The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh kicked off its 95th Anniversary Year on 2013 with events beginning on February 9th and 10th, 2013, under the Honorary Chairs Judy and Ron Davenport, Ann and Leon Haley, and Nancy and Milt Washington.
Past and present members and supporters of the Urban League attended the regional premier screening of a new Independent Lens film Whitney Young: Powerbroker — which tells the tale of Mr. Young’s journey as National Urban League President and CEO during the height of the civil rights turbulence in the 1960’s. Renowned civil rights attorney and long-time Urban Leaguer Wendell G. Freeland, Esq. provided historic context to the film. Mr. Freeland was surprised with the announcement of the establishment of the Wendell G. Freeland Living Legacy Award to be periodically bestowed upon worthy recipients. Mr. Freeland himself was the inaugural recipient during the festivities held at the Senator John Heinz History Center.
The celebration continued on Sunday February 10th when the 28th Urban League Sunday was held at East Liberty Presbyterian Church from 4 until 6, with keynote speaker Reverend Dr. E. Dewey Smith, Jr. of Greater Travelers Rest Church in Decatur, Georgia. Free and open to the public, this annual gathering pays tribute to the historical partnership between the Urban League Movement and the African American Church community in providing much needed social services to African Americans when they were unable to access services otherwise. Many of the 400 guests also attended the reception that followed the keynote address.
Plans are underway for the 2014 Urban League Sunday which will be held on Sunday February 9th, 2014 from 4 pm until 6 pm at Ebeneezer Baptist Church.