Characterized as the “largest Civil Rights Conference of the year,” the National Urban League conference shows up as a purpose with a party. The event brought League affiliate members from across the nation, as well as Clevelanders and Ohioans, in near record-breaking numbers. The opening night State of the Urban League Address given by Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, set a high bar for the event — and it just kept rising.
“I promised my colleagues across the country and all of our sponsors who supported this event that it would be epic. And indeed, it was,” said Marsha Mockabee, President and CEO of the ULGC. “We wanted to ensure that we delivered an exceptional experience on every front, and we were blessed to exceed all expectations.”
This outcome would not have been possible without the expert leadership of 4th Quarter and Associates, the visionary leadership of our board chair, Kevin Clayton, and the dedication of our Community Working Group, led by Jill Zimon and India Birdsong Terry. We worked hand in hand with the amazing National Conference Team, led by Miguel Clarke and Rhonda Spears Bell.
As you might expect, the 4-day conference involved a legion of staffers and volunteers working day and night to present not only an event to remember, but one that impacted across generational lines that would then reverberate throughout Northeast Ohio’s communities. The 4-day line-up included:
July 16 was the conference’s kickoff that began with a day-long Career & Networking Fair held at the Huntington Convention Center, which was free and open to the public. The fair offered job seekers and those looking for career advancement and professional development an opportunity to meet and engage with top recruiters and hiring managers from around the country.
That evening was the official launch of the conference, which featured the State of the Urban League Address & a separate Host Night Welcome Reception. Marc Morial was the keynote speaker covering many of the issues facing Blacks in our country, from education to civil rights, health services, Social Security, and more. In these tenuous times, the Urban League, both nationally and locally, is seeking to build stronger communities from within, from individuals to families, businesses, and up.
That was followed by the Host Night Celebration “Family Reunion – Bridging Generations through Music and Culture,” held at the Rocket Arena. The event welcomed out-of-town conference registrants, sponsors, and speakers to an Essence Festival-style event where there were multiple events going on simultaneously — something for everyone.
The celebration was designed as an intergenerational festivity that included a private jazz lounge, a fashion show, an art exhibit, and a Marketplace. Later in the evening, entertainment out on the dance floor included the intermixing of Old School / New School DJs and line dancing instructors. Attendees from young professionals to the most seasoned community members, were provided an immersion experience that will be long remembered and surely emulated.
Day two of the conference began with Marc’s opening plenary address, “State of Black America – State of Emergency: Democracy, Civil Rights & Progress Under Attack.” His address calls for bold action to reclaim the promise of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
The Legacy Leadership Awards Luncheon followed, which included presentations by Angela R. Simmons, President, National Council of Urban League Guilds; William Barnes, President & CEO, Birmingham Urban League; and Marc again as the featured speaker. There was also a fireside chat led by John Rogers, founder, chairman, and Co-CEO of Ariel Investments.
That evenin,g once again became a celebration with Urban League Live Presents: “Party Like a Rock Star.” Attendees were also given full access to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for the “Urban League Live” party. As Marsha puts it, “People were blown away with the Rocket Arena and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame parties! They began to truly understand how we do things in Cleveland.”
The theme for day three of the conference was “Power, Advocacy, and Celebration.” Plenary II: “Breaking the Silence – Mastering Media and Making Your Voice Heard” jump-started the day with a focus on practical strategies for navigating the evolving media landscape.
Then came one of the highlights of the conference: the Women of Power Awards Luncheon, acknowledging and celebrating women whose leadership has made a transformative difference in their industries and communities. Honorees included: Danita Harris, morning anchor at WKYC TV; Seanelle Hawkins, J.S., President & CEO, Urban League of Rochester; Suzanne de Passe, Businesswoman, television, music, and film producer; Marva Smalls, Strategic Advisor to the Board & Leadership, Paramount Global; and Hon. Shontel M. Brown, U.S. Representative – Ohio’s 11th Congressional District.
Friday evening’s black-tie affair was the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Awards Gala, emceed by Shannon Lanier, TV host and influencer. It featured remarks from Tim Murphy, Vice Chair, Mastercard; and Marsha Mockabee, President & CEO, ULGC. Senator Sherrod Brown and Marsha Mockabee received NUL Living Legend Awards. The Hon. Justin M. Bibb, Mayor, City of Cleveland, and Hon. Marcia Fudge, Partner and Chair of Public Policy, Taft Law, received the President’s Award.
The evening honored those whose work reflects the legacy of Whitney M. Young, Jr., and his tireless pursuit of equality and social justice.
The final day of the conference was the Community & Family Day Expo. It featured a marketplace at Rocket Arena with 100 vendors selling everything from cakes to candles, clothing, and more. Food vendors were minority owned businesses. The Health Zone included University Hospital, doing health screenings and other vendors offered various health care opportunities and clinics.
