Hundred Year Anniversary | Greater Baltimore Urban League

Greater Baltimore Urban League Celebrates

100 years

of Empowerment

A Century of Impact. A Future of Promise.

November 9, 2024

Centennial Gala

The Greater Baltimore Urban League turns 100 in 2024.

The Greater Baltimore Urban League is celebrating 100 years of impact in 2024!

On Saturday, June 8, 2024, The Greater Baltimore Urban League kicked off its 100th anniversary campaign, A Century of Impact, A Future of Promise. For a century, we’ve been at the forefront of empowering communities and advancing civil rights. As we mark this incredible milestone, we’re not just looking back—we’re fueling the future. This exciting celebration includes special community events, short biographical documentary, a signature golf tournament on October 10th, and a grand gala on November 9th. The campaign will also spotlight local and national leaders who have empowered Black communities in the Greater Baltimore region. Join us as we reflect on the progress we’ve made, honor the ongoing fight for equality and continue driving change for the next 100 years.

Our History

The Greater Baltimore Urban League, originally known as the Baltimore Urban League, was organized and chartered by the National Urban League in December 1924. Inspired by the 1919 Hague Conference in Europe after World War I, Baltimore clergyman Rev. Peter Ainslie returned home with a mission: to improve living conditions and job opportunities for Baltimore’s Black residents. Over the past 100 years, this organization has grown in size and impact, becoming the leading force for empowering Black people economically and socially. Scroll down to follow our story through the past century.

A Century of Impact. A Future of Promise.

Special thank you to everyone who attended and have supported us for the last 100 years.

19November

A century of impact: Greater Baltimore Urban League celebrates 100 years of service

A century of impact: Greater Baltimore Urban League celebrates 100 years of service The Greater Baltimore Urban League is officially 100 years old. (Photo courtesy of the Baltimore City Office...

Special Events

November 9, 2024

6:00PM – 10:00PM

100 years Anniversary, A Century of Impact A Future of Promise

GALA Honorees

Governor of Maryland

First Lady of Maryland

Aventurine Developers

House of Delegates

Civil Rights in Education

The Baltimore Banner

Bank of America

Dean Witter Reynolds Inc.

MCB Real Estate

Capital Management

Venable LLP

Office of Bruce Bereano

Register to attend

November 9, 2024

Centennial Gala

GALA Seating

Individual & Table

Become a Community Sponsor

5K Donation

1 Premium Reserved Table at Gala Dinner
1 Half-page ad in the gala booklet
Company logo on promotional
Company logo on promotional materials and social media
Inclusion in press releases promoting the gala
Brand signage at gala

Become a Community Sponsor

10K Donation:

1 Premium Reserved Table at Gala Dinner
1 Half-page ad in the gala booklet
Company logo on promotional
Company logo on promotional materials and social media
Inclusion in press releases promoting the gala
Brand signage at gala

Become an Empower Sponsor

25K Donation:

1 Premium Reserved Table at Gala Dinner
1 Half page ad in the gala program
Access to VIP Meet and Greet pre-gala event
Company logo on promotional materials and social media
1 Full page color ad at Business Summit Dinner
20 Second promotional video previewed at gala
Inclusion in press releases promoting the gala
4 Tickets to the Business Summit
Brand signage at gala

Become an Impact Sponsor

60K Donation:

1 Premium Reserved Table at Gala Dinner
1 Full Page ad in the gala program
Access to VIP Meet and Greet pre-gala event
Company logo on promotional materials and social media
1 Page color ad at Business Summit Dinner
30 Second promotional video previewed at gala
Opportunity to host a workshop
Inclusion in press releases promoting the gala
6 tickets to the Business Summit
Brand signage at gala
Recognition as a sponsor in the video
Recognition as a sponsor in the State of Baltimore Report

