The Houston Area Urban League (HAUL) is honored and excited to host the 2023 National Urban League (NUL) Conference July 26-29 at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

The NUL Conference’s return to Houston is a timely and valuable complement to HAUL’s mission of enabling black Houstonians and other marginalized communities to secure economic self-reliance, parity and political power. As HAUL approaches its 55th anniversary on June 19, we are at a critical stage in which the civil rights of underserved Houstonians are at risk.

The conference benefits Houston as a whole in that it brings together major leaders from the business, government and social advocacy sectors and serves as a hub for policymakers, political activists and others to meet and exchange ideas, network and develop strategies to address a broad range of issues.

The conference kicks off at 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 26 with an agenda-setting “Urban League Fights for You” rally outlining the NUL’s goals on civil rights, education, women’s rights and gun safety issues. Other key features at this year’s conference include:

Young Professionals L.E.A.D. Summit — Young professionals are the future of the movement tackling every issue affecting our communities. The L.E.A.D. Summit invites the public to connect, grow and advocate for the needs of every community.

Dynamic Plenaries and Forums — The conference will offer several sessions welcoming the general public’s input on issues affecting their communities and the nation at-large.

The Gumbo Coalition Documentary Premiere — A documentary on the Gumbo Coalition follows two visionary civil rights leaders, Marc Morial and Janet Murguía, as they work to empower the African American and Latino American communities through three turbulent years in the U.S.

Women of Power Awards Luncheon — The NUL will pay tribute to the remarkable women leading the way toward greatness in our community at the Women of Power Awards Luncheon. This year, the NUL will recognize a diverse ensemble of trailblazing women who inspire and motivate others to pursue greatness in every aspect of life.

Urban League Live! A Celebration of Hip Hop’s 50th Anniversary — A celebration of hip hop music’s 50th anniversary will include a memorable night of music and special surprise performances.

The Whitney M. Young Jr. Awards Gala — This event celebrates the voices and commitment of those championing the Urban League’s mission to empower Black communities nationwide.

Small Business Matters Entrepreneurship Summit — This entails a full day dedicated to workshops, networking and valuable resources aimed at supporting small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs in launching, growing and flourishing. This event is free. Pre-registration is required.

Community & Family Day Expo — One of the standout events at the NUL Conference is the Community & Family Day Expo, presented in collaboration with the Houston Area Urban League, the City of Houston and CenterPoint Energy. The event is free.

Additionally, this year’s conference marks NUL President and CEO Marc H. Morial’s 20th anniversary with the organization.

Notable conference speakers, panelists and honorees include:

Marc H. Morial, President and CEO, National Urban League

Judson W. Robinson III, President and CEO, Houston Area Urban League

Sylvester Turner, Mayor of the City of Houston

Will Packer, Emmy-nominated film producer; Founder, Will Packer Productions and Will Packer Media

Janet Murguía, President & CEO, UnidosUS

The Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder & President, National Action Network

Jeff Johnson, President, JIJ Communications; CEO and Co-Founder, Elite Voices Speakers

Sheila Jackson Lee, U.S. Representative (TX -18)

Michelle Miller, National Correspondent, CBS News; Co-Host of “CBS This Morning Saturday”

Justin Jones, State Representative (TN – 52)

Justin J. Pearson, State Representative (TN – 86)

And more!

To review the agenda and to register, visit NULConference.org!