From Adversity to Advocacy: Racquel Henderson’s Journey

Born in North Omaha and adopted at birth, Racquel Henderson grappled with identity and feelings of abandonment as a child. By her teens, she faced a series of hardships. She became a mother at 15, experienced domestic violence, endured homelessness, and by 20 she was incarcerated.

Hitting rock bottom in prison became a turning point. There, she realized that no one had ever “reached back” to guide her, and she resolved to be the person who would help others not fall through the cracks. With renewed purpose, she left prison determined to change her life through education and service.

Finding a Lifeline at UNO

When Henderson stepped onto the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) campus in 2010 as a first-generation, non-traditional student, she felt out of place at first.

“I didn't know what success looked like. I didn't know what successful people looked like,” said Henderson. “I didn't know what opportunities looked like.”

It was through UNO that Henderson became connected with TRIO Project Achieve, a program for students from low-income, first-generation, or underrepresented backgrounds. Project Achieve provided Henderson with critical emotional, academic, and financial support. Staff stepped in when she couldn’t afford to print assignments or needed food, and the office became a sanctuary where she could focus on studying and feel genuinely supported.

“Project Achieve was my lifeline, and I would not be where I am today had they not allowed me in that program and helped me navigate life,” said Henderson.

Bolstered by this network, Henderson dove into her studies with fierce determination. For five years straight, she juggled a full-time day job, parenting her young daughter, and night classes, often staying up until 2 or 3 A.M. to complete assignments. In 2014, she graduated with honors with dual bachelor's degrees in criminal justice and psychology.

From Student to Educator

After graduation, Henderson immediately put her education to work, committing herself to the kind of mentorship and support she wished she had received. She spent the next decade working in education and nonprofit roles, including at Metropolitan Community College (MCC), where she coordinated scholarship programs for first-generation students.

In that role, she helped hundreds of young people persist in school and find career pathways. She also launched a community-based social media initiative, sharing job leads, free resources, and encouragement with thousands of followers.

Though graduate school wasn’t initially in her plans, Henderson encountered a challenge that sparked new ambition. While working to revise a criminal justice curriculum, she was told she needed a master’s degree to formally propose changes.

Never having been one to back down, she returned to UNO, where she felt most at home, to earn her master's in criminal justice. There, she deepened her focus on systemic inequities and continued to build relationships with professors and peers who inspired her to think critically about justice reform.

Today, Henderson teaches as an adjunct professor at UNO, a moment that brings her story back to where it all began. She instructs a course on Race, Ethnicity, and Criminal Justice, drawing on her own lived experiences to humanize lessons and inspire students. Henderson’s approach is rooted in empathy, transparency, and real-world relevance. She fosters dialogue, challenges assumptions, and ensures that every student feels seen and heard.

“I'm not just teaching teachings from a book, but I actually lived through it. And so, I know how it feels, and I want my students to know how it feels. For me, it's not enough to just know the information. And so, my lived experience is the foundation of how I show up in the classroom,” said Henderson. “I don't want to just teach theory but rather bring living truth into space. I've been impacted by many of the systems we study, not just incarceration, but poverty and trauma. I'm able to really humanize what students read in textbooks. I use storytelling. I use real-life examples and raw transparency and activities that really challenge them.”

Leading and Giving Back

Beyond campus, Henderson’s impact can be felt throughout Omaha. After earning her graduate degree, she joined EPIC for Girls as director of programs and strategic partnerships, working to improve equity in youth sports.

She also partnered with the Empowerment Network to launch Skill-Up Omaha, a job skills program helping adults build capacity in areas like financial literacy, mental health, and leadership. Her work with the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and Nebraska Medicine Community Wellness Collaborative included mentoring participants from underserved backgrounds through health care training programs, helping them navigate challenges and graduate successfully.

Henderson also continues to be a trusted community resource through her social media platform, where she connects thousands of people to everything from free food pantries and coat drives to rental assistance and job fairs. To her, service isn’t a side project, it’s a calling.

In June 2025, Henderson was appointed community liaison for North Omaha in the Mayor’s Office, a role that allows her to elevate the voices of her community directly to City Hall. In this position, she bridges the gap between residents and local government, advocating for resources and policies that reflect the realities of those she serves.

Henderson’s tireless community advocacy has earned widespread recognition. She has received numerous awards for her leadership, from the Urban League’s African American Leadership Award to the Greater Omaha Chamber’s Changemaker Award.

“During Racquel’s time as a graduate student in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice (SCCJ), she consistently demonstrated an enthusiasm for learning and a passion for utilizing newly gained knowledge to achieve her career goals as well as facilitate her work in the community,” said Mark Foxall, Ph.D., Henderson’s graduate advisor and UNO criminology professor. “I am so proud to see how deeply engaged Racquel is with the community, leading and working on initiatives that foster mentorship, equity and purposeful civic engagement. Her trajectory exemplifies the integration of intellectual achievement with purposeful, community-centered leadership.”

Even with her growing influence, Henderson remains grounded.

She continues to mentor young women, collaborate with nonprofit initiatives, and stay involved in community prevention programs that address root causes before crises begin. For her, prevention is more than a strategy, it’s a way to shift entire futures. She believes deeply in representation, and in the idea that when people see someone who looks like them leading with authenticity, it opens the door to new possibilities.

“For me, it's personal. It's very personal. It's what wasn't done for me, and prevention is protection. I don't think people realize that that's how we stop cycles before they even start,” said Henderson. “When you invest in community-based outlets, whether it's mentoring, whether it's sports, whether it's education, whether it's reentry support, you're not just offering a program; you're offering a lifeline”