1952 Citizenship

Meeting New Challenges

With the end of World War 2 , the Urban league's new challenges were to assist the newly discharged veterans. Jobs were plentiful because the league was able to open employment doors previously closed to Black workers. The abundant employment opportunities enabled the returning veterans to consider marriage, additional schooling under the GI bill and the establishment of households.

In 1948, the Urban League guild was re-organized as a service auxiliary to help raise funds and provide support for the League's program activities.
It was a unique community group in that it included both men and women.

In 1952, The Buffalo Urban League marked 25 years of service to the community and was recognized as one of the leading agencies in its field of operations.

On March 19, 1954, Executive Director Evans informed the Board of Directors that the Urban League would become increasingly involved in local plans for urban renewal. With the city's plans to raze the facility at 155 Cedar Street along with twenty-two substandard housing, the directors expressed concern about relocation of families and the plans for development of the area bounded by Michigan, William, Jefferson and Swan streets.

About the same time, the National Urban League recommended de-emphasizing group work services to youth. In accordance with this direction, the Buffalo Urban League began to develop programs that satisfied the needs in the black community. In addition, the city's interest in quality education encouraged the League's participation in plans to desegregate schools that offered inferior education.