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Los Angeles Urban League

Parent Organization: National Urban League
Website:

laul.org/
Location:

Los Angeles, CA
Tax ID:

95-1691288
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2020):

Revenue: $2,550,978
Expenses: $2,399,423
Assets: $1,195,574
President:

Michael Lawson
Budget (2021):

Revenue: $3,576,676
Expenses: $3,029,111
Assets: $1,383,033 1

References

  1. Los Angeles Urban League. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Part I. 2021.

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Los Angeles Urban League (LA Urban League) is the local chapter of the National Urban League, a left-of-center nonprofit that supports the Black Lives Matter movement, abortion rights, affirmative action, and targeted welfare spending for specific racial groups. 1

Background

Los Angeles Urban League was formed in 1921 as the local chapter of the National Urban League, an organization founded in 1911 to address the needs of African Americans who migrated from the south to urban centers throughout the country for work. 2 Over time, the organization began to support more general welfare spending policies, including President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society programs, 3 as well as policies that provided privileged access to resources and opportunities for African Americans. The National Urban League labeled them in 1963 a “more than equal” program necessary to promote “racial justice.” 4

Advocacy

Black Lives Matter

Michael Lawson, the president of the Los Angeles Urban League, has stated on the organization’s blog that the organization “stands in solidarity with” the left-of-center Black Lives Matter movement. 5 The LA Urban League has advocated that the Los Angeles chief of police take further steps to “demilitarize” the police and implement uniform conduct standards for police officers. 6

Abortion

In response to leaks that the Supreme Court would overturn Roe v. Wade, Lawson criticized the decision on the LA Urban League blog, stating that the opinion “reopens the door for conservative states to pass legislation that will limit a woman’s right to control her own body.” 7 Lawson also stated that the opinion would disproportionately impact African American, Asian, and Native women. 8

Programs

Employment

The Los Angeles Urban League provides programs that assist African Americans in Los Angeles find careers in construction, healthcare, and film/stage production. 9 In addition to these specific programs, the LA Urban League hosts a job-bank with job listing from employers that seek to hire through the organization. 10

Education

The Los Angeles Urban League has programs targeted at providing educational opportunities for African American and Latino students, these include the Bridge Builders program, Project Ready, and LA Black High School Graduation. 11

The Urban Bridge Builders program provides 35 African American and Latino students ages 15-18 the opportunity to attend a fibr-day residential program where participants are exposed to math and science in engaging ways designed to tie the education received to specific careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). 12 The residential program is hosted by the University of California San Diego’s Scripps College. 13

The Project Ready program provides high school students and parents with additional school counseling services to supplement the services provided by public schools. 14 This includes STEM tutoring, essay writing and grading, SAT-prep, financial literacy guidance, job and internship placement guidance, college tours, assistance seeking scholarships, and other opportunities. 15

The LA Black High School Graduation is a city-wide graduation party for African American students in Los Angeles. 16 The party includes food, giveaways, entertainment and allows graduates to invite friends and family. 17

Finances

In 2021, the Los Angeles Urban League received $3,528,586 in contributions, 18 $3,576,676 in total revenue, 19 incurred $3,029,111 in expenses, 20 and held $1,383,033 in net assets. 21

Leadership

Michael Lawson is the president and CEO of the Los Angeles Urban League. Prior to leading the organization, he was a partner at the Skadden law firm, 22 and was appointed by President Barack Obama as the U.S. ambassador to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). 23

