Urban League Says it's Dead

URBAN LEAGUE SAYS IT'S DEAD, CLOSING FRIDAY.
NATIONAL ORGANIZATION WAS SEVERING ITS TIES
By Anthony J. Gottschlich, Springfield News-Sun
April 23, 2002

The Springfield Urban League and Community Center will close Friday, the nonprofit organization's executive director said Monday.

Donna Brino-Blackwell said 16 employees will be laid off and the League's programs, for the most part, will cease.

"Everything happens for a reason," said Brino-Blackwell, 46, who has directed the League since 1991.

She said the remaining four board members will lay her off by April 30 _ "because I'd done nothing wrong to be terminated" _ and then resign themselves.

Friday could be the end of the League's four-decade existence in Springfield.

Brino-Blackwell's announcement followed a statement released earlier in the day by National Urban League officials, who said they planned to cut off its affiliation with the Springfield League next month, pending approval by the national group's board of trustees.

The decision is based on the failure of Brino-Blackwell and her board to correct troubles identified by the National League more than a year ago, national officials said in a press release. The troubles involve operational, financial and board-governance issues, the statement said.

"Our hearts go out to the affiliate staff and volunteers who dedicated time and energy into serving their community, and we empathize with a community that will likely feel a great void as well," said Annelle Lewis, the national organization's senior vice president for affiliate development.

Brino-Blackwell said she was disappointed by the national League's decision, but not surprised by it. She declined to comment on the national group's charges, saying, "I'm trying to reach national myself."

According to the press release, Springfield can continue to have an Urban League presence here, "perhaps through another Ohio-based affiliate." But that would be up to the community and the League's current and former funding sources.

Local officials weren't surprised by the news Monday. They expressed hope that at least the League's mission would remain here.

"I think it's important there be an agency in Clark County that represents an Urban-League type of mission and help for the minority community," said Doug Lineberger, executive director of the United Way of Clark and Champaign Counties. "Whether or not it is an Urban League remains to be seen."

The consensus at a town hall meeting Saturday at City Hall was that Springfield wants and needs an Urban League.

Tony Hutchins, the local attorney who ran the meeting, said Monday he hopes national League officials will modify their position so Springfield can maintain an Urban League here with some local control.

"We've always preferred that it be an independent entity, but we are open to all the possible discussions that need to take place, not just with the national Urban League, but with the funding sources as well to see what the issues are and the best way to be viable in the long term," said Hutchins, who represents a group of clergy concerned about the League.

Hutchins is compiling a list of community members to assess the Urban League's situation, get names of possible new board members and evaluate the effectiveness of Urban League programs. Identified community members include former Springfield mayors Robert Burton and Dale Henry, former Springfield Police Chief Roger Evans and former Urban League board members James Qualls, Lymon Alexander and Colleen Buscemi, among others.

Hutchins expects the committee to meet with funding sources soon. He also said the Dayton Urban League could become a key ally in the process.

Dayton Urban League Executive Director Willie Walker could not be reached for comment.

"We got our work cut out between now and next month," Hutchins said.

In the meantime, Lineberger said the United Way is willing to help ensure there's no disruption in services at the Craig House, the League's homeless shelter at 1417 S. Limestone St.

Brino-Blackwell said she's confident the League's troubles can be turned around. She wants to help with the transition between the existing operation and the new local group poised to take over.

"I'm sure there's a way that this can be worked out with the national (organization) and with the local constituency," she said. "I stand ready to meet with anyone."

She said some of her staff are willing to stay on as volunteers in the meantime.

Brino-Blackwell joined the Urban League as a volunteer in 1987. She later became a secretary and then assistant to then-executive director Charles Nesbitt. When Nesbitt resigned in 1991, the board promoted Brino-Blackwell to interim director. The board removed ``interim'' from her title in March 1992.

"I've been judged for sure, but I wish I'd be judged on my work," Brino-Blackwell said.

"What's important is this: The Urban League is bigger than any one person or any group."

The nonprofit, tax-exempt Urban League was founded in 1963 to empower African-Americans and promote racial, economic and social equality. The League has worked over the years to provide shelter for the homeless, assistance to crime victims, job-placement services and other programs for the needy.

In February this year, the Springfield News-Sun began a series of stories detailing the League's financial mismanagement, contract violations with its funders, program problems and debts.

The league has lost the bulk of its funding from several key sources since then, including the Clark County Department of Job and Family Services, the United Way of Clark and Champaign Counties and the Eastern Miami Valley Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board.

Leslie Dunbar, the national League's spokeswoman, said the national group doesn't have the power to remove the local League's administration or board of trustees because each affiliate is its own corporation.

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