Message from NY Urban League CEO Arva Rice

Dear Young Professionals,

During this Black History Month, the New York Urban League is celebrating the rich history of African Americans, sharing the history of the Urban League movement, and creating a little history of our own.

Our month began with our annual Champions of Diversity Award Breakfast.  For the past eleven years, a panel of corporate executives assist us identify corporations whose leadership, philanthropy, supplier diversity and employee engagement make them stand out among their peers.  This year, we honored the NBA & WNBA and Credit Suisse at the elegant Four Seasons Restaurant.  YP President Chad Roberson, Vice Chair Erika Beckles and Programs Chair Olubumni Awofeso represented at the event, as well as other YP members who volunteered their service.

This past weekend, the Civics and Economics Committee presented the 5^th Annual State of Young Black New York. This year’s topics included exploring the role of music, social media and technology, and training attendees on how to organize the community around current civil rights issues. Attendees and panelists were challenged to develop practical strategies that can be implemented to promote awareness of socio-political issues and equal protection of civil rights for people of color.  I was honored to be part of the amazing day that both inspired and challenged young professionals to be the change that they want to see in the world. A special thanks to all the volunteers who made the conference a success.  I look forward to all the ways that the themes of this conference will guide and inspire the work we do together this year.

We have also been celebrating the rich history of the New York Urban League.  NYUL is partnering with the Museum of Modern Art to encourage New Yorkers to experience One-Way Ticket: Jacob Lawrence’s Migration Series and Other Visions of the Great Movement North.  The connections between the Urban League and Jacob Lawrence have been captured in an audio presentation I completed for MoMA that will officially be part of their walking tour of Harlem. In addition, NYUL will co-sponsor a few events at MoMA, so look for your invitation this Spring.

Lastly, NYUL made a little history this month. We are launching our first ever Parents’ Guide to STEM. The goal of the Parent’s Guide to STEM is to help dispel common myths; connect Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics to everyday life; and provide a pathway for exploration of these fields.   The target audience for the guide is caregivers and educators of middle and high school students who are not familiar with the growing field of careers influenced by STEM. The guide is free and more information can be found at our new website, which we also launched this month with our partners at Deutsch. Please let us know what you think of our new look at www.nyul.org.

February has been an incredible month filled with historic firsts and a reflections on our history.  I look forward to our continued partnership.

Sincerely,

Arva R. Rice

CEO

A Message from Arva Rice, President and CEO of the New York Urban League

On Wednesday night, I had the opportunity to install the Young Professionals Executive Board of officers and committee chairs.  It was a heart-warming experience, watching the group of young leaders take responsibility for stewarding this phenomenal YP chapter.  In their oath they were asked to indicate their commitment to the Chapter, enthusiasm for the betterment of the community, and willingness to complete their stated duties in their respective roles.  Their response was simply, “I Will.”

The National Urban League Young Professionals were formally established over 15 years ago to foster and support the next generation of Urban League and community leadership.  The New York Urban League Young Professionals worked to achieve this goal with great success.  You have not only won awards locally and nationally, your leadership has been recognized by your being asked to serve on community boards, fraternal organizations and civic groups.  In New York, #wegotnow is more than a hash tag, it is an organizing principle.  And now with new leadership, with long ties to Young Professionals, you all are poised to serve the membership and the community building in even more impactful ways.

On Tuesday, I heard your President Chad Roberson outline his ambitious goals for the Chapter.  So today I offer both a pledge and a charge to you.  As an affiliate, we pledge to assist you on your leadership journey and provide opportunities to contribute as well as build and broaden your network.  We will invite you to meetings with policy makers and decision-makers and encourage you to participate in those opportunities at the National level.  We will extend our network of supporters to help you and the Chapter reach your goals.

And we charge you with fully understanding and supporting the work of the affiliate in education, employment, and advocacy.   We encourage you to support our Whitney M, Young, Jr. Scholars, educate parents on the importance of STEM education, volunteer for our Historically Black College and University Fair, join our Education Policy Committee and actively engage in our efforts as we set an ambitious new course for the affiliate based on our strategic plan.  Our mantra is Leadership for a 21st Century Civil Right Movement and you can be part of this new movement for social change.

