2023 Whitney M. Young Jr. Urban League Leadership Conference
Empowering Our Affiliate Movement
2023 Whitney M. Young, Jr., Leadership Development Conference
October 16 - October 19, 2023 | New York, NY
The Whitney M. Young Jr. Urban Leadership Development Conference is our annual leadership immersion event for the leaders of our affiliate movement. We bring together our brightest minds and dedicated hearts to expand expertise, build community and share learnings for a stronger, more effective Urban League movement.
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Schedule at a Glance
Sessions are open unless otherwise stated.
Emerging Leaders Track (In-Person Closed)
9:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. ELP Practice Session for Final Presentation & Headshots
Keynote Sessions
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Leadership Lunch
Education & Youth Development Track (In-Person Closed)
2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Opening Session – The State of Education in America
3:20 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Sneak Peek Into Project Ready 3.0
4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Reclaim Civics: What Problems Do you Want to Solve
Guild Track
7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. That's Not Right
Equitable Justice & Strategic Initiatives Track (Hybrid)
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Optimizing Impact: Introduction to Systems Design Challenging White Supremacy
7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Defend Democracy
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Colgate-Palmolive
Leadership Breakfast
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
CEO Track (In-Person Closed)
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Legal Advocacy for Racial Justice
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Economic Policy for Equity
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Media and Messaging for Racial Justice
1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Strategies
Emerging Leaders Track (In-Person Closed)
9:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Georgetown Module 4
Education & Youth Development Track (In-Person Closed)
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Creating Transformative Learning Experiences
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Amplifying Impact: The Significance of Success Stories in Affiliate Reporting
1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. "Youth's Greatest Power is Their Voice"
Growth Opportunities Track (In-Person Closed)
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Building Resilience: Empowering Your Workforce
WFDD Urban Senior Jobs Program Track (Hybrid - Closed)
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. PY 23 Kickoff: Getting into the Kick of it- Mastering GPMS
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. PY 23 Kickoff: Getting into the Kick of it- Mastering GPMS (Part II)
WFDD Urban Reentry Jobs Program
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Getting the RAP Down: Employment Strategies for Job Seekers with Criminal Histories (Virtual - Closed)
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Utilizing Data to Analyze, Measure, and Improve Program Results (Virtual - Open)
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Planning, Design, Delivery, and Evaluation: Applied Labor Market (Virtual - Open)
Entrepreneurship Center Program Track (In-Person Closed)
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Entrepreneurship Center Program Update
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Entrepreneurship Center Director's Exchange
Washington Bureau Track (Virtual)
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Exploring Federal Grant Opportunities - Agency Level
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. All Policy is Local: Connecting Your Federal and State Level Policy Strategy<
Board Development Track (Virtual - Closed)
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Board Member Development Training
WFDD Youth Urban Pathways Track
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. The Future of Youth Workforce
Health & Equity Track (Hybrid)
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Expanding your Coalitions into New Health Equity Arenas
Housing Track (In-Person Closed)
3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Virtual Financial Empowerment Toolkit “VFEC” Introduction
WFDD Urban Energy Jobs Program
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Securing Quality Job Leads and Deepening Employer Relationships
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Clean Energy Summit Panel
CEO Roundtable Track (Virtual - Closed)
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Legal Advocacy for Racial Justice
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Economic Policy for Equity
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Media and Messaging for Racial Justice
1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Strategies
Board Development Track (Virtual Closed)
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Board Development Training
CFO Track
1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. CFO Roundtable
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. The Future of Youth Workforce
Young Professionals Track (Virtual - Open)
8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. History of YP: Joint Learning Session
7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Leadership in Action
Leadership Breakfast - Demand Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Demand Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
12:00 p.m. 1:30 p.m. Marc H. Morial Keynote and Awards Luncheon
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Next Level Financial Management Strategies
10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Local DEI Initiatives
