She Leads, We Rise
Founded in 1910 and based in New York City, the National Urban League (NUL) and National President Marc Morial support 93 affiliates in 36 states and D.C., serving 300 communities. Its programs, research, and advocacy improve the lives of over two million people nationwide.
Two of its most impactful affiliates are right here in Harlem and Newark: the New York Urban League or NYUL (New York, NY) and the Urban League of Essex County or ULEC (Newark, NJ). Born out of the Great Migration, NUL has consistently adapted to the evolving needs of Black communities—providing crucial support, advocating for systemic change, and empowering individuals to reach their potential.
From humble beginnings to today’s national reach, the Urban League’s commitment to uplifting underserved populations remains central to its mission.
“The Urban League is a comprehensive social service and community development organization. We offer programs ranging from infant and toddler care to senior services, workforce development, and re-entry education,” explained ULEC President and CEO Vivian Cox Fraser.
“We have a construction training program, a clean energy training program—all designed around economic advancement. We have strong, mission-aligned programs to help families advance socially and economically.
Meanwhile, across the Bridge or through the Tunnel, NYUL President and CEO Arva Rice is advancing similar goals in New York City.
“I had worked in youth services and wanted to be at an organization so impactful it could change lives,” she said. “I set a goal: before I’m done, I want to run an Urban League. At the time, all I knew were led by Black men in their sixties who were incredibly accomplished—so I was zero for three. But they took a risk, and I became only the second woman to run an Urban League in its 90-year history.”
Rice’s personal journey—from teaching kindergarteners at 13 to leading NYUL—is rooted in her family history. Her parents, sharecroppers who moved North during the Great Migration, instilled in her the drive to create a better life for future generations.
Rice and NYUL made significant contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic, issuing emergency loans to scholarship recipients and creating a Small Business Solution Center.
“It was designed for small businesses eligible for PPP loans but unable to apply because their finances weren’t in order,” Rice said. “We paired African American small businesses with partners to meet their needs.”
NYUL also launched a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Lab in the wake of George Floyd’s killing.
“At that time—the Great Awakening—many partners were committed. Some DEI officers have since been moved to HR roles, but we’re figuring out how to maintain momentum,” she said. “One benefit is that many DEI lab partners also became sponsors of our educational programs and employment initiatives.”
To read the full article, click here.