The Beginning

The Buffalo Urban League was established in 1927 by an interracial group of prominent citizens. They united to address the employment , housing , and social needs of African-Americans migrating from the South to the North and the various immigrant populations who had settled in the City of Buffalo.

For many years, Buffalo's Ellicot District opened its doors to immigrant families. During the Depression period, a new challenge prompted The National Urban League to take a look at Buffalo demographics. Dr. Charles Johnson of Fisk University was appointed to conduct a study. Based on his study, Dr. Johnson recommended that an affliate office be established to service Buffalo's Negro population of 9000. With the generous funding of Mrs. Alfred H. Schoelkopf, the Buffalo Urban League was established and operated out of a four room suite of offices located at 357 William Street. William L. Evans, Executive Director, and Theresa Greene were early administrators providing agency services in the offices that were housed over a clothing store.

In the fall of 1927, the first Urban League guild was formed under the leadership of Mrs. Schoelkopf, Miss Clara L. Payne, Mrs. William H Bethel and Mrs. John Montgomery. It was the publicity arm of the League and its membership was city wide.

Assistance was given to newly migrating Negro families seeking housing, employment and roots in a new community. In 1929, the Urban League moved the Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Memorial Chapel at 155 Cedar Street. In February of the same year, Directors of Buffalo's Joint Charities ( now United Way ) approved a combined request for funding of Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church's Memorial Chapel and the Buffalo Urban League. The merger was seen as an opportunity to provide a stable financial base for both agencies.