by David Chapman
Staff Writer
One hundred years of empowering communities and changing lives will be on display Wednesday when the Jacksonville Urban League celebrates its national organization’s century mark during the local chapter’s 37th Annual Centennial Equal Opportunity Luncheon at the Hyatt Downtown.
A nonprofit community-based movement, the local affiliate is one of 100 nationwide dedicated to providing education, employment, economic and health empowerment programs and services to African-Americans and other vulnerable communities to achieve economic self-reliance, parity and civil rights.
The luncheon will feature John Hofmeister, National Urban League chair, as its keynote speaker. The founder and CEO of Citizens for Affordable Energy and former Shell Oil president, Hofmeister will discuss affordable energy and how it coincides with the organization’s economic empowerment programs.
During the luncheon, Urban League officials will recognize individuals and corporations that have contributed to diversity and equal opportunity efforts in the area.
The Jacksonville chapter, founded in 1947, has already had several other events this year as part of the celebration, but the luncheon Wednesday will be its largest with close to 500 attendees expected.
“We’ve had 100 amazing years,” said Tanya Downs, Jacksonville Urban League communications director. “It’s going to be a time to reflect on that past while looking ahead to the future.”
With the milestone year, the national and local chapters are embarking on an “I Am Empowered” campaign seeking others to join them in achieving four key goals by 2025. The goals include: having every child being prepared for college work and life; having every American able to access jobs with good living wages and benefits; providing Americans with safe, affordable and energy-efficient housing on fair terms; and having every American able to access affordable and quality health care.
For more information about the 37th Annual Centennial Equal Opportunity Luncheon and the national chapter’s 100th anniversary, visit www.jaxul.org.
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