NAACP
Urban League
What are the organizations all about?
Urban League – • Functions of the group can
be tailored based on the needs of the population
• Professional development for the community
• Bloomington/Normal chapter focuses on training and aiding young professionals
• High school transitions, tutoring, college prep, college financial aid, and career choices
NAACP – • Largest civil rights
organization in the world
• 350 members in the local chapter
• Overlooks political plays affecting minority citizens
• Just celebrated 100 years of establishment
How did each of you get involved with your organization and what
were some challenges you faced?Urban League –• Began by being involved
with groups in college that dealt with minority issues
• Joined Urban League Young Professionals in 2008
• One challenge was the accessibility of the group – she sought them out
• The Urban League is also challenged with raising membership numbers,
apathy, time, and resources
NAACP –• Activist since high school
• Worked his way up from Treasurer to President
• He has been in the President position for twelve years
Why do you think there is a need for your organization in
this community?Urban League – • Increase in diversity with
the movement of many families into the area
• Need to address educational needs of minorities, juvenile justice, and transitions into adulthood
• Need for representing the voice of African Americans in the community
• Outlet for the voices of young people
NAACP– • Increase parent
involvement in the education of minorities
• Open good lines of communication with the local authorities
• Working with senior citizens and their financial situations as pertaining to new legislation
• Focusing on human and civil liberties
Who does your organization represent in the community?
Urban League – • Open to represent all
people
• Mostly geared toward African Americans
• Young Professionals group targets the 21-40 age group
NAACP– • Primarily represent people
of color
• Anyone can use the group to file a complaint
• Will not show discrimination in representation of other groups
Why do you feel this particular group is underrepresented? What is the biggest
concern for minorities in this area?
Urban League – • No collective concern
• No collective vision and goal – most are individualistic
• Concern is kids dropping out of school, bullying issues, gang violence, and teenage pregnancies
• People need to step in and address these issues, particularly in minority groups
NAACP– • Lack of cultural/historical
activities for minorities
• Harsh dating pool for African Americans
• Need to utilize the family orientated nature of the community and the diversity that the universities in town bring
What does your organization do within the community to fill the gaps or fix the issues
that cause this group to be underrepresented?
Urban League – • Sorting clothes for people
living in the local mission
• Offer tutoring and working with the STEM Initiative
• Education families about new Universal Health Care Law
• Currently doing many food/clothing drives, but would like to focus more on community education
NAACP– • Huge proponent of
education
• Worked with State Farm to write the “Achievement Matters” program
• Offering summer school scholarships for District 87
• Setting up a mentoring program for the youth of the community
How does your organization assist in relations between
people from different cultures?Urban League – • Working with Hispanic
community’s struggle with language barriers and educational needs
• Offering workshops on specific issues
• The above are processes done at the national level – looking to implement them locally as well
NAACP– • Formed partnerships with
other organizations like the Indian Association, Hispanic Organization, and a few Chinese organizations
• Organizing food drives
• Warn other organizations what too look out for in the community
What kinds of responses have you received from your work in the
community? How do you know if your efforts are working?
NAACP– • Positive reception from community
• Community believes in upholding civil rights – yet measures success by seeing an increase of minorities in community leadership positions
• NAACP wants the best candidate elected, but encourages minorities to take leaderships positions when applicable
How can outsiders or non-minorities get involved with your organization?
Urban League– • Show up!
• Become involved in the issues of people who are at risk in our community
• Volunteer for Urban League events
• Spread the word about Urban League
NAACP– • Log on to website or call
• Check for local advertisements
• Anyone can pay the $35/year in membership dues and become a member
How do you feel civil rights will evolve in the future?
Urban League– • In the 60s people knew where to go with issues
because leaders were vocal and visible• Some confusion now about who to turn to, movements
are more community based now• Changes are happening from the inside out – but
there is still a lack of attention to the disparities of poverty and education in our community
Do you feel there will be a time where we do not need the NAACP or the
Urban League?NAACP– • In other countries, racism is
not an issues – unfortunately it was a part of the U.S. from the beginning
• Personalities are put before principles
• Issues are always deeper than they appear, but many are easily discouraged
• He hopes to be put out of a job because the NAACP is no longer necessary
Urban League– • We won’t need these
organizations if we focus on pleasing people and working through the issues.
For people in the education field, how can we move forward with the
information in which you provided?
NAACP– • Spread the story of the
NAACP
• Remind students of its roots in a multi-cultural community
Urban League– • Community needs to get
involved in education
• YP need to get into the schools to speak with students
• Spread the word about organizations set-up to help those at risk
What advice do you have for young adults of this community as they approach graduation about the
challenges they may face?
NAACP– • Talk to students about civic
engagement
• Students need to get out of their “box” and engage other members of the community
• Get involved with an organization like the NAACP
• Don’t sit and whine, get involved!
Urban League– • Students hold the power to
change the community – their involvement is imperative
• We cannot avoid our problems
• Students should address issues like poverty and violence
• Push forward and never give up!