By: J. Chevont’e Alexander
“The first lesson of economics is scarcity: There is never enough of anything to satisfy all those who want it. The first lesson of politics is to disregard the first lesson of economics.”
– Thomas Sowell
In an article published by USA TODAY, Black families that even make a decent good household income “get trapped into accumulating the symbols of success, rather than recycling those assets to generate more assets.”
The Urban League of Greater Richmond has a call to action for our Greater Richmond community – for residents to become active and engaged in the community to change the face of our economic development and prosperity. Focusing on “Building Wealth in Urban Communities”, on February 6, 2013, the call to action will be realized at “YP Day at the GA”. The Virginia Chapters of National Urban League (Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads and Richmond) will be recognized by the House and Senate for providing resources, and being a champion for economic and social justice for over 99 years in Virginia. The Young Professionals Network has organized breakout sessions with elected officials to discuss the matters most pressing in the African American community.
Founded in 1910 and headquartered in New York City, the National Urban League spearheads the efforts of its local affiliates through the development of programs, public policy research and advocacy. Today, there are more than 100 local affiliates in 36 states and the District of Columbia, providing direct services that impact and improve the lives of more than two million people nationwide.
The Urban League of Greater Richmond is the first affiliate office of the National Urban League, founded in 1913. The Young Professionals Network in Virginia has been in existence since 1999 and currently has membership over 400 statewide. The National Urban League Young Professionals (YP) is a volunteer auxiliary that targets young professionals ages 21-45 to empower their communities and change lives through the Urban League Movement. Their mission is to support the Urban League Movement through their volunteerism, philanthropy and membership development.
“The greatest divide today, is not race or gender, it is class. The ‘haves’ vs. ‘have nots’; economic equality is Freedom.” comments Shemicia Bowen, President of the Urban League of Greater Richmond Young Professionals.
Join the Conversation
Last year the group focused on education at the General Assembly, but this year their theme is “Building Wealth in Urban Communities”. At last year’s session, they discussed the disparity in the educational systems and access to equal resources. This year they are following national incentives surrounding job growth and renewing the economy.
“Throughout the Great Recession, our (Urban League’s)?network of nearly 100 affiliates has served as economic first responders for communities devastated by job loss,” said Marc Morial, National Urban League President & CEO.
Stay Engaged
With almost a century of empowering communities and saving lives, the Urban Leagues of Virginia are dedicated to the mission of enabling all individuals and families to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power and civil rights. Focused on servicing the underserved within the community, the most vulnerable population, the Urban League Chapters of Greater Richmond, Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia are charged with the responsibility to realize the National Urban League’s agenda throughout the state. Alongside the Urban Leagues of Virginia, the auxiliary groups of Young Professionals (YP) established in their respective cities support the affiliate by pushing forth the agenda of the five-point strategy of empowerment.
Become the Change You Want to See
We have to empower our communities to speak up and speak out. The reason our elected officials have jobs is because we put them there to take our concerns to the decision makers.
The Urban League is also here for you. NUL (National Urban League) has an aggressive grassroots advocacy campaign focused on federal legislative action to create permanent pathways to employment for at-risk teenagers & young adults. Urban League programs, like Occupy the Vote and Educate, Empower, & Employ, provide the voice for people whose whispers and even screams are often ignored. Without equal access to education and jobs, we remain stagnant.
“In order to truly move areas like Petersburg, Norfolk and even Alexandria forward our progress lies within the? ‘Brown Dollar’, comments Bowen. “Our goal is to have real conversations with those who represent us on behalf of the people YP represent. Urban economic expansion through entrepreneurship opportunities, green job growth and access to capital is paramount to the overall growth of Virginia’s economy. “
Focused efforts will emphasize effectively impacting lives by helping individuals obtain and sustain a viable financial living by helping people of the community get back to work, grow entrepreneurial skills or forge a new career. The cause is charged with engaging elected officials, businesses and the community-at-large to empower individuals to create their own destiny through self-reliance.
Save the Date
URBAN LEAGUES OF VIRGINIA CONVERGE ON THE STATE CAPITOL – YP Day at the GA
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Virginia General Assembly, 5th Floor West Conference Room
1000 Bank Street Richmond, Virginia
Delegate Daun Sessoms Hester from the Virginia House of Delegates, 89th District is the guest speaker for Breakfast. Each chapter will have the opportunity to discuss hot topics with representatives from the House (Delegate Jennifer McClellan) and Senate (Senator Donald McEachin).
Young Professionals Reception
Encore Ultra Lounge
11 South 12th Street
Richmond, Virginia
6 p.m.
For ticket information, please contact:
Richmond: president@empowerrichmond.org
Hampton Roads: president@ulhryp.org
Northern Virginia: president@nvulypn.org
Join the YP Team
YP trains, develops, and educates young professionals to take leadership roles within the National Urban League, the civil rights movement and society-at-large. Members of YP are defining, developing, implementing and leading the next generation civil rights agenda. YP does this by providing an effective forum through which young professionals can support the mission of the Urban League through the Urban League of Greater Richmond. YP also works to strengthen their members by encouraging them to achieve balance in their lives even as they work to strengthen their communities. To this end, YP strives to develop programs that encourage individual members’ personal and professional development. If you are ready to make a difference, contribute to the progress of achieving equality, develop as a person, professional and leader, then make that move and get empowered. Your presence in YP will definitely empower communities and change lives. Please contact: membership@empowerrichmond.org
