<4 < 3c I if LJ I - 4 '- ***J ,J5 .«fr B L A C K H IS T O R Y vx •> rfe x . O N TH ©3fnrtianhQ9IjserUer43 Read back issues of the Portland Observer at www.portlandobserver.com /.portlandobserver.com ‘City o f Roses’ Volume XXXXI, N um b er 8 Established in ... 1970 . , w Wednesday Wednesday • • February February 22, 22, 2012 2012 C o C m o m itte m itte d d to to C u C ltu u ltu ra ra l D l iv D e iv rs e ity rs ity o ~ ./ M w ia photo by M indy C ooper /T he P ortland O bserver The diverse and dedicated s ta ff o f the Urban League o f Portland outside their North Russell Street headquarters. Since 1945, the non-profit has worked to make the city a more equitable and ju s t place for African Americans and other minority residents. E mpowering P ortland Urban League advocates for fairness, equality by M indy C ooper T he P ortland O bserver As an advocate for fair housing and employ­ ment, the Urban League of Portland, founded in 1945, was instrumental in creating the progress in civil rights Portlanders have come to know today. Throughout their history, the Urban League of Portland, an affiliate of the national Urban League, has been dedicated to the movement and empower­ ment of people of all colors, creeds and national origins who believe a strong community can create a more just society. With headquarters at 10 N. Russell St., the non­ profit organization serves African Americans and other local residents through direct services pro­ vided to over 1,000 individuals and the engagement of more than 8,000 people each year. “We have always been a part of an important community effort to hold our leaders and our policy makers accountable for our community,” said Midge Purcell, the Urban League of Portland director of advocacy and public policy. “I like to tell the story of the Urban League founding because I think it has a lot of lessons for us today.” The National organization, previously known as the National League on Urban Conditions among continued on page 10 Midge Purcell, director o f advocacy and public policy for the Urban League o f Portland, works to bring equality in employment, housing, education and in business opportunity.