Education & Youth Development Track (In-Person Closed)
1:45 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Best Practices from the Field in Implementing Project Ready
Health & Equity Track (In-Person Closed)
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. SOAR: Elevating Mental Health and Wellness in the Movement
Housing Track
9:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. The Sate of Housing Overview
10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Intro to NUL’s Virtual Financial Empowerment Center Toolkit “VFEC”
1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Digital Inclusion is Economic Inclusion (Hybrid)
3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. The State of Housing Overview: Policy Priorities
WFDD Urban Energy Jobs Program (In-Person Closed)
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Securing Quality Job Leads and Deepening Employer Relationships
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Clean Energy Summit Panel
WFDD Urban Tech Jobs Program Track
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Artificial Intelligence and Employment
WFDD Urban Senior Jobs Program Track (Hybrid - Closed)
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. PY 23 Kickoff: Kickin' Off the Year Right
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. PY 23 Kickoff: Ready, Set, Budget
WFDD Urban Reentry Jobs Program
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Employer Engagement: Securing Quality Job Leads and Deepening Employer Relationships (Hybrid)
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
CFO Roundtable Track (Virtual Closed)
1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. CFO Roundtable: Moving Forward - The Future of Accounting and Reporting
Board Development Track (Virtual Closed)
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Board Development Session
Entrepreneurship Center Program Track (Hybrid - Open)
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Welcome & Overview of the Entrepreneurship Center Program (Hybrid - Open)
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Small Business Policy & Advocacy Priorities
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. New & Innovative Ways to Access SME Capital
1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Advancing Growth Opportunities for SMEs
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. The Urban Empowerment Fund
3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Capital Access Strategies
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Entrepreneurship Center Program Dinner
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Local DEI Initiatives (In-person Closed)
10:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Next Level Financial Management Strategies
CFO Track
1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. CFO Session
WFDD Upskilling Track (In-Person Closed)
3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Upskilling/Reskilling the Workforce of the Future
Young Professionals Track (Virtual - Open)
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Joint Learning Session - Fundraising Overview
8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Fundraising Break Out Sessions
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Voice of Change
Breakfast - Book Banning
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Book Banning
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Defeat Poverty
Education & Youth Development (In-Person Closed)
9:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Enhancing Impact & Transforming Lives: Maximizing Outcomes with Kuder Tools
11:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Movement Team Building Presentations
Health Equity Track (Hybrid - Open)
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Exploring Community Health Worker Models to Reduce Inequities
7:30 p.m. - 9:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. The Fight for Federal Funding
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Rework America Alliance Information Session
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CEO Track Day 2
Leadership Luncheon (Virtual)
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. CFO Day 2
Entrepreneurship Center Program Track (Hybrid/In-Person)
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Entrepreneurship Center Program Best Practices (Hybrid Open)
1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. CNPP Fiscal Close-Out Process (Hybrid Open)
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Wrap-Up/Questions?/Concerns (In-person Closed)
Housing Track
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Appraisal Bias: According to an Appraiser
10:10 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. OCC Session (Hybrid)
11:10 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Community Land Trusts: A Community Led Approach to Unlocking Affordable Housing
Urban Energy Jobs Program
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Securing Quality Job Leads and Deepening Employer Relationships
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Clean Energy Summit Panel
2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Upskilling/Reskilling the Workforce of the Future<
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Urban Tech Jobs Program
WFDD Urban Senior Jobs Program Track (Hybrid - Closed)
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 23 Kickoff: Kickin’ Into High Gear
Young Professionals Track (Virtual - Open)
7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Strategy and Chapter Building – Building Guild, Affiliate, and YP Relations
8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Strategy and Chapter Building – Breakout Sessions
8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Officers - Role Review, Managing Up, Across and Down, Chair Support
7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Strategy and Chapter Building – Building Guild, Affiliate, and YP Relations
