The Bay, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Nebraska youth through community building, mentorship and workforce development, has expanded beyond Lincoln and beyond its popular skateboarding programming. As The Bay establishes itself in Omaha at the Benson Community Center, the organization has taken ownership of another arts and education nonprofit, Omaha Girls Rock (OGR). The Bay team members said one thing that hasn’t changed is the nonprofit’s continued dedication to empowering kids and young adults — even as a longtime leader steps down.
Mike Smith, co-founder and executive growth and innovation director for The Bay, left the organization this month. According to an announcement by the nonprofit, Smith is preparing to become a father and is ready to explore other opportunities. In recent years, Smith has received awards and recognition for his work at The Bay, earning a Nebraska Distinguished Entrepreneur Award from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2024 and being named Tech Leader of the Year during the 2024 AIM Tech Awards.
In a farewell message on LinkedIn, Smith described the evolution of The Bay from a skate park in a Lincoln mall in 2010 to a resource hub for youth in both Lincoln and Omaha. He said he will be “cheering loudly from the sidelines” in support of the current leaders moving the organization forward. He also thanked all those who have contributed to The Bay’s journey…