The Urban League of Portland was established in 1945 as an affiliate of the National Urban League. It is a non-profit, community-based organization whose mission has been to "enable African Americans to secure economic self-reliance, parity and power, and civil rights". The League has emphasized educational opportunity for African Americans and other youth, advocated for fair housing laws, and offered employment assistance.
The Urban League of Portland Records consist of records generated by the League and its board, officers, staff, and affiliated organizations. The records document the administration of the organization and reflect the League's outreach to the community through various programs and activities, fund-raising, interaction with the National Urban League, and African American life in Portland. The subject files constitute the bulk of these materials and include information regarding housing, history of the League, minorities in business, urban renewal programs, various events and programs, education, and different League centers and services. The reports include annual and presidential reports as well as reports on race relations in Portland, African American children in Portland, and Northeast Portland neighborhood revitalization. The publications include League newsletters, brochures, and reports on various topics from the National Urban League office and branches in other cities. The records include constitutions and bylaws, committee information, correspondence, financial statements, surveys, event materials and press releases, meeting minutes, newspaper clippings, photograph albums, photographs, posters, scrapbooks, sound recordings, videotapes, award plaques, and a building plaque.
The photographs include prints, negatives, slides, and digital photographs and are only minimally arranged and described. The images, which date from the 1940s to 2005, depict League meetings, League representatives meeting with Oregon politicians, community events, League directors and board members, and League staff at National Urban League conferences. The images also document League outreach events such as job fairs, activities at the Multicultural Senior Center, programs at Okley Green Middle School, and fields trips for students to Willamette University and other locations. Many of the photographs are arranged chronologically.
The videotapes and sound recordings primarily document League events such as conference presentations, annual dinners, workshops, and award ceremonies in the 1990s, with a few recordings made in the 1980s. The sound recordings also include public service announcements and broadcasts of radio programs.
Collection is open for research.
The Urban League of Portland Records are arranged in 3 subgroups: Subgroup 1. Records, 1910-2014; Subgroup 2. Photographs and Visual Materials, 1945-2005; and Subgroup 3. Audio and Video Materials, 1962-2003. Subgroup 1 (Records) consists of 8 series: 1. Administration, 1947-2010; 2. Committees, 1947-2009; 3. Correspondence, 1977-1998; 4. Financials, 1951-2004; 5. Meeting Minutes, 1945-2003; 6. Newspaper Clippings, 1944-2013; 7. Reports and Publications, 1940-2014; and 8. Subject Files, 1910-2013. Subgroup 2 (Photographs and Visual Materials) consists of 4 series: 1. Photographs, 1945-2005; 2. Posters, 1997-1999; 3. Scrapbooks and Photograph Albums, 1991-1996; and 4. Plaques, 1984-1990. Subgroup 3 (Audio and Video Materials) consists of 2 series: 1. Video, 1981-2003 and 2. Audio, 1962-1998.
Urban League of Portland Records (MSS UrbanLeague), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.
The records were donated by the Urban League of Portland to the University Archives and the Special Collections & Archives Research Center in several accessions from 2007 through 2014.
This collection is a component of the
See also:
Subgroup 1 consists of records assembled by the Urban League of Portland and created by the Urban League of Portland, the National Urban League, affiliates thereof, and community organizations. These materials include
newspaper clippings, correspondence, and reports and publications. A few photographs are also dispersed throughout. The majority of these files reflect the organization's actions and missions both internally and
externally, leadership, programs, projects, centers, issues, and its interaction with the community. The bulk of the materials are from the 1940s through early 2000s. Meeting minutes, newsletters, reports,
constitutions, and memos are available
Series 1 consists of information pertaining to the Urban League of Portland's Board of Directors. Materials include correspondence, membership lists, member evaluations, guideline packets, and official statements. Both board members and staff are represented in this series. While several specific staff members are highlighted, there is also information pertaining to staff members in general and evaluations thereof. The Administration records also consist of organizational charts, handbooks, constitutions, and resolutions. The materials in this series were produced both by the Urban League of Portland and the National Urban League. The Urban League of Portland also created a handbook that provides information on the CEO, the organization's structure, and position descriptions for staff.
includes 27 photographs
Series 2 consists of the records of external and internal committees. The external committees are those outside the Urban League organization with which the Urban League of Portland participated, was a member, or collaborated. In some cases, the files for external committees consist solely of information that the Urban League gathered, such as for the House Un-American Activities Committee. The internal committees were established by the Urban League of Portland or the National Urban League. The internal committee records document the Equal Opportunities Day Dinner, nominations, membership drives, and administration and functioning of the organization.
