and service to the community in pursuit
of the same set of goals?

A Voice for North Omaha.

Research compiled by: Patrick N., Devin B., and Jordan B.

Charles B. Washington

Charles B. Washington was an important man to the North Omaha community. Charles was born in Omaha, Nebraska on December 1, 1923. As a child, he went to Howard Kennedy Elementary for grammar school and later went to Omaha Central and Omaha North High Schools. As a young man, Charles was a paperboy for the Omaha Star Newspaper, an all African-American run business. As a young adult, Charles wasn’t only a journalist and mentor, but he was also a civil rights activist. When the people of North Omaha had problems or questions, they would turn to Charles for answers. Throughout his life, he helped young people in the North Omaha Community in multiple including: providing financial support, giving advice, and connecting people with other resources. This earned him the nickname of “The Godfather of North Omaha.” Charles respected those around him and taught his pupils to respect everyone. Charles B. Washington is remembered as a strong fighter for equality among races. He was a man truly deserving of the honor of being memorialized in his community.

"Journalism at its finest"

This is a picture of the Omaha Star located in Omaha on 2216 North 24th Street. It was established in 1938. In this old building, journalists published and wrote stories about the African American community. This is where Charles B. Washington worked as a journalist during the civil rights era. 

A "Tree Shaker"

This newspaper article is a prime example of how the Omaha community looked at Washington. The article is an interview with him about interactions he had with people in the community. The title selection describes Washington and state senator Ernie Chambers as ‘Tree Shakers,” comparing their advocacy style to the act of shaking trees violently, trying to make whatever is at the top fall.

Photograph courtesy of Charles B Washington Branch Library

"The Godfather"

Charles B. Washington was not only a civil rights activists and a journalist, he was also a mentor for young adults. Washington supported his students with financial aid if they couldn’t provide it for themselves. In this picture, Washington is enjoying the time that he is spending with young adults. Washington has a book, and it looks like he just taught the young adults.

Photograph courtesy of memories.ne.gov

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Charles B. Washington did many things for the North Omaha community, but mentoring was one of the most important ways for him to help his community. Charles was a mentor to young adults in North Omaha and taught his pupils many things. Charles emphasized perseverance, the importance of hard work, and the need endure any adversity that challenged them. Johnny Rogers and Bob Gibson were pupils of Charles who became successful athletes. Jennifer Keyes was another pupil of Charles who became a community leader. Charles was a man who cared for future generations and wanted for kids to grow up knowing they deserved equal rights. Charles loved spending time with young people. In fact, his favorite place to be was his home full of young people; former Mayor of Omaha Mike Boyle recalls several occasions seeing Charles mentoring young adults at his North Omaha home. Charles’ impact to the North Omaha community made people realize that they can do so much for the community. Charles B. Washington was appreciated and loved in the north Omaha community and his work lives on through his great students.

As a young man, Washington worked for the Omaha Star delivering newspapers. He was also a reader of the paper and loved to read about current events. After graduating from high school, he was employed as a journalist at the Omaha Star. Washington acquired the skills necessary to be a journalist without a formal college education in the field of journalism. Using his position as a writer, he published stories about the African-American Community in North Omaha. Some of his articles were about political disputes, sports, and racial issues. In order to get content to write his articles, Washington spoke to the community about their concerns; he also wrote about his own observations. Through his writing, Washington informed readers about the happenings in North Omaha. His position as a journalist reinforced his other work that he did as a civil rights activist and a youth mentor.

Charles B. Washington is remembered for fighting strongly for equality among races. Charles was very active in the community of North Omaha, and he always listened to and voiced the opinions of people who talked to him. Washington was a non-violent, yet aggressive fighter for black rights. Charles once spoke at a UNO hearing that would decide whether or not the black studies department would become a much smaller program. Washington called for the resignation of Julien Lafontant, the man responsible for the budget cut. He asked for him to stand up, but he wasn’t in attendance. When Washington discovered this, he brought it to the attention of the audience. Charles spoke for the large black community in North Omaha, and it wouldn’t be the same today without his extremely important contributions.

Sources:

Charles B. Washington Surrounded by Children. Digital image. Nebraska Memories. Omaha Public Library, n.d. Web. 24` July 2015.

Charles B. Washington Funeral Program. Apr. 1986. Omaha.

Boyle, Michael. "Charles B. Washington Library." Message to Larry King. 17 Aug. 2014. E-mail.

Boyle, Michael. "Mike Boyle Interview." Personal interview. 21 July 2015.

Smith, Rudy. "Rudy Smith Interview." Personal interview. 20 July 2015

"Charles B. Washington Collection." Nebraska Memories. Nebraska State Government, n.d. Web. July 2015.

Steinauer, BIll. "Washington Is a Tree Shaker." Omaha Sun 29 Aug. 2015: 1B-4B. Print.

Mangen, Chris. "UNO Supporters Fill Auditorium to Protest Cuts." The Gateway [Omaha] 22 Feb. 1984, 83rd ed., sec. 41: n. pag. Print.

Smith, Alonzo N. "Charles B. Washington." Black Nebraskans Interviews From the Nebraska Black Oral History Project II. Omaha: Black Studies Department, U of Nebraska at Omaha, 1982. 36-37. Print.

Lesson Plan

Charles B Washington Branch

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Student Reflections

What I am getting from this program is information that other people don’t know. I learned that Charles B Washington was a leader and a voice for the African American community. I’m excited that I had the chance to present this information to the rest of my peers.

-Devin B.

Making Invisible Histories Visible has been an educational experience that I have been through in the last two weeks. I learned many things while doing the program. In fact, I never knew who Charles B. Washington was until I began the program. I have also met new people to work with and gotten to know more about those people. Being in the Making Invisible Histories Visible program has made me think more like a historian.

-Patrick N.

Making Invisible Histories Visible has probably been the best learning experience I’ve ever had. The people are very diverse and cool and there are constant field trips around Omaha to keep things interesting. MIHV was the first opportunity to perform an actual interview, and my first time editing towards a goal more professional than a personal YouTube video.

-Jordan B.