8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Strategy and Chapter Building – Breakout Sessions
Keynote Sessions (In-Person)
October 17 - 19, 2023
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October 17, 2023
Time Session Speakers 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Defend Democracy Hon. Adrienne Eadie Adams
Speaker, New York City Council12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Colgate-Palmolive Deon Hines
Principal Scientist, Colgate-Palmolive
October 18, 2023
Time Session Speakers 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Demand Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Michelle Thornton Ghee
Founder and CEO, The Expectant Group12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Marc H. Morial Keynote & WMY Jr. Awards Luncheon Marc H. Morial
President & CEO
October 19, 2023 Time Session Speakers 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Book Banning Dennis M. Walcott
President and Chief Executive Officer, Queens Public Library12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Defeat Poverty Kirsten John Foy
Founder of The Arc of Justice, Host of The Justice Clapback Radio Show and Podcast
Founder of The Arc of Justice, Host of The Justice Clapback Radio Show and Podcast
Board Development Track (Virtual Closed)
October 17, 2023
Tuesday | October 17, 2023
Time Session Speakers 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Board Member Development Training (Virtual - Closed) Herman Lessard
SVP, Affiliate Services
Su Chen
President
Council of Board Chairs
Sean King
Partnerships & Advancements/CCS Consultants, CCS Fundraising
League Chief Executive Officer Track (In-Person Closed)
October 17 - 18, 2023
How to Meet the Moment: Threats to Racial Justice
Tuesday | October 17
Time Session Speakers 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Legal Advocacy for Racial Justice Damon Hewitt
President and Executive Director, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Economic Policy for Equity Samantha Tweedy
Chief Executive Officer, The Black Economic Alliance11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Media and Messaging for Racial Justice Rhonda Spears Bell
Chief Marketing Officer and SVP Marketing & Communications, National Urban League1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Strategies Valerie Rainford
CEO & Founder, Elloree Talent Strategies
Wednesday | October 18, 2023
Time Session Speakers 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Local DEI Initiatives Christie Kuhns
President and CEO, Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio
Dr. Seanelle Hawkins
President and Chief Executive Officer, Urban League of Rochester
Marsha Mockabee
President & CEO, Urban League of Greater Cleveland
Arva Rice
President and CEO, New York Urban League10:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Next Level Financial Management Strategies Michael Gellman
Co-founding Principal Partner, Fiscal Strategies 4 Nonprofits, LLC
Sidney Evans
Chief Financial Officer and SVP Finance, National Urban League
President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio
President and CEO of the Urban League of Rochester
waExecutive Director, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
Chief Marketing Officer and SVP Marketing & Communications, National Urban League
Senior Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer, National Urban League
League Chief Financial Officer Track (Virtual Closed)
October 17 - 18, 2023
Tuesday | October 17, 2023
Time Session Speakers 1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. CFO Roundtable: Moving Forward - The Future of Accounting
Richard Fischer
Managing Director, O'Connor Pagano & Associates
Triva Thomas
VP, Budgets & Grants, National Urban League
October 20, 2022 Time Session Speakers 1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. CFO Roundtable: Moving Forward - The Future of Accounting
Sidney Evans
Chief Financial Officer and SVP Finance, National Urban League
Michael Gellman
Co-founding Principal Partner, Fiscal Strategies 4 Nonprofits, LLC
Emerging Leaders Track
October 16 - 17, 2023
Tuesday | October 16, 2023
Time Session Speakers 9:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. ELP Practice Session for Final Presentation and Headshots (In-Person Closed) Emerging Leaders Cohort
October 17, 2023
Time Session Speakers 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Georgetown Module Media Training (In-Person Closed) Demeika Wheaton
Sr. Vice President, Porter Novelli1:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. Emerging Leaders’ Final Presentation (In-Person Closed)
Emerging Leaders Cohort4:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. (Virtual - Open) Fostering Change From Within: The Art of Motivational Interviewing Emerging Leaders Cohort 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Emerging Leaders Graduation Ceremony (In-Person Closed) Wanda Jackson
Senior Vice President, Human Resources & Chief Talent Officer, National Urban League
Senior Advisor, Georgetown University
Senior Vice President, Human Resources & Chief Talent Officer, National Urban League
Education & Youth Development Track (In-Person Closed)
October 16 - 19, 2023
During the conference, the Education and Youth Development Division will present professional development workshops focused on youth development, youth voice, civics for youth, volunteer and mentor practices, social and emotional learning, college, and career advising, program success stories, and a sneak peek of the Project Ready 3.0 curriculum. Our goal is to provide a full range of education and youth development content and promising practices to Project Ready Managers in order to ensure that they are fully prepared to take advantage of the opportunities ahead as the Movement works towards having every American child ready for college, work, and life by 2025.