Series 3 consists of correspondence to and from the Urban League of Portland, the National Urban League, and several Urban League Affiliates. Topics include finances, the Equal Opportunities Day Dinner, resignations, meeting notices, and threats to the Urban League.
Series 4 consists of the Urban League of Portland's financial information, including grants, donor information, scholarship recipients, scholarship funds, account ledgers, financial statements, and audits.
Series 5 consists of meeting minutes from the Urban League of Portland's Board of Directors, who met monthly. The dates of these meeting minutes range from 1945 to 1949 and 1964 to 2003. Most of the materials in this series are the actual meeting minutes. However, meeting agendas are also included in these materials.
Series 6 consists of newspaper clippings collected by the Urban League of Portland. Most of these materials are arranged by decade. Some of the files are arranged by subject, as organized by Urban League staff. Topics include black cultural leaders, the organization itself, athletics, and issues of concern for communities of color.
Primarily clippings from the mid-1950s.
Original folder titles are used and enclosed in quotation marks.
Series 7 consists of publications in the forms of bulletins, newsletters, pamphlets, and proposals. The producers of these materials include the National Urban League, the Urban League of Portland, other Urban League branches, and community clubs and organizations. The reports include internal and external reports that reflect topics ranging from routine updates, the goals of the CEO, social and economic problems, and race relations.
Series 8 consists of information regarding the Urban League of Portland's centers and conferences held and attended by the National Urban League and the Portland branch. A substantial amount of material in this series pertains to the Urban League of Portland's events. Materials include fund-raising information, memos, flyers, reports, and newspaper clippings. Issues the Urban League community faces along with the topics of health and housing are reflected in brochures, informational packets, legislative materials, write-ups, correspondence, and newspaper clippings. Series 8 also reflects programs/projects of the League, historical information, and community and internal surveys. Some materials encompass external programs and organizations. The bulk of the records are for the 1940s thru 1990s.
9 photographs
Subgroup 2 consists of photographs and other visual materials, including scrapbooks, posters, and plaques documenting the programs and activities of the Urban League of Portland.
Series 1 consists of approximately 6,200 photographic prints, 900 film negatives, 358 digital photographs, 30 slides, and 30 collages. This series is only minimally arranged and described. Some of the photographs
are arranged by date; others by topic; and others by format. Topics include personnel, meetings, activities and programs, and buildings. A selection of the photographs are available online in the
Photographs by Nancy McKurlens (sp?).
Digital photographs of this program are available for viewing in the Reading Room.
Includes 30 collages of photographic prints.
These digital photographs are available for viewing in the Reading Room.
These images of individuals attending the annual dinner include Harold C. Williams and the following individuals from Oregon State University: President Ed Ray, Phyllis Lee, and Teryl Ross.
These images document outreach activities at the Oakley Green Middle School. Photographic prints and film negatives of these images are available in box-folder 22.6.
Series 2 consists of 5 laminated posters and newspaper headlines, 50 "Gifts of the Elders" informational sheets, 4 unlamenated posters, and 4 stationary mockups. Some of the items are undated.
Series 3 consists of both bound and loose-leaf scrapbooks and photograph albums that include about 900 photographs. In addition to photographs, the scrapbooks include newsletters, collages of photographs, and memorabilia. Descriptions are included for some of the photographs. Urban League of Portland personnel, renovations, and events are reflected in these scrapbooks.
Series 4 consists of 4 items including 3 Certificates of Appreciation awarded to the Urban League of Portland by the African American Festival, One Church One Child, and the Bureau of the Census. This series also includes a plaque dedicated to the Urban Plaza by the Urban League of Portland.
Subgroup 3 consists of video and sound recordings produced by the National Urban League and the Urban League of Portland as well as outside producers that document the Urban League. Topics include conferences, events, promos, service centers, interviews, and annual dinners. Running times for video and audio recordings are provided with descriptions of the items.
Series 1 consists of 125 video recordings produced by the National Urban League, the Urban League of Portland, other Urban League Affiliates, and outside producers. Topics include conferences, special events such as the annual Urban League Dinner and the Equal Opportuniy Day Dinner, interviews, family and race relations, youth employment, and schools. The series includes duplicate DVDs, made in about 2010 by the University Archives. Portions of several of the video recordings are available online. Links are provided from the individual descriptions to the streaming video. The bulk of the videos are VHS format; U-matic, Betacam and DVDs are also included.
