2024 Whitney M. Young Jr. Urban League Leadership Conference
Empowering Our Affiliate Movement
2024 Whitney M. Young, Jr., Leadership Development Conference
October 15 - October 18, 2024 | 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.
Watch the 2023 Recap
2023 Photo Highlights
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Schedule at a Glance
All sessions in Eastern Time
Urban Senior Jobs Program
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Breakfast and Opening Plenary
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Mastering the Market: Understanding the Labor Market a
12:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Lunch
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Dissecting the Needs of Older Workers Presented by: Lamont Spence
Urban Reentry Jobs Program
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Breakfast and Opening Plenary
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Leveraging Digital Learning to achieve your Program Goals
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Lunch Break
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Transforming Social Impact Through Innovation
Entrepreneurship Center Program Track (Closed Track)
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Grab & Go Breakfast (All Participants)
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Entrepreneurship Center Program Welcome & Update
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Keynote Luncheon Session (All Participants)
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Entrepreneurship Center Director’s Exchange
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. In-person Entrepreneurship Center Program Dinner
Keynote Sessions
7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Registration
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Breakfast Grab-and-Go
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 a.m. All-Day Coffee
10:30 am - 12:00 p.m Break Grab-and-Go
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch + Keynote
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Snack Break
Education Policy and Advocacy Track
6:30 p.m. Dinner (Location: Peaches)
Education & Youth Development Track
7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Registration
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Grab & Go Breakfast
9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Welcome & Introductions
9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Welcome from SVP of Education, National Urban League
10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. State of Education Fireside Chat
10:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Break
11:00 a.m. - 11:55 a.m. Project Ready 3.0 Curriculum
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Parent & Family Engagement
2:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Break
2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. Operationalizing Partnerships Agreements
3:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Belonging, Meaning, Wellbeing & Purpose: A Primer
7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Broadway Show - Hell's Kitchen at the Shubert Theater
Young Professionals Track
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Membership Engagement and Vision Setting
WFDD Combined Track
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Building "The 3 R's" Brick by Brick
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Learn Today, Lead Tomorrow: An Introduction to Skills Forward Presented by Verizon
Chief Financial Officer Track
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. CEO/CFO Financial Management Session (Hybrid)
Chief Executive Officer Track
8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Keynote Breakfast
9:45 a.m. Opening Remarks
10:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. The Federal Agenda & Project 2025
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Affiliate Advocacy Showcase
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Awards Lunch
1:45 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. Reclaim Your Vote
2:15 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. New Background Checks for Youth Programs
3:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Break
3:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. CEO/CFO Financial Management Session
6:00 p.m. Reception
Upskilling Track
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. The Role of AI in Digital Literacy
Urban Senior Jobs Program
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Breakfast and Opening Plenary
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Implicit Bias
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Lunch Break
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. WFDD Combined Track: Building "The 3 R's" Brick by Brick
Urban Reentry Jobs Program
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Breakfast and Opening Plenary
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Trauma and Successful Reentry
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Lunch Break
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. WFDD Combined Track: Building Resiliency
Housing & Community Leadership Development Track
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. State of Housing Overview (Closed)
11:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. Break
11:15 a.m. - 11:45 p.m. Ethical Implications of AI in Housing
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch & Keynote
1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Affiliate Spotlight
2:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Break
3:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. Urban Development Accelerator
4:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Break
Keynote Sessions
7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Registration
8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Plated Breakfast & Keynote
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 a.m. Awards lunch
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Snack Break
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Reception
Education & Youth Development Track
8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Breakfast
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Empowering Excellence: Enhancing Academic & Support Services for Black and Brown Students
10:30 a.m. - 11:55 a.m. Building Civic Power Year-Round
12:00 p.m. 1:30 p.m. Awards Luncheon
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Credible Messenger
3:30 p.m. - 3:50 p.m. Break
3:50 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. Credible Messenger (Cont'd)
4:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. Career Pathways
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Reception Attendance is Expected
Education & Youth Policy & Advocacy Track
8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Breakfast & Keynote
9:45 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Education Policy & Advocacy Welcome
10:15 a.m. - 11:45 p.m. Major Issues in Education Policy 1
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Awards Lunch
1:15 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Engaging Elected Officials
3:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Advocacy at the Federal, State and Local Level
4:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. Transforming Transformations
Equitable Justice & Strategic Initiative Track
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Clearing the Path Forward
10:30 a.m. - 11:55 a.m. Building Civic Power Year -Round
Washington Bureau Track
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Project 2025 (Part 1)
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Project 2025 (Part 2)
Board Development Track (Virtual)
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Fundraising and Fund Development from an Affiliate Board Perspective (Virtual)
Health & Equity Track
8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Breakfast
9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Health Equity Welcome (Closed)
10:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Building Resiliency in Your Communities Part 1 (Closed)
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Building Resiliency in Your Communities Part 2 (Closed)
6:00 p.m, - 8:00 p.m. Reception
Urban Energy Jobs Program
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Intro & EIF 2.0 Curriculum Overview
10:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Panel Discussion
11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Apprenticeships in Clean Energy
Entrepreneurship Center Program Track (Hybrid - Open)
8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Plated Speaker Breakfast (All Participants)
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Welcome & Overview of Entrepreneurship Center Program (Hybrid)
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Awards Luncheon (All Participants)
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Transportation, Infrastructure and Equity (Hybrid)
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Capital Readiness (Hybrid)
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Apps, Technology, and Trends (Hybrid)
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. In-person NUL Reception - Brooklyn Marriott
Growth Opportunities and EJSI Track
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Clearing the Path Forward: Expungement Session
Young Professionals Track
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Conflict Resolution
Chief Financial Officer Track
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Grants - Uniform Guidance and Compliance
3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Grants Management
Chief Executive Officer Track
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Grab & Go Breakfast
8:00 a.m. - 7:20 p.m. 1-on-1 Technical Assistance
9:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Concurrent Sessions
10:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Break
10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Keynote Lunch
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Washington Bureau Session
Urban Senior Jobs Program
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Breakfast and Opening Plenary
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Revisiting the Business Case for Age-Inclusion
Housing & Community Leadership Development Track
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. The State of Housing Overview: Policy Priorities (Closed)
10:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Break
10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Black Home Ownership Collaborative Overview
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Exploring Equity in Climate Resilience
3:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Break
3:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Climate Resilience Peer Sharing Workshop (Closed)
5:15 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. Wrap Up & Feedback
Keynote Sessions
7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Registration
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Breakfast Grab-and-Go
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 a.m. All-Day Coffee
10:30 am - 12:00 p.m. Break Grab-and-Go
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch + Keynote
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Snack Break
Education & Youth Development Track
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Breakfast
9:10 a.m. - 10:40 a.m. Innovation Research Training
10:40 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. What's the Logic?
11:50 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Wrap-up, Reflection & Closing Remarks
12:00 p.m. -1:30 p.m. Lunch (Optional)
Education & Youth Development Policy & Advocacy Track
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Effective Advocacy Strategies
10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Youth Voice & power in Education Policy
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:45 p.m. - 2:40 p.m. (Closeout) Education Policy & Advocacy Capacity Building
Health & Equity Track (In-Person Closed)
8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Grand & Go Breakfast
8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Health Equity Capacity-Building at NUL
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Project Kilimo Urban Farming Initiative
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch
Urban Energy Jobs Program
10:00 a.m. - 10:15 p.m. Introduction & EIF 2.0 Curriculum Overview
10:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Panel Discussion
11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Apprenticeships in Clean Energy
Entrepreneurship Center Program Track (Hybrid - Open)
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Grab & Go Breakfast (All Participants)
9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Entrepreneurship Center Program Best Practices (Hybrid)
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Keynote Luncheon Session (All Participants)
1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Best Practices in Grants Management Wrap-Up (Hybrid)
Young Professionals Track
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Succession Planning
Chief Financial Officer Track
3:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. CFO, Controller, and HR Panel
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
Keynote Sessions
October 15 - 17, 2024
Tuesday | October 15, 2024
Time Session Speakers 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Registration 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Breakfast 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. All Day Coffee 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Grab & Go Sndanack Break 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch & Keynote 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Grab & Go Snack Break
Wednesday | October 16, 2024
Time Session Speakers 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Registration 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Plated Breakfast + Keynote 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Awards Lunch 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Snack BreakReception 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Reception
Thursday | October 17, 2024 Time Session Speakers 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Registration 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Breakfast 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. All Day Coffee 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Snack Break 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch & Keynote 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Snack Break
WFDD Combined Track
October 16, 2024
Wednesday | October 16, 2024
Time Session Speakers 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Building "The 3 R's" Brick by Brick Moderator:
Joshua Brown
Associate, Workforce Development, Urban Seniors Jobs Program, National Urban League
Panelists:
Darrell Andrews
(Coach D) President and Chief Passion Officer of Darrell Andrews, LLC
Dr. Darlene Williams
President & CEO, Union Settlement
Dr. Gail Awan
President & CEO, Urban League of the Upstate, SC4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Learn Today: Lead Tomorrow: An Introduction to Skills Forward Presented by Verizon
Board Development Track
October 16, 2024
The Role of the Board in Fundraising session is designed to empower Urban League Board members with the knowledge and tools needed to become active and effective participants in their Affiliate’s development efforts. We will explore the critical role that Board members play in fundraising, from leveraging their networks and personal connections to directly engaging in donor cultivation and stewardship. The presentation will cover practical strategies for Board members to deepen their involvement, enhance their fundraising skills, and align their efforts with the organization's overall goals. Attendees will leave with actionable insights on how they can make a greater impact and help drive sustainable growth for their organization.
