General Info

The Urban League of Portland is one of the region's most respected social service and civil rights organizations. It is a nonprofit, community-based organization headquartered in north Portland and an affiliate of the National Urban League. A History of Service The Urban League Movement was founded in 1910. The National Urban League, headquartered in New York City, spearheads our nonprofit, nonpartisan, community-based Movement. The mission of the Urban League Movement is to enable African Americans to secure economic self-reliance, parity and power and civil rights. The Urban League Movement carries out its mission at the local, state and national levels through direct services, advocacy, research, policy analysis, community mobilization, collaboration and communications. The Urban League of Portland was founded in 1945 as an affiliate of the National Urban League, and envisions itself as two entities - a movement of people of all colors, creeds and national origins that believe that intelligent cooperation can solve the multitude of minority problems and a social agency with a professional staff working under the direction of an interracial board. This dual vision has provided the framework for the League's programs and activities throughout its 60-year history. As an early advocate for fair housing and employment, the Urban League was instrumental in creating the Portland we know today. Key Urban League participants have become familiar names in regional history: Mercedes Deiz, Oregon's first black female attorney and judge; Dr. DeNorval Unthank, an early founder of the League; and Bill Hilliard, retired editor of The Oregonian. The Urban League has enjoyed the support of such community leaders as journalist turned politician, Governor Tom McCall, Governor Douglas McKay and Oregon's distinguished statesman, the Honorable Mark O. Hatfield, former state representative, Governor and U.S. Senator. Urban League of Portland 10 N. Russell, OR 97227 PortlandPhone 503.280.2600 Fax 503.249.1926