The Houston Area Urban League, founded in 1968, has been a voice for poor and disadvantaged people of all races and has a long and distinguished record as an agency that offers tangible, lasting benefits to all members of the community without regard to age, sex, race, physical limitations, or ethnic background. It is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, community-based United Way agency, affiliated with the National Urban League. Implementation of programmatic activities began in October 1968 under the National Urban League’s convention structure. A 40-member Board of Directors Chaired by Morris Clark sets local agency direction and policy. Judson W. Robinson, III serves as President & Chief Executive Officer. Robinson, a business professional and former Houston City Councilman with more than 20 years of administrative and managerial leadership is the grandson of founding member Judson Robinson, Sr. The mission statement of the Houston Area Urban League is to enable African-American and other minorities to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power and civil rights. The mission is best achieved through a two-pronged approach, advocacy—the promotion of equal access to Education, Housing, Economic Development, Workforce Development and Training and through direct service delivery—providing programs which address these priorities. Program services are provided by a staff comprised of professionals from a variety of backgrounds related to their respective program areas.