Empowering Hampton Roads since 1978
Our Story
The mission of the Urban League of Hampton Roads, Inc. (ULHR) is to enable African Americans and others to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power and civil rights.
The ULHR implements its mission by providing services and programs in education, employment, health, and housing to Hampton Roads communities through direct services, advocacy, research, policy analysis, community mobilization and collaboration throughout communities. An affiliate of the National Urban League, we also work closely with the Urban League of Hampton Roads Young Professionals and the Guild whose mission is to engage the community to serve as volunteers as part of the Urban League of Hampton Roads’ movement towards the achievement of social and economic equality.
A Century of Service
From the founding of the National Urban League in 1910 to today's five-pillar work across Hampton Roads
1910
1910
A Movement is Born
The National Urban League is founded in New York to champion economic opportunity for Black Americans migrating to cities — the beginning of a century of service.
1963
March on Washington
Urban League leadership stands alongside Dr. King and the civil rights movement, advancing the fight for jobs, justice, and equality under law.
1978
Hampton Roads Affiliate Chartered
Community leaders establish the Urban League of Hampton Roads to carry the movement's mission to the cities and counties of coastal Virginia.
1992
Workforce Development Center Opens
ULHR launches a dedicated workforce center, placing thousands of residents into living-wage careers across the region's port, defense, and tech sectors.
2005
Homeownership Initiative
The affiliate expands its housing pillar, counseling hundreds of first-time homebuyers and advocating for fair housing across Hampton Roads.
2015
Young Professionals Chapter
The ULHR Young Professionals auxiliary launches, engaging a new generation of leaders ages 21–40 in service, advocacy, and networking.
Today
The Pulse of Progress
Across five pillars, ULHR serves more than 45,000 residents annually, continuing the lineage of equitable community-building.
The National Urban League is the nation’s oldest and largest community-based movement empowering African Americans and others to enter the economic and social mainstream. It celebrated 100 years in 2010. Headquartered in New York City, NUL spearheads the nonprofit, nonpartisan movement, while Urban League affiliates operate in more than 100 cities in 34 states and the District of Columbia.
The Urban League of Hampton Roads Inc. affiliate, founded in 1978, implements its mission by providing services and programs in education, employment, health, and housing to Hampton Roads communities through direct services, advocacy, research, policy analysis, community mobilization, and collaboration throughout communities.