We are here to serve you
Learn how to get involved in African American Affairs and take action to help your community.
About Us
The Nebraska Commission for African American Affairs was established in 2021 to advise the executive and legislative branches of government, and to engage with stakeholders to promote policy and legislation that would positively affect the African American communities of Nebraska.
Commissioners
CONNIE EDMOND
Commissioner
Connie Edmond is Managing Partner at E & L Associates. She has over 35 years of experience in the financial services industry providing auditing, accounting, tax, internal controls management, and strategic planning services. Previously, Connie was a tax auditor for the Department of Revenue for 15 years. She traveled across the US analyzing accounting systems and auditing individuals and businesses, including several Fortune 500 companies.
Connie co-authored a tax publication featured in Money Magazine, Kiplinger’s, and USA Today. Connie serves as a mediator in small claims court. She conducts public speaking engagements and training to boards and organizations on the importance of governance, proper financial oversight, transparency, board member dynamics, and internal controls.
Connie is an active volunteer in the community, has served on numerous boards, nonprofit and public, and is a member of professional organizations. She has been married to her husband, Elton, for 35 years, and they enjoy traveling, and love spending time with their two sons, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren.
GWENDOLYN EASTER
Commissioner
Gwen Easter has over 30 years’ experience in the childcare industry supporting children and parents academically. She is the owner of Safe Haven Early Childhood Preschool Education Academy and the founder of Safe Haven Community Center 501 (C) 3 nonprofit, which she has operated for 24 years providing holistic education, housing and advocacy services to children, youth adults, and families. She is a certified dyslexic advocate, trainer, consultant and tutor and offers R.E.A.D.S, ( Right to Educate Advocate for Dyslexic Students).
Ms. Easter is very passionate about dyslexia and early childhood childcare education and advocates on policy and legislation bills. She was appointed by Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts to be a member of our state’s Early Childhood Interagency Coordination Council and to the Commission on African American Affairs for the State of Nebraska.
GLENN FREEMAN
Commissioner
Glenn Freeman is an Air Force veteran. He retired from the Air Force as a Chief Master Sergeant. His many civic assignments include serving on the Omaha Public School Desegregation Task Force, Vice Chairman of the 400 Years of African-American History Commission. He also served on the State Equal Opportunity Commission and the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. He currently serves as Chairman of the National Council of Censors, a watch dog civic, non-partisan organization that monitors the government’s compliance with the U.S. Constitution.
CLARICE JACKSON
Commissioner
Clarice Jackson is the founder of Voice Advocacy Center in Omaha, NE, where she serves as the Executive Director of the Literacy and Dyslexia Screening and Teaching Program. She recently served as a Councilwoman for The Learning Community of Douglas and Sarpy County 2020-2022 and is a current Board Member of The Phoenix Academy. She is a sought after national presenter and keynote speaker on the topics of dyslexia, the intersectionality of literacy and the school to prison pipeline, black literacy matters and special education advocacy.
Clarice has received national recognition for writing the National NAACP Proclamation on Dyslexia that still guides the overall work on literacy by the NAACP. Clarice has received several awards for her work in this area, including the Ed Reform Award from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women and the NAACP Freedom Fighter Service Award. Clarice uses her platform to change the narrative surrounding literacy, education and government.
LABAN NJUGUNA
Commissioner
Laban Njuguna is a dynamic and results-driven business leader with robust experience launching successful business ventures while continually striving to give back to local and international communities. Originally from Kenya, Laban is the CEO of Zabuni Specialty Coffee, and the Midlands African Chamber’s Board Chair. Laban is able to leverage exceptional technical, decision- making, and communication skills to spearhead high-profile projects and deliver stellar results within strict deadlines. In his previous roles, he was recognized as a visionary leader who focused on making the world a better place, one experience at a time.
KARINE SOKPOH
Commissioner
Ms. Karine Sokpoh is the Managing Attorney for 402Legal, the CEO of the Midlands African Chamber, Inc., and an adjunct Professor at Metropolitan Community College.
Originally from Togo, Karine is a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha and earned her JD Magna Cum Laude from Creighton University School of Law.
Apart from serving as a Commissioner with NCAAA, she serves on the boards of the Women’s Fund and Global Partners in Hope, and has received numerous awards for her service to the community.