‘Keeping us where we need to be’: Omaha drill team looking toward trip to New York

Team launches 260 steps fundraiser to raise money for African American Day Parade

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Destruction Drill Team fundraising to send Omaha youth to historic New York City parade

Team launches 260 steps fundraiser to raise money for African American Day Parade

OMAHA, Neb. —

A North Omaha youth organization is asking the community to help make history by sending dozens of young performers to one of the nation’s largest celebrations of Black culture.

The Destruction Drill Team, a nonprofit founded 13 years ago by Derantay Stephens, has been invited to perform in the 57th annual African American Day Parade in Harlem, New York, this September. According to Stephens, no youth group from Omaha has ever participated in the event.

The drill team serves children and teens ages 5 to 19, using music, dance and marching as a way to mentor young people and provide a positive outlet outside of school.

“It’s more of a mentorship program, keeping kids off the streets and moving in a positive direction,” Stephens said.

For team member Aimire Rodgers, the organization has become much more than an extracurricular activity.

“I’ve been on the Drill Team for six years,” he said. “My mom put us on the team, and it’s keeping us out of the streets and keeping us where we need to be.”

Now, the team hopes to take that mission to a national stage.

To help cover transportation, hotel lodging and other travel expenses, the organization has launched its “260 Footprints” campaign. The goal is to find 260 people willing to donate $25, creating a path to New York one supporter at a time. Stephens said additional fundraising will also be needed to cover the full cost of the trip.

For many of the young performers, the trip would mark their first visit to New York City and a chance to experience landmarks like Times Square and the Statue of Liberty while representing Omaha in front of a national audience.

Community members interested in supporting the Destruction Drill Team can donate through the organization’s GoFundMe.

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