Knoxville Area Urban League announces retirement of longtime CEO Phyllis Y. Nichols

National search underway to identify organization’s next leader The Knoxville Area Urban League today announced the retirement of Phyllis Y. Nichols, the organization’s longtime president and CEO and a highly regarded leader of one of the country’s best-known civil rights organizations. Nichols will conclude her nearly 30-year career with the Knoxville Area Urban League in September and is the longest-serving … Read More

Knoxville Area Urban League selects Charles F. Lomax Jr. as its new leader

The Knoxville Area Urban League has selected Charles F. Lomax Jr. as its new president and chief executive officer to succeed the retiring Phyllis Y. Nichols, who led the organization for two decades. Lomax, the City of Knoxville’s director of community empowerment, will assume the leadership position on Dec. 12, 2022. Lomax emerged from a pool of candidates considered during … Read More

Update from Knoxville Area Urban League: Stadium project and construction programs

Work on the multi-use stadium and surrounding development will continue, despite the one-year delay of the first Knoxville Smokies baseball season. We are communicating with individuals who have earned opportunities to work on the project and with our partners. If you are interested in building a construction career and preparing for future opportunities, now is the time to enroll in … Read More

Knoxville Area Urban League earns inaugural Stanley Black & Decker Makers Grant

Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) has announced the recipients of its first “Empower Makers” Global Impact Challenge, and the Knoxville Area Urban League earned $27,000 for its efforts to empower East Tennesseans with opportunities to earn. Initiated in 2021, the Global Impact Challenge grant program will award up to $25 million in grant funding over the next five years … Read More

Knoxville Area Urban League to hire 20 community health navigators with national funding to bolster vaccination rates

The Knoxville Area Urban League will be able to hire 20 community health navigators after being awarded funding with five other National Urban League affiliates to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates among the hardest-hit and highest-risk communities. Other affiliates that received funds are in Houston, Texas; Jackson, Mississippi; Kansas City, Missouri; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and St. Louis, Missouri. The Knoxville affiliate, … Read More

Southern Voices: A Reflection of America

Southern Voices: A Reflection of America is a narrative project that aims to understand and shed light on people’s perceptions and beliefs on living in the South during a time of change. Visit this playlist to listen and learn from 10 member of our community and learn how we are working to achieve racial equity.  Funding for this Listen and … Read More

Knoxville Area Urban League receives $10,000 housing grant from Bank of America

The Knoxville Area Urban League has been awarded a grant to support  housing stability programs by Bank of America. The $10,000 grant will support the Knoxville Area Urban League’s housing programs that educate families on the processes of purchasing a home and provides counseling to help clients keep their homes. “Bank of America continues to be a valued partner, supporting … Read More

A 2021 Resume, the True  Story!

2021 has presented us with many challenges but as we slowly recover many are looking for work or changing careers.  One of the things most must focus on is their resume if they want to be considered for an interview.  A resume can be an important tool or  it can be just another piece of paper.  Here are some helpful … Read More

National Recognition for NextLevel Program!

The National Urban  League recently recognized the work of the Knoxville Area Urban League along with partner organizations; Tennessee Valley Authority, Interise and Tennessee Urban League Affiliates on the Next Level small  business development initiative. To  see the full article click here!  If you are ready to take your small business to the next level go to this link for … Read More