The Urban League of Middle Tennessee will host its 51st Annual Equal Opportunity Day Luncheon on February 19, 2019. Themed ” Diversity and Inclusion Does Not Equal Equality,” the Equal Opportunity Day Luncheon will feature Vanderbilt University’s Athletics Director, David Williams, II, the only African-American AD in the Southeastern Conference.
The League’s largest annual fundraiser, the EOD Luncheon draws more than 300 of the city’s corporate leaders, human rights advocates, philanthropists, clergy and elected officials. WSMV’s News 4 Weekend Anchor, Desiree Wiley will be the mistress of ceremony. Every year, the EOD Luncheon provides the funds to support the many programs and services offered by the ULMT.
The Urban League of Middle Tennessee was founded in 1968 by a group of diverse business and community leaders with a strong reputation for executing impactful programs that strive to improve the economic well-being of African Americans in the greater Nashville community. The National Urban League, founded in 1910 and headquartered in New York City, has promoted economic empowerment through public policy research and advocacy and the development of programs in the areas of education and job training, housing and community development, workforce development, entrepreneurship, health and quality of life.
The Urban League of Middle Tennessee’s dedication to helping African Americans, other minorities and disenfranchised groups secure economic self-reliance in Middle Tennessee is one of 90 Affiliates across the country, and leads the Nashville community in the national movement to enable African-Americans, other minorities, and disenfranchised groups to secure economic self- reliance, power, parity, and civil rights. ULMT has served thousands of individuals and added millions of dollars back into the Nashville economy through job training, certification, and placement programs, as well as youth education and career exploration initiatives.
Each year hundreds of determined working men and women, scholars, entrepreneurs, homeowners and advocates participate in an array of classes and resources to meet their goals which includes: college preparatory classes, mentoring activities, STEM education, parental enrichment activities, preparing local residents with skills to help secure employment, training in starting new businesses, homeownership classes, foreclosure prevention, nutrition education, health screenings and help securing health insurance among many others.
In a typical year, ULMT programs produce 900 job seekers served with support in leadership and professional skills training, technical certification, job placement, resume writing, and interview skills training; more than 200 employed adults in well-paying jobs served with continuing education, certifications and professional and leadership skills training; and over 125 empowered youth supported through early childhood literacy, leadership development, college readiness programs, and career exploration opportunitties.
Clifton Harris is President & CEO, Urban League of Middle TN, and Bea Thompson, Moody Nolan, Inc. is serving as this year’s Luncheon Chair. The event will run from 11:30AM -1:00PM Tuesday, February 19, 2019 at the Hilton Nashville Downtown, located at 121 4th Avenue South adjacent to the Bridgestone Arena. Tickets can be purchased at or by calling (615) 254-0525.
