In The News

Science Technology Engineering Math
The Columbia Urban League in conjunction with Time Warner Cable will host it's annual Youth STEM Expo for middle school students beginning at 9am and concluding at 1pm on March, 21st. This years 2013 Youth STEM Expo is being hosted at the IT-oLogy building in downtown Columbia located at Suite 200, 1301 Gervais St., Columbia SC 29201.
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Christmas Giving Project on December 20
Our annual Christmas Giving Project will be held on Thursday, December 20, 2012. Registration begins on December 3, 2012. Please contact our office at 803-799-8150.
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25 Manners Kids Should Know
In its ongoing efforts to teach civility to youth through good manners, the Columbia Urban League developed a series of slides for others to begin a dialogue with children. Families, educators, church and civic leaders are encouraged to share the slides.
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HELP FIND GABBIEE SWAINSON
Help us spread the word so we can find Gabrielle "Gabbiee" Swainson, missing since August 18, 2012.
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Columbia group crafts civility pledge
Citing a need for improved public discourse and enhanced economic development, the Columbia Urban League is issuing a call for more civil conversations among South Carolina residents.
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45th Annual Fund Campaign & Equal Opportunity Day (EOD) Dinner
This event brings together an array of diverse individuals and stakeholders, underscoring the importance of our collective responsibility to further healthy communities through promoting economic opportunity for all. Individuals, organizations and corporations that champion equal opportunities for all and promote civility will be recognized with the following seven annual awards...
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USC students teach importance of dining etiquette to Youth Leadership Development participants during the annual Pre-Employment Academy.
Posted: Jun 14, 2012 4:51 PM EDT Updated: Jun 24, 2012 4:51 PM EDT By Taylor Kearns - email COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) -
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"I Am Woman" Community Health Workers honored at the United Way of the Midlands Volunteer Awards Ceremony
On April 19, 2012 United Way of the Midlands celebrated volunteers who are creating opportunities and inspiring hope for a better tomorrow.
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Columbia Urban League's 14th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Breakfast
Urban League celebrates federal role in civil rights U.S. attorney cites accomplishments at annual MLK breakfast By NOELLE PHILLIPS - nophillips@thestate.com Whether it’s promoting equal pay for all workers or prosecuting hate crimes, the federal government has an important role to play in civil rights, the state’s top U.S. prosecutor said Monday.
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CUL's 2010-2011 Annual Report
In this annual report, we endeavor to give you a sense of the Columbia Urban League's total commitment, which stretches across the areas of Education and Youth Empowerment, Social Justice, and Advocacy/Outreach. Quite honestly, the Columbia Urban League's service extends beyond these boundaries to address any need brought to its doors. The organization is a preeminent community leader as an advocate for the under-served, under-represented, and under-appreciated in our community. As the ...
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Bolton: Occupy idle minds
COLUMBIA URBAN League president J.T. McLawhorn remembers the days when his organization and many others depended on federal summer youth job funds to provide work experience for teens.
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Improving Communities Leaders Honored in Washington
In a ceremony in Washington, D.C., James T. McLawhorn, Jr. was recognized for his continued leadership in race and community relations.
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Midlands students get hands on with technology
Nearly five hundred middle school students got hands on approach to learning about careers that focus on science and mathematics.
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McLawhorn to chair VA panel
James T. McLawhorn Jr., president and CEO of the Columbia Urban League, has been named chairman of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans.
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Student Achievement to highlight Black History Month Celebration
The Columbia Urban League for the past 26 years has celebrated Black History Month by celebrating the achievements of African-American students. This annual program focuses on achievement as one of the most defining and transforming legacies of Black History. The awards ceremony is the state’s largest recognition of African-American achievement.
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Urban League’s Christmas Feeding Campaign: Honoring Beatrice McKnight
Although Beatrice Taylor McKnight won’t be around to lead the Columbia Urban League’s food campaign that feeds 350 elderly families for Christmas—staff and volunteers have vowed to carry out her legacy in a special way. In honor and memory of Mrs. McKnight, this year’s campaign will be named the Columbia Urban League Beatrice McKnight Annual Christmas Giving Program for the Elderly, said James T. McLawhorn, Jr., President and CEO of the organization. With the recent passing of one of ...
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Longtime civil rights activist dies
Beatrice T. McKnight, a longtime civil rights activist and community organizer who challenged traditional, systematic discrimination against and segregation of blacks - often referred to as Jim Crow - died Monday at age 71.
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Columbia civil rights activist Beatrice McKnight dies at 71
COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - Beatrice McKnight was a woman of integrity, courage and strength, and if you don't know her name, you should. The civil rights activist died Monday at the age of 71.
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43rd Annual Fund Campaign and Equal Opportunity Day Dinner Keynote Speaker, W. James “Jim” McNerney, Jr.
W. James “Jim” McNerney, Jr., is chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer of The Boeing Company.
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National Urban League Founders’ Day
The Columbia Urban League joins the National Urban League and affiliates across the country in celebration of National Urban League Founders’ Day, September 29, 2010, with Mayor Steve Benjamin issuing a proclamation in recognition of the Urban Leauge's service to the community for the past 100 years. Mayor Benjamin will issue the proclamation Wednesday, September 29th, at the Columbia City Council Meeting.
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Meet Columbia, South Carolina's Community Champion!
Dr. Hamilton needs your help! Please go to feedingdreams.com to vote for him everyday. Dr. Hamilton represents Columbia as the General Mills Community Champion -- an award he definitely deserves. For more information on Dr. Hamilton, please read below. Again, vote everyday at feedingdreams.com.
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Urban League receives national award
The Columbia Urban League has been honored by the National Urban League for its efforts toward social justice.
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COLUMBIA URBAN LEAGUE BRINGS HOME NATIONAL AWARD
In the midst of the National Urban League celebrating 100 years of existence at its annual conference and showcasing a sterling lineup of powerful people such as President Barack Obama and Maya Angelou, the Columbia Urban League grabbed its moment in the spotlight receiving the Whitney M. Young Jr. Leadership Award for Advancing Racial Equality.
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COLLEGE FINANCING WORKSHOP PLANNED FOR AUG. 14
With the amount of college debt rising to unprecedented levels while the number of career opportunities are on the downturn, our children are caught in the cross hairs of deciding whether to seek higher education and face extraordinary debt or settle for mediocrity and simply get by.
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2010 EBONY SCHOLARSHIP LISTING