In order for your new executive board to be successful, they will need an active membership.  I hope that you will answer the call to volunteer, to give, to write, to tweet, to serve with the simple response, “I Will.”

Arva Rice

President and CEO

A Message from Arva Rice, President and CEO of the New York Urban League: “Getting to Great”

“If you are going to sing, sing loud – just in case someone is listening.” – Patti LaBelle’s Father

August 19, 2014 message from Arva Rice: “Since I penned this letter, I like you, have watched in horror as US citizens in Ferguson have fallen victim to a police state while the Brown family grieves their loss.  In times like these, the core mission of the Urban League movement of providing equal access and parity could not ring more true.  The tragic deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner underscore our need to march, to fight, to strategize and work for social justice.”

As many of you know, for the past year I have been part of a national fellowship that is encouraging me to become a more effective, results-based leader.  The sixteen fellows selected from across the country come together every other month to refine the results we are working towards for children, how we can enroll others in the work, and how we measure both what we have accomplished and the ultimate difference it makes for children and families.  Each session has a theme and each fellow takes a turn helping co-design the session.  So it is appropriate that the theme of the session I will co-lead in September is “Getting to Great.”  

“Getting to Great” has been the theme of my recent work with Young Professionals, the goal of a newly funded initiative the affiliate will launch in the fall, and forms the core task of the affiliate’s strategic plan.

A few weeks ago, we piloted a leadership conversation that I hope will be added to the offerings for Young Professional members.  The reception brought together some of the leaders I have met along the way with a few young professionals in a discussion of greatness.  Danielle Moss Lee, President and CEO of YWCA; Aldrin Bonilla, Deputy Borough President of Manhattan; and Reggio Nance, Director of Community Affairs for Cumulus Radio shared their leadership journey and the lessons they have learned along the way.  They shared about the importance of working in environments that allow you to be authentic, being the embodiment of the qualities you would like to see in your work, e.g., creativity or problem solving, being goal oriented and intentional, and bringing your heart and soul to your work.  They shared that greatness is not an act but a habit of taking risk, not being afraid to fail, and an unfaltering faith in your ability. 

As part of the recently-approved New York City Council Fiscal Year 2015 Budget, the City Council allocated $2.5 million to establish a Communities of Color Nonprofit Stabilization Fund for community based organizations whose leadership are majority Black, Latino and/or Asian.  NYUL is pleased to partner with Hispanic Federation, Asian-American Federation, Coalition for Asian American Families, and Black Agency Executives to administer the fund and provide grants and training to smaller nonprofits throughout the city.  We believe that the peer support and concrete training in core areas of nonprofit management will help move these organizations towards greatness and improve the lives of New York City children and families. A special thank you to YP Executive Board member Eric C. Henry, Jr. for his work at Councilmember Andy King’s Office on this effort.

Lastly, NYUL is completing the last stages of our strategic plan.  Many of you took part in focus groups where we asked candidly, “How are we doing?” From the responses we heard we are setting a course for the future where we continue to not just sing, but sing loudly. We hope that you will join us. 

Sincerely,

Arva Rice

PS  Since I wrote this letter, the Young Professionals won the National Chapter of Excellence award – Bravo!  I could not be more proud.

A Message from Arva Rice, President and CEO of the New York Urban League

by Arva Rice

Dear NYULYP Community,

By the time you all receive this month’s letter you will have selected new leadership of the New York Urban League Young Professionals.  Congratulations to the new President Chad Roberson and Vice-President Erika Beckles and to all who ran.  I look forward to working with Chad and Erika in their new leadership roles.  The work of the 2013-2014 executive board has been truly exemplary.  They have set a new bar for strategic partnerships, community service, contribution to the affiliate and the value of being a member of Young Professionals.

