National Urban League Expands to North Texas with New Affiliate

By Isiah Hall , National Urban League
Published 05 PM EDT, Wed Mar 18, 2026
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North Texas marked a historic moment this week as civic leaders, corporate partners, young professionals and community advocates gathered for the official launch of the Dallas–Fort Worth Urban League (Dallas, TX), the 93rd affiliate of the National Urban League.

The sold-out event was hosted at Gilley’s Dallas and emceed by broadcast journalist Evan Anderson. The momentous event also welcomed Marc Morial, who has been the primary catalyst for an era of change and a transformation for the 100-plus-year-old civil rights organization. His presence underscored the national importance of bringing the Urban League’s legacy of economic empowerment back to the Dallas–Fort Worth region.

For years, North Texas had been the largest metropolitan region in the United States without an Urban League affiliate—leaving a gap in coordinated services for underserved communities. The new affiliate aims to fill that void through workforce development, entrepreneurship programs, and advocacy designed to expand economic mobility across the region.

Interim CEO Marnese Barksdale Elder emphasized that the organization’s mission will focus on expanding opportunity across the region.

“The Dallas-Fort Worth Urban League is a group of visionary leaders dedicated to expanding economic mobility, opportunity and community transformation,” Elder said during the program.

She noted that the organization will prioritize programs focused on workforce development, entrepreneurship and advocacy that strengthen families and communities throughout North Texas.

“In a region experiencing tremendous growth, it is critical that progress includes everyone,” Elder added.

The affiliate plans to build programs that create real pathways to opportunity while ensuring that the benefits of regional growth are shared broadly.

By establishing the Dallas–Fort Worth affiliate, the National Urban League hopes to strengthen regional efforts to address disparities in employment, economic access and education.

The launch celebration also recognized the corporate and philanthropic partners whose early investments helped make the affiliate possible.

Founding sponsors include:

  • Matthews
  • Comerica Bank
  • Wells Fargo
  • Dr. Arlene Ford & Christopher Reynolds
  • JPMorgan Chase
  • Erika N. Salter, PC
  • HEB
  • Communities Foundation of Texas

Together, these organizations have contributed more than $1 million in early support to help establish the affiliate and launch its programming. Event organizers also thanked the evening’s presenting sponsor, Matthews Southwest, for providing the venue and helping make the launch celebration possible.

With national leadership, strong corporate backing and a coalition of young professionals behind it, the Dallas–Fort Worth Urban League now begins the work of transforming opportunity into measurable impact across the region.

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