The mission of the Urban League is to enable African-Americans and other disadvantaged persons to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power and civil rights.

The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga is an affiliate of the National Urban League, the nation's oldest and largest community-based movement devoted to empowering African Americans and other underserved individuals to enter the economic and social mainstream. The Urban League movement was founded in 1910, and the National Urban League, headquartered in New York City, spearheads our nonprofit, nonpartisan, community-based initiatives. The heart of the Urban League movement is the professionally staffed Urban League affiliates in over 100 cities in 36 states and the District of Columbia. The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga is part of a $200 million national organization that serves over two million people annually. With a 100-year history of providing services, Urban Leagues have a $10 billion impact on the U.S. economy.

Realizing that the disparities between African-Americans and other ethnicities in Chattanooga continue to grow apart—especially on the forefronts of education, employment, and health—the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga felt it was necessary to begin structuring its objectives to focus and embrace the family as a unit—thereby developing the Family Economic Empowerment Initiative. The Family Economic Empowerment Initiative provides services to the entire family. Whether the ULGC is serving students through our after-school program; a family through our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program; or a woman in the Sisters Together: Move More, Eat Better health initiative, the organization gathers the necessary information from clients to serve the entire family. The ULGC helps families set personal goals and equips them with the resources not only to accomplish their goals, but also to empower them to thrive.

I Am Empowered Pledge

The National Urban League is celebrating its centennial in 2010 by launching the I AM EMPOWERED initiative, instilling a message of hope and individual empowerment to make a lasting difference.  Focused on four aspirational goals for America—in the areas of education, employment, housing and healthcare—I AM EMPOWERED is galvanizing millions of people to take a pledge to commit to help achieve the goals by 2025!

I AM EMPOWERED reminds everyone of the power of the individual to become a force for change by encouraging collective action to bring change to entire communities and urban areas.  Become a part of the excitement and celebrate a legacy of service as the National Urban League prepares for the next 100 years of progress!

I AM EMPOWERED PLEDGE

As a local affiliate, the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga is challenging local citizens to sign the I AM EMPOWERED PLEDGE to become a part of a nationwide movement to create a better America for all. Click on the link below to sign the I AM EMPOWERED PLEDGE for the Chattanooga community.

 I pledge to responsibly commit my time and talent to ensure that the nation is empowered to achieve the following goals by 2025:

• Every American child is ready for college, work and life.
• Every American has access to jobs with a living wage and good benefits.
• Every American lives in safe, decent, affordable and energy efficient housing on fair terms.
• Every American has access to quality and affordable health care solutions.

Sign the Pledge Today – click here!