A Recap of the April 23 Launch of Prosper Lincoln 3.0
Nearly 200 Lincoln community members, leaders, and advocates gathered on April 23 at Nebraska Innovation Campus to Jump In to the next phase of Prosper Lincoln. With breakfast and a shared purpose in hand, we launched Prosper Lincoln 3.0—a renewed call to collective action rooted in the values of equity, connection, and shared opportunity.
A Performance to Remember
The event opened with a moving spoken word performance by Nebraska State Poet Jewel Rodgers, who challenged us all to reflect on what prosperity really means—for individuals, neighborhoods, and communities.
“Prosperity cannot be a pipe dream,” she said. “It should be a promise—a statement of self-worth and a declaration of the importance of every single life well lived.”
Her words set the tone for a morning rooted in courage, imagination and a shared responsibility for Lincoln’s future.
Leadership With Vision
Remarks from Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird reminded us that Lincoln thrives when everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
“Today, Prosper Lincoln 3.0 launches with a renewed focus on early childhood, affordable housing, and connectedness,” she said. “The City of Lincoln is proud to be a partner in this powerful, community-driven movement to build a brighter future for every resident.”
A Decade of Progress, A Future of Promise
Tracy Edgerton, President of Lincoln Community Foundation, took the stage to reflect on the journey that brought us to this moment. What began with the original Lincoln Vital Signs report has evolved into a movement for lasting, community-driven change.
“The 2014 data demonstrated some incredible strengths in our community—that’s for sure—but it also elevated some challenges that may not have been understood previously,” Edgerton said. “The first three years of Prosper Lincoln demonstrated that we need folks waking up every day focused on this—tackling the challenges and lifting opportunities.”
Rev. Juan Carlos Huertas, Minister of Proclamation and Practice of Justice at First-Plymouth Congregational Church, reflected on the power of collaboration and the importance of responding to the data with empathy and action.
“Hope increases with imagination,” shared Rev. Huertas. “In our world today, we are worried and weary. But we’re going to ask you today to be keepers of an imagination… to be an agent of transformation in these three areas.”
Introducing the Prosper Lincoln 3.0 Focus Areas
Grounded in the newly released 2025 Lincoln Vital Signs report and shaped by hundreds of community conversations, Prosper Lincoln 3.0 centers on three renewed focus areas:
- Connections: All people thrive through community engagement and social bonds.
From neighborhood coalitions like Belmont SNAC to inclusive learning spaces, Prosper Lincoln will prioritize belonging, civic engagement, economic mobility, and relationship-building. - Housing: All residents live in quality housing they can afford.
Prosper Lincoln will support housing access, affordability, and long-term stability in response to rising rents, aging housing stock, and increasing demand. - Early Childhood: All children are flourishing socially, emotionally, physically, and educationally.
Through partnerships with organizations like Lincoln Littles, Prosper Lincoln will continue building access to high-quality early care and a strong, supported childcare workforce.
Why These Priorities—and Why Now?
We spotlighted insights from the Lincoln Vital Signs report, including:
- Childcare affordability remains a barrier for working families.
- Lincoln’s population of residents over age 65 is growing faster than any other group.
- Safe, stable housing is foundational to every other measure of well-being.
These trends demand coordinated, people-first solutions—something Prosper Lincoln is designed to deliver.
Jump In: How You Can Get Involved
Whether you’re a business owner, educator, neighbor, or student, there’s a role for you in Prosper Lincoln 3.0. Here’s how to start:
- Stay connected: Sign up for updates by focus area—Connections, Housing, or Early Childhood.
- Share your story: Use #ProsperLincoln and tag @ProsperLincoln on Facebook.
- Fuel the vibe: Keep the inspiration going with the Jump In playlist curated by our community. Find a song that makes you want to jump out of bed in the morning and reach your goals.
- Partner up: Reach out to Lincoln Community Foundation to explore how your organization can get involved.
A Community That Shows Up
From the lively networking to the thoughtful reflections and bold vision, the April 23 event captured the best of Lincoln: shared leadership, civic pride, and a commitment to building a city where everyone can thrive.
“We are a community that shows up, rolls up our sleeves, and works together,” said Edgerton. “That’s what Prosper Lincoln is all about.”
We’re grateful to everyone who joined us, especially our emcee DeWayne Taylor and speakers Ann Brandt, Executive Director at Lincoln Littles; Allison Hatch, Director of Workforce Development at the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development; Stephanie Rouse, Community Development Manager at the City of Lincoln; Nola Derby-Bennett, Director of Lincoln Community Learning Centers; Dr. Stacey Hoffman, Research Specialist at University of Nebraska Public Policy Center; David Cary, Planning Director at Lincoln/Lancaster County Planning Department; Meagan Liesveld, Executive Director at United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster County; and Erin Makinson, Grants Manager at Center for People.
Let’s keep the momentum going, Lincoln. Let’s rise, shine—and Prosper—together.