By Jason Ethridge
The Scene staff
A one-block section of a street in Omaha, Nebraska, has been named for an adjunct sociology professor at Forest Park.
The city took the action Sept. 14 to honor Rodney Wead for his efforts to help his hometown, particularly its black community, during the civil rights era.
“He was at the forefront, just a terrific man,” said Mike Boyle, former Omaha mayor, who proposed the idea of renaming the street. “Always gregarious, always positive. He motivated people.”
The section of 52nd Street between Ames and Fowler avenues now bears the name “Rodney S. Wead Street.” This is where he founded Community Bank of Nebraska, the first black-owned bank in the state, in 1973.
Four years earlier, Wead had opened Franklin Community Credit Union, the first credit union in Nebraska to serve low-income residents. He also was the first black man to own a radio station, KMOH, in Omaha.
Wead, now 83, was “moved beyond words” when he heard about plans to rename the street for him.
“I have received many awards in my lifetime, but I never dreamed I would get anything like this,” he said.
Wead joined the Forest Park faculty in 2001. Today, he teaches one night class, Introduction to Sociology.
Sociology professor Andrea Nichols has worked with Wead since 2004. She’s been particularly impressed by his kindness and his record of civil rights activism.
“In the field of sociology, we pay attention to various forms of inequality,” she said. “Just to be able to meet someone who was a part of that movement in that time period is striking.”
Omaha City Council President Ben Gray arranged for the street to be renamed, at Boyle’s urging.
“I wish I had thought of it,” he said with a laugh. “… The work that Rodney did while he was here in terms of addressing the needs of people in a poorer community were outstanding and, in some cases, unbelievable.”
Wead attended the street-naming ceremony with his wife of 26 years, Vanessa; his five grown children and grandchildren.
“My family is more excited than I am,” he joked.
Wead’s fight for equality extended beyond Omaha. He was involved with the Catholic Social Action Office from 1963-1968, working with civil rights activists Fannie Lou Hamer and the Rev. James Groppi in the struggle for voting rights, housing rights and desegregation in cities across the country.
Wead’s drive to help others eventually brought him to St. Louis. In 1997, he became president of Grace Hill Settlement House, a group dedicated to assisting low-income families and communities.
Wead retired from that job in 2001. Six months later, he began working part time at Forest Park.
“I only wanted to do it for one year, but 17 years later, I’m still here,” he said.