References

  1. “State of Black America: Under Siege The Plot to Destroy Democracy.” National Urban League. 2022. https://soba.iamempowered.com/sites/soba.iamempowered.com/files/NUL-SOBA-2022-ExecSummary-web.pdf
  2. “National Urban League.” Encyclopædia Britannica. March 15, 2017. Accessed May 26, 2023. https://www.britannica.com/topic/National-Urban-League.
  3. “100 Years Young: Celebrating the 100th Birthday of Whitney M. Young Jr.” National Urban League – Medium. July 25, 2021. Accessed June 1, 2023. https://naturbanleague.medium.com/100-years-young-celebrating-the-100th-birthday-of-whitney-m-young-e3f541db05f0
  4. Young, Whitney M. “‘DOMESTIC MARSHALL PLAN.’” New York Times. October 6, 1963. Accessed June 1, 2023. https://www.nytimes.com/1963/10/06/archives/domestic-marshall-plan-compensationyes.html
  5. “Statement of Solidarity of Black Civil Rights and Community-Based Organizations in Los Angeles.” Los Angeles Urban League. June 12, 2020. Accessed June 10, 2023. https://laul.org/statement-of-solidarity-of-black-civil-rights-and-community-based-organizations-in-los-angleles/
  6. “Police Reform.” Los Angeles Urban League.  https://laul.org/police-reform/
  7. “Justice Alito’s Opinion on Roe v. Wade is Dangerous for Women.” Los Angeles Urban League. May 7, 2022. Accessed June 10, 2023. https://laul.org/justice-alitos-opinion-on-roe-v-wade-is-dangerous-for-women/
  8. “Justice Alito’s Opinion on Roe v. Wade is Dangerous for Women.” Los Angeles Urban League. May 7, 2022. Accessed June 10, 2023. https://laul.org/justice-alitos-opinion-on-roe-v-wade-is-dangerous-for-women/
  9. “Programs.” Los Angeles Urban League. https://laul.org/programs/
  10. “Programs.” Los Angeles Urban League. https://laul.org/programs/
  11.  “Education Programs.” Los Angeles Urban League. https://laul.org/programs/education/
  12. “Urban Bridge Builders.” Los Angeles Urban League. https://laul.org/programs/education/summerstem/
  13. “Urban Bridge Builders.” Los Angeles Urban League. https://laul.org/programs/education/summerstem/
  14. “Project Ready.” Los Angeles Urban League. https://laul.org/programs/education/project-ready/
  15. “Project Ready.” Los Angeles Urban League. https://laul.org/programs/education/project-ready/
  16. “LA Black High School Graduation.” Los Angeles Urban League. https://laul.org/labhsg/
  17. “LA Black High School Graduation.” Los Angeles Urban League. https://laul.org/labhsg/
  18. Los Angeles Urban League. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Part I. Line 8. 2021.
  19. Los Angeles Urban League. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Part I. Line 12. 2021.
  20. Los Angeles Urban League. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Part I. Line 18. 2021.
  21. Los Angeles Urban League. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Part I. Line 22. 2021.
  22. “Who We Are-Michael Lawson.” Los Angeles Urban League. https://laul.org/our-story/
  23. “Michael A. Lawson.” Department of State. https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/biog/bureau/233799.htm
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: June - May
  • Tax Exemption Received: July 1, 1945

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2020 Jun Form 990 $2,550,978 $2,399,423 $1,195,574 $594,411 N $2,051,103 $103,670 $65 $438,804 PDF
    2019 Jun Form 990 $2,409,436 $1,988,947 $1,593,287 $2,152,258 N $1,578,282 $0 $176 $365,528 PDF
    2018 Jun Form 990 $1,601,367 $1,800,119 $591,651 $1,615,290 N $873,571 $8,696 $909 $373,713 PDF
    2017 Jun Form 990 $4,557,567 $2,388,507 $1,118,088 $2,054,979 N $1,521,114 $9,771 $566 $315,520 PDF
    2016 Jun Form 990 $3,467,150 $4,110,037 $1,459,610 $11,758,292 N $2,309,639 $70,500 $541 $253,059 PDF
    2015 Jun Form 990 $4,312,631 $4,863,884 $2,764,421 $8,986,362 N $3,380,921 $0 $0 $278,008 PDF
    2014 Jun Form 990 $4,251,828 $5,735,143 $3,116,653 $8,787,341 Y $4,429,132 $0 $13,339 $255,003 PDF
    2012 Jun Form 990 $8,910,311 $11,279,345 $5,616,277 $6,928,776 Y $8,742,924 $0 $15,990 $250,717 PDF
    2011 Jun Form 990 $19,724,236 $23,628,811 $8,211,602 $6,151,725 N $20,941,198 $0 $18,981 $416,479 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Los Angeles Urban League

    4401 CRENSHAW BLVD STE 201
    Los Angeles, CA 90043-1200