History

The National Urban League’s history goes back to 1910 and was established to help train black social workers, and worked in various other ways to bring educational and employment opportunities to blacks. Its research into the problems blacks faced in employment opportunities, recreation, housing, health and sanitation, and education spurred the League's quick growth.

The Denver Metro Urban League was established in 1946 for the purpose of promoting the attainment of economic and social self-reliance among poor and disadvantaged African Americans. As one of 114 affiliates of the National Urban League, the agency serves as a liaison between the business community, city and county governments and other community-based organizations that share its concern for the welfare of the economically disadvantaged in Denver.

In the 1980’s and 1990’s, several Urban League affiliates recognized the need to prepare a new generation of young leaders to take the mantle of leadership of the civil rights movement. Young African American men and women in their 20’s and 30’s were invited to participate in and take an active leadership role in their local Affiliate Urban League programs and activities. The National Urban League Young Professionals (NULYP) was unveiled at the 1999 National Urban League Annual Conference in Houston, TX.

The Young Professionals auxiliary was started in Denver in 2006 to give young professionals support, access, and a community of camaraderie. We pride ourselves on community service and community engagement and try to keep our membership active in uplifting the community. The mission of the ULYPMD is to engage young professionals in the Urban League Movement towards the achievement of social and economic equality.

ULYPMD is an organization that believes in community, service, economic empowerment, and uplifting the next generation. Under the leadership of former President Eddie Koen, ULYPMD was able to win the 2013 National Day of Service award from the National Urban League. This set the tone for what our organization means to our community. In 2019 under the Leadership of President Brandon Bruce the Denver Urban League Young Professional's won the Western Regional Emerging Chapter of the Year Award from the National Urban League.

They continue to serve the Denver metro area with the motto WE’VE GOT NOW so GET EMPOWERED.