The Akron Urban League has furloughed three administrators due to budget constraints.
Positions impacted include John Williams, who has served as president and CEO for two years. Williams is no longer listed on the organization’s website staff page.
The nonprofit’s board chair, Jolene Lane, told Signal Akron that three senior leaders’ positions were not covered by grant funding. She cited rising costs alongside a decrease in donations and uncertainty around federal funding as reasons for the changes.
Lane said current programs that are funded by the State of Ohio, Department of Justice, Department of Labor and Summit County will not be impacted.
Additionally, the board announced in a press release sent Thursday night to Signal Akron that the organization has implemented “enhanced fiscal oversight” during the transition.
The press release said the AUL’s board has “implemented a financial stabilization plan” to preserve the organization’s mission and to protect “the grant-funded programs that serve individuals and families across Summit County.”
“This is the first step of trying to right size things so that we can get the organization back on track financially,” Lane said. “My hope is that as we move forward that we’ll be able to put additional strong measures in place.”
Lane added that the organization’s day-to-day operations are being overseen by Larry Chadwick, vice president for workforce development, education, marketing and IT.
The AUL, founded in 1925, has served tens of thousands of Black residents in the community, from workforce development and education to entrepreneurship and advocacy.
Its business center provides assistance for minority-owned and small businesses.
The organization recently concluded a yearlong celebration of its 100th anniversary, capped by June’s centennial gala.
Last month, the AUL launched The Power Shift Voter Advocacy Campaign, a regional voter advocacy and civic engagement campaign in collaboration with other Urban Leagues in the region, that will work to “educate, empower, and mobilize voters across Northeast Ohio.”
Additional furloughed Akron Urban League positions include:
- Vice President of Fund Development
- Director of Human Resources
The employees who serve in these roles were not immediately identified, and Williams could not be reached for comment.
“The decision was purely due to our budgetary concerns and in no way meant to make a comment on anyone’s dedication to the Urban League, their commitment to their role,” Lane said in the release.
“These are all great people. The Akron Urban League is in many ways like a family.”
What are the next steps for the Akron Urban League?
The service organization’s next steps include:
- Right-sizing current expenses to equalize funds.
- Supporting the employees at the time of the AUL’s decision and those whom this may impact personally.
- Adding a task force to the AUL’s board to concentrate on fundraising.
Lane said there is no timeline but that the organization will continue to apply for grants — it is also waiting for responses on applications for grants ranging from small dollar amounts up to millions of dollars.
The money that the organization is receiving to support programs was matched to the number of programs the organization has, Lane said.
The organization’s donations have dropped, as at organizations with missions like the AUL’s. The organization will continue to host signature, ticketed events like the Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast, Lane said, to gain program funding.
Board leaders had met with “employees, local government leaders, community partners, financial institutions, and other key stakeholders,” the press release said, about how the AUL can work through the transition.
Lane emphasized the AUL’s commitment to serving the community and residents who depend on the organization or are in support of it.
