About Louisville Urban League

THE LOUISVILLE URBAN LEAGUE is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, community service organization dedicated to eliminating racism and its adverse impacts on our community. Our mission is to assist Black people and other marginalized populations in attaining social and economic equality through direct services and advocacy.

As part of a broader National Urban League network of historic civil rights organizations throughout the United States, the Louisville Urban League, like all affiliates, is dedicated to fostering economic empowerment in order to elevate the standard of living in historically underserved urban communities, with our focus on Jobs, Justice, Education, Health, Housing, and Black Business.

Currently the Louisville Urban League’s service area includes the Kentucky counties of Jefferson, Shelby, Oldham, Bullitt and Hardin; and the Indiana counties of Floyd, Harrison and Clark.

louisville city skyline at night

“I firmly believe in the work that the League has done and is leading in our community. We can transform Louisville into a place where everyone can thrive. I look forward to continuing that work with my colleagues in the building and partners around the city.”

Lyndon E. Pryor
President & CEO

lul logo

Our President, Lyndon Pryor

On December 20, 2023, the Board of Directors for the Louisville Urban League announced Lyndon E. Pryor was unanimously selected as permanent President and CEO of the organization, effective immediately. The board selected Pryor after a competitive three-month national search that involved certification by the National Urban League. Pryor has served in the role as Interim since March of 2023.

As the Chief Engagement Officer, Lyndon Pryor has helped to spearhead special projects like A Path Forward for Louisville, oversees all communications areas for the organization, and works to enhance the smooth and efficient integration of services to maximize the potential outcomes for every League participant. Mr. Pryor works with community members and engages staff, partners, and government officials to find innovative approaches to serve the community’s needs through programmatic and policy efforts. When he arrived at the League in 2015, Mr. Pryor created and led its community health program, “It starts with me!” and helped build and grow Louisville’s network of community health workers. Since then, he has helped to establish policy positions, internal data systems, and critical infrastructure support for the League’s work. 

Before arriving in Louisville, Lyndon was a Student Development Specialist at Texas A&M University, where he worked to assist students in their personal growth and build their professional competencies and leadership skills. Mr. Pryor provided critical leadership, supporting students by creating programs that effectively merge academic and practical experiences.

Mr. Pryor is a proud former student of Texas A&M University, where he received his B.S. in Political Science. He also received his M.A. in Education and Human Development from GWU. He is a husband, father, and an avid believer in the potential of all and that communal knowledge enhances individual growth.

History

In 1920, just 10 years after what would become the National Urban League, the Louisville Urban League was founded and became a member agency of the local Community Chest. Elwood Street, serving as temporary chairman, appointed a five-person committee to create the framework for the local Urban League. The agency started with $1,000 raised by community residents at a public dinner. Incorporated in August 1921, the Urban League of Louisville for Social Service Among Negroes eventually became the Louisville Urban League.

The leadership of the Louisville Urban League developed a strategic plan to create and nurture enduring relationships between the League, community leaders, public officials, and the business sector. In fact, the Louisville Urban League is the oldest HUD-certified housing counseling agency in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

For nearly 100 years, the Louisville Urban League has been a consistent voice and a liaison for the city’s under-served and minority populations. It will continue to address current issues and challenges with steadfast and sustainable solutions through direct services and advocacy in the areas of Jobs, Justice, Education, Health and Housing.

Our Board of Directors

Lyndon Pryor

Lyndon Pryor

President & CEO
Patricia Carver, Ph.D., CPA

Patricia Carver, Ph.D., CPA

Treasurer

Certified Public Accountant

Jimmy Ray, III

Jimmy Ray, III

President, LULYP
John Borders, Esq.

John Borders, Esq.

Development Chair

Attorney, Borders & Borders, PLC

Diane Moffett, PhD

Diane Moffett, PhD

Secretary

President/Executive Director, Presbyterian Mission Agency

Lorri Lee

Lorri Lee

Dentia Norris

Dentia Norris

United Parcel Service (UPS)

Luther Ingram

Luther Ingram

GE Appliances

Purna Veer

Purna Veer

President, V-Soft Consulting  

Neal Thomas, CPA

Neal Thomas, CPA

Partner, Ernst & Young

Gina Stone

Gina Stone

District Human Resources Leader, Kroger Louisville Division

Diane Laughlin, Esq.