Monday | October 16, 2023 Time Session Speakers 2:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Opening Session – The State of Education in America Hal Smith
SVP, Youth Development, and Health, National Urban League3:20 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Sneak Peek Into Project Ready 3.0 Darlene Marlin
Vice President, Education Access & Opportunity, National Urban League4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Reclaim Civics: What Problems Do you Want to Solve Lorenzo Vicente
Associate, Strategic Initiatives, National Urban League
Adia Turner
Manager, Youth Development & Mentoring, National Urban League
Jamal Burns
Equitable Justice Innovator, National Urban League5:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Team Building Project Darlene Marlin
Vice President, Education Access & Opportunity, National Urban League
Tuesday | October 17, 2023 Time Session Speakers 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Creating Transformative Learning Experiences Karen Pittman
Partner, Knowledge to Power Catalysts, Co-founder and former CEO of Forum for Youth Investment
Merita Irby
Partner, Knowledge to Power Horatio Blackman, Vice President of Education Policy & Advocacy, National Urban League11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Amplifying Impact: The Significance of Success Stories in Reporting Simone Jones Tyner
Founder of True Integrated Marketing Agency1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. "Youth’s Greatest Power is Their Voice" John Robinson
Director of Education & Youth Development, Houston Area Urban League
Wednesday | October 18, 2023 Time Session Speakers 9:15 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. Best Practices from the Field in Implementing Project Ready (Part 1) Brian Sales
Principal Owner, Transformative Training and Technical Assistance
Dr. Janis Kupersmidt
President, Innovation Research & Training
Dr. Rebecca Stelter
Research Scientist II, Innovation Research & Training1:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Best Practices from the Field in Implementing Project Ready (Part 2) Brian Sales
Principal Owner, Transformative Training and Technical Assistance
Dr. Janis Kupersmidt
President, Innovation Research & Training
Dr. Rebecca Stelter
Research Scientist II, Innovation Research & Training
Thursday | October 19, 2023 Time Session Speakers 9:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Enhancing Impact & Transforming Lives: Maximizing Outcomes with Kuder Tools Tanya Essien
Partner Solutions Sr. Manager, Kuder, Inc.
Elizabeth Moore
Enablement Manager for Kuder, Inc.
Vice President, Access and Opportunity, Education & Youth Development Division, National Urban League
Associate, Equitable Justice and Strategic Initiative Division, National Urban League
Partner, Knowledge to Power Catalysts Co-founder and former CEO of Forum for Youth Investment
Program Manager, Education and Youth Division, National Urban League
President and Senior Research Scientist at innovation Research & Training
Principal Owner, Transformative Training and Technical Assistance, LLC
Certified Professional, CliftonStrengths Certified, DEI in the Workplace
Entrepreneurship Center Program Track
October 17 - 19, 2023
This track will focus on topics that promote growth and development including advocacy, contract procurement, increasing supplier diversity opportunities, financing alternatives, improvement of client management systems and marketing techniques. Attendees will be asked to share best practices and challenges that may have impeded business performance and engage in peer-to-peer networking. Participants will be Entrepreneurship Center Directors.
Tuesday | October 17, 2023 Time Session Speakers 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Entrepreneurship Center Program Update (In-person Closed) Stephanie DeVane
VP, Entrepreneurship and Business Development, National Urban League1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Entrepreneurship Center Director’s Exchange (In-person Closed) NUL Staff and Entrepreneurship Center Directors
Wednesday | October 18, 2023 Time Session Speakers 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Welcome & Overview of Entrepreneurship Center Program (Hybrid - Open) Stephanie DeVane
VP, Entrepreneurship and Business Development, National Urban League10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Small Business Policy & Advocacy Priorities Klassi R. Duncan
Vice President, Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Urban League of Louisiana
Imani Augustus
Director, Alliance for Entrepreneurial Equity/Third Way
Shayla Moon
Senior Director, Housing & Economic Policy, Washington Bureau, National Urban League
John Stanford
Managing Partner, Prism Group1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Advancing Growth Opportunities for SMEs Kenneth Allen
Co-Director, Entrepreneurship Center, Los Angeles Urban League
Demetrious Talley
VP, Relationship Manager, Lendistry
Clara Fagan
Senior Vice President, Ariel Alternatives, LLC2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. The Urban Empowerment Fund Oseremi Adekoye
Vice President of Lending, Urban Empowerment Fund3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Capital Access Strategies
NUL Staff and Entrepreneurship Center Directors6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Entrepreneurship Center Program Dinner (In-Person Closed)
Peaches Grand, 285 Grand Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11238NUL Staff and Entrepreneurship Center Directors
Thursday | October 19, 2023 Time Session Speakers 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Entrepreneurship Center Program Best Practices NUL Staff and Entrepreneurship Center Directors 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. CNPP Fiscal CloseOut Process Triva John Thomas
Vice President, Budgets and Grants, National Urban League
Bethsabee Joseph
Manager, Budgets and Grants, National Urban League2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Wrap-Up/Questions/Concerns (In-Person Closed)
Vice President of Lending, Urban Empowerment Fund, National Urban League
Senior Vice President, Ariel Alternatives, LLC
Vice President, Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, CEI, Urban League of Louisiana (ULLA)
Equitable Justice & Strategic Initiatives Track
October 16, 2023
Introduction to systems design provides participants with the opportunity to engage with the processes of design thinking; empathy, define, ideate, prototype, and test as a problem-solving modality. The session prioritizes empathy and reinforces iteration and a tolerance of failure on the way to solving some of society’s biggest challenges such as racism and white supremacy.
