Minneapolis Urban League elects new chair and Board, will this change be only self serving?
Dear Readers,
Please read this press release carefully. Remember, your opinion counts.
MINNEAPOLIS, September 3, 2008 — The Minneapolis Urban League is pleased to announce that Catherine Wassberg, associate general counsel for Northwest Airlines, has been elected chairperson of its 24-member Board of Directors. The north Minneapolis-based non-profit also has elected seven new members to its board: Kenneth Charles, General Mills, Inc.; Roxanne Givens, ethnicHome, Inc.; Peter Hayden, Turning Point; Al McFarlane, McFarlane Media; Billy Russell, Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church; Kevin Wright, U.S Bank; and Leslie Wright, Minneapolis Marriott City Center.
As board chair, Wassberg will serve a one-year term and must be re-elected each year to the position. The new board members each will serve a three-year term. Wassberg and the new board members, along with the rest of the board, assumed their responsibilities this summer and were charged with leading the search for the organization’s permanent president/CEO. The entire board, which includes the interim president/CEO, will convene on September 24 at the Minneapolis Urban League’s Glover-Sudduth Center.
“Our chair and new members bring a wealth of experience and a set of established relationships with many of the communities we serve,” said David Oguamanam, interim president/CEO of the Minneapolis Urban League. “Their leadership will be crucial as we tackle the upcoming year’s objectives and define the goals and strategies that will determine our organization’s course for the next several years.”
About the Minneapolis Urban League
The Minneapolis Urban League is a community-based, not-for-profit organization that provides human services and advocacy that will enable African Americans and other diverse group members residing in the greater Minneapolis metropolitan area to cultivate and develop their individual and group potential on a par with all other Minnesotans. The organization provides a continuum of more than 20 programs and services, which operate from seven facilities throughout Minneapolis, and serves approximately 20,000 individuals and families so they can have access to quality employment, housing, health care, education and social services.
For more information about the Minneapolis Urban League, visit www.mul.org or call (612) 302-3100. The Minneapolis Urban League is headquartered at the Glover-Sudduth Center, 2100 Plymouth Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55411.
A Community Celebration in Honor of Clarence Hightower
Join us Tuesday, July 22, 2008 starting at 6:00 p.m., as we say farewell to a friend. Every once in a while, a person comes along who makes an impact in countless people’s lives.
Clarence Hightower is such a person.
Join the Minneapolis Urban League, Proactive Urban Initiatives and Front Street Public Relations for a Community Appreciation and Celebration for Mr. Clarence Hightower. The event will take place at the Minneapolis Urban League, Glover-Sudduth Center for Urban Affairs and Economic Development located at 2100 Plymouth Avenue North (corners of Penn Avenue and Plymouth Avenue N.), dinner will be provided and you are encouraged to reserve your individual ticket or table of 8 by calling Mr. Todd Barnes at (612) 302-3180. There is no cost to attend this event and community is welcomed to attend.
About Mr. Clarence Hightower:
Hightower, who had indicated his intention to explore his options after completing the agency’s 10-year strategic plan, told his staff and the MUL Board of Directors that he greatly appreciated the opportunity to work for the most important organization he’s ever been a part of and with some of the most dedicated social service professionals in the nonprofit sector. Hightower is proud of his tenure with the Urban League, noting that ten years ago, when first charged with implementing a strategic plan that called for the League to launch the first capital campaign in its history, he was determined to carry it out with distinction. The outcome was the construction of the Glover Sudduth Center for Economic Development and Urban Affairs on the north side, and the Sharon Sayles Belton Community Services Center on the south side. Both new centers have created a better atmosphere for staff, program participants, and the community.
Hightower helped the organization to restructure internally, which created a stronger focus on marketing. As a result, the Urban League is marketed in a way that it had not been before. There is now a higher visibility of the work of the Minneapolis Urban League, and the impact that it continues to have on its constituents and the city as a whole.
