By Alejandra Wells
On July 31st, something powerful happened.
The Hiya team had the opportunity to meet Omaha Mayor John Ewing Jr., and let me tell you, it was more than just a photo op. It was real, honest, and history in the making.
Mayor Ewing isn’t just Omaha's first Black mayor; he’s the first Black mayor in the entire state of Nebraska. As a young Afro-Latina in leadership, being in the same room with someone who looked like me in power was emotional and empowering.
We talked about leadership, mental health, and what it means to show up for your community.
Mayor Ewing spoke candidly about the emotional challenges that come with leadership. Even someone who leads a city feels sadness, stress, and pressure. But what stood out most was how human he was.
He shared how he stays active to care for his mental health, and how important it is to find healthy ways to cope.
That honesty meant everything to us.
When leaders are vulnerable, it makes space for the rest of us to be, too.
So we honored him.
As a team, we presented Mayor Ewing with the Hiya Champion Award, a small but heartfelt recognition for his transparency, resilience, and for being a role model to the next generation.
I was honored to not only meet him but also see history in the making.Â
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