Tuesday | October 16, 2023 Time Session Speakers 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Optimizing Impact: Introduction to Systems Design Challenging White Supremacy TaWanda Stallworth
Program Manager of the Antiracist Development Institute at Penn State Dickenson Law
Program Manager, Antiracist Development Institute, Penn State Dickinson Law
Health Equity Track
October 17 - 19, 2023
The strength of the Urban League Affiliate Movement is in its ability to identify and tackle the multiple social determinants of health in the services, supports, and advocacy activities established to improve the health of African Americans and vulnerable urban community members. In the Health Equity track at the Whitney M. Young Leadership Conference this year, we will continue to build the capacity of the Affiliate Movement to understand these determinants, leverage the power of multi-sector coalitions to find local solutions, and discuss policies and programs at the local, state, federal, and institutional levels with the potential to create health-promoting environments for our communities.
Tuesday | October 17, 2023
Time Session Speakers 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Expanding Your Coalitions into New Health Equity Arenas (Hybrid - Open) Dr. Lydia Isaac
Vice President of Health Equity & Policy, National Urban League
Karen Freeman Wilson
President & CEO, Chicago Urban League
Michelle Merriweather
President & CEO, Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle
Parris Smith
President & CEO, Lorain County Urban League
James Clark
Division of Public Safety and Community Response, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis
Wednesday | October 18, 2023 Time Session 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. SOAR: Elevating Mental Health and Wellness in the Movement
(In-person - Closed)Dr. LaDonna N. Butler, LMHC, MCAP
President & CEO, The Well for Life, New Visions of The Well
Ulas D Butler
Co-Principal, Co-Founder, The Well For Life
Thursday | October 19, 2023
Time Session Speakers 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Exploring Community Health Worker Models to Reduce Inequities (Hybrid - Open) Tatyana Gardner, MPH, CHES
Director of Health Initiatives, Springfield Urban League
Melissa Spikes-Archer, PMHNP-BC, BSN
Chief Operating Officer, Buffalo Urban League
Mhariel Summers
ACA Lead Navigator, Pinellas County Urban League
Marcus E. Johnson, MPH
President & CEO, Springfield Urban League
LaShon Webb
Crisis Counselor Buffalo Urban League
President & Co-Principal, Co-Founder, The Well For Life
Division of Public Safety and Community Response, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis
Housing Track
October 17-19, 2023
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
Time Session Speakers 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Virtual Financial Empowerment Toolkit "VFEC"
Introduction (INVITE ONLY)Silky Misra
Senior Director, National Urban League
Tameeka Colon
Consultant, National Urban League
Wednesday, October 18, 2023 Time Session Speakers 9:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. The State of Housing Overview (Closed - In-Person)
Silky Misra
Senior Director, National Urban League
Cy Richardson
Senior Vice President, Housing & Community Development, National Urban League
Michael Collins
Vice President for Housing and Financial Capability at the National Urban League
Sarah Franzini
Associate, National Urban League
Yanicke Harper
Associate, National Urban League10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Intro to NUL’s Virtual Financial Empowerment Center Toolkit “VFEC” (Hybrid – Open - In-Person)
Silky Misra
Senior Director, Housing and Community Development Division
Katherine Rodriguez
Head of Federal Public Engagement, Door Dash
Cy Richardson
Senior Vice President, Economics & Housing Programs
Tameeka Colon
Consultant, National Urban League1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Digital Inclusion is Economic Inclusion (Hybrid – Open - In-Person)
Michael Collins
Vice President for Housing and Financial Capability at the National Urban League
Dr. Alisa Valentin
Senior Director of Technology and Telecommunications Policy, Washington Bureau, National Urban League3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. The State of Housing Overview: Policy Priorities (In-Person – Closed)
Michael Collins
Vice President for Housing and Financial Capability at the National Urban League
Shayla Moon
Senior Director, Economic and Housing Policy, National Urban League5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Housing Reception (Invite Only)
Thursday, October 19, 2023
Time Session Speakers 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Appraisal Bias: According to an Appraiser (Hybrid – Open - In-Person) Michael Collins
Vice President for Housing and Financial Capability at the National Urban League
Stephanie DeVane
