Reminisce on Omaha civil rights activist Charles B. Washington [Video]

On Sept. 14, 1986, longtime Omaha civil rights activist Charles B. Washington was honored as the North Branch Library was renamed for him.

In 1968, Washington accused the Omaha Public Library Board of “not being genuine” in its concern for North Omaha because it did not ask the City Council for funds to help build a new library there. A few years later, in 1972, a new library building was constructed in North Omaha.

About 300 people, including many Black community leaders, Mayor Mike Boyle and actor and Nebraska Attorney General Robert Spire attended the rededication at the library at 2868 Ames Ave.

Washington, a reporter for the Omaha Star for 48 years, was remembered by several speakers at the rededication as a champion of the young and a believer in education.

Mildred Brown, owner and publisher of the Omaha Star, praised Washington’s intellect, adding that naming a library after …