VHS, Advertisement for Kellog's cereal with the National Urban League's summer baseball footage. (0:01:00)
VHS, Discusses the reasons for changing the mission statement to "Our Children = Our Future." (0:14:00)
VHS, Over 2,000 youth across America are inducted into the Thurgood Marshall Achievers Society, Metropolitan Baptist Church, Washington, DC. (0:28:00)
VHS, Interview of newly elected NUL President, John E Jacob, by Coy Eklund. December 17, 1981 (0:30:30)
VHS, Oseola McCarty gives her own savings to help young Urban League students. November 14, 1995 (0:10:00)
VHS, National Urban League President speaks. January 20, 1994 (1:03:00)
VHS, Footage taken at workshops and other events at a National Urban League Youth Conference, meant to provide youth with exposure to various cultures. (0:17:00)
VHS, Highlights from the 1991 National Urban League Conference on Making a Difference in the 1990's. (2:00:00)
U-matic, Annual Conference, Washington, D.C.
VHS, Keynote Speech from the 1993 Annual Conference, Washington, D.C. August, 1993 (0:25:00)
VHS, Footage from the 1993 National Urban League Conference. August, 1993 (0:30:00)
VHS, "Making the Transition," Civil rights challenges are discussed in the keynote speeches, Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. August, 4, 1993 (0:50:00)
VHS, Keynote Speaker, Hugh B. Price. August 11, 1996 (0:53:00)
VHS, Introductions, Hugh B. Price, 6:00pm. August 11, 1996 (2:00:00)
VHS, Keynote Speaker Kweisi Mfume, "Political Action Now for the 21st Century Results." August 14, 1996 (0:39:00)
VHS, Reverend Kirbyjohn Caldwell, Family Session, relaxed. July 29, 2001 (2:40:00)
U-matic, February, 1995
U-matic, February, 1995
VHS, Jaki Walker remodels older homes for those with very low income; President of Linfield College increases minorities' communities and students' freedom of speech. February, 1995 (0:07:21)
VHS, (0:10:50)
VHS, News profiles. (0:26:24)
VHS, Urban League of Portland, Sheds light on the positive achievements blacks have made. March 18, 1998 (0:15:46)
VHS, Overview of the Toyota Training Center. (0:12:57)
VHS, AAMCP talks about how African American males are portrayed in the media. (0:20:10)
VHS (0:23:46). Documentary created by ten local eighth graders about African American history in Portland. Danica Fierman ws project organizer for the Youth Black History Committee. Kim Moreland, Portland History Specialist, was narrator. Includes interview with community members Laura Jenkins and Susie Stokes.
VHS, A bingo game with the Blazers and Seniors at the Urban League of Portland's Senior Center. October, 1997 (1:16:47)
VHS, Adult graduation ceremony, raw footage. (1:45:35)
VHS, An informational video about mushroom pickers and how the US Forest Service attempts to help them. (0:10:14 )
VHS, Nike teaches students business skills and how to be positive and affective workers. (0:05:56)
Betacam, PSA. November 2, 1993 (0:01:00)
VHS, KOIN-TV covers Career Connections event at the Urban League of Portland. (0:01:00)
U-matic, African American Male Connection Program. (0:20:00)
VHS, Cityscope talks about the Urban League of Portland's Rainbow Center. (0:08:22)
VHS, Workshops from day 1 of the Urban League Conference. August 26, 1994(0:56:48)
VHS, Workshops from day 2 of the Urban League of Portland Conference. August 27, 1994 (1:13:13)
VHS, Highlights from the Urban League of Portland Conference. August 26, 1994 (1:51:25)
VHS, PSA for the family support center. August 30, 1990 (0:00:30)
Reel to Reel, PSA, January 20, 1992 - February 11, 1992 (0:00:30)
VHS, PSA, January 20, 1992 - February 11, 1992 (0:00:30)
DVD (1 of 2) duplicate of VHS recording of July 1992 Annual Dinner (item 43).
DVD (2 of 2) duplicate of VHS recording of July 1992 Annual Dinner (item 43).
VHS; recorded and produced by Paragon Cable (2:00:00). Recording of Annual Dinner on July 9, 1992 with the theme of "Celebration of our Youth: Youth Revitalization in Our Community".
DVD (1 of 2) duplicate of VHS recording of February 1993 Equal Opportunity Day Dinner (item 46).