Just like any effective leader, the work of this board has been built on the efforts of the leaders that came before them from DeShele Dorsey and Quiviya Williams to Rahshib Thomas and Jemar Ward.  Collectively they created the Young Professionals, engaged members, formalized service and built networks that survive and thrive to this day.  Each President has built on the work of their predecessor, growing and strengthening this important body and contributing to the great work of this local affiliate.

But alas there is more work to be done.   In a few weeks we will recognize this year’s class of Whitney M. Young, Jr. Scholars and each one will need a mentor.  Our summer NEXT Academy will once again teach middle schoolers and their parents about JAVA coding.  We are looking for tech focused firms to host field trips and guest speakers.  I hope to see many of you in Ohio in August for our national conference.  And before the summer is really over, we will be in preparation for our Annual Football Classic.  Our work continues and with your continued partnership I know we will be successful!

I do not often have a moment to say this out loud; so to Jemar Ward, Chadwick Roberson, Cynthia Malave, Jennifer Pierre, Olubunmi Awofeso, Dara Marsh, Jasmine Humphrey, Erika Beckles, and Alyssa and Khandyce Menard there will be others who will take your positions but no one will take your place.  Thank you for your service.

Sincerely,

Arva

About the Author, Arva Rice

Arva Rice is President & CEO of the New York Urban League (NYUL) an organization whose mission is to enable African Americans and other underserved communities to secure a first class education, economic self-reliance and equal respect of their civil rights through programs, services and advocacy.   Prior to joining NYUL, she served as the Executive Director of Project Enterprise, an organization that provides business loans, technical assistance and peer support to New York City entrepreneurs.    Arva was selected by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, a national foundation that develops solutions to build a brighter future for children, as one of 16 leaders from across the country for its 2013-2014 Children and Family Fellows.

A Message from Arva Rice, President and CEO of the New York Urban League

by Arva Rice

 

Dear NYULYP Community,

After an extended season of cold, wind and snow; it seems like Spring is finally here!  During this season of renewal, reflection and new beginnings, I am thrilled to find new ways to partner with the Young Professionals.  As the New York Urban League affiliate provides services to New Yorkers – scholarships, mentoring, college preparation and living wage jobs; we look to the Young Professionals to serve as mentors to our scholars, co-organizers of our Historically Black College & University Fair, outreach channels for our programs, and living examples of the what the next generation of the Urban League Movement can do – will do – indeed are doing.

In May, the Young Professionals will help us select our next class of Whitney M. Young, Jr. Scholars.  You will read applications, interview scholars and help fund those scholarships through proceeds from Rebirth!  On June 19th we will celebrate this year’s class at Macy’s Terrace at Herald Square.  We invite you to join us to meet the scholars and the New York Urban League Board of Directors who are dedicated to helping the affiliate achieve its mission.  When the scholars are selected the work and dedication of the Young Professionals is just beginning.  We need you to share your personal experience with this class.  Through our MentorConnect program you can encourage and support the next generation through to graduation.  For more information on any of the above, please contact your Community Services Chair.

As you know, over 95 years ago, African-Americans migrating from southern plantations made their way to the New York Urban League to find jobs, meet the city’s decision makers and bring order to urban living.  Over the decades, New Yorkers who have come to the New York Urban League have gone on to become city officials, entrepreneurs, and policy makers. Today, we still work to bring people together, to extend our extensive network and find people jobs.  This Spring, stay tuned for new and enhanced ways for us to connect Young Professionals to each other and opportunities to interact with the City’s most influential policy and decision-makers.

Thank you for dedicating your time and talents to the New York Urban League.

Sincerely,

Arva

About the Author, Arva Rice

Arva Rice is President & CEO of the New York Urban League (NYUL) an organization whose mission is to enable African Americans and other underserved communities to secure a first class education, economic self-reliance and equal respect of their civil rights through programs, services and advocacy.   Prior to joining NYUL, she served as the Executive Director of Project Enterprise, an organization that provides business loans, technical assistance and peer support to New York City entrepreneurs.    Arva was selected by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, a national foundation that develops solutions to build a brighter future for children, as one of 16 leaders from across the country for its 2013-2014 Children and Family Fellows.

