![]() ![]() Spouse Stephanie Emry is a preschool teacher at Rousseau Elementary in Lincoln. Other community involvement includes speaking on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Association in memory of his mother, who died from the disease last year, and coaching for and directing the Nebraska Supreme basketball program for 5th and 6th grade girls.įerguson’s daughter Jaden, an all-state scholar-athlete for Lincoln Southwest High School, is now a 6’0” outside hitter for Northwest Missouri State volleyball. Youth Rally and March, which promotes King’s life and dreams through positive youth action. “When I was young, that was the only cartoon that had a person who looked like me on it,” Ferguson said.)įor 22 years, Ferguson has helped coordinate and lead Lincoln’s annual Rev. (BHS stands for Brown Hornet Stinger, referring to the black superhero on the television cartoon Fat Albert. Through his company BHS Productions, he speaks to and trains audiences ranging from 8th graders to corporate CEOs on diversity and inclusion, personal and professional development, leadership and athletics. The son of a teacher and a military man, Ferguson has a work ethic and drive that compel him beyond the normal nine to five. He joined Lincoln Public Schools in 2009. “I have to give him credit for reinforcing and seeing something in me that I didn’t see in myself,” Ferguson said.Īfter landing a position directing the Lincoln/Lancaster County Youth Advisory Council, Ferguson was case manager for Heartland Big Brothers Big Sisters and program coordinator and vice president of Leadership Lincoln, where he directed the Youth in Action Center and Youth Leadership Academy. Seeing Ferguson’s rapport with kids, a fellow referee encouraged him to pursue a career working with youth. Promoting diversity in the communityįresh out of college, Ferguson sold advertising for “Froggy 98,” a country radio station in Lincoln, and coached and refereed youth basketball. ![]() In addition to managing six student advocates, Ferguson trains teachers and staff on diversity and oversees the Multicultural Equity/Diversity Cadre, a district-wide group of 35 high school students who represent and advocate for their peers. “Forty-five percent of students are eligible for the free or reduced lunch program.” “It’s an ever-growing, diverse district in regard to ethnicity, where students are from and languages spoken,” he said. While Ferguson appreciates the accolades, he is more interested in empowering others, especially the 43,000-plus students enrolled in Lincoln Public Schools. Martin Luther King, Jr., the NAACP Community Service Award and the Lincoln Area YWCA Mentors and Allies Award. ![]() Last year, the Lincoln Journal Star lauded Ferguson as one of the community’s “30 Most Influential Men.” His numerous honors include the Fulfilling the Dream Award from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for promoting the goals and vision of the Rev. The 6’3” former Bronco basketball star is a towering presence in Lincoln for his work in youth development and social justice. “I don’t use the term ‘at risk.’ A colleague of mine once said that every person is at risk of somebody not giving you a chance. “Our pillars are to enrich, empower and advocate for our various scholars, many of whom have ability and all the potential in the world,” said Ferguson, a 1996 Hastings College graduate with degrees in English and communications. He and his team counsel dropouts and youth affected by the juvenile justice system, locate resources for homeless students, ensure equity for scholars of color and make sure all students, no matter their background or life experience, can reach their potential academically and personally. Pete Ferguson ‘96, coordinator of the Youth Development Team at Lincoln (Nebraska) Public Schools, has built a career lifting up and giving voice to underrepresented youth. Pete Ferguson ’96 at a workshop for high school students. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging.Student Engagement / Academic Affairs Staff. ![]()
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