In the early 1900s, countless African-Americans sought refuge from the racial violence and economic hardship of the Jim Crow South by migrating to northern cities. This massive movement, known as the Great Migration, marked one of the most significant internal shifts in American history. It spurred the creation of new communities, institutions, and a renewed demand for justice.
In 1910, amidst this transformative period, the National Urban League was established in New York City. Its mission was to assist Black families in navigating the complexities of urban life and to secure their rightful place within the broader American society.
Fast forward more than a century, the National Urban League has revisited its beginnings with the unveiling of the Urban League Empowerment Center in Harlem. Harlem has long served as a central hub of cultural and political influence in Black America. This new center is far more than just a headquarters; it represents a $250 million commitment to equity, opportunity, and community-led progress.
The Empowerment Center exemplifies inclusive development, featuring 170 affordable housing units for families earning between 30% and 80% of the area’s median income. It will also house young adults from the New York Foundling’s program, who have aged out of the foster care system—a group often overlooked. By offering stable housing and essential services, the center aims to support these young adults as they transition into independent adulthood.
Additionally, the Center will provide retail and office spaces for minority-owned businesses and nonprofits, fostering a thriving community of entrepreneurship and service. This initiative is expected to stimulate over $300 million in economic activity, with a strong focus on employing local residents, women, and people of color. The development is purpose-driven, aiming to uplift the community rather than merely expand it.
The project’s impact extends beyond economic benefits. The planned Urban Civil Rights Museum in Harlem, set to open in 2026 as part of the U.S. 250th anniversary celebrations, will be New York City’s first museum dedicated to the American civil rights movement, with a particular emphasis on the struggles faced in Northern urban settings.
The museum’s mission is to interpret and share stories of justice and civil rights, offering immersive educational experiences that empower visitors to become agents of change. The museum will feature a permanent interactive installation, rotating exhibitions, and retail and café spaces. The museum has partnered with acclaimed firms Local Projects, Kubik Maltbie, and Pacific Studio to design its exhibitions and visual identity.
The Empowerment Center is home to other cultural institutions like the Studio Museum in Harlem, Virginia Union University, and the United Negro College Fund, preserving Harlem’s artistic legacy while nurturing the next generation of creators and leaders.
We have also built a 10,000-square-foot conference center for workforce development, civic engagement, and leadership training. This is where ideas will be born, where movements will be nurtured, and where the future of equity will be shaped. It is a space designed not just for meetings, but for momentum.
In today’s political climate, where civil rights protections are being rolled back and programs to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion are being dismantled, the Empowerment Center is a beacon. It is a declaration that we will not be erased, that our history matters, and that our communities deserve investment — not neglect.
The National Urban League has always been a bridge — between aspiration and achievement, between policy and people. This center strengthens that bridge. It connects Harlem’s storied past to its promising future. It connects our national mission to local impact. And it connects generations of struggle to generations of success.
We are proud to call Harlem home. But more importantly, we are proud to build something that belongs to Harlem. This is not just our headquarters — it is Harlem’s Empowerment Center. It is a place where residents can live, work, learn, and lead. It is a place where equity is not just a goal, but a reality.
As we open these doors, we invite the nation to witness what is possible when development is driven by values, when history is honored, and when community is placed at the center. The Urban League Empowerment Center is not the end of a journey — it is the beginning of a new chapter.
Let us write it together.
Morial is president and CEO of the National Urban League.
