Background StatementBackground Statement
Established in 1910, The Urban League is the nation's oldest and largest community- based movement devoted to empowering African Americans to enter the economic and social mainstream. Today, the National Urban League, headquartered in New York City, spearheads the non-partisan efforts of its local affiliates. There are over 100 local affiliates of the National Urban League located in 35 states and the District of Columbia providing direct services to more than 2 million people nationwide through programs, advocacy and research. The Urban League of Middle Tennessee was chartered on April 15, 1968 by a group of diverse business and community leaders to “Carry on programs of social service…improving the economic welfare of Negroes…” In 2008, our Urban League will celebrate 40 years of Empowering Nashville and Middle Tennessee Communities. The Urban League of Middle Tennessee has built a strong reputation for connecting job seekers and employers together for success. We embrace hard to serve populations as well as high skilled, experienced job seekers. Our Urban League has found jobs for thousands and saved numerous families from the plight of homelessness. Since 2004, ULMT has added up to six million dollars back into the Nashville economy as a result of successes in connecting clients with employers.
For many years, we have provided housing, financial literacy, and after-school programs for youth. Tennessee’s Workforce Investing for Growth, the first annual report of employment by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development was issued in August, 2007. This report provides a critical analysis of workforce development issues that will need to be addressed to support industry growth in the state of Tennessee through the year 2014. Areas identified for increased knowledge requirements include: customer service, foreign language, physics, management, English, clerical procedures, and engineering and technology. Other skills identified for growing numbers of jobs include active listening, reading comprehension, speaking, time management, critical thinking, active learning, coordination and writing. Urban League programs and services include academic support services for youth, job searches; resume writing, job counseling, case management, workshops, presentations, forums, speeches, telephone referrals, and literature distribution. The Urban League of Middle Tennessee is uniquely positioned and has a demonstrated track record in being able to address many of the issues presented in annual report of the Department of Labor.