Vice President, Entrepreneurship and Business Services, National Urban League
Hem Merriman
Senior Vice President and Head of Residential Valuation Quality Assurance, Wells Fargo10:10 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Project REACh: Integrating The Invisible and Marginalized (Hybrid - Open - In-Person) Cy Richardson
Senior Vice President, Economics & Housing Programs, National Urban League
Hem Merriman
Senior Vice President and Head of Residential Valuation Quality Assurance, Wells Fargo
Barry Wides
Deputy Comptroller for Community Affairs, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency's (OCC)
11:10 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Community Land Trusts: A community Led Approach to Unlocking Affordable Housing (Hybrid - Open - In-Person) Adenike Huggins
Senior Director, Education Policy and Advocacy, National Urban League
Will Spisak
Senior Program Associate, New Economy Project
Digital Producer, Content Manager
Vice President, Entrepreneurship & Business Development Division, National Urban League
Senior Vice President, Economics & Housing Programs, National Urban League
Vice President for Housing and Financial Capability, National Urban League
Senior Director, Housing & Economic Policy, Washington Bureau
Research and Strategic Initiatives Diverse Segments, Representation and Inclusion, External Engagements Wells Fargo & Company
Senior Director of Technology and Telecommunications Policy at the National Urban League
Senior Vice President and Head of Residential Valuation Quality Assurance, Wells Fargo
Deputy Comptroller Community Affairs, Currency's (OCC) Deputy Comptroller for Community Affairs
Senior Director of Housing & Community Development, National Urban League
Associate, Housing and Community Development Division, National Urban League
Senior Director, Education Policy and Advocacy, National Urban League
Urban Youth Reentry Program Track
October 17 - 19, 2023
Wednesday | October 17, 2023 Time Session Speakers 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Getting the RAP Down: Employment Strategies for Job Seekers with Criminal Histories (Virtual - Closed) Justin Collins
Director of Field Building & Engagement
Workforce Professionals Training Institute
Christopher Lynn-Logue
Program Manager, WPTI2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Utilizing Data to Analyze, Measure, and Improve Program Results (Virtual - Open) Christopher Lynn-Logue
Program Manager, WPTI
Sabeen Pirani
Chief Learning Officer, WPTI4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Planning, Design, Delivery, and Evaluation: Applied Labor Market (Virtual) Justin Collins
Director of Field Building & Engagement
Workforce Professionals Training Institute
Christopher Lynn-Logue
Program Manager, WPTI
Thursday | October 18, 2023
Time Session Speakers 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Employer Engagement: Securing Quality Job Leads and Deepening Employer Relationship (Hybrid) Justin Collins
Director of Field Building & Engagement
Workforce Professionals Training Institute
Christopher Lynn-Logue
Program Manager, WPTI
Director, Field Building and Engagement, Workforce Professionals Training Institute
Guild Track (Virtual)
October 17 - 19, 2023
Wednesday | October 17, 2023 Time Session Speakers 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. That's Not Right Fashika Willis McClelland
Professional Registered Parliamentarian & Professional Presiding Officer, Altruistic Results, LLC
Thursday | October 18, 2023 Time Session Speakers 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Leadership In Action NCULG Leadership Training & Development Committee
Thursday | October 19, 2023 Time Session Speakers 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. The Voice of Change NCULG Advocacy Committee
Professional Registered Parliamentarian & Professional Presiding Officer, Altruistic Results, LLC
WFDD Urban Youth Pathways Track
October 17, 2023
This track will future a discussion of youth workforce trends and interests, the future of workforce, how to engage youth in conversations about career pathways, emerging careers, career exploration and employment. This session will also brainstorm and strategize on best practices in youth workforce.
Monday | October 19, 2022
Time Session Speakers 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. The Future of Youth Workforce Quintrel Lenore
Certified Professional, CliftonStrengths Certified, DEI in the Workplace
Jonathan Quash
University Executive Director, CUNY Black Male Initiative
Certified Professional, CliftonStrengths Certified, DEI in the Workplace
Washington Bureau Track
October 17, 2023
The Washington Bureau track provides policy and advocacy resources that can be utilized by Urban Leaguers at every leadership level to drive change and enhance the local program experiences of our more than 90 affiliates throughout the U.S.
