Empowering Communities | Changing Lives
"It's a New Day at The Fort Wayne Urban League - And It Begins with You!"
The mural in the above image was designed and painted by Bridget O’Brien in the Spring of 2023 exclusively for the Fort Wayne Urban League boardroom.
Mission:
To enable African Americans and others to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power, and civil rights.
Photo courtesy of: Fort Wayne Magazine 2023 People of the Year
Photographer: DJ E-Clyps
A message from the CEO:
I proudly joined the Fort Wayne Urban League as their new President/CEO after 20+ years of not-for-profit service. As anyone who has worked in the not-for-profit world knows, that means over those years, I have worn many hats and juggled various responsibilities. I have supervised a call center department, written press releases, assisted with and written grants, walked charity walks, organized fundraising events, recruited and trained volunteers, held hands with the dying, survived an audit, folded and stuffed envelopes until my fingers bled, mopped floors, at one point; even dusted fire extinguishers; I will save that story for some other time. Yes, the not-for-profit world is NOT for the weary!
Now, my heart is humbled to join an organization, a movement, that is so very close to my heart. I know all too well how hard it is to get to equal. My life journey included foster care, homelessness, teen pregnancy, dropping out of high school, poverty, and losing my son’s father to gun violence. But it’s not a sad story. It’s a story of resilience. It’s a story of hope. My life is a testament to how programs, services, and strong advocacy can help turn someone’s life around. No one gets through this life alone. It’s impossible to pull up bootstraps when you don’t have boots!
The Fort Wayne Urban League will create a world without equality gaps by building stronger neighborhoods, educational opportunities, social advocacy, and civic engagement. It’s a movement that has been serving this community for 104 years.
Will you join me?
I finally have boots and would love for everyone in this community to walk equally. Let’s make that a reality together.
Yours in the movement,
Aisha R. Arrington, MSOL
President & CEO
EMPOWER YOURSELF
Fort Wayne Urban League's programs are dedicated to fostering economic self-reliance, parity, power, and civil rights. Our initiatives are structured around four key pillars: Neighborhoods, Education, Social Advocacy, and Civic Engagement. At the heart of our mission is the commitment to empowering African Americans and others to thrive in their communities.
Explore our diverse range of programs designed to make a lasting impact, from community development projects in Neighborhoods to transformative educational endeavors, proactive Social Advocacy campaigns, and meaningful Civic Engagement initiatives. Discover how the Fort Wayne Urban League is actively shaping a future where empowerment knows no bounds.
Our History:
In 1920, a small group of progressive-minded African American leaders from Fort Wayne realized that a growing number of peers were migrating north to escape the Jim Crow South, thus sought better economic and social opportunities. These residents recognized that migrating African Americans would need help with their assimilation process into northeast Indiana—in terms of acquiring homes and attaining jobs and entering educational institutions. This realization was the impetus behind the Fort Wayne Community Association, and worked primarily to provide organized recreation for youth and social opportunities.