Diane Laughlin, Esq.

Attorney, Blackburn Domene & Burchett

Demetrius Holloway, Esq.

Demetrius Holloway, Esq.

Attorney, Stites & Harbison

Dior Cotten

Dior Cotten

Director of External Partnerships, Humana

Judge Brian Edwards

Judge Brian Edwards

Chief Judge, Jefferson County Circuit Court

Our Leadership

Lyndon Pryor

Lyndon Pryor

President & CEO
Sonita Arnold

Sonita Arnold

Chief Operating Officer
Chabela Sanchez Longoria

Chabela Sanchez Longoria

Chief Data Officer

Chabela oversees the collection, management, and storage of data across our organization responsible for developing and governing the data in order to better case manage clients, produce reports to ensure quality measurement are met internally and by founders standards, and to proof community impact when applying for new funding resources. 

Anthony Leachman

Anthony Leachman

Chief Financial Officer
Felicia Nu’Man

Felicia Nu’Man

Director, Center for Justice and Policy Initiatives
Cynthia Brown

Cynthia Brown

Director, Center for Entrepreneurship

The Managing Director will work with project partners to launch the Black Business Initiatives as proposed under A Path Forward. The primary focus will be on the development of sustainable access to capital and coordination of pro-bono professional services to Black businesses to drive the growth of Black-owned businesses in Louisville.

Nichole Leachman

Nichole Leachman

Director, Center for Housing and Financial Empowerment
Betty Fox

Betty Fox

Director, Center for Workforce Development

As Director of LUL’s Center for Workforce Development, Betty Fox works with the League’s strategic partners, local employers, and non-profit agencies to close opportunity gaps, create career pathways, and forge living-wage job connections for clients with diverse life experiences. Fox works with the LUL’s workforce development professionals to recruit and match applicants with employers who have identified talent and labor needs. Fox is an expert in the design and implementation of specialized training tailored to LUL’s clientele which enables the acquisition of the knowledge, skills, and self-awareness necessary for intellectual, professional, and personal growth.

Anita W. McGruder

Anita W. McGruder

Director, Human Resources

Anita focuses on the organization’s most important asset—its people. Advocating for staff development and training, and managing a comprehensive benefits program are among her priorities. She manages all aspects of the human resource department to assure that the League has an adequately trained and professional staff, competitive employee benefits, and compensation plan. As HR Manager, Anita is responsible for maintaining policies and reviewing to assure compliance and are administered appropriately.

Charnell Covert

Charnell Covert

Director, Youth Development & Education
Rhonda M. Mitchell, CFE, CRMA

Rhonda M. Mitchell, CFE, CRMA

Chief Risk Officer
Kevin Dunlap

Kevin Dunlap

REBOUND President & CEO
Angela R. Wilson, MSW

Angela R. Wilson, MSW

Director, Health Initiatives
Ebbony Page

Ebbony Page

Chief Development Officer

The Chief Development Officer will work closely with the President and Board of Directors in developing, communicating, executing, and sustaining strategic initiatives, and in the creation and implementation of an annual diversified fundraising plan. The Chief Development Officer leads staff and volunteers to institutionalize philanthropy and fund development within the organization. The annual fundraising plan will include major gifts, annual fund, planned giving, as well as corporate giving and targeted campaigns.

Lisa Thompson

Lisa Thompson

Chief Grants Compliance Officer
Peggy Bennett

Peggy Bennett

Executive Assistant to President/CEO

Peggy reports directly to the President and CEO, and provides executive support in a one-on-one working relationship. She is the primary point of contact for internal and external constituencies on all matters pertaining to the President. Peggy serves as a liaison to the board of directors and senior management teams; organizes and coordinates executive outreach and external relations efforts; and oversees special projects. She works independently on projects, from conception to completion, all while working under pressure at times to handle a wide variety of activities and confidential matters with discretion.