Omaha, Nebraska has a rich history in Black history, dating back to the 19th century. One significant event was the founding of the Near North Side neighborhood, often referred to as the "heart of Black Omaha," which became a thriving center of African American culture and business in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

During the early 20th century, the Near North Side area was home to influential leaders and activists such as Dr. Matthew Ricketts, the first African American member of the Nebraska Legislature, and Mildred Brown, founder of the Omaha Star newspaper, which served as a voice for the Black community.

In 1919, Omaha was the site of a race riot known as the Omaha Race Riot of 1919, sparked by rumors of a Black man assaulting a white woman. The riot resulted in the deaths of several people, both Black and white, and extensive property damage in the Black community.

Throughout the 20th century, Omaha continued to be a center of Black activism and cultural expression. The city was a stop on the Chitlin' Circuit, a network of venues that hosted African American entertainers during segregation. Musicians such as Count Basie and Duke Ellington performed in Omaha, and the city was also home to talented jazz musicians and vocalists.

In more recent years, organizations like the Great Plains Black History Museum have worked to preserve and promote the history of African Americans in Omaha and the surrounding region. Today, Omaha continues to celebrate its Black history through events, exhibits, and initiatives that honor the contributions of African Americans to the city's cultural and social fabric.