The ULGC had a booth front and center. “A totally unexpected thing happened at the booth,” Marsha shared. “I had individuals come up to me with tears in their eyes saying, ‘Miss Mockabee, I just want to thank you, because you don’t know the impact that the Urban League of Greater Cleveland has had on my life.’ They shared their stories with me, and we ended up hugging and crying together.”
And that was the centerpiece of the event — people coming together heart-to-heart beyond just the festivities.
That was in full evidence during the Community and Family Day. The primary areas were the “Back to School Zone” and “Urban League Now Experience. The Back to School Zone included the “Project ReadyCollege Fair” that had information on scholarships, financial aid, and resources regarding 60+ colleges and universities. The Urban League Now Experience featured the Building Black Wealth Pavilion that provided information on homeownership, generational wealth building, careers, and more. There was something for every community member, including:
- Career & Networking Fair
- Back to School Zone
- Project ReadyCollege Fair
- Building Black Wealth Pavilion
- Brilliant & Black-owned Marketplace
- Business Experts Corner
- Community Give-Back Corner
- Makers Market
- HER Space
- Kings Corner
- GenZone
Kevin Clayton, Board Chair of the Urban League of Greater Cleveland, said this about this extraordinary 4-day event: “The National Urban League Conference had a tremendous social and economic impact on Cleveland. The conference was a unifier of people representing multiple demographics from all over the country. Cleveland once again showed the nation that we are a prime-time city with a small-town ego.” Kevin played a major role in positioning the Cleveland Cavaliers as lead sponsor for the Host Night Celebration and serving as a full partner in the planning and execution of the conference.
How do we pivot from the success of this amazing conference? It all comes down to the vital focus of the UGLC and its mission: “Eliminating the racial, economic, and societal barriers that prevent Black Americans and other underrepresented/underserved communities of color from achieving their full potential. Ultimately, our imperative is to ensure that EVERY member of our community has equitable civil rights, access to education, workforce development, and economic empowerment.”
The conference lived up to that mission, giving all those who attended and participated in this multi-faceted expo exposure to an array of options, ideas, and a possibly new perspective for themselves, for their community, and beyond. The possibilities are endless as to what lies in the compassionate hearts and creative minds of like-minded, resilient, and resolute people.
“We had asked our community to show up and really participate in Community and Family Day. But I had no idea that Cleveland would respond with love in the way that they did,” Marsha explained. “The conference exceeded everyone’s expectations. What’s interesting is that part of the success of bringing the Urban League back to life — which was a divine assignment that I took on in 2009 — was based on what I realized was my secret weapon: under promise and over deliver, and so that’s what we did!”
One significant characteristic of the conference was how people of all walks of life were honored throughout the event. Whether a student or a congressperson, everyone was acknowledged as a respected and esteemed member of the community, and for the unique way in which they contribute.
Then there was Marsha herself, who was honored by Marc Morial when he presented her with a Living Legend Award for her many years with and impact through the ULGC. “I was dumbfounded, in total shock. I was so humbled and totally overwhelmed by the award.” Kevin Clayton presented Marsha with an additional surprise: a large painting of Martin Luther King, Jr., which will be housed at the ULGC offices.
Then, to Marsha’s utter surprise, when touring the art exhibit, she discovered that Arnold Hines had commissioned a portrait of her. Another moment that left Marsha speechless.
But Marsha wasn’t speechless when interviewed by the media about what outcome she was seeking concerning the conference. Her answer was, “… to simply be a stepping stone to greater impact for the ULGC in the community, expanded partnerships, expanded services, and touching the lives of more people.”
The conference more than achieved that outcome, so much so that Marc Morial has stated that the Cleveland conference created new best practices for future Urban League national conferences. As Marsha sees it, it’s the community that deserves immense thanks for their part in making the conference such a success.
“The plan is that we want everyone to know that the ULGC exists. We want visibility and involvement because that’s the only way we’ll all succeed together. As I heard a number of people say during the conference, ‘Marsha, everywhere we turn, we see the Urban League.’ Perfect!”
And Marc Morial has these summative comments. “We are in a precarious moment in America, and the anxieties of our path day to day not only impact the families and communities we serve at the Urban League, but it has a profound impact on our affiliates. And in this moment, I could not be more grateful than I am for the leadership, steadfastness, and hospitality of Marsha Mockabee, Kevin Clayton, and the entire staff of the Urban League of Greater Cleveland during this year’s conference.
Every event was designed with purpose, not only to engage the Urban League movement and the civil rights community, but to invite leadership — from city hall to the halls of Congress — into conversations that will change the course of decision making in Ohio, and provide a space where the people we serve can equip themselves with the skills, information, and tools to thrive in the face of uncertainty.
We may not know what tomorrow will bring, but I am confident that the Urban League of Greater Cleveland has the leadership to shepherd the community and movement through these uncertain times.”
