Wayne said treating people who’ve served time as people in society and not as outsiders is an important step. And he said people need to stop thinking of Black communities, like north Omaha, as a charity case.

“It isn’t because we have a lack of nonprofits in North Omaha. Maybe it’s because we have a lack of for-profits,” Wayne said. “And maybe that goes back to the charity case which people outside the community always view us as.”

Wayne said he’d like to see the investment in entrepreneurs and an injection of capitalism so people of color can get to work.

“I figure if we can get capital, we can be a part of the market and actually make a difference in our communities,” Wayne said.

This is something he’s working on this legislative session with a bill to help startup businesses with more funding to get off the ground. Wayne also points to the Nebraska Legislature’s governing body as an example of people of color not having the equal voice they should.

“So we’re not at the table,” Wayne said. “If you look at the Legislature’s governing board, which is our executive body, that looks nothing like the people we represent.”

Wayne said in the end, it’s tough for those in power to let others sit at the table, too.

“It’s hard for those who are sitting at the table to have the power, the altruism to allow someone new to sit there,” Wayne said. “That’s a scary thought. That requires somebody else not being at the table.”

And Wayne said, there’s still a long way to go.

“I think we’re nibbling away but until we have real economic development in these areas that have high poverty and low employment, I think you’ll never see that change,” Wayne said.