Just recently Mr. Hightower worked with the Board of Directors to complete a new Strategic Plan that will chart the course for the Minneapolis Urban League through December 31, 2011. “Although there is no perfect time, transition gives us the opportunity to change and grow. I will be leaving an organization that is sound and has a clear direction for its future,” says Hightower.
Hightower met this morning (June 24, 2008) with the League’s Executive Committee to thank them for their support over the years. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Chair Clayton Tyler offered the following statement: “The Board of Directors is deeply saddened by the resignation of Clarence Hightower. He has been an able steward of the Urban League for the past 10 years and has achieved many great accomplishments, among them an outstandingly successful capital campaign.” Vice Chair Cathy Wassberg stated: “The skills and energy that Clarence Hightower brought to the Minneapolis Urban League have been a tremendous asset and contributed immeasurably to our status as a premier service and advocacy organization. We wish him well in this next chapter of his life.” Tyler added that the Board will look forward to working with Mr. Hightower in the transition as they begin the task of identifying a new President/CEO.
Hightower will leave the Minneapolis Urban League after July 31 to assume the position of Executive Director with the Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties.
It’s Offical, Minneapolis Urban League President/CEO is Leaving
Offical Release provided by Lisa Bryant, Director of Communications/PR MUL
MINNEAPOLIS, June 24, 2008 — Ten years after taking over the position of President/CEO of the Minneapolis Urban League, Clarence Hightower today announced his resignation. Hightower will leave the Minneapolis Urban League after July 31 to assume the position of Executive Director with the Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties.
Hightower, who had indicated his intention to explore his options after completing the agency’s 10-year strategic plan, told his staff and the MUL Board of Directors that he greatly appreciated the opportunity to work for the most important organization he’s ever been a part of and with some of the most dedicated social service professionals in the nonprofit sector. Hightower is proud of his tenure with the Urban League, noting that ten years ago, when first charged with implementing a strategic plan that called for the League to launch the first capital campaign in its history, he was determined to carry it out with distinction. The outcome was the construction of the Glover Sudduth Center for Economic Development and Urban Affairs on the north side, and the Sharon Sayles Belton Community Services Center on the south side. Both new centers have created a better atmosphere for staff, program participants, and the community.
Hightower helped the organization to restructure internally, which created a stronger focus on marketing. As a result, the Urban League is marketed in a way that it had not been before. There is now a higher visibility of the work of the Minneapolis Urban League, and the impact that it continues to have on its constituents and the city as a whole.
Just recently Mr. Hightower worked with the Board of Directors to complete a new Strategic Plan that will chart the course for the Minneapolis Urban League through December 31, 2011. “Although there is no perfect time, transition gives us the opportunity to change and grow. I will be leaving an organization that is sound and has a clear direction for its future,” says Hightower.
Hightower met this morning with the League’s Executive Committee to thank them for their support over the years. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Chair Clayton Tyler offered the following statement: “The Board of Directors is deeply saddened by the resignation of Clarence Hightower. He has been an able steward of the Urban League for the past 10 years and has achieved many great accomplishments, among them an outstandingly successful capital campaign.” Vice Chair Cathy Wassberg stated: “The skills and energy that Clarence Hightower brought to the Minneapolis Urban League have been a tremendous asset and contributed immeasurably to our status as a premier service and advocacy organization. We wish him well in this next chapter of his life.” Tyler added that the Board will look forward to working with Mr. Hightower in the transition as they begin the task of identifying a new President/CEO.
Breaking News…Minneapolis Urban League President Clarence Hightower Resigns!
Breaking News…Minneapolis, MN. June 24, 2008 - In a shocking turn of events Minneapolis Urban League President/CEO Mr. Clarence Hightower resigned from the Minneapolis Urban League as its President/CEO. Details are not known why the local icon has decided to leave his post at the Minneapolis Urban League.
As details are forwarded to us we will keep you informed.
