Urban League of Louisiana Aims for $43 Billion in Economic Output Within the Next 25 Years

At the Urban League of Louisiana (New Orleans, LA), our mission is clear: to build a Louisiana where Black people and other communities of the global majority can achieve economic self-reliance, generational wealth, civil rights and equitable representation.

As a historic civil rights and direct service organization, we recognize that true empowerment is more than individual success; it is about transforming systems to create lasting opportunity.

What sets us apart is our ability to fuse programming with policy. We connect individuals with the tools they need to thrive today, while also advancing reforms that dismantle barriers to success in the future. This dual approach ensures that we are not only responding to immediate needs but also building pathways to sustainable change for generations to come.

We know that individuals have the creativity and drive to succeed, but too often face systems designed to limit opportunity. Our role is to challenge those systems while creating tangible avenues for growth.

One of the most impactful avenues is entrepreneurship. We understand the rise of entrepreneurship as a pathway to economic independence and generational wealth creation, and we seek to support entrepreneurs across the state of Louisiana in gaining access to the education and support services needed to start and scale sustainable businesses.

One example of this is our flagship Scale Up! Louisiana program, a 10-week intensive for early-stage business owners that combines education, advising and networking to help small businesses transition into high-growth, sustainable ventures. Since 2018, the program has served nearly 200 entrepreneurs, with more than 60% reporting business growth or expansion. Designed around community needs, Scale Up! Louisiana integrates education, mentorship, funding and technical support so that entrepreneurs can build enterprises that last.

Another resource for entrepreneurs is our Connect to Capital Louisiana (C2CLA), an eight-week program designed to strengthen entrepreneurs’ financial literacy and capital readiness. Participants gain financial education and learn to access funding sources such as SBA loans and equity investment. Participants also receive one-on-one counseling aimed at improving their financial management and readiness for growth. By combining business knowledge with access to capital, C2CLA ensures that more Louisiana entrepreneurs can compete and thrive.

Our most ambitious effort is the SEE CHANGE Collective, launched in 2021. This regional initiative is a data-driven effort designed to close the wealth gap and generate an estimated $43 billion in economic output by 2050. Closing the wealth gap is both a moral imperative and an economic necessity. By aligning government, business, philanthropy and community voices, SEE CHANGE addresses disparities facing Black, Hispanic, Latino, Asian and low-income families.

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