Young Professionals

The Lorain County Urban League Young Professionals

The Young Professionals is an auxiliary organization dedicated to bringing the next generation of leaders into the Urban League movement. Founded in 2003, our members believe in economic and social parity, and are working hard to develop proactive and innovative resolutions to the challenges our society faces. Our goal is to introduce young professionals to public service activities while providing social events that will attract other young professionals to the Lorain County community. We are looking forward to an exciting upcoming year and we want to ensure that we have committed individuals to help us accomplish our goals.

We are apart of the National Urban League Young Professionals (NULYP), which serves as an umbrella over dozens of Urban League Young Professional chapters in cities across the country. Through these chapters, thousands of members, ages varying between the ages of 21 to 45, work to advance the Urban League agenda through corporate, social and community activism. We are also an active part of the Ohio Urban League Young Professionals which is comprised of Ohio Urban League Young Professional Chapters.

LCULYP's mission is to provide community service and social programs that carry out the five point empowerment agenda of the National Urban League as well as assist the local affiliate with accomplishing programming goals. In addition, our goal is to promote corporate involvement in the Lorain County community by creating partnerships with corporations and recruiting members from these companies. Please see the agenda below.

Education and Youth Empowerment: Ensuring that all of our children are well educated and prepared for economic self-reliance in the 21st century. LCULYP works with LCUL's youth programs and Parity to provide role models and mentors for youth in the community.

Economic Empowerment: Empowering all people in attaining economic self-sufficiency through job training, good jobs, homeownership, entrepreneurship and wealth accumulation.

Health and Quality of Life Empowerment: Working to build healthy and safe communities to eliminate health disparities through prevention, healthy eating, fitness, as well as ensuring complete access to affordable healthcare for all people.

Civic Engagement and Leadership Empowerment: Empowering all people to take an active role in determining the direction, quality of life, public policy and leadership in their communities by full participation as citizens and voters, as well as through active community service and leadership development.

Civil Rights and Racial Justice Empowerment: Promoting and ensuring our civil rights by actively working to eradicate all barriers to equal participation in all aspects of American society, whether political, economic, social, educational or cultural.

For More information on Lorain County Urban League's Young Professionals send inquiries to barnold@lcul.org


2008-2009 Officers

President: Azuree Morris-Smith
Realtor-Lake Realty

Azuree Morris-Smith has become a well-known personality in the real estate industry, having negotiated numerous complex residential real estate transactions. She also presents home buying and predatory lending workshops and seminars for numerous non-profit organizations

Azuree Morris-Smith has an impressive academic portfolio -- she holds a BA in Political Science from Fisk University and a MEd. in Human Resource Development from the Vanderbilt University. In addition, she is currently working on her Teaching Licensure. She enthusiastically serves her community with involvement in several organizations and charities. She is also Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated and Member of the Word Church in Warrensville Heights, Ohio. Her personal mantra is "I Can Do All Things through Christ Who Strengthens Me" Azuree Morris-Smith resides in Lakewood, Ohio with her husband Attorney Shimane K. Smith.

Secretary: Seat Is Open

Treasurer: Minister Angela Lee
Administrative Asst. Community Foundation

Minister Angela Lee has joined the Young Professional with a desire to help empower the youth of Lorain County. Minister Lee has worked with youth for over 16 years. Minister Lee is a Youth Pastor at Way of Escape Ministries in Cleveland, OH. Angela is a dynamic speaker and mother of three beautiful children, Lydia, Alania and Gregory. She is employed with The Community Foundation of Lorain County.

MEMBERSHIP: Because we understand the economy and it's stresses, we are offering through the end of the year, free membership to the Lorain County Urban League Young Professionals Organization. For an application and brief interview with one of the officers, please fill out the attached application and email to barnold@lcul.org.

SPONSORS AND VOLUNTEERS needed for Ohio ULYP Conference for more information contact alee@peoplewhocare.org.

Events/Activities/Conferences

Regular Meetings - Every 2nd Saturday of the Month (Call 440-310-0227 for more information on locations)

October 24th–25th, 2009 - Ohio Urban League Young Professional Assoc. Conference - Featured Guest Senator Ray Miller.
For ticket/table/sponsorship, contact:
          Benita Arnold-President (440)-342-2250
          Azuree Morris-Smith-Vice President (216)374-0548
          Lorain County Urban League, Fred Wright 440-323-3364 Ext. 23 or 440-635-3133