Become a Presenting Sponsor

75K Donation

Category Exclusivity
2 Premium Reserved Tables at Gala Dinner
2 Page Middle Spread in the gala program
Sponsor features profile for 3 months on website gala page
Access to VIP Meet and Greet pre-gala event
Company logo on promotional materials and social media
1 premium table at Business Summit Dinner
45 Second promotional video previewed at gala
Opportunity to host a workshop
Inclusion in press releases promoting the gala
Exhibit booth in the Business Summit
Brand signage at gala
Recognition as a sponsor in the video
Recognition as a sponsor in the State of Black Baltimore Report

become a centennial sponsor

100K Donation:

Category Exclusivity
2 Premium Reserved Tables at Gala Dinner
2 Page Middle Spread in the gala program
Sponsor features profile for 3 months on website gala page
Access to VIP Meet and Greet pre-gala event
Company logo on promotional materials and social media
1 premium table at Business Summit Dinner
45 Second promotional video previewed at gala
Opportunity to host a workshop
Inclusion in press releases promoting the gala
Exhibit booth in the Business Summit
Brand signage at gala
Recognition as a sponsor in the video
Recognition as a sponsor in the State of Black Baltimore Report
A room commemoration in the headquarters building after the redevelopment project

Baltimore Urban League Early Milestones

Rev. Peter Ainslie, together with Provident Savings Bank Board Chairman John R. Cary, conducted an extensive survey in 1922 on the working conditions for Black laborers in Baltimore’s industry. The study’s recommendations shaped the Baltimore Urban League’s focus on health, education, and housing for the Black community.

John R. Cary, Mrs. Lilian A. Lottier, Dr. Peter Ainslie, and Dr. George P. Murphy are honored as the founding members of the Greater Baltimore Urban League. Over the past 100 years, this organization has grown in size and impact, becoming the leading force for empowering Black people economically and socially. Scroll down to follow our story through the past century.

1919

BUL founder Reverend Peter Ainslie, attended the Hague Conference on World Friendship, the first volunteer gathering of WWI warring nations. Inspired, he organized an Interracial Conference to improve racial attitudes and conditions in health and welfare.

1920

BUL led effort to save Victory Hospital, one of a handful of Baltimore Hospitals treating black patients and hiring black nurses and doctors. Victory Hospital did not survive, but BUL gained the support of local medical and civic leaders and successfully helped organize Provident Hospital.

1922

Extensive survey of Black industrial workers conducted by Dr. Charles Johnson, prompted by the interest of Rev. Ainslie and Mr. Cary.

1924

The study results and the work of the Interracial Conference formed the initial founding of the Baltimore Urban League.

1925

BUL begins work to clean up the Lung Block, referring to the area with the highest death rate of tuberculosis in Baltimore. (Pennsylvania to Druid Hill, Biddle to Present Streets).

1926

First funding received from the Community Chest.

1930

BUL recommends widening Preston Street and paving alleys within block and mayor authorizes. Another recommendation by BUL, the construction of Preston Street Elementary School is followed despite opposition.

1933

At BUL’s request, six black caseworkers appointed to the Baltimore Emergency Relief Commission

1939

After multiple unsuccessful efforts to integrate AFL Trade Unions, BUL organized 200 black building craftsmen. After two years of negotiations, Local #544 of the International Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners Affiliated with the AFL was organized.

1940

BUL member Carl J. Murphy chairs the newly founded Citizen’s Committee on Current Educational Problems. Committee-prepared brief presented to Boar5d of School Commissioners documenting teacher and classroom supply shortages in black schools and the need for a vocational school.

1943

BUL incorporated.

1947

Baltimore City Fire Department integrated with support from BUL. BUL trained 30 applicants, and 14 passed the exam and were hired. BUL Education Committee mobilized the public in support of integration of the University of Maryland; the University issued a statement that applications would be reviewed without consideration of race.

1949

BUL’s Health Committee successfully advocates for an increase in bus transportation to Henryton Hospital to 3 per day for tuberculosis patients. BUL conducts the research identifying the need in Cherry Hill for parks and playgrounds; Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks acquires 31 acres, 12 of which to be immediately developed as a park and playground. The Maryland Theater announces policy change and will serve theatergoers regardless of race. The Baltimore Superintendent of Public Instruction described a BUL study of clerical training “constructive interest…in the program of public education” and noted “the thoughtfulness with which you developed your recommendations.”

