The Los Angeles Chapter of the National Urban League upheld its motto of “Enduring Legacies” with its annual Whitney M. Young, Jr. Awards Dinner. The event honored distinguished individuals in the community who have committed to education, employment and social activism for under-privileged members of society.
Whitney M. Young was the fourth Executive Director of the National Urban League. He brought the League into prominence during the Civil Rights era by meshing the tenets of Civil Rights activism with the practices of social work. Through his diligence, he was able to confer with Presidents Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon; testify before Congress and appeal to the giants of industry on behalf of League constituents. Under Whitney Young’s leadership, the Domestic Marshall Plan (to use federal dollars to rebuild inner cities in the same manner that were used to rebuild war-ton Europe) was designed to improve the education, employment, social and cultural status of poor blacks. During Young’s tenure, the League nearly doubled its affiliate network; and youth under thirty were invited to serve on Urban League boards at the national and affiliate levels. The Washington Bureau was established as a liaison between the League and government agencies
This year’s dinner event honored individuals in the community who uphold the ideals set forth by Whitney M. Young, Jr. Honorees included Attorney Virgil Roberts, an education activist; Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa; Walt Disney Co.’s “Bob” Billingslea; and Attorney Luis Lanier, co-founder of Bet Tzedek, a non-profit organization that provides legal representation to low-income individuals.
With tables going for upwards of $100,000, the dinner undoubtedly generated funds for the National Urban League’s prime effort, Neighborhood@Work, a resource that supports education, economic literacy, job preparedness and placement, minority business development and advocacy for under-represented individuals. For more info on the National Urban League and its many efforts go to www.nul.org
Whitney Moore Young, Jr., the fourth Executive Director of the National Urban League, brought the League into the Civil Rights arena, thereby meshing the tenets of Civil Rights activism with the practices of social work. On numerous occasions, he conferred with Presidents Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon; testified before Congress and appealed to the giants of industry in boardroom and through professional assosications on behalf of League constituents. Under Whitney Young’s leadership, the Domestic Marshall Plan (to use federal dollars to rebuild inner cities in the same manner that were used to rebuild war-ton Europe) was designed to improve the education, employment, social and cultural status of poor blacks. During Young’s tenure, the League nearly doubled its affiliate network; and youth under thirty were invited to serve on Urban League boards at the national and affiliate levels. The Washington Bureau was established as a liaison between the League and government agencies.
Purpose: Whitney M. Young Jr., was a champion for equal opportunity. A national leader during a historical period marked by civil unrest, he made great strides towards full democracy for all people. The dinner, honoring the legacy of Whitney M. Young, Jr,. recognizes corporations and individuals in our community who persist in upholding these ideals.
History & Logistics: For the past twenty-one years, this event has been held at a major hotel/conference center site. Sales are usually dominated by tables selling at $2,000. Community support of this annual event enables the Urban League of Hampton Roads, Inc. to provide servies in the area of Youth Employment, Scholarships, Health Seminars, Job Readiness Training, and Housing Assistance.
The 2012 Whitney M. Young, Jr. Awards Dinner is a major fundraiser for the Los Angeles Urban League. Chaired by Noel Massie, President, Central District of United Parcel Service, distinguished honorees include Education Activist and Entertainment Attorney Virgil Roberts; Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa; Walt Disney Co.’s “Bob” Billingslea and Bet Tzedek Co-Founder, Attorney Luis Lanier.
Funding generated by the event provides fundamental resources for the efforts of the Urban League’s Neighborhoods@Work for educational support, economic literacy, job preparedness and placement, minority business development and advocacy on behalf of African American and other underrepresente