OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — The Greater Omaha Chamber has selected Racquel Henderson as one of the 2021 Change Makers.
Henderson is an Omaha native who works at Metropolitan Community College. She made a profound impact on the lives of her students this past year.
"With COVID, we are working from home, but we still have to make sure our students are successful. It is really hard because they say the number one thing with college students is for them to feel connected. At this time, they couldn't be connected so trying to virtually connect with them was a challenge, but we are making it through,” said Henderson.
“With students, you have to find where they are so you can meet them there and help them rise,” said Henderson.
Henderson said her superpower is being able to relate.
"I flunked out 3 times before I went back. Like them, it wasn't because I did not want to be there, I just had so many barriers that prevented that. When you are facing homelessness, you don't have food to eat, you can barely make it to school, or don't have money for books or worried about so many other things,” said Henderson.
She also started her own give-back programs, using her own money to help those in need, along with volunteering her time and efforts to help several other community organizations.
"My most selfless work is a foundation I started called the B Project, it is a movement that brings awareness to various resources and opportunities in the community that helps people be better. I focus on meeting people where they are and help them get to where they are trying to go. It looks different for everyone. For some, it is job leads, or post-secondary education, housing,” said Henderson.
Henderson said she doesn't even know who nominated her.
"I was shocked, it's amazing, it's dope, I don't do the work in the community to be recognized but to get recognized for what I feel is my purpose work is just amazing," she said.
She adds that she is more than humbled at the unexpected appreciation for all she does.
"Just to be able to see them thrive, I have spent so much of my time just surviving and where I come from you are taught that is enough and I never even know about thriving because I had never seen anyone personally thriving,” said Henderson.
Henderson is one of the individuals who will be honored at the Young Professionals Summit which will be held March 4-5.
Find tickets here.
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