The Urban League of Middle Tennessee will host its 47th annual Equal Opportunity Day Luncheon on Tuesday, February 3, at the Hilton Downtown Nashville from 11:30 am–1 pm. This year’s theme is ‘We are the American’s We’ve Been Waiting For: Act and Vote to Empower.’ The keynote speaker will be television journalist and motivational speaker, Jeff Johnson.
Johnson, award-winning journalist, communications specialist, and thought leader will provide commentary and facilitate the discussion for the day. Joining in this discussion are national and civic leaders including Chanelle Hardy, senior vice president for Policy and executive director of the National Urban League Washington Bureau; Marcia Johnson-Blanco, director of the Voting Rights Project with the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law; Tennessee State Rep. Brenda Gilmore; and Justin Jones, Fisk University sophomore and leader of the Positive Peace Power Network.
The luncheon program will commemorate the signing of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and the theme is based on the speech given by President Lyndon B. Johnson as he referenced the significance of the Voting Rights Act. Critical civil rights issues have defined our struggles as a country in recent months and years. As is the tradition at the Urban League, they will have a focused discussion about voting rights and civic engagement. Reflecting on that great moment that took place 50 years ago, they will also speak to our current environment, challenges and opportunities.
Proceeds from The Equal Opportunity Day activities benefit education and workforce development programs and additional activities provided through ULMT. Established in 1968 by a group of local business leaders, the Urban League of Middle Tennessee has impacted up to 5,000 youth and adults annually. The Urban League of Middle Tennessee changes lives by working to support clients in gaining access to the economic mainstream. Employment resulting from ULMT services returns over $3 million in wages earned by ULMT clients to the greater Nashville economy. The Urban League empowers communities and changes lives.
“The Urban League of Middle Tennessee continues to make significant gains in its efforts to connect people to opportunities for employment, education and health,” said Latrisha Jemison, chairman of the board. “Over the last year, we have served and made some meaning impacts in the community. We have accomplished this with and because of the support of our partners and donors.
“Educational equity and excellence is a key area of focus for the Urban League in Middle Tennessee and TULA (Tennessee Urban League Affiliates). In partnership with our national organization, we are working in our communities to advance strategies that will ultimately improve outcomes for underserved students in public schools by building the capacity of parents and communities to successfully and systemically advocate on behalf of children and youth in Tennessee. We want to realize the National Urban League’s aspirational goal: ‘Every American child ready for college, work and life.’
For additional information about ticket purchases or event sponsorship, contact Nonie Bennah, <nbennah@urbanleagueofmidtn.org>; or 615-254-0525; or visit the Urban League website at .
