Urban League of Portland facts for kids
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| Formation | 1945 |
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| Headquarters | Portland, Oregon, U.S. |
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Parent organization
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National Urban League |
The Urban League of Portland is an organization that helps African Americans in the Pacific Northwest region. It works for civil rights and provides many services. Today, it is a non-profit group. This means it uses its money to help people, not to make a profit.
The League offers support for education, jobs, and health. It also works to improve economic security and the overall quality of life for people.
History of the Urban League
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Before 1945, Portland was a difficult place for African Americans to live. Because of these challenges, Reginald Johnson from the National Urban League visited Portland. He came to see the conditions and help.
Local citizens wanted to create a group to help. So, in 1945, leaders were chosen. This led to the start of the Urban League of Portland. It became part of the National Urban League. It is one of the oldest groups in the region working for African American civil rights.
World War II and New Beginnings
During World War II, many new ships were needed for the U.S. Navy. The Kaiser Shipyards in Portland needed many workers. Thousands of African Americans moved to the area for these jobs.
While Portland welcomed the new jobs, some residents did not want the new workers living in their neighborhoods. Many African American workers could only live in certain areas. These included the Albina District and Vanport, Oregon. Vanport was a large community built for wartime workers.
After the war, city officials wanted these "temporary" residents to move out of the state. They asked the National Urban League for help. The National Urban League started in 1910. It helped African Americans find housing and job training. It also helped them adjust to new city life.
Instead of moving people out, the National Urban League decided to open a local chapter. This is how the Urban League of Portland was officially formed in 1945. Edwin C. "Bill" Berry helped create resources for African American families arriving in Portland.
As of 2021, Nkenge Harmon Johnson is the president and CEO. The organization has more than 85 people working there.
Helping the Community
The Urban League of Portland has always focused on making sure African Americans have equal chances. This includes fair housing and good education. They speak up for fair housing laws. They also help people get involved in their community.
The League continues to offer many helpful services. These include job assistance and training for different careers. They also provide health services for the community. They have summer programs for young people. Plus, they offer services for older adults.