Tuesday | October 16, 2024
Time Session Speakers 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Fundraising and Fund Development from an Affiliate Board Perspective (Virtual) Herman Lessard
SVP, Affiliate Services, National Urban League
Sean King
Partnerships & Advancements/CCS Consultants, CCS Fundraising
Chief Executive Officer Track
October 16 - 18, 2024
Wednesday | October 16, 2024
Time Session Speakers 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Keynote Breakfast Bishop Leah Daughtry 9:45 a.m. Opening Remarks Marc H. Morial
President & CEO, National Urban League10:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. The Federal Agenda & Project 2025 Tara Murray, Esq.
NUL SVP of Policy & Advocacy and Executive Director11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Affiliate Advocacy Showcase Gwen Grant
Urban League of Kansas City (MO)
Dr. Seanelle Hawkins
Urban League of Rochester
Clifton
Clifton Harris
Nashville Urban League12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Awards Lunch Marc H. Morial
President & CEO, National Urban League1:45 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. Reclaim Your Vote Jerika Richardson
SVP, Equitable Justice Initiatives, National Urban League2:15 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. New Background Checks for Youth Programs Dr. Hal Smith
Senior Vice President, Education & Youth Development, National Urban League
Cy Richardson
SVP, Economics and Housing Programs, National Urban League
Danielle Cooper Daughtry
General Counsel & Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs3:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. CEO/CFO Financial Management Session Sidney Evans
Senior Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer, National Urban League
Michael Gellman
Co-Founding Principal partner, Fiscal Strategies, Field Audit6:00 p.m. Reception
Thursday | October 17, 2024
Time Session Speakers 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Grab & Go Breakfast 8:00 a.m. - 7:20 p.m. 1-on-1 Technical Assistance Michael Gellman
Co-Founding Principal Partner, Fiscal Strategies 4 Nonprofits9:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Concurrent Sessions 1 (Fundraising, Human Resources, Legal Affairs) Sean King
Partnerships & Advancements/CCS Consultants, CCS Fundraising
Danielle Cooper Daughtry
General Counsel & Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs
Wanda Jackson
Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Chief Talent Officer
Sanjana Reejsinghani
Manager, Compliance Legal Affairs, National Urban League
Walter Jean-Jacques
Asst. General Counsel, Legal Affairs, National Urban League10:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Break 10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Concurrent Sessions 2 (Fundraising, Human Resources, Legal Affairs) Sean King
Partnerships & Advancements/CCS Consultants, CCS Fundraising
Danielle Cooper Daughtry
General Counsel & Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs
Wanda Jackson
Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Chief Talent Officer
Sanjana Reejsinghani
Manager, Compliance Legal Affairs, National Urban League
Walter Jean-Jacques
Asst. General Counsel, Legal Affairs, National Urban League12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Keynote Lunch 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Washington Bureau Session Tara Murray, Esq.
