Looking back over 2009, what were the highlights for the Urban League?
In 2009, the Urban League of Greater New Orleans completed an internal review and adopted a Strategic Framework that calls for the Urban League to be an Architect of Change. For the Urban League, being an Architect of Change means becoming an expert on how to effect change on economic, educational, and policy issues that adversely affect African-Americans and other disadvantaged populations.
What achievements are you proud of?
Our Parent Information Center reached over 980 parents, and we conducted 37 parent workshops teaching parents, teachers, and school leaders how to engage as partners in the delivery of excellent public and private education. We conducted a schools fair with over 70 schools participating serving 600 families. We also developed a Parent Leadership Academy and graduated an inaugural class. Our Urban League College Track program supported 100 students weekly in our college preparatory program. Our Financial Connections program provided financial literacy classes to over 200 participants and our Women’s and Business resource centers counseled over 400 entrepreneurs and supported over 900 in total.
With numbers like those the Urban League has put on the scoreboard in 2009, we are sure to run up the score by thoroughly beating back the disparities that plague our most vulnerable individuals.
Where is the Urban League headed over the next couple of years?
Over the next couple of years the Urban League will be focused making success possible for every individual who is willing to work hard.
What does the Urban League do freakishly well?
I think the Urban League is freakishly good at being the voice of reason. Our voice comes through in a recognizable manner for all to digest equally, and more importantly our voice rings with a sweet and melodic solution that closes gaps of disparity, unites communities around commonalities, and paints a picture that includes the dreams of all New Orleanians in every brush stroke.
