As a part of The Landscape data collection process, the Foundation also compiled a number of stories from community members who have been impacted by the focus areas. This is one of the stories that represent the lived experiences of people who reside in the Omaha-Council Bluffs area.
Throughout her childhood, Shonna overcame numerous challenges to become a successful tech entrepreneur and educator. With such a great career and shelf full of leadership awards, she never expected domestic assault would cross her path.
Shonna Dorsey’s parents divorced when she was young leaving her mother a single parent. Her parents both had a good education and worked hard, but they were under-resourced. Growing up, Shonna wasn’t certain about college, but she changed her mind while at Omaha North High School. Through hard work and strong support from her teachers and guidance counselor, Shonna got into UNO on a full ride scholarship. There she earned a master’s degree in Management Information Systems before going on to co-found and lead Interface Web School in 2014. By 2015, Shonna and her team had graduated several classes of Interface students.
Then one Thursday night, her ex-boyfriend kidnapped her and strangled her to unconsciousness. After the incident, Shonna didn’t know what to do—or even what had actually happened while she was unconscious. She reported the assault, but that did not help her feel safe. So she sold her house and moved into a secure apartment building. Her assailant pled no contest and received three days of jail time for his crime. Since then, Shonna has chosen to speak out about her experience, with hopes of helping others and herself.