A Message from Arva Rice, President and CEO of the New York Urban League

By Arva Rice

Dear NYULYP Community,

Earlier this month thanks to the efforts of the Young Professionals, I was challenged to ponder the question What is the state of young black New York?  Speakers as diverse as Michael Walrond, Senior Pastor at First Corinthians Baptist to Nelini Stamp of the Working Families Party to Rev Al Sharpton, MSNBC Anchor and Founder of the National Action Network shared their perspective with the over 150 attendees.  The powerful keynote speakers and panelists challenged us to move moments of agitation, anger or even bitterness into organized commitment to policy change.

As I support and encourage our Young Professionals, work with the youth of our programs and read the troubling headlines, I ask, “What is the state of educational achievement, career success, community engagement and well-being?  What societal wrong is this generation working to right?”  I cannot help but conclude that it is truly the best and the worst of times for young Black America.

Our Young Professionals are brimming with examples of the best of times.  On March 7th, members of the Young Professionals helped create a lasting memory for 120 girls at the affiliates Girl’s Empowerment Day.  On March 22^nd, almost 100 Young Professionals gave up their Saturday to read, clean and improve lives and communities throughout the five boroughs.   And next month, a special event called Rebirth will help provide scholarships for this year’s class of Whiney M. Young, Jr. Scholars.

On Friday, March 28th the affiliate created the same experience for young men as we did for the girls.  The young men visited 12 different corporations to explore careers they may never have considered.  They then closed their day conversing with men of distinction and Manhattan Deputy Borough President Aldrin Bonilla, Schomberg Center for Research’s Chief Dr. Khalil Muhammed and Shawn Dove, Director of Campaign for Black Male Achievement, Open Society Institute.

There are still too many who can contribute, but do not make the time to give of themselves. I can’t help but remember the words of my Mother who would quote the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. I invite you to join your voice with others committed to making community change.

About the Author, Arva Rice

Arva Rice is President & CEO of the New York Urban League (NYUL) an organization whose mission is to enable African Americans and other underserved communities to secure a first class education, economic self-reliance and equal respect of their civil rights through programs, services and advocacy.   Prior to joining NYUL, she served as the Executive Director of Project Enterprise, an organization that provides business loans, technical assistance and peer support to New York City entrepreneurs.    Arva was selected by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, a national foundation that develops solutions to build a brighter future for children, as one of 16 leaders from across the country for its 2013-2014 Children and Family Fellows.

A Message from Arva Rice, President and CEO of the New York Urban League

By Arva Rice, President and CEO of the New York Urban League

Dear NYULYP Community,

When I sat down to write this month’s letter for The Griot, it was hard to think of just one word that described all the great interactions I have had with NYULYP this month.  Whether it was a one-on-one conversation about career goals, a group conversation about how Albany works or small planning sessions on the upcoming State of Young Black New York conference, I have been stimulated by our discussions and impressed by your commitment to social justice.

Over President’s Day Weekend, more than three-dozen Young Professionals spent their Saturday traveling to Albany to hear more about how they can use their collective voices to advocate for public policy that benefits our community.  The Young Professionals attended workshops on topics from the ‘DREAM Act and DREAM Fund’ to ‘Local Living Wage & Minimum Wage’ to the ‘Impact of Stop and Frisk’ on communities of color.

The group also attended a session especially created for them to talk directly with legislators, lobbyists and advocates about how individuals can actually affect policy.  In an honest and open discussion, State Senator Kevin Parker explained that central to impacting public policy is influence, leverage and power.   A panel discussion followed where Lavita McMath Turner of Kingsborough Community College, Marcia Maxwell of Global Strategies and Tiffany Rasberry of York Group Associates shared best practices for advocacy and organizing.  It was a powerful day that ended in informal networking sponsored by Entergy.

That same Saturday that New Yorkers from across the state convened to speak directly to legislators about critical issues of juvenile justice, housing, health care, economic development and education, the verdict in the Jordan Davis case was announced.  As anger and frustration mounts over justice denied, I cannot think of a better time to explore From a Moment to a Movement – Policy In Black America.  I hope that you will join me as the Civic and Economic Committee hosts the annual State of Young Black New York on March 1.  Our work is not done and we all need to do our part.

