Greater Washington Urban League

The Whitney M. Young Jr. Gala Presented by Giant Food is just around the corner, and we have BREAKING NEWS! We are thrilled to announce our 2025 Whitney M. Young Gala Honorees. This is an exclusive opportunity to be in the room as we celebrate these incredible leaders. If you haven't secured your ticket yet, NOW is the time. The honorees for our 2025 Whitney M. Young Gala include: ?? Congresswoman Maxine Waters will receive the “Lioness of Justice” Award. ?? Karine Jean-Pierre, Former White House Press Secretary who, will receive the “Torchbearer in Communications” Award ?? Will Dawkins, General Manager of the Washington Wizards, will be honored with the “Beacon of Grace” Award ?? Giant Food will receive the “Wings of Hope” Award Notable speakers at the gala include: Our event host, Jonathan Slocumb Fireside Chat Host, Laura Coates, CNN Chief Legal Analyst & Anchor, MARC MORIAL, President of the National Urban League, ... and more! We invite you to join us on Friday, March 28, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center to gather and honor those who have demonstrated courage under fire. Let's also celebrate the enduring impact of the Greater Washington Urban League on our community. This is a moment of pride and connection for all of us. Then, we invite you to stick around for the after-party starting at 10 pm, which will be hosted by our young professionals' auxiliary, the Thursday Network - Greater Washington Urban League Young Professionals (see our website for admission details). Don't be the one who missed out! See you on March 28. #courageunderfire #gwulgala25 #gwul365 gwul.org/gala2025/

Thank you to everyone who made our Whitney M. Young Jr. 2025 Gala truly special. ?? Together, we raised critical funds, celebrated community leaders who exhibit #courageunderfire, and honored our 2025 scholarship recipients. As you can imagine, our team is taking a moment to rest, recover, and reflect on just how meaningful yesterday was. We’ve loved seeing the Gala through your eyes—please continue to tag us and use the hashtags #gwulgala25 and #courageunderfire so we can share your story and perspective. Be on the lookout for more clips of the moments you saw and a few you may have missed. A special thank you to our presenting sponsor, Giant, for your continued partnership. And thank you to the entire team at the Ronald Reagan Building for being such incredible hosts—this year marked our fifth Gala in that space, and we are deeply grateful. We can’t wait to do it again with you next year.

Calling all sports fans. Baseball season is here and the weather is finally warming up, which means now is the perfect time to check out our live auction. Whether you’re eyeing game tickets, signed memorabilia, or unique experiences, we’ve got something for everyone—from the casual fan to the ultimate collector. This is your chance to grab something special for yourself or a loved one while directly supporting our mission. The auction is live now, so don’t wait until the gala to start bidding. Head to our website to view the full list of items and place your bids today. https://lnkd.in/ej8ZdAeX

LAST CALL! We are officially down to our final 20 tickets for the 2025 Whitney M. Young Gala Presented by Giant Food! If you’re looking to make an impact and support a party with a purpose, this is the place to be. Ticket sales for the gala will close promptly at noon. Can’t make it to the full gala? You can still make a difference and enjoy the evening by joining us for the official after-party hosted by Thursday Network - Greater Washington Urban League Young Professionals. It’s one party with two atmospheres: a laid-back speakeasy lounge and a high-energy dance floor with DJ Trauma. After-party tickets will close at 6:00 p.m. If you’ve already purchased your ticket, please be on the lookout for our “Before You Go” email. It includes your arrival details, parking suggestions (ride shares are highly encouraged), and important reminders. Please remember this is a federal building, so plan accordingly. Thank you to everyone who has helped bring this evening to life. We can’t wait to welcome you at 6:00 p.m. at the TCMA for Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. #courageunderfire #gwulgala25 #gwul365

Spotted on FOX 5 DC! Our President & CEO, George H. Lambert Jr., recently joined the morning show to share highlights about our highly anticipated 2025 Whitney M. Young Gala. TONIGHT, get ready for an evening dedicated to honoring Black excellence, leadership, and legacy. If you’ve already secured your ticket, you should have received a detailed “Before You Go” email with parking information, arrival tips, and other important details to help you plan your evening. Still on the fence? Consider this your final call—ticket sales are closing soon. Our evening will feature a curated pre-reception, a delicious catered dinner, an open bar, live auction, and a dynamic post-reception celebration hosted by Thursday Network. Whether you’re drawn to the relaxed vibes of our speakeasy lounge or the high-energy set by DJ Trauma, this will be a night to remember. In the midst of national and global unrest, this event is a powerful reminder that Black joy, Black love, and Black excellence are worth celebrating. Join us. ????? Visit https://gwul.org/gala2025 for tickets or reach out to a member of our team with any questions.

