Wayne Brown
President & CEO, Urban League of Nebraska
Wayne D. Brown, J.D. has led the Urban League of Nebraska as its President and CEO since 2022, bringing with him an unwavering commitment to building a more just and equitable community. His leadership is grounded in a deep love for the people of Omaha and a desire to empower others to achieve their fullest potential. Before stepping into his current role, Wayne served as Vice President of Programs for five years, where he worked to shape initiatives that uplift and inspire.
A native son of Omaha, Wayne’s journey has been one of service and resilience. After graduating from Benson High School, he dedicated 10 years to serving his country in the Army, where he developed a deep sense of duty, resilience, and commitment to the collective good. Following his military service, he graduated Magna Cum Laude from East Tennessee State University and in 2009, earned his law degree from Creighton University. His legal training, combined with a heart for advocacy, positioned him to be a voice for the voiceless in his community.
Wayne has held key leadership positions in Omaha’s nonprofit sector, including Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Operations at the Omaha Community Foundation, as well as Chief Career Officer at Avenue Scholars Foundation. His work is guided by a profound vision of a community where every individual has the opportunity to live freely, thrive, and contribute.
Beyond his operational leadership, Wayne’s transformative work in the community became the subject of the award-winning documentary Out of Omaha, executive produced by the artist J. Cole. This powerful film spotlighted the challenges and triumphs of Omaha’s young Black men and underscored Wayne’s unwavering commitment to helping others rise. An active member of the Omaha community, Wayne serves on the boards of Threshold, Financial Hope Collaborative, House of Afros, Capes and Curls, Benson Theater, and Creighton Center for Promoting Health and Health Equity. His work is not just professional—it is personal, woven into the fabric of the city he calls home.
Wayne is married to Dr. Nichelle Horton-Brown, M.D., and they are raising three beautiful children together. As a father, husband, and leader, Wayne believes that a better world is possible—a world where social capital, hope, and agency are at the center of all we do.