The Central Florida Urban League joins the National Urban League and affiliates across the country in celebration of National Urban League Founders’ Day, September 29, 2010. As it launches its second century of civil rights and social justice leadership, the Urban League Movement looks to its founders for inspiration and guidance. The Central Florida Urban League will mark the date with an “Open House” on the 29th from 4:00 – 6:00PM at our Pine HIls location: 2804 Belco Drive, Orlando Florida 32808.
“There are many parallels between the challenges facing urban America today and those faced by the African-Americans who fled northward 100 years ago,” said Allie Braswell, President and CEO of the Central Florida Urban League. “Our focus remains on jobs, quality education, access to health care and safe, affordable housing.
The National Urban League was founded by social worker George Edmund Haynes, the first African American to earn a PhD from Columbia University, and Ruth Standish Baldwin, a wealthy social activist. The League grew out of the merging of three fledgling organizations: the Committee on Urban Conditions Among Negroes, the National League for the Protection of Colored Women, and the Committee for Improving the Industrial Conditions of Negroes in New York.
At the launch of its second century, the Urban League Movement has evolved into a powerhouse for securing economic equality and justice for underserved communities. Now guided by a “five point empowerment agenda” that focuses on closing the equality gaps that exist for minority communities in education, economic empowerment, health and quality of life, civic engagement, and civil rights and racial justice, the League continues to fight so that Americans can have the opportunity to achieve the American dream and live a high-quality life.
In celebration of its Centennial, the National Urban League embarked upon the “I AM EMPOWERED” social mobilization initiative, asking Americans to pledge their time and talents to achieving four goals by 2025:
1. Every American child is ready for college, work and life.
2. Every American has access to jobs with a living wage and good benefits.
3. Every American lives in safe, decent, affordable, energy efficient housing on fair terms.
4. Every American has access to quality and affordable health care solutions.
“It’s been a remarkable century for the Urban League Movement,” said Marc H. Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League. “We’ve made great strides, opened many doors and turned a climate of fear into a climate of hope. But more work remains to be done, and we are guided by the spirit of determination and dedication that moved our founders.”
