North Texas marked a historic moment this week as civic leaders, corporate partners, young professionals and community advocates gathered for the official launch of the Dallas–Fort Worth Urban League, the 93rd affiliate of the National Urban League.
The sold-out event was hosted at Gilley’s Dallas and emceed by broadcast journalist Evan Anderson. The momentous event also welcomed Marc Morial, who has been the primary catalyst for an era of change and a transformation for the 100-plus-year-old civil rights organization. His presence underscored the national importance of bringing the Urban League’s legacy of economic empowerment back to the Dallas–Fort Worth region.
For years, North Texas had been the largest metropolitan region in the United States without an Urban League affiliate—leaving a gap in coordinated services for underserved communities. The new affiliate aims to fill that void through workforce development, entrepreneurship programs, and advocacy designed to expand economic mobility across the region.
A Night Grounded in Faith and Purpose
The evening opened with a powerful invocation from Dallas Rev. Dr. Freddie Haynes, who framed the launch within the broader legacy of the civil rights movement.
“God, we pray your blessings now upon this new start of this affiliate,” Haynes said. “We thank you for the programs that are going to be transformative… and the solutions that will come out of this affiliate.”
Haynes also reminded attendees that progress requires collective responsibility, invoking the long-standing belief that justice moves forward when communities act.
“We have a responsibility to push that arc toward justice,” he said, referencing hip-hop icon Kendrick Lamar. “And as we do it, we know we’re going to be all right.”
A Vision for Economic Mobility
Interim CEO Marnese Barksdale Elder emphasized that the organization’s mission will focus on expanding opportunity across the region.
“The Dallas-Fort Worth Urban League is a group of visionary leaders dedicated to expanding economic mobility, opportunity and community transformation,” Elder said during the program.
She noted that the organization will prioritize programs focused on workforce development, entrepreneurship and advocacy that strengthen families and communities throughout North Texas.
“In a region experiencing tremendous growth, it is critical that progress includes everyone,” Elder added.
The affiliate plans to build programs that create real pathways to opportunity while ensuring that the benefits of regional growth are shared broadly.
During the event, Marc Morial emphasized that the return of the Urban League to North Texas represents an important moment for both the region and the national organization.
The Urban League, founded in 1910, has long served as one of the nation’s leading civil rights and economic empowerment organizations, operating dozens of affiliates across the country to support job training, education and community advocacy initiatives.
By establishing the Dallas–Fort Worth affiliate, the National Urban League hopes to strengthen regional efforts to address disparities in employment, economic access and education.
The launch celebration also recognized the corporate and philanthropic partners whose early investments helped make the affiliate possible.
Founding sponsors include:
- Matthews
- Comerica Bank
- Wells Fargo
- Dr. Arlene Ford & Christopher Reynolds
- JPMorgan Chase
- Erika N. Salter, PC
- HEB
- Communities Foundation of Texas
Together, these organizations have contributed more than $1 million in early support to help establish the affiliate and launch its programming. Event organizers also thanked the evening’s presenting sponsor, Matthews Southwest, for providing the venue and helping make the launch celebration possible.
Civic Leaders Rally Behind the Mission
Several North Texas leaders were also recognized for helping bring the Urban League back to the region, including Senator Royce West and Commissioner John Wiley Price.
Their advocacy, organizers said, helped demonstrate that the need for an Urban League affiliate in North Texas was both urgent and long overdue.
“Their letters of support were powerful and unmistakably clear that North Texas needed an Urban League,” Elder said.
A key highlight of the evening was the presence of the Urban League Young Professionals, who will serve as the next generation of leadership for the organization. The speech from Marc Morial was equally inspiring, drawing multiple ovations from distinguished guests as he spoke about advancing Black equity in the workplace.
Young professionals across Dallas and Fort Worth are stepping forward to support the affiliate through mentorship, volunteerism, fundraising and community engagement.
Their involvement signals a broader commitment to building sustainable leadership for the organization and ensuring that the Urban League’s mission continues to resonate with emerging leaders across North Texas.
While the evening marked a historic launch, speakers made clear that the event was just the beginning.
“This night is not just a launch event,” Bemnet Meshesha, MSW, told the audience. “It is a declaration of what we believe is possible for the people and communities we serve.”
As the program concluded, supporters were encouraged to continue investing in the mission through partnerships, volunteerism and philanthropy.
With national leadership, strong corporate backing and a coalition of young professionals behind it, the Dallas–Fort Worth Urban League now begins the work of transforming opportunity into measurable impact across the region.