Who We Are

The National Urban League is the nation's oldest and largest community-based movement devoted to empowering African Americans to enter the economic and social mainstream. Through broad-based support and targeted projects and programs, Anchorage's Urban League has the potential to effect great change for our community.

Because of a need in our community, a diverse group of Anchorage citizens came together in the fall of 2005 and worked together throughout 2006 to establish an affiliate. Our efforts came to fruition with approval as an affiliate by the National Urban League in November 2006. Upon achieving affiliate status, Anchorage Urban League began is board formation, strategic planning and program implementation in the spring of 2007.

Why We're Here

The Anchorage Urban League, endeavors to enrich our community by embracing our diversity and addressing real needs among our population.

A recent survey of the Anchorage population showed that between the years of 1990-2000, the number of people living below the poverty threshold in Anchorage increased from 15,614 to 18,682. That means 7.3 percent of the city's residents lived below the poverty level in 2000. These people know too well that basic services such as proper health care, utility service or housing can easily slip out of reach. They are most in need of opportunities for assistance and education.

Giving every person the opportunity to achieve basic financial literacy is a goal of the Anchorage Urban League. By enhancing the skill sets of those with little experience or knowledge of finance, especially low-income individuals and our growing immigrant population, we will increase our clients' ability to meet billing deadlines, improve financial history and credit scores, take steps toward home ownership, business development and related goals. A more detailed description our programs is offered in the Program Plan section of this document.

We envision that through partnership and specific programs, Anchorage's vibrant neighborhoods and commercial areas can offer productive economic opportunities for all residents.