DVD (2 of 2) duplicate of VHS recording of February 1993 Equal Opportunity Day Dinner (item 46).
VHS; recorded and produced by Paragon Cable; February 1993 (1:42:00). E. Shelton Hill, longtime Director of the Urban League of Portland, from 1956 to 1973, died several days before the event. Recording
includes footabe of Gina Wood, Master of Ceremonies;
VHS, News Coverage of awards. (0:11:00)
U-matic, Edna Robertson, Fred Stickel, Ed Jenson.
U-matic, February 20, 1996 (0:07:00)
VHS; speech footage; February 22, 1996 (1:50:00). The theme was "Building Communities through Education, Employment, and Equality". The program included a video of the Urban League of Portland missions near
the end of the dinner event.
VHS; recorded and produced by Paragon Cable; July 10, 1996 (1:02:00). The theme was "The Celebration of our Youth".
VHS, July 10, 1996 (1:56:00)
DVD (1 of 2) duplicate of VHS recording of February 1996 Equal Opportunity Dinner (items 50 and 56).
DVD (2 of 2) duplicate of VHS recording of February 1996 Equal Opportunity Dinner (items 50 and 56).
DVD duplicate of VHS recording of July 1996 Annual Dinner (items 51-52).
VHS, Unedited footage from the Urban League of Portland's Equal Opportunity Dinner. February 22, 1996 (2:01:00) See description of item 50 for contents of the recording. DVD duplicates of this recording are available in the collection (items 53-54).
VHS, speeches (1:12:00)
Advertisements for the Urban League of Portland's Equal Opportunities Day Dinner. (0:01:00)
U-matic, February 7, 1989
VHS, A video that attempts to get youth to think deeply about racism in the USA. (0:25:11)
VHS, News reel about grandparents taking on the role of parents. August 1, 1994 (0:01:53)
VHS, Talking with Grandparents about how to support their families if they are raising their grandchildren. May 16, 1995 (0:14:20)
VHS, Ron Wyden attends a Grandparents meeting to hear what their concerns are and address some of them. October 20, 1994 (0:44:50)
VHS, A panel of Grandmothers talk about their lives and tricks to raising their grandchildren. (0:28:05)
Urban League of Portland ad requesting people to sign up and be sponsors for children in need of help. (0:01:30)
VHS, Clips include setting up for the Hand in Hand events at Clackamas Elementary School, the actual assembly, the events afterward, Channel 6 news coverage thereof, Hand in Hand advertisements, and instructional clips of how to help babies learn. (1:09:00)
VHS, 2 different PSAs that urge parents to take part in child's education. (0:01:20)
VHS, English PSAs repeated 3 times, 1 Spanish version, stars Meryl Streep, urges parents to take part in their child's education. August 9, 1996 (0:01:60)
VHS, Presentation about the Urban League of Portland's homeless program. June 12, 1987 (0:11:00)
Betacam, Don McClave, Bobby Nunn, Hill. September, 1995
Betacam, H.J. Belton Hamilton, Rabbi Emanuel Rose, Kevin Fuller. September, 1995
Betacam, Joy Pruitt, John Holly, Donnie Adair, Myrtle Carr, L. Dark, Barb O'Hare. September, 1995
VHS, Interview with those working at the Urban League of Portland's Adult Employment Center; Lelia, Donna, Nationwide. (0:42:22)
VHS, Urban League of Portland's Center for Career Development interview. (0:30:40)
VHS, Leah Dumas is using the Urban League of Portland's Employment Center to look for a job. (0:32:42)
Interview with Myron Clark and his employer. (0:32:49)
Interview with Myron Clark. (0:32:42)
(0:18:59)
VHS, An attorney says that a CSD has the right to adopt a grandchild when the parents are unable to provide enough support for their children. (2:03:00 )
VHS, Illustrate how books can be used to build "bridges" between people in order to keep families together. (1:48:00 )
VHS, Panel discussion about what is breaking families apart and/or keeping them from reconnecting. (1:58:00 )
VHS, Workshop on keeping families together, talk about how to help children get out of the adoption system. (1:02:00 )
VHS, (0:52:00) (1:02:00 )
VHS, Dr. Lenora Poe discusses her struggles with raising her daughter. January 5, 1985 (0:47:00 )
VHS, Discusses the purpose of a Kwanza celebration, adult and senior services center. December 30, 1994 (1:11:06)
VHS, Summit explaining how to use technology for leadership, Dr. Darrell Tufuku. October 12, 1995 (1:26:00)
VHS, Informational video about Les Brown, Brown gives a motivational speech. (2:11:46)
VHS (0:12:20)
