On Friday, December 1, 2023, at its Annual IMPACT Report Luncheon, the Louisville Urban League’s Interim President and CEO, Lyndon Pryor, announced the details of two newly formed endowments for the organization: the Benjamin K. Richmond Legacy Endowment and the Sadiqa Reynolds Legacy Endowment. 

“It is an honor to recognize Ben and Sadiqa for their many years of tireless service to the Louisville Urban League, the greater Urban League Movement, and the progress of Black people everywhere,” Pryor said. “Personally, I want to thank them both for the support and help they have shown me over the last several months since transitioning into this role. Their friendship and mentorship mean more than they could ever know.”

In the fall of 2015, the Louisville Urban Board of Directors gifted the League with a generous donation to establish the Benjamin K. Richmond Legacy Endowment in honor of Benjamin K. Richmond, who served as President and CEO of the League from 1987 to 2015. As President and CEO of the Louisville Urban League, Benjamin K. Richmond served as a cornerstone of Louisville social activism for over a quarter century. A significant advocate for economic equality and education attainment, Mr. Richmond remained committed to these pursuits until retirement. Pryor met with Richmond earlier this year, and per his wishes, endowment funds will establish the Benjamin K. Richmond Scholarship for Undergraduate Studies in Business and the Benjamin K. Richmond Small Business Development Grant.  

The Benjamin K. Richmond Scholarship for Undergraduate Studies in Business is an academic scholarship awarded to a deserving Black public school graduating senior in Louisville, Kentucky, accepted into a 4-year degree program with a business or business development concentration. The scholarship should be at least $10,000. 

The Benjamin K. Richmond Small Business Development Grant will support Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs, setting aside no less than $10,000 to support Black-owned businesses and Black entrepreneurs participating with the Center for Entrepreneurship. Grants will be awarded in $5,000 increments.

In the Fall of 2022, Humana made a Health Equity Legacy Gift to the Louisville Urban League in honor of Sadiqa Reynolds, who served as President and CEO from 2015 to 2022. A portion of this gift established the Sadiqa Reynolds Legacy Endowment. The Louisville Urban League Board of Directors authorized an additional $100,000 for the endowment. Mental health and well-being are of great significance and personal importance to Ms. Reynolds, and supporting the mental health of young people and front-line staff at the League are things she was intentionally concerned about and wanted to ensure were part of her legacy at this organization and in this community. 

In recognition of Humana’s portion of the gift, the first $20,000 yielded annually from the endowment will be utilized specifically to fund the Sadiqa Reynolds Scholarship for Mental Health Resilience, an academic scholarship for Black high school and college students who have demonstrated academic resilience in the face of mental illness, either personally or within their immediate family. 

The Sadiqa Reynolds Louisville Urban League Employee Wellness Scholarship will annually cover all expenses up to $5,000 for a five-day retreat that may include wellness programs, counseling services, fitness activities, or other initiatives for a front-line LUL employee. 

In 2024, following further conversations with each namesake or their designee, the League will announce details on the timing, criteria, and application process for all awards. The Louisville Urban League thanks those who contributed and made these gifts possible. Those seeking to contribute to either endowment can contact the LUL Development office at [email protected] or (502) 585-4622.

About the Louisville Urban League
The Louisville Urban League assists African Americans and those at the margins in attaining social and economic equality and stability through direct services and advocacy. For more information, go to lul.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter  (@louisvilleUL), or Instagram (@louisville_ul).