Empowerment 2.0 focuses on three DS: Defend Democracy, Demand Diversity, Defeat Poverty

“For more than 100 years, this organization has worked to bring our country together in coalition in the collective fight for the freedom, rights, and justice of all people. ...we know we have more work to do, being clear eyed about the moment we are in - a moment when state by state in places like Texas and Florida, extremist socalled leaders attack hard-won rights and freedoms.” – Vice President Kamala Harris, National Urban League 2023 Conference

At my first National Urban League Conference in Pittsburgh in 2003, just weeks after I became President and CEO, I outlined a five-point Empowerment Agenda that evolved into the Five Pillars of our movement: Employment, Education, Housing, Healthcare, and Justice.

Twenty years later to the day, at our Conference in Houston, I introduced a new phase of advocacy and activism – Empowerment 2.0 – that builds upon the foundation of the Five Pillars through what I call the Three Ds.

The first D is Defend Democracy.  

We will, and we must demand the full restoration of the Voting Rights Act. We demand fair representation in Congress and state legislatures and an end to racially-based gerrymandering.