What Are You Doing in Your Community for Empowerment?
The Houston Area Urban League, a registered 501(c)3, has been serving the Houston community since 1968. The organization’s mission is to enable Black people and other disadvantaged communities to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power, and civil rights. Through their advocacy and efforts, the organization helps address the underlying issues that contribute to social and economic inequalities, working towards a more just and inclusive society.
Judson Robinson III is a prominent figure associated with the Houston Area Urban League (HAUL). He has served as the President and CEO of HAUL since 2002. Under his leadership, HAUL has worked tirelessly to advance its mission of advocating for social and economic equality within communities.
During a recent luncheon in celebration of Juneteenth, Robinson told attendees about the importance of the league and connecting lawmakers with the socioeconomic struggles for residents.
“I’ve been trying to make sure that the Urban League was available to people,” said Judson Robinson III, the president said.
Robinson stated that this year’s conference will be exceptionally distinctive compared to previous years due to multiple factors. Firstly, it commemorates his 20-year tenure as the area president and CEO. Additionally, the significance of influence will be prominently emphasized throughout the event.
The Houston Area Urban League (HAUL) is thrilled and privileged to announce that they will be hosting the highly anticipated 2023 National Urban League (NUL) Conference from July 26th to July 29th at the prestigious George R. Brown Convention Center. Notable speakers include Emmy nominated-producer Will Packer, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson and Al Green, Yolanda Adams, Benjamin Crump and more.
This momentous occasion marks the return of the National Urban League Conference to Houston, a city that perfectly aligns with HAUL’s mission of empowering black Houstonians and other marginalized communities to achieve economic self-reliance, equality, and political influence. With the news of their event, former New Orleans Mayor Marc H. Morial has been filling the shoes of leadership since he was selected to lead the National Urban League in 2003 as President and CEO.
Under his administration, the Urban Alliance is presently five times bigger than they were when Morial ventured into the role. When asked why the Urban League is important for many, the president said, “We have been through the most substantial transformation of the Urban League in 50 years, or maybe since its founding. We have completely, in the last 20 years, overhauled the organization.”
As HAUL celebrated its 55th anniversary on June 19th, they found themselves at a critical juncture at which the civil rights of underserved Houstonians were under threat. This makes the National Urban League Conference’s return to the city well timed and invaluable. It serves as a powerful complement to the organization’s ongoing efforts to safeguard the rights and well-being of our community.
Through hosting, HAUL aims to create a platform for meaningful discussions, innovative ideas, and collaborative solutions that will address the challenges faced by our community. We are committed to fostering an environment that encourages dialogue, empowers individuals, and promotes positive change.
With their programs being complemented by new age technology, the Urban League has become a formidable space for advocacy and more. “The economic program we’re doing around businesses, small black businesses, housing and home ownership, workforce development and jobs and reentry is second to none anywhere in the country,” the former mayor explained.
With that growth, of course, comes change and adapting to what may no longer be comfortable.
The National Urban League Conference’s comeback to Houston could be a convenient and significant addition to HAUL’s objective of empowering Houston residents and other disadvantaged communities to attain financial independence, equal opportunities, and political empowerment.
Over the past 55 years it’s been in existence, the Houston Area Urban League has established a protocol to assist underprivileged Houston residents who are at risk of having their rights violated.
More than half of the businesses within the Houston metro zone are minority owned. That number has shot up from 53 percent since 2012, per census data.
The conference benefits Houston as an entirety in that it brings together major pioneers from the trade, government and social backing segments and serves as a center for policymakers, political activists, and others to meet and trade thoughts, arrange, and create techniques to address a wide run of issues.
Morial says the NUL is all about “economic empowerment” as a segway for jobs, housing, business. “Our goal is economic parity. You must have a goal. Voting rights is a way to achieve economic parity,” he said.
The HAUL plans to provide an array of programs and services to assist community members and their families throughout the conference. Partner organizations, such as the Center for Social Justice and Education, Education and Youth Development, Entrepreneurship Center, Health and Wellness, and Housing and Social Services, will offer various services such as job training, financial education, small business development, and housing assistance.
Furthermore, the organization provides tailored support to individuals in search of aid in matters such as job opportunities, academic pursuits, and various other areas requiring attention.
The establishment has had a significant impact on the community it serves. It has helped thousands of individuals and families achieve economic self-reliance and improve their quality of life. Their programs and services have contributed to increased job readiness, improved financial literacy, and expanded access to affordable housing and healthcare.
By empowering individuals from historically oppressed communities, HAUL is helping to create a more equitable and just society. Through its advocacy and programs, they are changing lives and making a positive impact on the Houston community.
To gain further insights on how to actively contribute to the transformation, visit www.nulconference.org and complete the registration process. This will provide you with additional details.