NUL SVP of Policy & Advocacy and Executive Director
Executive Director of the National Urban League's Washington Bureau and Senior Vice President for Policy and Advocacy
Chief Financial Officer Track
October 16 - 18, 2024
Wednesday | October 16, 2024
Time Session Speakers 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. CEO/CFO Financial Management Session (Hybrid) TBA
Thursday, October 17, 2024 Time Session Speakers 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Grants - Uniform Guidance and Compliance (Virtual)
3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Grants Management Wayne Rock
Vice President, Regional Affiliate Operations, Field Audit
Friday | October 18, 2024
Time Session Speakers 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Sustainability and Financial Messaging for Financial Leaders (Virtual) Sidney Evans
Senior Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer, National Urban League
Michael Gellman
Co-Founding Principal partner, Fiscal Strategies, Field Audit3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. CFO, Controller, and HR Panel (Virtual) Sidney Evans
Senior Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer, National Urban League
Michael Gellman
Co-Founding Principal partner, Fiscal Strategies, Field Audit
Vice President, Budgets and Grants, National Urban League
Vice President, Regional Affiliate Operations, Field Audit
Co-Founding Principal Partner, Fiscal Strategies 4 Nonprofits
Education & Youth Development Program Track
October 15 - 17, 2024
Tuesday | October 15, 2024
Time Session Speakers 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Registration 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Grab & Go Breakfast 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Welcome & Introductions 9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Welcome from the Education Department Dr. Hal Smith
Senior Vice President, Education & Youth Development, National Urban League10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. State of Education Fireside Chat Adenike Huggins
Senior Director, Education Policy & Advocacy, National Urban League10:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Break 11:00 a.m. - 11:55 a.m. Project Ready 3.0 Curriculum Darlene Marlin
Vice President, Education Access & Opportunity, National Urban League
Miranda Feldman
Director, Data, Equity and Impact Education & Youth12:00 p.m. 1:30 p.m. Lunch (Attendance Required) 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Parent and Family Engagement Rebecca Tibbetts
Director, Education & Youth Development2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. Operationalizing Partnerships Agreements Angela Hamilton
Vice President, Chicago Urban League
Shelima McCants
Chief Operating Officer, New York Urban League3:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Belonging, Meaning, Wellbeing & Purpose: A Primer 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Broadway Show (Shubert Theater, 225 W. 44th Street)
Wednesday | October 16, 2024
Time Session Speakers 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Breakfast (Attendance Required) 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Empowering Excellence: Enhancing Academic & Support Services for Black and Brown Students Rebecca Tibbetts
Director, Education & Youth Development, National Urban League10:30 a.m. - 11:55 a.m. Building Civic Power Year-Round Ray Shackelford
Vice President, Equitable Justice Strategic Initiatives, National Urban League
Adia Turner
Program Manager, Education and Youth Development
Lorenzo Vincente
Manager, Strategic Initiatives, National Urban League
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch (Attendance Required) 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Credible Messenger Eddie Purpose
Executive Director, Founder of Progress Pushers
Robert Jones
Vice President, Urban League Greater Metropolitan Seattle3:30 p.m - 3:50 p.m. Break Horatio Blackman, PhD
Vice President of Education Policy & Advocacy, National Urban League
Ray Shackelford
Vice President, Equitable Justice Strategic Initiatives, National Urban League
Adenike Huggins
Senior Director, Education Policy and Advocacy, National Urban League3:50 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. Credible Messenger (Cont'd) 4:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. Career Pathways Horatio Blackman, PhD
Vice President of Education Policy & Advocacy, National Urban League
Adenike Huggins
Senior Director, Education Policy and Advocacy, National Urban League
Kwame Flaherty
Director, Workforce, National Urban League6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Reception (Attendance Required)
Thursday | October 17, 2024
Time Session Speakers 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Breakfast 9:10 a.m. - 10:40 a.m. Innovation Research Training Dr. Rebecca Stelter
Innovation Research Training (iRT)10:40 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. What's the Logic? Joshua Meyer
Manager, Education and Youth Development, National Urban League
Adia Turner
Manager, Education and Youth Development, National Urban League11:50 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Wrap-Up, Reflection & Closing Remarks 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch (Optional)
Vice President for Education Policy, Advocacy, and Engagement, National Urban League
Associate, Equitable Justice and Strategic Initiative Division, National Urban League
Vice President of Access and Opportunity, Education & Youth Development Division, National Urban League
Senior Vice President, Education, Youth Development & Health
Education Policy & Advocacy Track (In-Person)
October 15 - 18, 2024
Tuesday | October 15, 2024
Time Session Speakers 6:30 p.m. Dinner (Location: Peaches)
Wednesday | October 16, 2024 Time Session Speakers 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Breakfast + Keynote 9:45 a.m. - 10:25 a.m. Education Policy & Advocacy Welcome Horatio Blackman, PhD
Vice President of Education Policy & Advocacy, National Urban League
Adenike Huggins
Senior Director, Education Policy and Advocacy, National Urban League10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Major Issues in Education Policy 1 Horatio Blackman, PhD
Vice President of Education Policy & Advocacy, National Urban League
Adenike Huggins
Senior Director, Education Policy and Advocacy, National Urban League12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Awards Lunch 1:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Advocacy at the Federal, State, and Local Level Daniel Hernandez
Government Affairs Director, Stand For Children4:15 p.m - 5:15 p.m. Transforming Transition: Black Youth and the Role of Navigators in Post-High School Success Horatio Blackman, PhD
Vice President of Education Policy & Advocacy, National Urban League
Ray Shackelford
Vice President, Equitable Justice Strategic Initiatives, National Urban League
Adenike Huggins
Senior Director, Education Policy and Advocacy, National Urban League
Thursday | October 17, 2024
Time Session Speakers 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Effective Advocacy Strategies Kristin St. John
Senior Manager, Coalitions and Advocacy Campaigns, McKesson10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Youth Voice & Power in Education Policy George-Constantinos Charonis
Executive Director, National Student Board Member Association
Jimena Mendez
2024-25 Student Board Member, LA County Board of Ed.
