National Urban League president and CEO to deliver Tuskegee University baccalaureate address
Monday, May 06, 2013
TUSKEGEE, Ala. — Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, will speak at Tuskegee University’s baccalaureate ceremony May 10 at 6:30 p.m. CST in Gen. Daniel “Chappie” James Center. As head of the National Urban League since 2003, he has been the primary catalyst for an era of change for the nation’s largest historic civil rights and urban advocacy organization. The league’s agenda seeks to redefine civil rights in the 21st century with a renewed emphasis on closing the economic gaps between whites and blacks as well as rich and poor Americans.
“Tuskegee University has been at the epicenter of so many pivotal moments in the Black American experience. From its founding by Booker T. Washington to being the home of the Tuskegee Airmen, this university is a cherished part of our nation’s history and a vibrant part of our future as it helps to produce our next great leaders,” Morial said.
Morial, an entrepreneur, lawyer and former university professor, also served as a Louisiana state senator and mayor of New Orleans. As mayor of New Orleans, Morial was a popular chief executive with a broad multi-racial coalition who led New Orleans’ 1990’s renaissance and left office with a 70 percent approval rating. During his tenure, the city’s violent crime and murder rates dropped by 60 percent, the unemployment rate was cut in half, and the poverty rate fell according to the 2000 Census.
Under his stewardship, the Urban League has had record fundraising success towards a $250 million fundraising goal over five years. Also, Morial created the National Urban League Empowerment Fund, which has pumped almost $200 million into urban impact businesses including minority business through both debt and equity investments.
A graduate of University of Pennsylvania with a degree in economics and African American studies, he also holds a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C., as well as honorary degrees from Xavier University, Wilberforce University, and the University of South Carolina Upstate.
He has been recognized as one of the 100 most influential black Americans by Ebony Magazine, as well as one of the Top 50 Nonprofit Executives by the Nonprofit Times.
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