ULHR Earns National Recognition in Cleveland

On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, the Urban League of Hampton Roads (ULHR) joined changemakers from across the nation at the National Urban League Conference in Cleveland, Ohio. The multi-day event, held from July 16 to July 19, 2025, brought together advocates, professionals, and leaders committed to advancing equity and economic opportunity in Black communities.

At the Legacy Leadership Awards Luncheon, hosted by the National Council of Urban League Guilds (NCULG), ULHR and its Guild chapter received three distinguished honors:

3rd Place Eastern Region Fundraising Award — awarded to the Urban League of Hampton Roads
2nd Place Eastern Region Community Service Award — awarded to the Urban League Guild of Hampton Roads
Certificate of Appreciation for Chapter Participation in the 2025 NCULG Health Awareness Day — awarded to the Urban League Guild of Hampton Roads

These accolades underscore the commitment and impact of local staff, volunteers, and community partners working to advance service, wellness, and equity across Hampton Roads.

One of the most powerful moments of the conference was the session on The State of Black America, which examined disparities across employment, education, health, housing, justice, and civic participation. This report reaffirms that meaningful change stems from sustained local efforts informed by strategic data.

The conference also provided extensive networking opportunities with sector leaders, offering fresh perspectives and collaboration possibilities—particularly in workforce development, civic leadership, and youth empowerment.

On the evening of July 16, participants joined the Host Night Celebration at Rocket Arena—a festival-like family reunion celebrating music, culture, and community across generations

Why It Matters
We encourage ULHR leaders and partners to reflect on these experiences and sessions, cultivate discussions around integrating actionable insights into our programming, and explore resources like the State of Black America report at nul.org.

By centering data, inspiration, and community connection, we can continue to innovate and expand impact throughout Hampton Roads.