 Profile of MUL
History of MUL
MUL
Leadership
E
Store
Young Professionals
Guild
Advocacy
Job Opportunities
Directions
Links
|
|
Urban League Guild
Purpose
The purpose of the Minneapolis Urban League Guild is to strengthen the Minneapolis Urban League (MUL) through interpretation of its programs and policies to the community at large. To this end, the Guild will promote, encourage and assist in community actions and engage in activities of educational, cultural, civic and social nature. The Guild will advance the general well-being of the Urban League Movement locally as well as nationally.
History
The National Urban League Guild
In 1942, the first National Urban League Guild was organized to support and interpret the work of the National Urban League.
The National Urban League Guild was established on an informal basis, later adopted by-laws and began holding annual elections and regular meetings.
The activities of the National Urban League Guild stimulated interest in other cities. Each affiliate Urban League was encouraged to form a Guild.
Over a period of years, Urban League Guild representatives from different cities met informally during the National Urban League conference to share their experiences and to develop programs and fundraising ideas. At the 1952 National Urban League conference the Urban League Guild representatives decided to formalize their annual sessions by establishing the Council of Urban League Guilds.
The Minneapolis Urban League Guild
The Minneapolis Urban League Guild began in the 1940's with a group of visionary women from Zion Baptist Church who wanted to promote the Urban League's mission through volunteer service.
The Minneapolis Urban League Guild was active and growing from its founding, until the late 1970's, sponsoring events such as the highly successful Ebony Fashion Fair as well as cultural, educational and social events.
Due to a variety of circumstances, Guild activity diminished during the 1980's and early 1990's. In 1995, Gary Sudduth, then President of the Minneapolis Urban League, reactivated the Minneapolis Urban League Guild. Mr. Sudduth initiated a drive to recruit prospective members and restore the vigor of the earlier organization. The late Bernadette Anderson, long-time community activist and volunteer, was appointed President and the Guild was reborn with ten new volunteer members.
Today, the Minneapolis Urban League Guild continues to build and to advance the mission of the Urban League. Current members are listed each year in the Annual Report.
Past Accomplishments Include
- In 1995, the Minneapolis Urban League Guild was the first organization in the state to sponsor a
black Santa. Initially, African American Santa visited with children in the courtyard of the Brookdale shopping center. Each child received a candy cane, a photo with Santa (courtesy of US West volunteers) and a gift-wrapped present. As the years passed, the Guild concluded that they could serve the community better by bringing Santa to Urban League headquarters. Contributions and volunteers from organizations such as
QWEST, Honeywell, Minneapolis Urban League Young Professionals, Wells Fargo and the Minneapolis Urban League staff, helped to provide more treats, gifts and activities for more children. In 2006, more than 200 children met and talked with Santa.
- Members of the Guild are active in Minneapolis Urban League events such as:
- serving as hostesses at the Annual Dinner, held in
April
- managing the pony and other rides for the children
during the MUL Family Day celebration, held in August
- providing a food booth where families and children
can buy food at affordable prices at the Minneapolis Urban League Family Day
celebration
- Each year, the Guild covers the expenses for two students, who would not be able to participate otherwise, to join the Minneapolis Urban League tour of Historically Black Colleges in the southeastern United States.
- The guild held its first annual "Healthy Awareness Day" on Saturday, April 28,
2007 at Wayman A.M.E. Church. The goal was to educate the community and
raise awareness of some of the health issues that are leading causes of death
for people of color. Approximately 35 community members and friends
attended this FREE half-day event where they had the opportunity to visit booths
displaying information on health-related issues and attend a series of worksh0ps
led by health care professionals. The workshops included topics on the
causes and preventative treatments for heart attacks, strokes, prostate cancer,
and other illnesses. Makeda Norris, staff member of the MUL and health
care professional, delivered the workshop on heart disease and stroke.
They also had the opportunity to watch three heart healthy food dishes be
prepared by a registered dietician and the fun of eating them.
Current Officers
Current officers:
- Lucretia Sudduth-Wood, President
- Winnie Brown, Vice President
- Fay Harrison, Secretary
- Emma Sudduth, Treasurer
If you have any questions or are interested in becoming a member of the Minneapolis Urban League Guild, please contact the Minneapolis Urban League at (612) 302-3100 or email to
Guild
Membership is open to all persons (regardless of gender, age race or
ethnicity) who have an interest in the Urban League and are willing to assist in
carrying its message throughout the community. All members must be paid
members of both the Urban League and the Urban League Guild.
Minneapolis Urban League Guild meetings are held September through June
on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm at the Minneapolis Urban
League's Glover-Sudduth Center, 2100 Plymouth Ave North, Minneapolis.
|
