Education

The Education Department provides supportive and supplemental services to educational institutions through parent and student activities. Through its many collaborations, the Education Department promotes and enforces positive aspects of youth development.

Brenda Kennedy  

Director, Education Department
bkennedy@columbusurbanleague.org 

PowerUp Technology Center

PowerUp is a national initiative that provides underserved youth with access to technology through supervised use of the Internet. Adult computer classes are also offered for a fee to those interested in learning introduction to computers, word processing, and the Internet.

Columbus Safe Communities

In June 2001, the Urban League of Greater Columbus was awarded a grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to coordinate the Columbus Safe Communities Project. Funding from this grant has been used to build a coalition to develop partnership programs to reduce traffic crash related injuries, promote pedestrian safety, and increase seat belt and child passenger seat usage in the African American community.

The Summer Youth Academy is an eight-week program that exposes 6 to 18 year-olds to fine arts during the summer months. The Education Department collaborates with United Way agencies, the Liberty Theatre, and the Columbus Symphony to bring enriching summer activities to youth through music, drama and dance. During the summer months, United Way agencies experience a dramatic increase in the number of clients served – particularly agencies serving children and youth. College students and high school seniors who do not qualify for the city’s regular summer employment programs (because of income requirements) are placed in jobs by the League in United Way agencies. Their salaries are paid through grants. (The League placed 36 students this summer of which 21 were placed at United Way agencies).

NULTIES

National Urban League Incentives to Excel and Succeed is compromised of students from our local middle schools who are committed to excellence in education and their personal lives. The newly formed NULTIES Performing Troupe sponsored by the Urban League, the Liberty Theatre, Columbus Housing Authority and Melissa & Company gives you youth from neighborhood housing developments the opportunity to learn dance and drama with professional instructors.

The Center for Diversity and Race is committed to assisting organizations, businesses, individuals, and students in addressing the issues of diversity and race in the Chattahoochee Valley. It has developed programs in schools, assisted private organizations, and individuals with diversity issues, and has a proven record of diversity training in the city. The ULGC is able to conduct human relations climate surveys and provide cultural awareness classes and training to businesses and other organizations. The Urban League’s Center for Diversity and Race is a resource to help local businesses develop or enhance their diversity initiatives. Currently, the ULGC is able to conduct human relations climate surveys and provide cultural awareness classes and training to businesses and other organizations.