Greater Stark County Urban League Celebrates 100 Years

CANTON, OH – The Greater Stark County Urban League (Canton, OH) celebrated 100 years of advocating for their community this past Saturday, February 26th.

The Black and White Gala, which is the affiliate’s largest annual fundraiser, saw several hundred people attend, including some elected officials. They all praised the Urban League’s dedication to the community and called upon personal experience to highlight the League’s importance.

State Representative Thomas West (D-Canton) was the emcee for the event and recalled how the Greater Stark County Urban League gave him the helping hand he needed to get started on his road as a licensed clinical social worker. Councilwoman Chris Smith (D-4) recalled how an Urban League program assisted her obtaining the job skills that helped her become the owner of her own beauty salon.

The evening speakers, however, were quick to point out that there is still a lot of work to be done.

President and CEO Diane Robinson said that while many things of changed in 100 years, “we have the very same needs.” She stated that the Urban League are the advocates of disadvantaged people, pushing for access to voting, technology, and education. “So we’re not behind as others advance,” she said.

Kendalle Cobb, associate chief of staff of the Cleveland Clinic, was the keynote speaker at the event. She praised the relentless work that the Greater Stark County Urban League has done for the community, and it continues to do.

“To advocate that people have paid time off. To advocate that people have household survival rate of income. These are the important things that the Greater Stark County Urban League continues to do in education, emphasizing early Head Start, housing, partnering with Habitat for Humanity to provide stable housing…100 years of service and advocacy is a great thing to advocate and celebrate.”

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