President's Message

My name is Marcus C. Mundy, and I am the current President and Chief Executive Officer of this storied organization representing Portland and its nearby communities since 1945. We are an affiliate of the National Urban League, empowering the lives of millions of Americans since 1910.

I am humbled to follow the legacy set by giants such as Edwin C. "Bill" Berry, first president of the Urban League of Portland, and E. Shelton Hill, longtime leader of and strategist for the League. I am also proud to follow the strong work of our recent leaders, the inimitable Margaret Carter and the determined Vanessa Gaston.

The Urban League of Portland has fashioned its history and accomplishments on the work and dedication of these and many other leaders, their tireless staffs and the vast corps of volunteers and community participants that make us what we are today: vital, service oriented, culturally aware and absolutely focused on making our constituency educated, employed, healthy, housed and empowered.

The work of these leaders over the last six decades has included voter registration to housing initiatives to alternative schools to health education programs to employment plans to countless other efforts that have met the needs of Portland. We have continuously attuned our programming to meet the needs of an ever changing, evolving African American community, and remain a staunch advocate and voice for our community.

Some of today's programs include education, such as our "National Urban League Incentives To Excel and Succeed (NULITES)" high school based programs in which we assist struggling students through intensive support in academics and enrichment opportunities; and the Urban League's Multicultural Senior Services Center, centered in the heart of the African American community and rendering an impressive array of services to seniors 60 and over, among them transportation, health education, computer and financial literacy training, nutrition, case management and, perhaps most importantly, the ability to interact with their peers and others on a regular basis.

My personal commitment to the Urban League is unequivocal, and parallel to that of our own, sustainable Portland: I am for smart, controlled growth that benefits our entire community.

With our community flagging in housing, healthcare, employment and education, organizations such as the Urban League need your support now more than ever.

I challenge this community to ask questions, volunteer your time, donate, become an individual or business member but above all: become involved.

Welcome to this Urban League, YOUR Urban League, the Urban League of Portland.