Urban League of Rochester: A legacy of Advocacy and Action Spanning Six Decades

The Urban League of Rochester (Rochester, NY), a pillar of advocacy and community development, has played a transformative role in the region for more than 60 years.

Founded in 1965 during a pivotal era marked by civil rights unrest, the organization emerged to address systemic inequities in employment, housing and education issues that remain at the forefront of its mission today.

“The need for change in the 1960s was undeniable,” said Dr. Seanelle Hawkins, President and CEO of the Urban League of Rochester. “The civil rights movement nationally and locally created a necessity for an organization dedicated to providing access and advocacy for Black and brown individuals. Addressing injustices and inequities was, and continues to be, our priority.”

The Rochester chapter’s mission aligns closely with the National Urban League, a storied institution with over 110 years of history. The connection to the national organization has amplified Rochester’s impact, enabling the local movement to benefit from and contribute to nationwide efforts for racial and economic justice.

“Our work has always been part of something bigger,” Hawkins noted. “The Rochester chapter has been deeply involved in addressing inequities locally while participating in national initiatives to drive systemic change.”

One of the local organization’s most significant achievements came under the leadership of Bill Johnson, who spearheaded innovative housing and economic development programs. Johnson’s vision led to the creation of an Economic Development Corporation, which has since developed 15 buildings across Greater Rochester. Among its initiatives is the lease-to-purchase program launched in 2020, delivering roughly 40 newly built homes designed to help families transition to homeownership.

“This program was the first of its kind in Rochester,” Hawkins said. “It demonstrates our commitment to addressing housing inequities and creating sustainable opportunities for community members.”

When civil unrest erupted in 2020, echoing the turmoil of 1965, the Urban League once again rose to the occasion. It launched initiatives like Interrupt Racism and convened power brokers to advocate for actionable responses to systemic inequities outlined in the Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative’s Racial and Structural Equity (RASE) report. These efforts solidified the organization’s role as a lead champion in the fight for equity.

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