Archon Holifield Defines the "21st Century Urban League"

On June 27, Archon Johnathan M. Holifield, president/CEO, Urban League of Greater Cleveland, addressed a packed house of The City Club of Cleveland, the oldest continuous free speech forum in the country.

Archon Holifield spoke about his challenge to devise a strategy to define the “21st century Urban League” and the vital contributions the League can make to the region. Topics included the organization’s evolving mission and vision in Greater Cleveland, historic challenges and emerging opportunities facing the organization, and descriptions of tools the organization will employ to dramatically increase mission impact. Archon Holifield’s presentation was outstanding, provocative, challenging and very well delivered.

The City Club is the longest uninterrupted forum series in the country, renowned for its tradition of debate and discussion. Most of the major issues that have affected American life in the 20th century have been discussed here--often with vigor and passion.

Today the distinctive sound of the gong can be heard across America on The City Club radio network which brings The City Club's Friday Forum to listeners in more than 40 states from Maine to Alaska. The Friday Forum is broadcast locally on WCPN 90.3 FM, WCLV 104.9 FM, Cleveland's affiliate WVIZ/PBS ideastream, and cablecast on Time Warner Cable, and selected shows are televised nationally.

Each Forum is an hour long program. The program starts with a brief introduction followed by a 25-30 minute address by the speaker. Spirited, insightful and often challenging questions from the audience fill the final half hour of the program.

The Urban League of Greater Cleveland is proud of our president/CEO, Archon Johnathan M. Holifield.