Our auction is officially LIVE— and every bid fuels the future. Whether you're eyeing a restorative spa weekend, a wine-tasting experience curated just for you, or a family getaway designed to make memories, every item up for bid is a direct investment in the programs and impact of the Greater Washington Urban League. Your participation helps us continue the legacy of Whitney M. Young and uplift the communities we serve. And if you’ve been meaning to attend our 2025 Whitney M. Young Gala, consider this your final call. Ticket sales close soon and we want you to be part of a powerful evening of purpose, legacy, and connection. Explore and bid here: https://lnkd.in/ej8ZdAeX Secure your seat before the doors close: https://gwul.org/gala2025/ #courageunderfire #gwulgala25 #gwul365

There’s still time to secure your seat for the Whitney M. Young Jr. Gala happening TOMORROW, Friday, March 28, at the Ronald Reagan Building in (TCMA for Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.) If you believe in the power of civil rights organizations, community leadership, and generational impact, this is an opportunity to align your values with action. For decades, the Greater Washington Urban League has invested in housing, education, workforce development, and economic empowerment for Black and underserved communities. This evening brings together leaders in philanthropy, policy, business, and service — all committed to social impact. When you attend, you are helping move that work forward. Make your commitment visible. Show up for equity. Strengthen the mission by being present. Tickets are still available. Admission also includes entry into our official after-party hosted by Thursday Network - Greater Washington Urban League Young Professionals — an evening of connection and celebration. In the meantime, watch this video featuring some of our favorite moments from years past featuring Gov. Wes Moore, Kimberly Corbin, our fireside chat host, Laura Coates, Jonathan Slocumb, and more! https://lnkd.in/eUje7hPq

We’re honored to welcome MARC MORIAL, President and CEO of the National Urban League, to the Greater Washington Urban League’s Whitney M. Young Jr. Gala this Friday, March 28, at the Ronald Reagan Building! Since taking the helm of the National Urban League in 2003, MARC MORIAL has been a powerful force for modern civil rights. Under his leadership, the Urban League has evolved into a leading voice for economic empowerment, equity, and justice — expanding its programs, deepening its impact, and building bridges across sectors. For more than two decades, he has championed an agenda rooted in closing opportunity gaps and creating pathways to prosperity for Black and underserved communities. At Friday’s gala, Marc Morial will deliver special remarks as we reflect on our legacy and look forward to the future of civil rights and community leadership in the 21st century. Tickets are still available! And remember — your admission also includes access to the official after-party hosted by Thursday Network - Greater Washington Urban League Young Professionals, where you can experience two distinct atmospheres: a classic speakeasy-style lounge and a high-energy celebration with DJ Trauma. Join us as we honor history, uplift the present, and dance into the future. #courageunderfire #gwulgala25 #gwul365

Are you a professional who's #opentowork? We are looking for our next colleague at the Greater Washington Urban League. Join us in this work. #gwul365

We are incredibly proud of our young professionals and the remarkable success of their Black History Month Book Drive. By collecting an impressive 851 books—including 483 from their network and 371 from our donation—we’ve empowered young readers at Friendship Armstrong Public Charter School to see themselves in the stories they read. This achievement is just one facet of the meaningful work we do daily to serve the greater Washington community. Representation matters, and together, we’re making a lasting impact! We invite you to continue celebrating our community’s achievements at our annual gala. The evening will feature: ? Inspiring entertainment ? Delightful food & open bar ? Exciting live auction ? After-party hosted by Thursday Network We’ll be honoring our 2025 scholarship recipients and recognizing the incredible initiatives that drive our mission forward. DON’T FORGET! Tickets are still available! Your generous support turns our vision into reality. Don’t miss this extraordinary evening of celebration, community, and inspiration. Secure your tickets now and be part of our continued commitment to positive change. Your support is deeply appreciated. #thursdaynetwork #gwul365 #courageunderfire #gwulgala25