Urban League Convenes Leaders and Advocates for 3rd Annual State of Black Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Urban League (Los Angeles, CA), a leading civil rights and economic empowerment organization, convened prominent leaders, advocates, and community partners for the third annual gathering of the State of Black Los Angeles on October 16, 2025, at the University of Southern California’s Town and Gown Ballroom. Themed “Solidarity in Action: Black and Brown LA,” the event united influential voices from political, civic, business, and academic sectors to spotlight racial equity, health, economic empowerment, and immigration—creating a powerful platform for collaboration and solutions across Los Angeles.

The conference, livestreamed by NBC4 and Telemundo 52, featured an extraordinary lineup of speakers and panelists who addressed pressing issues impacting communities of color and offered data-driven, actionable strategies for shared progress. A replay of the full event is now available for viewing on the NBC4 YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/@NBCLA) and the Los Angeles Urban League website (https://laul.org/).

Cynthia Mitchell-Heard, President and CEO of the Los Angeles Urban League, who founded the State of Black Los Angeles Conference in 2023, created the annual convening, to spotlight critical issues affecting Los Angeles’ Black and Brown communities and bring together leaders to drive measurable solutions. Her vision has transformed the conference into a cornerstone for collaboration among policymakers, advocates, and community stakeholders.

“Our theme, Solidarity in Action: Black and Brown LA, is not just a statement—it is a call to collective responsibility,” said Mitchell-Heard. “We know that our power multiplies when communities stand together, when we move beyond conversation to commitment, and when we create coalitions that deliver real, measurable change for every Angeleno.”

“As Chair, I’m deeply committed to strengthening the League’s impact — supporting Cynthia and her exceptional team as they expand programs that uplift families, create pathways to generational wealth, and prepare our youth for the jobs and opportunities of tomorrow,” said Keith Drake, Board Chair, Los Angeles Urban League.

The event featured participation from leading voices including California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, USC President Beong-Soo Kim, Los Angeles City Councilmember Heather Hutt, Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, Compton Mayor Emma Sharif, and the Honorable Dr. Michael Davis, along with national figures who joined via video—Congresswomen Maxine Waters and Sydney Kamlager-Dove, National Urban League President & CEO Marc H. Morial, and California Health and Human Services Secretary Kim Johnson. Melissa Magee of NBC4 served as emcee, while Dr. D’Artagnan Scorza, Executive Director of the Los Angeles County Anti-Racism, Diversity and Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative, presented new data highlighting progress and persistent disparities across key social indicators.

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