As I thought about the conversations and experiences over this past month, there was one word that came to mind: “Impact!”   Continue to create ways for young professionals to make an impact, and the New York Urban League will be a partner in your journey.

Sincerely,

Arva Rice

About the Author, Arva Rice

Arva Rice is President & CEO of the New York Urban League (NYUL) an organization whose mission is to enable African Americans and other underserved communities to secure a first class education, economic self-reliance and equal respect of their civil rights through programs, services and advocacy.   Prior to joining NYUL, she served as the Executive Director of Project Enterprise, an organization that provides business loans, technical assistance and peer support to New York City entrepreneurs.    Arva was selected by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, a national foundation that develops solutions to build a brighter future for children, as one of 16 leaders from across the country for its 2013-2014 Children and Family Fellows.

About the State of Young Black New York (SOYBNY)

Join the New York Urban League Young Professionals (NYULYP) for its Annual State of Young Black New York. The theme for this year’s symposium will be Policy In Black America – From a Moment to a Movement. The purpose of the day is to demonstrate how past and present “moments” (critical, historic incidents and events) serve as a catalyst for “movements” (defined campaigns and public action that results in policy change) that impact the lives of young black Americans in New York. Through exploration of today’s pressing issues – from the regression of civil rights to the shrinking middle class – participants will explore why and how they can participate in these movements to help shape policy that works to the benefit of their communities. Purchase tickets here.

This event is sponsored by NYU Wagner Mosaic & The Research Center for Leadership in Action at NYU Wagner.

Happy Birthday Dr.King

By Arva Rice, President and CEO of the New York Urban League

Dear Young Professional Community,

As the nation recognizes the birth and contributions of the Rev Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I cannot help but appreciate how far we have come while recognizing the work that still needs to be done.  This year the New York Urban League’s own Young Professionals organized not one – but two – service days when the number of individuals wanting to volunteer their time exceeded capacity.  The Young Professionals’ efforts not only helped improve a local school and provide career opportunities for youth, but also challenged a prevailing stereotype that “millennial’s” are not committed to their communities.  Our Young Professionals are daily answering one of MLK’s most persistent and urgent questions, “what are you doing for others?”

Still, as pleased as I am with our Young Professionals, I know that should one choose a hooded sweatshirt rather than a suit and tie, they may be subject to a dream unfilled.  I am aware of the hundreds of thousands of black and brown youth whose daily attire draws scrutiny, at best, arrests, harassment and death at worst.  More than 50 years after MLK’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, one race in casual clothes may be deemed an innovator while another similarly adorned is deemed a criminal.

While some are quick to declare President Barack Obama’s election is a signal of a post racial America, I beg to differ. While recently attending a retreat focused on Leadership, Authority and Organizational Life, I was struck again by King’s infamous words,”I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”  King dreamed of a world where the color of a person’s skin would not predetermine how much that person could achieve.  It is important to note that King did not ask us to become color blind.  For me to become color-blind is to essentially wipe out a history of a group of people.  It is to strip a group of their collective identity and shared experience.  Yes it is a group of people that were enslaved and oppressed, but has also achieved at incredible levels with strength, faith and grace.  So this week we pause to unflinchingly look at our past and enthusiastically invest in our future.

Happy Birthday Dr. King, the legacy continues.

Sincerely,

Arva Rice

About the Author, Arva Rice

Arva Rice is President & CEO of the New York Urban League (NYUL) an organization whose mission is to enable African Americans and other underserved communities to secure a first class education, economic self-reliance and equal respect of their civil rights through programs, services and advocacy.   Prior to joining NYUL, she served as the Executive Director of Project Enterprise, an organization that provides business loans, technical assistance and peer support to New York City entrepreneurs.    Arva was selected by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, a national foundation that develops solutions to build a brighter future for children, as one of 16 leaders from across the country for its 2013-2014 Children and Family Fellows.