The National Urban League Convention is in Nashville this week and offers free workshops that include legal advice, housing assistance, health screenings and school supplies.
About 10,000 people are expected to attend the conference, with another 7,000 appearing virtually. It begins Wednesday morning with a State of the Union address and lasts through Saturday, taking place at the Music City Center.
The historic civil rights organization is dedicated to economic empowerment, equality and social justice for African-Americans and other marginalized groups.
Its focus is on getting people access to better jobs and educational opportunities as well as encouraging them to be civically engaged, according to the organization’s president and CEO Clifton Harris.
He told WPLN News that their mission is especially timely when so many people feel disenfranchised.
“We need organizations like the Urban League as our civil rights legislation is under attack, trying to roll back many aspects of the civil rights era that people really fought for to get on the books as policies,” he said.
Harris explained that much of their work comes down to education – teaching people ways to gain better livelihoods through the workshops offered during this week’s convention.
There’s something for everyone, he says, including legal clinics to help people expunge their records.
“We believe that when a person goes to jail or prison and has done his or her time, then how long would they have to pay for those offenses that they did back in their past?” he said.
Healthcare providers will provide free screenings for all and assistance to the elderly in getting their prescriptions.
Representatives from over 60 colleges are coming to offer students advice on financial aid, scholarships, resume building and career goals. Families can also get back-to-school supplies, including backpacks.
The sessions are free and WeGo buses are offering rides to the convention.
Harris stressed, however, that the work isn’t done once the convention wraps.
“We need a team of volunteers and to mobilize so that we can do the work that needs to be done here in Tennessee, because our legislators, they’re not playing with it and we don’t need to play with it either.”
Saturday is the final day of the convention and includes a Community and Family Day from 10 a.m to 3 p.m.
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