Blackwell Reference Online

Extract

In 1910 the Committee on Urban Conditions of Negroes was founded to assist rural blacks migrating to northern cities. In 1911 it formed the National League on Urban Conditions Among Negroes (now National Urban League) by merging with the Committee for Improving the Industrial Conditions of Negroes in New York (1906) and the National League for the Protection of Colored Women. The Urban League emphasized economic and social problems of urban blacks and left issues concerning civil rights and social discrimination to the N ational A ssociation for the A dvancement of C olored P eople's agenda. Executive-director Whitney M. Young, Jr. (1961–71) revitalized the league, which had long been handicapped by inadequate finances, and won millions of dollars in corporate contributions. Young also lobbied hard for government job-training programs to assist minority employment opportunities. A consistent foe of the black power movement , Young's Urban League won increasing respect and influence by advocating interracial cooperation and conciliation. After Young's death, the league lost much corporate funding and public influence. Under John E. Jacob (1982–94), it increasingly operated at a deficit, which reached $3,600,000 by 1989. In 1994, under President Hugh Price, it had 113 affiliated chapters. ... log in or subscribe to read full text