Ben Gray named to Board

History Nebraska announces that Ben Gray will fill a vacant seat on the Board of Trustees effective today. Gray fills the seat vacated by Connie Spellman, who stepped down in for personal reasons. Gray will serve the remainder of Spellman’s term through 2023 and will be eligible for reelection.

Gray’s history of service to the Omaha community began at KETV Channel 7 where he worked for more than 34 years. Ben worked tirelessly to help build a more diverse workforce within KETV at every level. He challenged business leaders, elected officials and community advocates to recognize their responsibilities to the community in general and to specifically respond to the severe needs of North Omaha. Besides the work Ben did as a photojournalist and producer at KETV he took on other responsibilities both inside and outside the station.

For 30 years Ben produced and hosted the popular, award-winning public affairs show, Kaleidoscope. The show was his effort to keep the community informed on major issues locally and nationally, yet presented the information from an African American perspective. In addition to the day-to-day work in the newsroom, Ben began working with hard core gang members in 1986. In 1989, Ben convinced the management at KETV to hire one of the most talked about gang members in Omaha. Ben had the strong belief that if disadvantaged young people and those feeling left out could see how corporate America works they too had a chance at the American dream.

Also, while at KETV, Gray was elected chairman of the African American Achievement Council. This group of community volunteers worked directly with the Omaha Public Schools to find solutions for underachieving Black students. For more than eight years, the council worked directly with students, worked with teachers and administrators as well as the community. Among our proudest achievements was going from a 51% graduation rate for African American students to an 81% graduation rate over the course of eight years.

In 2008, Gray retired from KETV and took a job with the Omaha Community Foundation to work with middle school students within the Omaha Public Schools. In 2009, Gray was elected to the Omaha City Council representing District 2.

In his personal life, Gray has a deep interest in Nebraska history. He is currently working on a documentary on the Hastings ammunition’s depot from World War II and it’s impact on the people in the area. He has also produced segments for television on the Buffalo Soldiers of Fort Robinson and Susan McKinney Steward who was one of the first Black female doctors in the country who practiced for years at Fort Niobrara.

History Nebraska collects, preserves, and shares Nebraska’s history for all people. History Nebraska operates the Nebraska History Museum in Lincoln and historic sites around the state including Chimney Rock Museum, Fort Robinson History Center, Neligh Mill State Historic Site, Thomas Kennard State Historic Site, Senator George Norris State Historic

Site, John Neihardt State Historic Site, and over 570 historical markers placed across Nebraska. History Nebraska administers the State Archives and Library; the State Historic Preservation Office; the Gerald R. Ford Conservation Center; the Office of the State Archeologist; publishes Nebraska History Magazine and books; and is responsible for the administration of the Nebraska Hall of Fame Commission. More at https://history.nebraska.gov and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. •