VHS, Video inviting those in need of help to come and join the Urban League. April 24, 1991 (0:01:05)
VHS, Video of clients. March 6, 1996 (0:06:50)
VHS, December 23, 1996 (0:05:35)
VHS, Recording of Metro Beat, discuss civil rights in the Portland area, mention Urban League of Portland. July 12, 1992 (1:59:03)
VHS, A fair for seniors at the Urban League of Portland's Senior center to display foreign cultures. (0:10:27)
VHS, informational video about the Namaste Conference Center just outside portland (0:04:20)
VHS, Interview with Lawrence Dark and students of the program. September 18, 1996 (01:00:00)
VHS, Nike advertisement race relations. May 21, 1992 (0:01:00 )
VHS, Pastor Tellis, a volunteer at the Urban League of Portland talks about the League. February 19, 2011 (0:29:40 )
VHS, Promote the support of groups fighting for peace across the globe. (0:24:24)
VHS, Rules of Measure 11 are outlined for youth in this information video. (0:08:07)
VHS, Informational video about the Urban League of Portland's One Stop Career Center and other job application centers (0:20:50)
VHS, Informational video about the struggles of caring for children when all of the parents in the household work outside the home. (0:16:05)
VHS, November 4, 1991 (0:06:28)
VHS, Private fundraising drive and march to support public schools in Portland. October 21, 1996
VHS recorded and produced by Paragon Cable (1:00:36). Presents research on poverty and urban sprawl. Minnesota State Representative, Myron Orfields, presents data comparing povery and urban sprawl for the Portland metro area and a Minnesota metro area.
VHS, John Powell talks at the Urban League about how, in order to change any system, we must understand it's core objective. October 28, 1997 (1:16:57 )
VHS, "One Goal," "We're Asking," "Walk the Walk," recruitment Videos for the Corporation for National Service. (0:14:17)
VHS, Video about sexual activity and AIDS among teenagers. (0:32:39 )
VHS, Informational video about the Regional Drug Initiative, praising it for bringing all concerned parties to the table. January 29, 1998 (0:11:10 )
VHS, Informational Video about Job Corps and how it helps students. (0:13:08 )
(0:06:33)
VHS, The STRIVE program is discussed and presented in this episode of 60 Minutes. May 4, 1997 (0:026:05 )
VHS, Music video about the summer youth program. (0:17:11)
VHS, Music video about the summer youth program (0:09:13)
VHS, Video explaining why math and science should be taught in completely interactive environments. (0:57:26 )
VHS, Discussion about the treatment of gays, bisexuals, and lesbians with the New Harvest Foundation and how the Foundation is helping these groups of individuals. (0:14:32 )
VHS, October 14, 1997 (0:03:13)
VHS, (0:54:06)
VHS, ways to help put family back together (0:17:08)
VHS, Informational video about the ULPDX and the services it provides. (0:22:22)
U-matic (0:05:00)
VHS; (0:10:43). A short documentary, prepared by IBEX Communication, on the U.S. Forest Service's Urban Ranger Project to expose urban youth to the National Forests. The video documents the participation of urban youth in programs to learn about the environment outside of their neighborhood and home and careers such as natural resources.
VHS, Video about what one should consider when contemplating a job and why someone should consider joining the Forest Service. (0:10:36 )
VHS, Review of how 1997 welfare reforms could impact a fictional family. (0:29:31)
VHS, Mission Video for the Los Angeles Urban League. (0:14:44 )
VHS, Pictures and Video of youth participating in sports. April 2003 - October 2003 (0:31:00 )
Series 2 consists of 27 audiocassette tapes and 3 reel-to-reel sound recordings. The majority of the recordings are of speeches given at the National Urban League Conferences in 1991-1994. For the events and membership drives, the sound recordings are primarily promotional radio advertisements.
Promo (00:00:30)
3 promos, (00:00:30) each
(00:01:00)
(00:01:00)
Promo (00:00:50)
Speakers: J. Jerome Harris, Irving S. Hamer, Jr.
Honored: Richard W. Riley, Evelyn K. Moons, Cornel West
Alvin F. Pouissant
Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Mayor Sharon P. Kelly
Inspiration Message: Reverend Cecil Williams
Randall L. Tobias
30 minutes each side
Southwest Media Productions, 28 minutes
aired on KBOO
4 promos, (00:00:30) each
James Brown, one minute spot announcement