Clarice Dombeck is a candidate for the Regional Metropolitan Transit Authority’s Board of Directors in District 2. The Transit Authority, also known as Metro, is responsible for running Omaha’s bus system, including ORBT and MOBY services.

The first elected board will have seven nonpartisan members, one for each district. Prior to this year, seats were appointed by the mayor rather than elected. The change is part of Metro’s increased budget and expanded regional services. Board responsibilities include determining transit policy, overseeing the budget and handling contracts

Dombeck was born and raised in North Omaha. In addition to her candidacy, she serves on ⁠Elevate Omaha’s⁠ Board of Directors and is the urban development manager at ⁠Spark⁠, an Omaha nonprofit that aims to transform and invest in underserved neighborhoods.

Dombeck is also an urban farmer and a founder of the ⁠Healing Roots African Diaspora Garden⁠ on North 24th Street, and she’s working on a Master of Science in Urban Studies at the University of Nebraska Omaha.

In this conversation, Dombeck is in conversation with Michael Griffin about her family’s history of community organizing, and how it informs her own varied approach to advocacy. They also discuss transit disparities in Omaha and Dombeck’s vision for Metro.

Correction: A previous version of this podcast incorrectly identified the Regional Metropolitan Transit Authority as being responsible for the forthcoming Omaha Streetcar. It is a City of Omaha project.