The Urban League of Greater Dallas, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) organization, founded in 1967 during a time of great social upheaval in Dallas and across the nation.  The previous year, the National Urban League’s President, Whitney M. Young, called upon a bi-racial committee in Dallas to begin immediate actions to end segregation and to establish processes by which all persons could achieve equality of opportunity.  This committee of distinguished Dallas residents included George Allen, Sr.; Alex Bickely; Aubrey Costa; Robert Cullum; R. A. Hester; H. Rhett James; Erik Jonsson; Henry Lenoir; Les Potter; Tom Shipp; A. Maceo Smith; J. A. Stanfield; L. Story Stemmons; C. A. Tatum; R. L. Thornton and Rev. S. M. Wright, Sr. The group established the Dallas affiliate. The mission then and now is “to enable African Americans and others to equally enter the economic and social mainstream”.  Although the League is one of 105 affiliates of the National Urban League and one of 110 affiliates of United Way it remains autonomous.   The National Urban League provides overall guidance and leadership; however affiliate budgets, projects and governance are developed and maintained separately from the national office and United Way.

 Since its inception, the League continues to touch the lives of thousands of people and enables them to reach their full potential.  We continue to build bridges of opportunity through our programs and services and provide a holistic approach to solving  the various challenges facing African Americans and other disadvantaged groups so that equal opportunities may be achieved in the areas of employment, health, housing, education, technology and economic and community development.

Thanks to the Minyard family and many other generous donors, the Urban League moved into its first permanent facility in 1999.  The headquarters, located at 4315 S. Lancaster Rd., in Oak Cliff, is equipped with a state-of-the-art technology center, multimedia training room, community meeting rooms, library and distance learning/video conference capabilities.  By moving the center to the southern sector of Dallas, we have joined other key civic organizations in providing a vital link in the revitalization of this region.  Most importantly, it is a symbol of our community's commitment to solving some of its most pressing problems. In 2001, Governor Rick Perry and the State of Texas designated the Urban League as one of its 49 CAP agencies (Community Action). The designation allows the League to provide programs/services to citizens in Dallas County and facilitated the opening of three additional Urban League sites located in Irving, Garland and Pleasant Grove.

We continue our efforts to provide the citizens of Dallas County a choice for the future and an environment where: economic progress for young people and families is authentic; education and training are chosen as paths to self-reliance; cultural and ethnic diversity are affirmed; home-ownership is within reach for those who prepare and plan; health education and health awareness is reducing risk; and senior citizens are included and making meaningful contributions.