In this session, we will discuss the importance of identifying and addressing implicit biases within our Urban Senior Jobs Program to ensure that no individual is unfairly excluded. We’ll explore how these unconscious biases can impact recruitment, workplace interactions, and the overall success of our program. Reflect on your own experiences with implicit bias and its effects on both you and those around you

The education and youth development landscapes continue to evolve as we move further from the COVID pandemic. However, many of the conditions existing prior to, during, and after the pandemic continue to challenge our youth. At this session, we will discuss the current landscape of Education Policy, focusing on major equity issues facing youth and communities across the country today. We will also highlight bright spots in policy that are having a positive impact.

Advocacy is central to ensuring that our children and youth have every opportunity to thrive in our education and youth development systems. There are many ways to engage in advocacy at various levels of government to realize these more equitable opportunities. In this session, we will discuss the different levels of government and the role they play in setting education policy. Attendees will also learn how to engage elected officials and will discuss and workshop advocacy strategies.

Join us for a dynamic panel discussion on best practices, innovative approaches, and effective strategies for providing support to individuals seeking relief from past convictions or records featuring case managers, lawyers, policy makers, and affiliate leaders who bring a wealth of expertise from various angles. This session will explore the full ecosystem of expungement, diving into best practices for building a program, the challenges and successes faced by those who have implemented Urban Expungement Program, and how these efforts create meaningful change. The panel will also compare record relief laws across different states, providing insights into how various legal frameworks impact the expungement process.
Whether you're seeking to enhance your advocacy for expungement policies, learn from experienced professionals, or make meaningful connections with peers, this panel offers an invaluable opportunity to expand your understanding and impact in the expungement space.
(10-min) Welcome and introduction of EJSI Leads and Workshop
(15-min) Interactive icebreaker with participants
(45-min) Participants break out session
(15-min) Each breakout group share highlights – best practices and commonalities
(5-min) Conclude 10:00AM-12:00PM

Learn how to identify, advocate for/against, and propose policies that reduce barriers and support more equitable economic development for small business within our communities

TBD

TBD

TBD

The CEO/CFO session on high-impact best practices for operational financial management is designed to provide senior leaders with actionable strategies to enhance financial efficiency and long-term sustainability. This session will focus on the most
effective techniques for managing organizational finances, aligning financial operations with strategic goals, and driving measurable impact.

This session will explore the ways our workforce programs withstand and respond to changing dynamics in our communities and in the workforce. Specifically, 3 hard hitting segments on Resource gathering, Relationship building and Return on investments will have our workforce development staff on a path toward building successful and resilient programs.

The Role of the Board in Fundraising session is designed to empower Urban League Board members with the knowledge and tools needed to become active and effective participants in their Affiliate’s development efforts. We will explore the critical role that Board members play in fundraising, from leveraging their networks and personal connections to directly engaging in donor cultivation and stewardship. The presentation will cover practical strategies for Board members to deepen their involvement, enhance their fundraising skills, and align their efforts with the organization's overall goals. Attendees will leave with actionable insights on how they can make a greater impact and help drive sustainable growth for their organization.

Growth within an organization is never easy. Too often the uncomfortable position of growth cannot occur without tough conversations to deal with the real issues that need to be addressed for change to occur. As the National Urban League Young Professionals moves through its monumental 25th anniversary and considers the internal growth of this organization, this session will highlight key moment changes within the movement (Social media development, Black Lives Matter, Trump Presidency, Pandemic), and how those changes were not always the easiest. Attendees will walk away from the session with proven strategies for conflict resolution that can be used in the local auxiliary in the case of conflict with either chapter members, board members, or the affiliate. Since most conflicts cannot be avoided, this session will sure the attendees recognize strategies on how to be best prepared and have lines of communication open.

TBD

A conversation around EC management structures, programs target client groups, and expansion; business models for offering or making professional services; and strategies for revenue generation. Affiliates will share tips, tools, and approaches.

This session will cover affiliate compliance topics including statements of work, invoicing, billing, and budget preparation.

This session is aimed at enhancing your advocacy efforts. This session will provide you with tools and strategies needed to effectively raise awareness, emphasize critical issues, and drive action within your community. Attendees will work in a collaborative environment discussing best practices and sharing experiences and will leave with actionable skills to strengthen your advocacy initiatives and promote equitable outcomes for people in your community.

Young people everywhere across our country are saying that they want something different and something better from their educational experience. In this session, we will focus on the role of youth voice and power in education policy, highlighting data describing youth perceptions related to education and life. We will also have an opportunity to hear from the National Student Board Member’s Association and student board members about their work advancing youth power in educational decision-making.

During the 2023 farming season, The National Urban League worked with Sankofa Community Farm at Bartram’s Garden to launch a two-city pilot Food and Farm Fellowship Program with the Urban League of Philadelphia and Louisville Urban League. The program illuminated the deep need for well-funded, multidimensional fellowships to teach and support a next generation culturally knowledgeable and well-trained city farmers. In this session, we’ll hear from the team at Sankofa Community Farm at Bartram’s Garden about what we learned from the pilot program and how Affiliates can think through engaging in urban agriculture programs in their communities.

The Urban Energy Jobs Program track will address foundational components to creating registered apprenticeship pathways in clean energy. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from energy leaders specializing in pre-apprenticeship development, clean energy workforce trends, and the establishment of registered apprenticeship programs. This session will also explore career pathways and credentialing in cybersecurity, highlighting its importance in the evolving energy sector

This session will provide insight into skills-based hiring practices and build the case for employer buy-in. Furthermore, it will provide practical communication strategies for overcoming objections and effective persuasion.

This session will cover: Allowable costs; Cost allocations; Labor distributions; Reporting requirements; Single Audits; and Revenue Recognition (grant vs contract).

This session will cover: Applying for grants (assessments, risk, alignment to mission, grant writing); Financial Systems; Budgeting for grants; Cash Management; Expected outcomes (Financial and Programmatic/ Planning capacity and logistics)

From the federal level to the local streets, Project 2025’s threats to our democracy, diversity, and economic prosperity can have far-reaching consequences. Tis dynamic panel discussion will explore how these threats trickle down to state and local governments, examining their impact on Black communities, civil rights, and economic progress. The panel will conclude with a focus on strategies and solutions to combat the challenges posed by Project 2025 to ensure a more equitable and just future for all.

As we close out the final YP session for YP, this session will focus on looking forward to the future of NULYP and attendees’ local chapters. This session will begin with reflections from NULYP President(s) about the importance of the legacy of the organization and passing the torch. The session will continue to provide the opportunity for recent past Presidents of YP chapters, who have been exemplary in succession planning and successfully passed on their chapter to another President, to discuss strategies. Succession planning is not only a learnt skill, but it is crucial to the survival and longevity of the YP Movement and the local YP chapters. This session will allow attendees the opportunities to hear from past success stories and learn how to implement changes in their local chapter to ensure that, like NULYP, their chapter will continue for the next twenty-five years as well.

This session will cover: Operating reserves; Sustainability and Financial leadership; Form 990; and communicating difficult budget challenges.

Sheila Amo, Founder and CEO, The Perry Perspective, LLC This session will cover: CFO and Controller panel discussion; and communicating difficult HR challenges. More to follow!