Rida Karim
2023-24 Student Board Member, Fairfax County Board, NSBMA Comm. Coordinator12:00 p.m. - 1:30 a.m. Lunch 1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. (Closeout) Education Policy & Advocacy Capacity Building Horatio Blackman, PhD
Vice President of Education Policy & Advocacy, National Urban League
Adenike Huggins
Senior Director, Education Policy and Advocacy, National Urban League12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch (Optional)
Vice President for Education Policy, Advocacy, and Engagement, National Urban League
Vice President of Access and Opportunity, Education & Youth Development Division, National Urban League
Entrepreneurship Center Program Track
October 15 - 18, 2024
This track will focus on topics that promote growth and development including advocacy, access to capital, development and fundraising strategies, improvement of business management systems, and grants management. 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 Staff.
Tuesday | October 15, 2024
Time Session Speakers 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Grand and Go Breakfast (All participants) 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Welcome & Update Stephanie DeVane
VP,Entrepreneurship and Business Development, National Urban League
Kent Mills
Manager, Entrepreneurship and Business Development, National Urban League12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Keynote Luncheon Session (All Participants) 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Entrepreneurship Center Directors' Exchange
NUL Staff and Entrepreneurship Center Directors
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. In-Person Entrepreneurship Center Program Dinner
Wednesday | October 16, 2024 Time Session Speakers 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Plated Speaker Breakfast (All Participants) 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Welcome and Overview of Entrepreneurship Center Program Small Business Policy & Advocacy Priorities (Hybrid) Gabriel Horwitz
Senior Vice President, Economic Program, Third Way12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Awards Luncheon (All Participants) 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Transportation, Infrastructure, and Equity (Hybrid) Moderator:
Kimberly Irvin Lee
Senior Director of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, Urban League of Greater Atlanta
Irene Marion
Director, Departmental Office of Civil Rights Office of the Secretary, US Department of Transportation
Tyra L. Redus
Deputy Director, Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization,
Jesse R. Wilson, II
Manager, Supplier Diversity Officer, Amtrak3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Capital Readiness (Hybrid) Kenneth Allen
Co-Director,Entrepreneurship Center, Los Angeles Urban League
Charlotte Harris
Vice President, Business Development & Entrepreneurship, Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio
Aleta Grimes-Mitchell
Director, Center for Entrepreneurship, Urban League of Saint Louis, Inc.4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Boosting Small Business Efficiency with Modern Apps, Technology, and Trends (Hybrid) Vanessa Sanchez
Entrepreneurship Program Manager, Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. In-Person NUL Reception
Thursday | October 17, 2024 Time Session Speakers 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Grab and Go Breakfast (All Participants) 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Entrepreneurship Center Program Best Practices (Hybrid) NUL Staff and Entrepreneurship Center Directors 12:00 a.pm. - 1:30 p.m. Keynote Luncheon Session (All Participants) 1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Best Practices in Grants Management Wrap-Up (Hybrid) Triva John Thomas
Vice President, Budgets and Grants, National Urban League
Bethsabee Joseph
Budgets and Grants, National Urban League
Vice President, Entrepreneurship & Business Development Division, National Urban League
Director of the new Center For Entrepreneurship at the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc
Executive Director, National Urban League's Washington Bureau and Senior Vice President for Policy and Advocacy
Program Manager, Business Development & Entrepreneurship Center at the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio (ULGSO)
Equitable Justice & Strategic Initiatives Track
October 16, 2024
Join the Equitable Justice Strategic Initiative (EJSI) and Workforce Growth Opportunities team for a dynamic panel discussion on the Urban Expungement Program (UEP), featuring case managers, lawyers, policy makers, and affiliate leaders who bring a wealth of expertise from various angles. This session will explore the full ecosystem of expungement, diving into best practices for building the program, the challenges and successes faced by those who have implemented UEP, and how these efforts create meaningful change. The panel will also compare record relief laws across different states, providing insights into how various legal frameworks impact the expungement process.
Whether you're seeking to enhance your advocacy for expungement policies, learn from experienced professionals, or make meaningful connections with peers, this panel offers an invaluable opportunity to expand your understanding and impact in the expungement space.
