In My Write Mind

We were there in full force, from all across the nation–100 cities in 36 states–to celebrate a 95th birthday. We were there to celebrate 95 years of “empowering communities, changing lives.” We were there, in the nation’s capitol, one hot week near the end of July, to mark a phenomenal run for any organization, let alone one put in place expressly to serve communities of color.

We were there to speak to community leaders–to keep it in the family–to put our heads together and have a discussion about what works and what doesn’t. We were there to strategize and foresee the challenges that await the civic movement, to form a united front on issues across the board. We were there to assess our strengths and weaknesses, to recruit experts and to ensure the relevance of the work we do.

We were there for that hot week to tackle hot topics and issues of importance within a population that is taken for granted every day. We were there to talk about home ownership and black males, about technology and voting rights, about literacy and the Supreme Court, about diversity and procurement, about fitness and estate planning.

We were there to summit, to throw around some Influence, spotlight some Influencers, to talk about the world that young professionals now face…a world full of those not affirmed in their intentions, let alone their actions. We were there to embrace hip hop, not to bury it… to see the role it plays in society, to get past the misogyny and unearth the message, to see how it can be used to advance the Movement, instead of seemingly set it back. We were there to close deals, to brand businesses, to hear from entreprenuers and corporate executives alike. We were there to learn.

We were there to listen to panelists and speakers disperse their expertise on health and quality of life, education and youth empowerment, civic engagement, economic empowerment and civil rights and racial justice. We were there to celebrate the history of the Movement, to honor its past, to assess its present and calculate its future. We were there to have dialogue with legends such as Dic.k Greg.ory and Dr. Dor.othy Heig.ht. To put into perspective what almost 100 years of commitment looks like through eyes that have seen it all, that have lived through the worst of the past and are still here to absorb the present. To stand on their shoulders in order to see what lies over the next hill, the next mountain. To divulge from them what might be necessary to take on the next civil rights movement. We were there to plot the course for the next century of urban renaissance, of technological readiness, of empowerment, pro-activity and problem-solving.

We were there to be entertained. We were there, and we partied as hard as possible every night, to balance out the hard work that goes on every day throughout this nation on behalf of 100 communities of color from Springfield to San Diego, from Wichita to West Palm Beach.

We were there in DC last week, a hot week that tackled hot-button issues, to celebrate a Movement that constantly stays in motion, expanding each year, putting programs and partnerships in place in order to make life a bit easier, a bit more equal for the communities that need it most.

The Nat.ional Ur.ban Lea.gue–for 95 years, dedicated to empowering communities and changing lives across America. We were there last week in DC, the last week in July, in full force, celebrating the Movement. That moment we took to look back as we move into August, was fittingly to look up and behold the august presence of a venerable organization… while at the same time keeping pace with a Movement that won’t slow down. Can’t slow down.

We were there. However, that moment has passed. Got to keep it moving. There’s just too much empowering and changing left to do.