Creating Pathways, Removing Barriers | January 2023

 
2023 is in full swing and this will be a big year for the Urban League of Louisiana — a year in which we will be celebrating our 85th anniversary! We are determined to make impactful change in 2023 and you can be involved. The Urban League of Louisiana is Creating Pathways and Removing Barriers through programs, partnerships, and special initiatives. We want you to join us in the movement and spread the word, so we will regularly share things you can look forward to, as well as learn of the ways we have delivered in our mission to uplift African Americans in Louisiana!
CREATING PATHWAYS TO WEALTH BUILDING
START UP YOUR SMALL BUSINESS


Hammond residents: Have you recently started your own business and realized that you need help? Are you unsure if you have explored all of the tools and resources needed to ensure your success? Would you like more in-depth assistance with your business planning? Start Up your business the right way by taking part of the remaining Start Up! Louisiana series next week in Hammond.
FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT – ACCESS TO CAPITAL


To get started on the right path to financial empowerment, it is critical that business owners learn how to launch and grow a business that has financial stability and the potential for growth. Guide your business to a roadmap for financial success with Financial Empowerment Series for Entrepreneurs: Preparing to Access Growth Capital next week.
GROW YOUR FOOD SERVICE


Restauranteurs, caterers, and food truck operators will have the chance to learn the best practices and actionable steps related to growth tactics, food costing, and consumer packaged goods at the Black Restaurant Accelerator Spring Series starting next week.
SHARE YOUR BUSINESS INSIGHT


Join us as we host “Voice of the Community” (VOC) Roundtables in St. Charles Parish and St. John + St. James Parishes. These community-based events will be used to gain valuable insights on the challenges impacting small businesses across the state of Louisiana. The goal of this convening is to hear directly from entrepreneurs about challenges, gaps, opportunities, and resource needs. We hope to leverage this information to create, mobilize, and enhance ULLA’s small business support services across the state.
SEE CHANGE COLLECTIVE IS MOVING


By 2050, Metro New Orleans stands to realize a $43 billion gain in economic output by closing the racial wealth gap! The SEE CHANGE Collective will improve the overall economy and quality of life of the New Orleans Region by increasing the wealth of Black, Hispanic and Latino communities. The Steering Committee recently met to provide strategic oversight, guidance, and support in
shaping the direction of the 2023 priorities and goals for SEE CHANGE. Your involvement will help. Visit our SEE CHANGE page to get involved and take action!
REMOVING BARRIERS TO WORKERS
REACHING THEIR FULL POTENTIAL
ULLA TAPPED TO PILOT NEW AUTOMOTIVE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM


At the National Automobile Dealers Association Show 2023 in Dallas, officials from NADA, National Urban League, and Urban League of Louisiana announced the upcoming launch of a pilot service technician apprenticeship program in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This program will place aspiring technicians into apprenticeship roles in local Louisiana dealerships. Up to 20 candidates will be selected by the Urban League of Louisiana and will start with the League’s four-week professional and life skills training program in February. They will then be placed with participating dealerships where they will shadow dealership employees while they are taking technician classes in automotive technology programs at either Baton Rouge Community College or Delgado Community College. The best part is each apprentice will learn while they earn.
To learn more about SkillUp Louisiana apprenticeships, visit their website.
MAKING AN IMPACT
BLACK LEADERS CONVENE IN WASHINGTON D.C.


At D.C. Mardi Gras in Washington D.C., the Urban League of Louisiana was proud to co-host the inaugural Louisiana Black Leadership Forum and Reception Honoring Congressman Troy Carter with the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus and Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The presenting sponsors were Amazon and AT&T Louisiana. The forum helped bring together black and minority leaders from Louisiana to network, share impactful initiatives, opportunities and threats to advancing economic, civic and political power in our state. The Urban League will now take these opportunities from D.C. Mardi Gras to deepen our collaboration and partnerships in making an impact in Louisiana.
URBAN LEAGUE OF LOUISIANA IN THE NEWS


Klassi Duncan, Vice President, Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, was a guest on WDSU to speak about the Urban League’s 85th Anniversary Year and how creating pathways to black wealth is just one of the many initiatives of our organization in 2023. Watch now to see what’s in store for the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation this year.
You can also check out Vice President Duncan speak on the magnitude of our 85th Anniversary Year on WBOK here.
URBAN LEAGUE OF LOUISIANA PREPARES DBE CONTRACTORS


The Urban League of Louisiana’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation held its Opportunities Outlook 2023 for DBE Contractors at the Regional Transportation Management Center. This annual event is held to support contractors in preparing for the upcoming year by focusing attention on new opportunities for strategic growth and competitiveness. The event featured updates on current opportunities and upcoming bids from procurement officers and prime contractors. Learn of more opportunities from the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation now.
URBAN LEAGUE OF LOUISIANA HONORED
The Urban League of Louisiana was honored to accept the Community Honorees recognition from Louisiana Appleseed at the 2023 Good Apple Gala. Louisiana Appleseed’s Community Honorees recognition is given to individuals or organizations whose work embodies the mission of Louisiana Appleseed to solve problems at their root cause by creating access to Justice, Opportunity, and Education.


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UPCOMING EVENTS
Visit our events page to see all of our upcoming opportunities and events!