Wednesday | October 16, 2024 Time Session Speakers 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Clearing the Path Forward: Expungement Session Jerika Richardson
SVP, Equitable Justice Initiatives, National Urban League
Christie Kuhns
President & CEO, Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio
Anthony Body
Case Manager, Urban Expungement Program
Felicia Nu’Man
Director for the Center of Justice, Louisville Urban League
Tracy Bolton
Director of Re-Entry Programs & Services, Buffalo Urban League10:30 a.m. - 11:55 a.m. Building Civic Power Year-Round Ray Shackelford
Vice President, Equitable Justice Strategic Initiatives, National Urban League
Adia Turner
Program Manager, Education and Youth Development
Lorenzo Vincente
Manager, Strategic Initiatives, National Urban League
Health Equity Track
October 16 - 17, 2024
The Urban League Movement's unique approach to addressing health inequities is rooted in our decades-long commitment to simultaneously addressing multiple Social Determinants of Health for the communities we serve. In the Health Equity track at the Whitney M Young Leadership Conference this year, we will develop the capacity of Urban League staff to participate in the essential functions of public health to address pressing health inequities across their communities, discuss how to leverage coalitions to address health inequities, and kick off the National Urban League's Health Equity Strategic Plan.
Wednesday | October 16, 2024
Time Session Speakers 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Breakfast 9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Health Equity Welcome (Closed) Ali Hoban
Director, Health, Equity & Policy, National Urban League
Dr. Lydia Isaac
Vice President, Health, Equity & Policy, National Urban League10:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Building Resiliency in Your Communities An Intro to Disaster Preparedness, Response and Recovery (Part 1) - (Closed) Nicole Wood
Acting Director, DHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Building Resiliency in Your Communities An Intro to Disaster Preparedness, Response and Recovery (Part 2) - (Closed) Nicole Wood
Acting Director, DHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Reception
Thursday | October 17, 2024 Time Session 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Grab & Go Breakfast 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Health Equity Capacity-Building at NUL (Closed) Ali Hoban
Director, Health, Equity & Policy, National Urban League
Dr. Lydia Isaac
Vice President, Health, Equity & Policy, National Urban League10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. The Project Kilimo Urban Farming Initiative (Hybrid) Ty Holmberg
Co-Director, Sankofa Community Farm, Bartman's Garden
Chris Bolden Newsome
Farmer/Co-Director, Sankofa Community Farm at Bartram's Garden12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch
Housing & Community Development Leadership Track Agenda
October 16-17, 2024
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Time Session Speakers 10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. State of Housing Overview (Closed) Silky Misra
Senior Director, Programs / Housing & Community Development
Cy Richardson
SVP, Economics and Housing Programs, National Urban League
Michael Collins
Vice President, Housing & Community Renewal, National Urban League
Sarah Franzini
Associate, Programs / Housing & Community Development, National Urban League
Yanicke Harper
Associate, Housing & Community Development, National Urban League11:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. Break 11:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Ethical Implications of AI in Housing Dr. Rudolfo Machua
Senior Director, Information Technology, National Urban League12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch & Keynote 1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Affiliate Spotlight Sarah Franzini
Associate, Programs / Housing & Community Development, National Urban League
Linda Taylor
Vice President, Housing and Financial Empowerment, Urban League of Metro Seattle
Oneida Cary
Director of Housing, Urban League of Hampton Roads
Johnette Brown
Sr. Director, Urban League of Greater Atlanta
Glenda Kizze
Director of Housing & Social Services, Houston Urban League2:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Break 3:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. Urban Development Accelerator Sarah Franzini
Associate, Programs / Housing & Community Development, National Urban League
Wayne D. Brown, J.D.
President & CEO, Urban League Nebraska
Reese Fayde
Abt. Global
Christie Kuhns
President & CEO, Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio4:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Break 4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Housing Workshop: Post Purchase Programs (Closed) Silky Misra
Senior Director, Programs / Housing & Community DevelopmentSarah Franzini
Associate, Programs / Housing & Community Development, National Urban League
Yanicke Harper
Associate, Housing & Community Development, National Urban League
Thursday, October 17, 2024 Time Session Speakers 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. The State of Housing Overview: Policy Priorities Michael Collins
Vice President, Housing & Community Renewal, National Urban League
Angela Ohm
Vice President, Appropriation & Advancements, Washington Bureau
Alejandra Montoya-Boyer
Senior Director, Center for Civil Right & Technology, The Leadership. Conference on Civil Rights and Human Rights10:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Break 10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Black Homeownership Collaborative Overview and Toolkit Spotlight Cy Richardson
SVP, Economics and Housing Programs, National Urban League
Michael Collins
Vice President, Housing, National Urban League
Charles Lowry
Senior Policy Director, National Housing Conference
Erika Ramirez
Senior Policy Associate, National Housing Conference12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch & Keynote 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Exploring Equity in Climate Resilience Kayla Baker
Founder and Principal of RYSE Local Ventures
Atalia Howe
Senior Vice President, The community Preservation Corp.
