Urban League of Hampton Roads and Greater Richmond Partner with HBCUs

NORFOLK (Nov. 7, 2022) – On Friday, Nov. 4th, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced a brand-new partnership between the Urban Leagues of Hampton Roads (Norfolk, VA) and Greater Richmond (Richmond, VA) and Virginia HBCUs – Norfolk State University, Hampton University, Virginia State University, and Virginia Union University.

This new initiative comes at a time when incoming college students face increasing issues as they suffer learning loss because of the pandemic. The program will employ students as tutors and mentors to high school and middle school students throughout the community.

Interim CEO and president of the Urban League of Hampton Roads, Gil Bland, said, “Today, conversations and ideas took a huge step toward supporting underserved and marginalized children and young adults in the urban core cities. The Urban Leagues of Hampton Roads and Greater Richmond joined with four Virginia HBCUs and the Commonwealth of Virginia to provide academic enrichment options through enhanced opportunities for tutoring and mentorship. The collaboration of the Urban League and our HBCUs represents a coalition of monumental historical context of organizations that not only had the lens of viewing Black history in America but were catalysts in the shaping of that history. As former Governor Doug Wilder and others have advocated for greater HBCU funding, we hope this initiatve will give rise to more such efforts to assure that every Virginia student is provided with a quality education that prepares them to enter the global workforce and help grow Virginia’s economy. The Urban League is pleased to help make this dream a reality.”

Larry Murphy, interim CEO of the Urban League of Greater Richmond, said, “Access to quality education is the gateway for promise and possibilities to young minds and future leaders. For over 100 years, the Urban League of Greater Richmond, which includes the City of Petersburg, has been in the business of empowering people. It’s the people; the academic leadership at Petersburg City Public Schools, Virginia State University, the students, families, and community at large who will enure the partnership’s success. Enriching these relationships will allow for the execution of a dynamic mentoring and tutoring program to support at least 675 Petersburg students. Urban League’s education initiatives will offer college and career readiness with a spectrum of services beyond typical classroom activities. The Partnership of Petersburg is a great opportunity to connect resources and services for the most ‘at promise’ students in Virginia.”

Governor Youngkin said, “I am thrilled to embark on the journey of learning loss recovery with these transformational tutoring partnerships, this is a breakthrough initiative. Our treasured Historically Black Colleges and Universities have proven to be leaders in the development and implementation of best practices in education. I look forward to the expansion of this key program.”

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