Tuesday | October 17, 2023 Time Session Speakers 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Exploring Federal Grant Opportunities - Agency Level (Virtual) Angela Ohm
Vice President Appropriations, National Urban League Washington Bureau
David Berenbaum
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Housing Counseling, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Robin Keegan
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Economic Development, Office of Community Planning and Development, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Kylie Patterson
Senior Advisor for Opportunity for CHIPS for America, U.S. Department of Commerce2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. All Policy is Local: Connecting Your Federal and State Level Policy Strategy (Open Virtual) Shayla Moon
Senior Director, Economic and Housing Policy, National Urban League
Waikinya Clanton
Mississippi State Director, Southern Poverty Law Center
David Ferreira
Senior Government Affairs Manager, Center for Responsible
Renita Marcellin
Advocacy and Legislative Director, Americans for Financial Reform
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Housing Counseling U.S. Department Of Housing and Urban Development
Deputy Assistant Secretary For Economic Development, Office Of Community Planning and Development, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
WFDD Urban Energy Jobs Program (Virtual)
October 18, 2023
Wednesday | October 18, 2023 Time Session Speakers 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Securing Quality Job Leads and Deepening Employer Relationships (In - Person Closed)
Justin Collins
Director of Field Building & Engagement
Workforce Professionals Training Institute
Christopher Lynn-Logue
Program Manager, WPTI
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Clean Energy Summit Panel (In - Person Closed) Missy Henriksen
Executive Director, Center for Energy Workforce Development
Cornell Johnson
Center for Energy Workforce Development
Tina Maria White
Founder, TINA’S Green Energy Solution & Black Girls Rolling Tires
Director of Project Management Workforce, Professionals Training Institute
LMSW, Program Manager, WPTI
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, The Center for Energy Workforce Development
Founder, TINA’S Green Energy Solution & Black Girls Rolling Tires
WFDD Rework America Alliance Track
October 19, 2023
This track will provide insight to Urban League affiliates on upcoming funding opportunities and how to best prepare to compete. The track will culminate in an information session about a phenomenal upcoming funding opportunity that will be released by the end of the year. Note attendance at this information session is required in order to apply for funding.
Thursday | October 19, 2023 Time Session Speakers 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. The Fight for Federal Funding Traci Scott
Vice President of Workforce Development National Urban League2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Rework America Alliance Session (Hybrid) Traci Scott
Vice President of Workforce Development National Urban League
Lakindra Askew
Senior Director, Workforce Operations National Urban League
Jordan Haynes
National Urban Fellow National Urban League
Angela Bowens-Gamble
Manager Delivery Partners- Markle Foundation
Jacob Vigil
Director, Delivery Partnerships Markle Foundation
Eric Valentine
Senior Director of Workforce Development- Austin Area Urban League
Cherie LaCour Duckworth
Director, Workforce Development, Urban League of Louisiana
Vice President, Center for Workforce Development Urban League of Louisiana
Assistant Director of Workforce Solutions Urban League Twin Cities
Senior Director of Workforce Development Austin Area Urban League
Vice President of Workforce Development at the National Urban League
WFDD Growth Opportunities
October 17, 2023
The National Urban League, Growth Opportunities Grant funded through the Department of Labor provides resources to justice system-involved youth and young adults ages 18-24 that live in communities experiencing high instances of violent crime. The National Urban League will work with its affiliates in Buffalo, Chicago, and St. Louis to deploy the program and expand on existing reentry programs. Growth Opportunities program will feature wrap around social services including expungement, violence prevention workshops, occupational skills training, and placement into work experiences such as internships, apprenticeships, and part-time and full-time employment.
Tuesday | October 17, 2023 Time Session Speakers 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Disaster Behavioral Health Training (In-Person Closed)
Courtney M. Grey
Director, Disaster Behavioral Health
WFDD Upskilling Track
October 18, 2023
Upskilling and Reskilling: As jobs are transformed by the technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, we need to reskill more than 1 billion people by 2030. This track and session will identify high-tech skills the infrastructure plan requires. specialized interpersonal skills, including skills related to sales, human resources, care, and education.
