After a special meeting, Nebraska’s Commission on African American Affairs reinstated its executive director and elected new leadership. The chair of the commission said they know the community has questions about what it has been able to get done and what their tax dollars are paying for, but he promises action moving forward.After an early afternoon vote, the commission reinstated Simone Smith as executive director. She was not ready to talk about her reinstatement to KETV yet.”We concluded that it’s time to bring her back based on what we’ve learned and evidence that we have seen,” said Commission Chair Tim Clark. Clark said he couldn’t discuss that evidence or why she was put on leave in the first place. But he said he’s happy to have her back and ready to move forward after the commission also elected new officers.”We’ve come out of the meeting with new leadership. We’ve come out of the meeting with clarity in terms of our way forward,” Clark said.In 2020, former state Sen. Justin Wayne introduced a bill to create the commission. Last week, he told KETV he was concerned about how much work the commission has actually gotten done.’We welcome accountability’: State Senator introduces oversight bill for Nebraska’s Commission on African-American Affairs. Read the story here.KETV asked Clark if the commission has achieved the goal of having a say in legislative priorities. “I think some of that has happened, but I think more of it can happen. It’s about — at the end of the day, it’s about leadership, so why, four and a half years ago, and just to now, you have people like Sen. Wayne asking these tough questions that should have been asked in Day 1?” Clark said. Since its inception, the commission has appropriated $1.2 million, according to state records.”It’s been paying for staff. We have an office, and there’s been events that we’ve sponsored,” Clark said.Moving forward, Clark promises that Nebraska’s Black community will be served and represented by the commission.”You will see the commissioners at some of these hearings in terms of the bills that we’re prioritizing that’s important to us. You will see us engage in the community in terms of the upcoming events,” Clark said.State Sen. Ashlei Spivey introduced a bill this legislative session to change meeting requirements and provide duties for the Commission on African American Affairs. It has been referred to the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee in the Legislature. NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
After a special meeting, Nebraska’s Commission on African American Affairs reinstated its executive director and elected new leadership.
The chair of the commission said they know the community has questions about what it has been able to get done and what their tax dollars are paying for, but he promises action moving forward.
After an early afternoon vote, the commission reinstated Simone Smith as executive director. She was not ready to talk about her reinstatement to KETV yet.
“We concluded that it’s time to bring her back based on what we’ve learned and evidence that we have seen,” said Commission Chair Tim Clark.
Clark said he couldn’t discuss that evidence or why she was put on leave in the first place. But he said he’s happy to have her back and ready to move forward after the commission also elected new officers.
“We’ve come out of the meeting with new leadership. We’ve come out of the meeting with clarity in terms of our way forward,” Clark said.
In 2020, former state Sen. Justin Wayne introduced a bill to create the commission. Last week, he told KETV he was concerned about how much work the commission has actually gotten done.
‘We welcome accountability’: State Senator introduces oversight bill for Nebraska’s Commission on African-American Affairs. Read the story here.
KETV asked Clark if the commission has achieved the goal of having a say in legislative priorities.
“I think some of that has happened, but I think more of it can happen. It’s about — at the end of the day, it’s about leadership, so why, four and a half years ago, and just to now, you have people like Sen. Wayne asking these tough questions that should have been asked in Day 1?” Clark said.
Since its inception, the commission has appropriated $1.2 million, according to state records.
“It’s been paying for staff. We have an office, and there’s been events that we’ve sponsored,” Clark said.
Moving forward, Clark promises that Nebraska’s Black community will be served and represented by the commission.
“You will see the commissioners at some of these hearings in terms of the bills that we’re prioritizing that’s important to us. You will see us engage in the community in terms of the upcoming events,” Clark said.
State Sen. Ashlei Spivey introduced a bill this legislative session to change meeting requirements and provide duties for the Commission on African American Affairs. It has been referred to the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee in the Legislature.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
