Local Urban League woos younger members

The National Urban League is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and it is looking forward to its next 100 years.

But to get there, the historic civil rights and community organization group must gain and keep younger members to carry the torch.

Local member Carla Howard is ready for the challenge.

"Not many African American organizations last this long," Howard, 31, said. "We have to be the ones to keep it moving."

Howard has been a member in the local chapter, based in Portsmouth, for a year, and has a leadership role in the organization's young professionals group.

Out of 350 local members, 125 are younger than 45 years old.

The organization, which empowers African Americans, is based in New York, with affiliates in more than 100 cities nationwide.

For more than 30 years, the local affiliate has provided services and programs in education, health, employment and housing to Hampton Roads' urban communities.

"There are so many reasons that young professionals should take advantage of what the Urban League has to offer," such as community service and professional development, said Howard, the business development manager for the city of Norfolk. "For me, I knew I wanted to be a part of the great things going on in the community."

For William Brown, it was getting the chance to network with other area professionals.

"Look at who our board members and sponsors are - college presidents and other top executives in Hampton Roads," said Brown, 31, who has been a member for more than a year and is the president of the organization's young professionals group. "We get to interact with them on a regular basis."

The young professionals group is geared to ages 21 to 45.

Earlier this year, Howard and Brown, along with another member, traveled to Washington to advocate to legislators for job creation and other issues facing young minorities.

Edith White, the local group's president and CEO, said that the focus has been to break down barriers in the community.

In the past, the group has helped local black leaders identify and solve community problems, such as violence and unemployment, and launched programs to prepare high school dropouts for college.

Today, White said, the organization still accomplishes that goal by raising money for college scholarships and hosting job training and first-time home buyer workshops.

Since these programs are relevant, White said, she hopes they entice younger people to get involved.

Tonight, the organization will hold its signature event, the annual Whitney M. Young Jr. Awards Dinner. Officials plan to kick off a year long campaign to celebrate individuals and organizations that have supported the league, White said.

"This event really connects the younger generation to our past and present," she added. "We use this event to teach them about our history and how to keep it alive."

Howard said she hopes that the activities will persuade more young folks to join the Urban League. The next generation of leaders has to step up, she said.

Jaedda Armstrong, (757) 222-5110, jaedda.armstrong@pilotonline.com