Big Mama’s Sandwich Shop, March 29, 2013, Omaha, Nebraska. Photo: Chris Machian. Courtesy of Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts and Theaster Gates/Rebuild Foundation

Big Mama's Sandwich Shop, located in Carver Bank's storefront, aims to be a local food haven in the Near North Side neighborhood. The menu is inspired by Big Mama's childhood memories of growing up in the area and includes the "North Omaha Dog," the "Old School Wrap," and "Big Mama's Cold Fried Chicken Sandwich.

Opened in late March and drawing in a citywide customer base, Big Mama’s Sandwich Shop has experienced an 8 percent monthly increase in sales. Big Mama and her staff recently participated in the North Omaha Play Streets event and co-host special events at the Carver Bank. This year's event collaboration have included a monthly Young Professionals Wednesday and arts-driven events, such as the "Juneteenth Youth Arts Celebration," where Big Mama's provides free hot dogs and hamburgers to help the community and visitors to the area come together and celebrate the rich heritage and culture of North Omaha.

Family members enjoy painting and planting, August 24, 2013, Omaha, Nebraska. Courtesy of Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts and Theaster Gates/Rebuild Foundation

Recent wins
North Omaha Play Streets
On August 24, North Omaha Play Streets hosted a block party on the Near North Side as part of a citywide initiative to engage its residents in a family-oriented celebration of healthy living. During the day, Carver Bank, in partnership with the Omaha Public Library’s Common Soil Seed Library hosted ceramic pot painting and seed planting. Carver also supported performances and on-site hip hop dance clinics by Rubix Crew, a local dance team.

Rubix Crew conducting a dance clinic to local residents, August 24, 2013, Omaha, Nebraska. Courtesy of Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts and Theaster Gates/Rebuild Foundation

Young Professionals: YP Wednesdays
YP Wednesdays was a monthly event focused on creating dialogue between local young professionals and the broader community. August’s event featured four academic and professional panelists and two spoken word artists. The panelists encouraged conversation surrounding racial identity and navigating the professional society for African-American women.

Panelists share experiences, August 21, 2013, Omaha, Nebraska. Courtesy of Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts and Theaster Gates/Rebuild Foundation

Angela Drakeford Opening Exhibition & Art Talk
Through its residency and exhibitions programs, Carver Bank continues to provide critical support to emerging local artists. Carver’s new exhibition I Can Grow Tall features new work by installation artist Angela Drakeford. Her September 7 exhibition opening and art talk introduced roughly 80 guests to her concept of race identity. During the art talk, guests exchanged experiences surrounding ethnicity and social class. Drakeford was also featured on Omaha’s independent radio station KVNO. The perspectives shared are one of many examples of the dialogue that has been expressed at Carver Bank over the ending summer weeks. I Can Grow Tall runs through October 31

Insights
Encouraging intercultural dialogue and increased family-friendly events help strengthen community partnerships. How can place making support healthy relationships between businesses and the neighborhood? To facilitate more positive dialogue and programming into a neighborhood, there must exist a sense of trust and accountability between businesses and organizations. Stronger relationships can be accomplished also by allowing local artists to lead conversations and challenge businesses to be proactive in the growth of the neighborhood. Also through building relationships between multiple cultures in a diverse area, a sense of appreciation is given to artists and community programs focused on this need.