always financially benefiting from these transitions . Elders are often selling their homes for next to nothing without understanding the demographic changes so that they can maximize on the value of their property . “ Those who have been a part of the fabric of the community should be a part of the redevelopment of the community . It starts with education .”
The Washington region has a relatively larger housing portfolio and with that , foreclosures too are unfortunate realizations . The difference between homeowners in Washington and in other communities where the Urban League serves , is that constituents in the Washington area typically don ’ t want anyone to know when they run into financial trouble . Homeowners are often not aware that there are programs to help navigate through these issues before it becomes a crises . Thus , the League has a campaign for this specific reason called “ Don ’ t Suffer in Silence .” It ’ s about making sure that homeowners are educated about their options and empowered to contact the appropriate agencies early in the process .
As a civil rights organization , the League realizes that there is work needed in race relations . “ We are at a defining movement about where we as a community are with race and we need to get beyond it . Like a marriage , we have two parties and need to make it work ”, say Lambert . On the subject of leveling the playing field , Lambert affirms that astute politicians know how to “ play on both sides of the aisles in order to deliver the goods to our residents .” Likewise , organizations like the League are work across party lines to develop lasting solutions to guaranty equal access and parity . For the critics that may call foul on compromising , Lambert reminds us that it ’ s about working together as we did in the Civil Rights Movement . access so that all of our citizens have access to the abundance this region has to offer ,” says Lambert . In addition to the housing space and advocacy , the League ’ s programs focus on economic empowerment . They often partner with companies to help identify and recruit qualified workers from diverse communities . These workforce development programs range from identifying candidates , providing them with interviewing skills , delivering onboarding training , and other activities geared towards helping companies recruit and retain workers from within the district and beyond . They have partnered to fulfill hiring challenges for the expansion of the Silver Line to Dulles and the arrival of big box stores such as Target and Walmart as they plant feet in the city . The Entrepreneurship Program has now been in place for nearly five years . With the help of the National Urban League , Wells Fargo and BB & T bank , the League ’ s Entrepreneurship Center delivers technical assistance to assist entrepreneurs in starting , growing and sustaining their businesses . As a part of their focus on economic empowerment these programs are built on formulating solid business practices that can catapult companies to the next level .
“ We have the expertise to take you and your business to the next level ,” says Lambert . “ We ’ ve got some good visibility on the work we ’ ve been doing and lives we ’ ve touched . We want to continue to be a part of the success stories .”
“ It ’ s about moving the needle together ; getting closer to the permanent goals of where we want to be . In seeking common ground , we are not ‘ giving up everything ’ but understanding that we want to achieve parity and empowerment for the long term , not for the sprint or for a piece of the course . That requires that we come together and work together to make our community stronger and provide
NURA Magazine 23