About Us
Missions & Overview
The Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts (ULEM) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and one of the oldest affiliates within the National Urban League movement. Since 1919, the doors opened to the at-large Boston community and surrounding metropolitan area residents, ULEM has been employing a multi-point strategy to deliver services and programs which aim to increase self-reliance, specifically in the area of workforce and economic development.
The mission of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts is to enable adults in Eastern MA to overcome racial, social barriers, economic inequities, sexual and domestic violence to employment and economic development opportunities. For 100 years, ULEM’s programs and services have given hope to participants and made a lasting, impactful statement in the community.
Focusing on this overarching goal leads us to provide opportunities for every person that walks through our door to realize economic empowerment through necessary- and mid-level skills training, certifications, internships, and job placements.
Offering programs and services at no cost to every participant, we facilitate an array of skills-training classes and workshops which cover a variety of job skills and expertise; servicing the unemployed and underemployed, and pull together resource from both the non-profit and corporate partners. All program participants receive case management services, inclusive of domestic/sexual violence victim awareness, and employment placement assistance. ULEM also operates an Employment Resource Center, which is available to anyone who needs computer access to attain employment.
The programs and services offered are supported by two annual projects: (1) Jobs Rebuild Boston Community Conference and Career Fair and (2) the Diversity & Inclusion Breakfast. Additional to the programs mentioned above, the League offers two auxiliary groups: the Urban League of Eastern MA Guild and the Young Professionals Network of the Urban League of Eastern MA, both groups have open membership, facilitate events and workshops and serve the community in alignment with ULEM’s mission and strategic goals.
Holistically, through the three channels, the ULEM – along with its auxiliaries: the ULEM Guild and YPN-ULEM – serves thousands of people annually.
Annual Events
Annually, ULEM honors its mission by hosting 3 signature events, our Annual Meeting, Equal Opportunity & Diversity Awards Breakfast, and Jobs Rebuild Boston Community Conference and Career Fair
Annual Meeting
ULEM host an annual meeting to share with the community the impact that has been made during the most recent fiscal year. We will celebrate collaboration with the many leaders throughout the community we serve and our many supporters and friends. If interested in receiving the most recent annual report, please send an email to development@ulem.org.
ULEM Equal Opportunity and Diversity Awards Breakfast
ULEM’s annual Equal Opportunity and Diversity Awards Breakfast is by far one of the most important events that provides unrestricted, financial support for daily operations. Specifically, the proceeds from the Breakfast supports our programs and overhead expenses, which can only be covered by unrestricted funding.
The awards Breakfast is held during the spring. It is always attended by corporate partners, community leaders, elected officials, the community at-large, our auxiliary memberships, and staff
Past corporate funders include Eastern Bank, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, State Street Corporation, UPS and several others.
Past awardees have been corporate champions, community activists and leaders, professional athletes, small business owners, and ULEM board members.
Past awardees have been corporate champions, community activists and leaders, professional athletes, small business owners, and ULEM board members.
If interested in volunteering for or attending the Breakfast, please send an email to development@ulem.org.
Jobs Rebuild Boston Community Conference and Career Fair (JRBCCC)
Hosted annually in early June, the Jobs Rebuild Boston Community Conference and Career Fair is composed of not only the traditional job fair employers, but also career workshops. On-site interviews and resume review is also offered. It is held in Roxbury and accessible by public transportation, affording greater accessibility to everyone in the surrounding community.
Past workshops include: Identifying Your Job Skills; Pathways to Apprenticeship in the Trade Unions; Social Media for the Job Seeker; Starting a Business Brand: a Primer Do and Don’t Workshop; and Your Money Matters! Making it Work for You! and several others.
Past employers include government agencies, major corporations, nonprofit organizations, and small businesses. If interested in the next Jobs Rebuild Boston Community Conference and Career Fair, please send an email to development@ulem.org and you will be added to our e-newsletter email list.