Daphany Sanchez
Executive Director, Kinetic Communities Consulting3:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Break 3:15 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Climate Resilience Peer Sharing Workshop (Closed) Kayla Baker
Founder and Principal of RYSE Local Ventures
Marisol Esquivel
Senior Analyst, Sustainable Capital Advisors
BeverlyAnn Hippolyte
Senior Analyst, Sustainable Capital Advisors5:15 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. Wrap-Up & Feedback (Closed) Silky Misra
Senior Director, Programs / Housing & Community Development
Sarah Franzini
Associate, Programs / Housing & Community Development, National Urban League
Yanicke Harper
Associate, Housing & Community Development, National Urban League
Senior Director of the Center for Civil Rights and Technology at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
Consultant and Founding CEO of Living Cities: The National Community Development Initiative
Senior Director, Information Technology, Innovation & Technology, National Urban League
Urban Youth Reentry Program Track
October 15 - 16, 2024
Tuesday | October 15, 2024 Time Session Speakers 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Breakfast and Opening Plenary 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Leveraging Digital Learning to Achieve Your Program Goals Jacqueline Arnold
Director, Strategic Relationships and Communications, Saylor Academy12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Lunch break 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Transforming Social Impact Through Innovation Andre Peart
Founder & CEO, Untapped Solutions
Wednesday | October 16, 2024
Time Session Speakers 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Breakfast and Opening Plenary 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Trauma and Successful Reentry Petal Fogenay-Foster
Social Worker, Therapist
Andre Peart
Founder & CEO, Untapped Solutions
Dennis Nicholson
Director of Re-Entry Program, Urban League of Philadelphia
Henry Wanamaker
Pyschotherapist, The Guidance Center of Westchester12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Lunch Break 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. WFDD Combined Track: Building Resiliency: Building Workforce Development Programs that Withstand
Director, Strategic Relationships and Communications at Saylor Academy
Social Worker, Therapist
Director, Re-Entrey Program, Urban League of Philadelphia
Psychotherapist, The Guidance Center of Westchester
Guild Track (Virtual)
October 15 - 16, 2024
Tuesday | October 15, 2024 Time Session Speakers 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. What's Your Parliamentary Procedures IQ? Angela Epperson, MBA
Wednesday | October 16, 2024 Time Session Speakers 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Leadership Skills: Conflict Resolution Robin Browder, Esq. PRP
Doctoral Candidate, Gwynedd Mercy University
Washington Bureau Track (In-person with Live Recording)
October 17, 2024
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.
Thursday | October 17, 2024 Time Session Speakers 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Project 2025: Navigating Threats to Democracy, Diversity, and Economic Prosperity in Our Local Communities (Part 1) Moderator:
Tara Murray, Esq.
NUL SVP of Policy & Advocacy and Executive Director, National Urban League
Speaker/s:
Jean-Pierre Brutus, Esq., Ph.D.
Senior Counsel, Economic Justice Program, NJ Institute for Social Justice
Alphonso David
President & CEO, Global Black Economic Forum
Robin Rue Simmons
Founder & Executive Director of FirstRepair
Dr. Shesha Joi Moon
Chief Diversity Officer, U.S. House of Representatives, 117th & 118th Congresses
Executive Director of the National Urban League's Washington Bureau and Senior Vice President for Policy and Advocacy
Chief Diversity Officer, U.S. House of Representatives, 117th & 118th Congresses
Urban Energy Jobs Program
October 17, 2024
The Urban Energy Jobs Program track will address foundational components to creating registered apprenticeship pathways in clean energy. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from energy leaders specializing in pre-apprenticeship development, clean energy workforce trends, and the establishment of registered apprenticeship programs. This session will also explore career pathways and credentialing in cybersecurity, highlighting its importance in the evolving energy sector.
Thursday | October 17, 2024 Time Session Speakers 10:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Introduction & EIF 2.0 Curriculum Overview
10:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Panel Discussion 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Apprenticeships in Clean Energy
Senior Director, Information Technology, Innovation & Technology, National Urban League
WFDD Growth Opportunities
October 16, 2024
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.
