Honoring May as Young Blacks Give Back Month.

WHEREAS

, The success of the City of Philadelphia is inextricably linked to the success of the economic, educational, social and political success of the next generation of African Americans; and

WHEREAS

, Young African Americans represent an important demographic as it relates to present and future prosperity for all Philadelphia citizens; and

WHEREAS

, The Urban League of Philadelphia Young Professionals (ULYP) is the nation’s – and region’s -- oldest and largest community-based movement aimed at supporting the African American community using the Urban League of Philadelphia’s “3-E” strategy of Economic Advancement, Educational Achievement, and Engagement; and

WHEREAS

, The Urban League Young Professionals, an affinity group comprised of socially conscious and dedicated African American professionals, are unwavering in their outreach efforts to provide African Americans of all ages with leadership development, economic empowerment and community service opportunities; and

WHEREAS

, The Urban League Young Professionals recognize the need for and importance of young African American professionals to boldly demonstrate their commitment to neighborhoods and communities across throughout Philadelphia through public service outreach activities; and

WHEREAS

, The Urban League Young Professionals believes that it is imperative that African American professionals serve as positive role models in urban communities, specifically those with significant numbers of economically and educationally disadvantaged citizens, by contributing their individual, skill, expertise and talent through community and public service; and

WHEREAS,

Urban League Young Professionals of Philadelphia has created “Young Blacks Give Back” Month, a citywide initiative designed to foster an environment that encourages young African American adults during May to affect change by participating in a series of Philadelphia-based community service projects; and

WHEREAS

, The Urban League Young Professionals award scholarships to deserving high school seniors and college students; participate in the “Changing Expectations” public school speaking tour; provide financial literacy training sessions for the community; and engage in a diverse array of community-based outreach programs annually; and

WHEREAS

, The Urban League Young Professionals is pleased to collaborate on this effort with the

Thursday Network

, an auxiliary of the Greater Washington Urban League and the Urban League Young Professionals of Greater Pittsburgh;

WHEREAS

, The “Young Blacks Give Back” Month project encourages young African Americans to take greater ownership of their communities, with the goal to promote similar efforts among young African Americans in urban communities throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and United States of America; now therefore

BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA

, That we hereby designate May as “Young Blacks Give Back” Month.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED

, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution is presented to the Urban League Young Professionals of Philadelphia for their commitment to community service, coupled with their efforts to engage and empower African Americans to improve upon their lives through community service, as evidence of the sentiments of this legislative body.

End