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2010 Young & Gifted Awards
About 600 African-American High School seniors from eight counties were awarded for their achievements during the Columbia Urban League's Young and Gifted program on Saturday, Feb. 27, at Brookland Baptist Church. Philanthropist the Rev. Solomon Jackson were the guest speaker.
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Student Achievement to highlight Black History Month Celebration
The Columbia Urban League for the past 25 years has celebrated Black History Month by celebrating the achievements of African-American students. It has defined the underlying premise and foundation of Black History Month as achievement. Achievement has been the means that has transitioned African Americans to the mainstream of society
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The Pursuit of Excellence
To address the rising and disparate unemployment rates among African American men in particular, the Columbia Urban League is partnering with Seagram's Gin for a job training and mentoring program, The Pursuit of Excellence Institute.
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Healthy Futures
The new Healthy Futures Diet and Exercise Program started on June 9th with more than 60 participants. New Ebenezer Baptist Church on Gregg Street graciously accepted to host most of the sessions. The participants are learning to change their eating habits. They are learning about new, interesting, and alternative exercise programs. About 25 men attended the Belly Busters program on Father's Day weekend at the Drew Wellness Center. The Belly Busters program encourages men to be more health ...
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Scholarships Information for Students

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Columbia Holds Town Hall-Style Meeting to Discuss Drugs
Columbia is one of 100 cities participating in a national town hall-style meeting aimed at tackling the issue of drugs.
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Footage from September 18, 2008's Town Hall Meeting in Columbia, SC
Click here to see the video from WLTX-19!
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Black Eye - South Carolina Still Stumbles on Racial Equality
America might be on the verge of electing its first black president, but South Carolina still seems to be standing on the precipice of its past.
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Urban League Announces 2008 Scholarship Recipients
On Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 11:30 p.m., the Columbia Urban League hosted a reception for their 2008 Scholarship winners.
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Summer Job:Urban League Helps Local Teens
Just about everyone remembers that first summer job. Here in the Midlands some local teens are getting their first taste of the rat race thanks to the Columbia Urban League.
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Urban League Helping Teens Learn Lessons
Summertime usually means a lot of kids with nothing to do. Now, Columbia's Urban League has a program to help those teens learn something and gain work experience that will help them in the future.
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Urban League summer program develops leadership skills
The Columbia Urban League's Summer Work Experience Leadership Program is making its presence known in Lee County.
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Columbia Urban League Inc.'s Summer Work Experience Leadership Program featured on WLTX!
Columbia Urban League Inc.'s Summer Work Experience Leadership Program orientation on Wednesday, July 2, 2008 was featured on WLTX's nightly newscast.
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Youth Leadership Development Institute Career Academy was a great success!
The Columbia Urban League, Inc. recently completed their 9th annual Youth Leadership Development Institute (YLDI) Summer Career Academy.
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Summer Work Experience Leadership Program Applications are No Longer Available
As of May 13, 2008 Summer Work Experience Leadership (SWELP) applications are no longer available.
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