Marc Morial
President and CEO, National Urban League
We’re at a junction point, and we have to make choices about whether the future of this country is going to be multiracial, multicultural, democratic, and based on some timeline of values and principles… Every generation has a responsibility to usher in transformation.
Summary
This week on “Leadership Matters,” Alan was joined by Marc Morial, a visionary nonprofit executive and civil rights leader. For the past twenty years, Marc has served as the President and CEO of the National Urban League, the nation's largest historic civil rights and urban advocacy organization.
Under his leadership, Marc has propelled the National Urban League into the modern era. By leveraging time-tested strategies and creative new methods, Mark has expanded his organization’s programming, increased its fundraising, and amplified its impact. In their fascinating conversation, Alan and Marc explore his wide-ranging career and the many hats he’s worn. From his time in law school to two terms as the Mayor of New Orleans, they discuss what it means to be a modern leader and consider the many lessons in leadership Marc has picked up over the years.
Mentions & Resources in this Episode
Guest Bio
As a Lawyer, Morial won the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Pro Bono Publico Award for his legal service to the poor and disadvantaged. He was also one of the youngest lawyers, at age 26, to argue and win a major case before the Louisiana Supreme Court.
As a Professor, Morial served on the adjunct faculty of Xavier University in Louisiana, where he taught Constitutional Law, and Business Law.
As a Louisiana State Senator, Morial was named Legislative Rookie of the Year, Education Senator of the Year, and Environmental Senator of the Year, while authoring laws on a wide range of important subjects.
As Mayor of New Orleans, Morial was a popular chief executive with a broad multi-racial coalition who led New Orleans’ 1990’s renaissance, and left office with a 70% approval rating. With vigor and creativity he passionately attacked his city’s vast urban problems.
Elected by his peers as President of the bi-partisan U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM), he served during the 9/11 Crisis and championed the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, and the Federalization of airport security screeners.
As President of the National Urban League since 2003 he has been the primary catalyst for an era of change -- a transformation for the 100-year-old civil rights organization.
Under his stewardship the League has had record fundraising success towards a 250MM, five year fundraising goal and he has secured the BBB nonprofit certification, which has established the NUL as a leading national nonprofit.
His creativity has led to initiatives such as the Urban Youth Empowerment Program to assist young adults in securing sustainable jobs, and Entrepreneurship Centers in 5 cities to help the growth of small businesses. Also, Morial created the National Urban League Empowerment Fund, which has pumped almost $200 million into urban impact businesses including minority businesses through both debt and equity investments.