Building Their Own Bench: How Identity Preparatory Academy Claimed Its Right to Flourish in North Omaha

For generations, the educational landscape for young Black girls in North Omaha has been defined by spaces built for them, but rarely with them in mind. When traditional educational systems talk about young Black and Brown youth, the conversation too often centers on deficits—gaps to fill, statistics to overcome, or pipelines to break.

On August 11, 2026, a unanimous 8-0 vote by the Nebraska State Board of Education granted Rule 14 conditional approval to Identity Preparatory Academy (Identity Prep), clearing the runway for the all-girls middle school to open its doors on August 19. But viewing Identity Prep strictly through the lens of state compliance or institutional mechanics misses the broader transformation taking place. This historic milestone is not merely a local victory—it is a watershed moment for Nebraska and a bold blueprint for culturally affirming education across the entire Midwest.

Identity Prep is not an answer to a political debate; it is a declaration of cultural self-determination.

Reclaiming the Cultural Heritage of Teaching Our Own

Founded and led by Chief Executive Officer DérNecia Phillips, Identity Prep holds major historic significance: it stands as the first Black-founded nonpublic school system approved under state guidelines in Nebraska history.

At its core, the academy rejects the notion that educational equity requires fitting young women into institutions that were never designed to nurture them. Instead, it offers a grounded, identity-affirming model specifically created for 4th- through 8th-grade girls in North Omaha, launching its inaugural year with 4th and 5th graders.

To enter the environment of Identity Prep is to experience the Ghanaian Adinkra symbol Sankofa—the stylized heart shape embodying the wisdom of reaching back to retrieve knowledge from the past to build a flourishing future. The underlying proverb reminds us that it is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten.

In practice, Identity Prep uses Sankofa as an anchor for its scholars. Rather than treating a student's cultural background as secondary to their education, the academy treats community wealth, historical legacy, and familial roots as the primary engines for academic mastery.

Overcoming Obstacles to Clear the Runway

The path to opening required navigating real institutional friction. Following an initial delay where state board members paused approval to scrutinize early exploratory text on the school's website, community advocacy and focused dialogue paved the way forward.

Parents, community leaders, and advocates rallied around a clear, shared objective: dismantling systemic barriers that disproportionately affect young girls of color and replacing them with environments rooted in joy, high academic standards, and personal safety. You can watch the full board discussions and community testimony surrounding the vote directly on YouTube's 3NewsNow Board Vote Video.

The result was a decisive vote that secured state approval, catalyzing strong momentum, philanthropic investment, and local support to guarantee the school's long-term sustainability.

A Model for Omaha and the Midwest

The arrival of Identity Prep signals a monumental shift in how community-led education is established, funded, and sustained. By pioneering a model rooted in cultural heritage and high academic standards, Identity Prep sets a new gold standard that proves how heartland communities can build transformative, scalable institutions.

• Tailored Learning Environments: Small class sizes combined with hands-on, experiential learning crafted specifically around the developmental and leadership goals of middle school girls.
• Culturally Representative Educators: A structural commitment to placing educators and curricula in front of scholars that mirror their lived experiences and affirm their heritage.
• Community-Funded Sustainability: Utilizing 501(c)(3) tax-deductible gifts, foundation support, and community investment to give local families quality nonpublic options without economic barriers.
• Regional Blueprint: Serving as a replicable model for heartland cities seeking to transform urban education through self-determination and community-led innovation.

A Seat at Their Own Table

As doors open for the 2026–2027 school year, Identity Prep offers much more than classrooms; it offers a sanctuary where young women can discover their purpose before the world attempts to define it for them.

Investing in the brilliance of young Black girls goes beyond funding a single school—it powers the future leaders, creators, and anchors of North Omaha while laying down a challenge and a vision for the entire region. The narrative is no longer about asking for a seat at someone else's table. Through Identity Prep, North Omaha built its own.