'Provoke You to Action': Urban League CEO Highlights Fight for Racial Equality

“It is time for those with power and privilege to develop some backbone,” said Sadiqa Reynolds, President & CEO of Louisville Urban League (Louisville, KY). “The people in the streets have theirs."

Reynolds gave her keynote speech at the nonprofit’s annual impact report luncheon on Friday (December 4), which was virtual this year and highlighted the league’s biggest accomplishments for the fiscal year. While the organization’s successes were worthy of celebration, it was Reynolds' speech that left the most impact.

“I know for many of you, this is not the speech you wanted, it was my intention to inspire you, but instead I have decided I wanted to provoke you to action," she said.

The Urban League CEO began her speech by discussing the difficulties she faced in trying to serve the community amid the pandemic, while also learning of the multiple instances of police brutality right in her backyard.

“On May 25, as Louisville is questioning Breonna's case, and learning about Ahmaud Arbery, a police officer kneels on the neck of George Floyd," she said. “As if we weren't already in enough pain, in the early morning hours of June 1, a Black man in the West End was killed by law enforcement."

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