Wednesday | October 18, 2023 Time Session Speakers 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Upskilling/Reskilling the Workforce of the Future Amare El Jamii
Co-founder of Cultivating Hope, LLC, and the J.T. Mitchell Pre-Apprenticeship Academy
Co-founder of Cultivating Hope, LLC, and the J.T. Mitchell Pre-Apprenticeship Academy
WFDD Urban Tech Jobs Program
October 18, 2023
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
Time Session Speakers 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Artificial Intelligence and Employment (In-Person - Closed) Aya Ibrahim
Senior Advisor to the Director of White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP)
Eric Goodie
Executive Vice President for the Houston Area Urban League
Cy Richarson
Senior Vice President Workforce and Community Development
Senior Advisor to the Director of White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
WFDD Urban Seniors Job Program Track
October 17-18, 2023
Urban Seniors Jobs Program- PY 23 Kickoff is designed to provide program specific training and development for the current Urban League affiliates operating the USJP Program. Throughout the three-day training series, Urban League affiliates will review past performance, increase familiarity with the Grantee Performance Management System and strategize around enrollment, expansion and targeted employment.
Tuesday | October 17, 2023
Time Session Speakers 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. PY 23 Kickoff: Getting into the Kick of it- Mastering GPMS (Hybrid - Closed)
Emmanuel Miller
Program Associate, USJP National Urban League
Lakindra Askew
Senior Director, Workforce Operations Director, USJP National Urban League2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. PY 23 Kickoff: Getting into the Kick of it- Mastering GPMS - Park II (Hybrid - Closed) Emmanuel Miller
Program Associate, USJP National Urban League
Lakindra Askew
Senior Director, Workforce Operations Director, USJP National Urban League
Wednesday | October 18, 2023
Time Session Speakers 10:00 p.m. - 12:00 p.m. PY 23 Kickoff: Kickin’ the Year Off Right
Lakindra Askew
Senior Director, Urban Seniors Jobs Program
National Urban League
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. PY 23 Kickoff: Ready, Set, Budget Bari Khan
Director, Fiscal Grant Operations National Urban League
Pascale Jean Louis
Manager, Fiscal National Urban League
Thursday | October 19, 2023
Time Session Speakers 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. PY 23 Kickoff: Kickin’ into High Gear
Lakindra Askew
Senior Director, Urban Seniors Jobs Program
National Urban League
Young Professionals Track (Virtual Open)
October 17-19, 2023
Tuesday | October 17, 2023
Time Session Speakers 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. History of YP: Joint Learning Session Jodi Brockington
Culture Futurist, Sustainability Genius | DEI & ESG Strategist8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. History of YP Breakout Sessions Shalondan Hollingshed
President, National Urban League Young Professionals
Kendra Brim
Executive Vice President, National Urban League Young Professionals
Jasmine Kent
Secretary, National Urban League Young Professionals
Vanessa McKinney
Treasurer, National Urban League Young Professionals
Jason G. Mitchell
Parliamentarian, National Urban League Young Professionals
Thurman Green III
Southern Region VP, National Urban League Young Professionals
Chanelle Brown
Western Region VP, National Urban League Young Professionals
Jer’Mykeal McCoy
Eastern Region VP, National Urban League Young Professionals
Adrianne Slash
Central Region VP, National Urban League Young Professionals
Korri Jones
IT, National Urban League Young Professionals
Harper Matthews
Membership Chair, National Urban League Young Professionals
Natasha Inniss
Programs Chair, National Urban League Young Professionals
Cherrelle Duncan
LTD Chair, National Urban League Young Professionals
Kawanza Billy
Advocacy Chair, National Urban League Young Professionals
Reuben Lael
Communications Chair, National Urban League Young Professionals
Wednesday | October 18, 2023
Time Session Speakers 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Joint Learning Session - Fundraising Overview Keith Cornelius
Executive Director, Urban Enrichment Institute
Thursday | October 19, 2023
Time Session Speakers 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Strategy and Chapter Building - Building Guild, Affiliate, and YP Relations Cynthia Stokes Murray
President Milwaukee Urban League GUILD
Shalima McCants
Chief Program Officer, New York Urban League Brenda Morrison, Immediate Past President, Urban League of Broward County Young Professionals
Brenda Morrison
Immediate Past President, Urban League of Broward County Young Professionals8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Strategy and Chapter Building Breakout Sessions Ashlee Atkins
Past President Greater Phoenix Urban League Young Professionals
Charlotte Denson
Greater Phoenix Urban League Young Professionals
Paris Fuentes
Vice President, The Bergen Hudson Alliance
Chief Program Officer, New York Urban League
Immediate Past President, Urban League of Broward County Young Professionals
President, Milwaukee Urban League Guild