Wednesday | October 16, 2024 Time Session Speakers 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Clearing the Path Forward: Exploring the Expungement Ecosystem & Perspectives on the Urban Expungement Program Moderator:
Jerika Richardson
SVP, Equitable Justice Initiatives, National Urban League
Panelists:
Christie Kuhns
President & CEO, Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio
Anthony Body
Case Manager, Urban Expungement Program
Felicia Nu’Man
Director for the Center of Justice, Louisville Urban League
Tracy Bolton
Director of Re-Entry Programs & Services, Buffalo Urban League
Senior Vice President of Equitable Justice Strategic Initiatives, National Urban League
WFDD Upskilling Track
October 16, 2024
In the coming decades, as the pace of technological change continues to increase, millions of workers may need to be not just upskilled but reskilled—a profoundly complex societal challenge that will sometimes require workers to both acquire new skills and change occupations entirely. In this session, we will discuss (1)America’s need to develop dynamic and inclusive workforce system equipped to address long-standing structural inequalities in our labor market. (2)what skill training today workers need to become resilient in the face of current and future economic shifts, and (3) what pathways are currently in place for minorities to obtain quality jobs so every worker and can thrive.
Wednesday | October 16, 2023 Time Session Speakers 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. The Role of AI and Digital literacy Karen Freeman-Wilson
President & CEO, Chicago Urban League
Brooke DeRenzis
Chief Strategy Officer, National Skills Coalition
Cy Richardson
SVP, Economics and Housing Programs, National Urban League
Co-founder of Cultivating Hope, LLC, and the J.T. Mitchell Pre-Apprenticeship Academy
WFDD Urban Tech Jobs Program
October 18, 2023
In this session all the Upskilling and UTJP sub grantees will receive training on how to help local participants advance their career to their next levels by obtaining Google AI career certificate. Participant will be certified coaches at the end of the session.
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
Time Session Speakers 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. UTJP Train the Trainer (Closed) TBA
Urban Seniors Job Program Track
October 15-17, 2024
Urban Seniors Jobs Program - PY 24 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 15, 2024
Time Session Speakers 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Breakfast and Opening Plenary
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Mastering the Market: Understanding the Labor Market and meeting the needs for older jobseekers Max Gibbons
Senior Manager, Jobs For The Future (JFF)12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Lunch Break 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Dissecting the Needs of Older Workers Presented by: Lamont Spence Jenna Gladfelter
Director, Community Engagement & Partnerships - liveOn New York
Wednesday | October 16, 2024
Time Session Speakers 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Breakfast and Opening Plenary 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Implicit Bias Darrell Andrews (Coach D)
President and Chief Passion Officer of Darrell Andrews, LLC12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Lunch Break 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. WFDD Combined Track : Building "The 3 R's" Brick by Brick Moderator:
Joshua Brown
Associate, Workforce Development, Urban Seniors Jobs Program, National Urban League
Panelists:
Darrell Andrews
(Coach D) President and Chief Passion Officer of Darrell Andrews, LLC
Dr. Darlene Williams
President & CEO, Union Settlement
Dr. Gail Awan
President & CEO, Urban League of the Upstate, SC
Thursday | October 17, 2024
Time Session Speakers 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Breakfast and Opening Plenary
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Revisiting the Business Case for Age-Inclusion Heather Tinsley-Fix
Senior Advisor of Employer Engagement at AARP
Young Professionals Track (Virtual Open)
October 15-17, 2024
This Whitney M. Young Jr, Leadership Conference for NULYP Members, we want to emphasize our 25th anniversary, provide members with the ability to build community with YPs across the nation in small groups, and as always, provide essential content to assist their local affiliates.
Tuesday | October 15, 2024
Time Session Speakers 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Origins of NULYP and the Membership
Moderator:
Cherrelle Duncan
NULYP Leadership, Training, and Development ChairMarcus Mitchell
NULYP Founder
Speakers:
Kelly Doucet
President, The Exchange at Indianapolis Urban League
Tiffany Winter
NULYP Membership Chair-Elect
Wednesday | October 16, 2024
Time Session Speakers 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Shifting with the Times and Conflict Resolution Moderator:
Dr. Candice Robinson
Leadership, Training, and Development Committee Member
Speakers:
Barry Neal
NULYP Alumnus
Sean Lowe
Alderman
Thursday | October 17, 2024
Time Session Speakers 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Legacy of Leadership and Succession Planning Moderator:
Charles M. Anderson, Leadership, Training, and Development Committee Member
Speakers:
Shalondan Hollingshed
NULYP President
Tyler Litt
NULYP President-Elect Brittany
Geneva Cummings
Communication Strategist and Community Builder
Angeline Jefferson
Deputy Director of Corporate Relations