1970

Executive Director Dr. Charles James tackled high unemployment rates by providing skills training and partnering with local employers to create opportunities for African Americans. For youth education initiatives: Offered mentorship and after-school programs to improve high school graduation rates and empower youth through academic support and leadership development. National Urban League establishes a census project in ten cities, including Baltimore, to reverse the Black undercount.

1980

Curtis Oliver (CEO) addressed matters around business development programs, housing and homeownership programs. Business development workshops were vital because they supported African American entrepreneurs with small business training and access to capital, fostering economic growth in minority communities.To address housing and homeownership, educating African Americans on homeownership, fair housing practices, and financial literacy, helped to promote access to home-buying opportunities.

1990

Dr. Joni Holifield (CEO) made the most impact around health and wellness advocacy and African American leadership development. For health and wellness he focused on addressing health disparities, increasing access to healthcare, and promoting prevention programs in underserved communities. For African American leadership development, he provided leadership training and mentorship to young professionals of color, cultivating the next generation of leaders in business, nonprofits, and public sectors.

2000

J. Howard Henderson (President & CEO) focused on providing a haven for growth with the Raymond V. Haysbert Entrepreneurship Center which became a cornerstone for minority-owned business support, offering training, mentorship, and access to resources, helping businesses grow and thrive. Another focus was on college and career readiness for African American high school students, preparing them for college applications, financial aid, and career opportunities.

2010

J. Howard Henderson (CEO until retirement) and Tiffany Majors (CEO from late 2010s - 2024), focused on Youth Development and employment, Workforce Readiness Programs, digital literacy and tech based workforce training. The youth development program equipped middle and high school students with leadership skills, academic preparation, career exploration. That career exploration included providing internships, summer jobs, and job readiness training for youth in Baltimore. The workforce readiness program focused on job training, resume writing, and interview preparation. That same program helped to build skills training in various fields, such as; the Healthcare industry which became a growing job sector in Baltimore and focused on certifications and job opportunities in healthcare fields. Other workforce fields included developing digital skills for the modern job market, enabling participants to access higher paying career opportunities.

2020

Tiffany Majors (CEO & President from 2010's - Jan. 2024) and Tershea Rice (COO from Jan. 2024 - Present), focused on the Workforce Innovation program, Black Restaurant Accelerator Program (BRAP), creating a dynamic podcast that brought Voices to The People, Civic Engagement and Social Justice Initiatives. These programs build on digital skills development for underserved communities, preparing participants for higher-paying jobs in tech sectors. Partnerships to create a national initiative funded by the PepsiCo Foundation, provided training, mentorship, and grants to Black-owned restaurants. So far GBUL has trained over 60 black owned food service businesses and funded 24 businesses to date, at $10,000 per business totaling $240,000 in funding to support black businesses in the Greater Baltimore area, over the last three years.The podcast launched as a platform to highlight key issues impacting the African American and minority community in Baltimore, featuring discussions on social justice, economic equity, and community advocacy. Advocation for voter education, police reform, and racial equity, positioning GBUL as a leading voice for policy change and community empowerment.

Greater Baltimore Urban League Celebrates

100

years

of Empowerment

A century of impact: Greater Baltimore Urban League celebrates 100 years of service

GALA Honorees

Register to attend

Individual & Table

5K Donation

10K Donation:

25K Donation:

60K Donation:

75K Donation

100K Donation:

Subscribe Newletter

Phone

Email

Location

Greater Baltimore Urban League Celebrates

100

years

of Empowerment

GALA Honorees

Register to attend

Individual & Table

5K Donation

10K Donation:

25K Donation:​

60K Donation:

75K Donation

100K Donation:

Subscribe Newletter

Phone

Email

Location

25K Donation: