Thank you for your interest in the Knoxville Area Urban League. We are extremely grateful to our supporters whose ongoing commitment has allowed us to continue the work of empowering communities and changing lives for another year. Check out our 2016 Annual Report which is posted on our website for detailed program outcomes and fiscal information, and acknowledgements to all … Read More
If our collective desire is to make the greater Knoxville area a destination of choice for investment, for talented individuals and their families, and for the leading businesses of tomorrow, then diversity and inclusion must have intentional focus. Business leaders send a powerful message when they demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion that goes beyond mere talk. Companies and … Read More
We often say that time marches on. I recently had an experience that reminded me that, indeed, time passes quickly. It also reminded me why I am passionate about the Urban League and why our work is so important. I met Brandon Hardin when he was a sophomore at Austin-East. Brandon was engaged in the Black Achievers Program where I … Read More
Scripps Networks is a market leader in demonstrating how diversity and inclusion make for a successful business. At last week’s Diversity Summit – hosted by Scripps in partnership with the Urban League and Knoxville Chamber – Scripps provided the opportunity to explore the dimension of diversity as an economic driver for community and business development. The Summit was stimulating and … Read More
You may have noticed that it’s been a while since I last wrote a blog entry. I assure you that my absence from the blogosphere has nothing to do with lack of material. The past month has been a blur of activity, and I’ve been involved in some very interesting things. At the end of July, I attended the annual … Read More
A word from Phyllis Nichols, Knoxville Area Urban League President and CEO Today I started my day like most others, with a cup of coffee in one hand and the News Sentinel in the other. (I like the new format.) While reading the article, “Knoxville man caught in foreclosure maze,” I wanted to shout, “We could have helped you – … Read More
A word from Phyllis Nichols, Knoxville Area Urban League President and CEO I recently attended a conference in Washington, DC aimed at reversing the dropout crisis and closing the achievement gap in minority communities. People from throughout the country were there – Hispanic, African American, Asian, Pacific Islanders and Native American. It was an amazing and informative conference that invigorated … Read More
A word from Phyllis Nichols, Knoxville Area Urban League President and CEO For most of us, we’ve never had to think about having decent shoes or school supplies. No big deal. They were simply there. But for kids who don’t have them, it’s a big deal! Last week, I talked about my love of reading and how important it is … Read More
A word from Phyllis Nichols, Knoxville Area Urban League President and CEO Growing up, my favorite thing to do was read. In fact, when I hadn’t cleaned my room or done other chores around the house, my mother would spur me into action by saying, “You can’t read until you’ve…” You can fill in the blank. I was more than … Read More
A word from Phyllis Nichols, Knoxville Area Urban League President and CEO Here in the Volunteer State, we’re known for our willingness to step up and help those in need. The longstanding success of the United Way of Greater Knoxville’s annual fundraising campaign and the solid individual and corporate support of our many area non-profits stand as testament to our … Read More
