March 2026 — Urban League of San Diego County

Dear Urban League Family,

As we navigate today’s evolving economic climate, many families across San Diego County are feeling the weight of rising costs, housing instability, workforce transitions, and uncertainty about the future. Inflation, shifting job markets, and changes in federal and state funding priorities have created real concerns — particularly for working families striving to build generational stability.

At the Urban League of San Diego County, we see both the challenges and the resilience.

This moment calls not for retreat, but for preparation.

For families with youth preparing for college, this is not the time to scale back dreams — it is the time to be strategic, intentional, and empowered.

Academically: Stay Focused and Competitive

In today’s economy, education remains one of the strongest tools for upward mobility. We encourage families to:

• Prioritize rigorous coursework and academic consistency.
• Seek tutoring, mentorship, and enrichment programs when needed.
• Explore dual enrollment and career technical education pathways.
• Engage early in college planning conversations — as early as middle school.

Our Golden Pyramid Scholars and Project Ready programs continue to equip students with academic tools and leadership development to remain competitive in a rapidly changing world.

Financially: Plan Early, Plan Smart

The cost of higher education can feel overwhelming. However, preparation creates opportunity.

• Complete the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application early.
• Research scholarships continuously — not just senior year.
• Explore HBCUs, UC, CSU, USD, community college transfer pathways, and other private universities.
• Build financial literacy at home — budgeting, saving, and understanding credit.

College affordability is about strategy, not just income.

Culturally: Protect Identity and Build Confidence

For Black and Brown students, college is not only an academic journey — it is a cultural one.

We encourage families to:

• Visit campuses and assess cultural climate and student support systems.
• Connect with alumni networks and affinity groups.
• Consider institutions that affirm identity and promote belonging.
• Have open conversations about navigating predominantly white institutions, HBCUs, D9 Organizations, or culturally specific programs.

Students thrive where they feel seen.

Mentally & Emotionally: Prioritize Wellness

This generation is carrying pressures unlike any before it — social media comparison, economic stress, and global uncertainty.

Preparation must include:

• Building emotional resilience.
• Encouraging healthy conversations about anxiety and expectations.
• Normalizing counseling and mental health support.
• Creating balanced schedules that allow for rest and joy.

A strong mind is just as critical as a strong GPA.

Our Commitment

The Urban League of San Diego County remains committed to moving the needle forward for our community. Through education and youth development, housing stabilization, financial empowerment, workforce programming, and civic engagement, we are strengthening the ecosystem around our families.

Economic cycles will rise and fall.

But education, preparation, and community will always be steady foundations.

To our parents and guardians: your encouragement matters more than you know.

To our youth: your future is not defined by today’s economy. It is defined by your preparation, your persistence, and your purpose.

Together, we will continue building pathways to prosperity.

In Service,

Al Abdallah

President & CEO

Urban League of San Diego County

Four local organizations receive a total of $710,000 in the second round of rapid-response housing grants as federal cuts increase housing strain on seniors and families across the region

The Urban League of San Diego County was one of the four organizations. The San Diego Foundation (SDF) and the Urban League of San Diego County (ULSDC) introduced the Housing Financial Assistance Program (HFAP) to support residents at imminent risk of homelessness due to rental arrears or delinquent mortgage payments.

Through this program, we provided a one-time payment of up to $10,000 directly to the landlords or mortgage companies on behalf of eligible San Diego County residents.

This initiative was designed to promote housing stability, prevent homelessness, and help residents regain financial self-sufficiency. Please click here to review the release for more information.

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Despite closing the portal, the program has already made a powerful impact in the community.

Through HFAP, the Urban League successfully surpassed its original goal, helping more than 50 families remain safely housed and preventing five active evictions. For many households, this assistance provided critical relief during a difficult financial period and ensured families could maintain stable housing.

Beyond direct rental assistance, the program also focused on long-term stability through wraparound services. Participants were offered financial literacy sessions designed to strengthen budgeting skills, improve money management practices, and support sustainable financial decision-making. These resources empower families to better navigate future financial challenges.

In addition, applicants received information on tenant rights, helping residents better understand their legal protections and how to advocate for themselves in housing situations.

The success of the Housing Financial Assistance Program reflects the Urban League of San Diego County’s continued commitment to economic empowerment, housing stability, and community resilience. By combining financial assistance with education and supportive services, the program not only addressed immediate housing needs but also helped families build a stronger foundation for the future.

BY Candace Greene, HUD Certified Housing Counselor

& Jacquline Stanley, Case Manager Specialist

URBAN LEAGUE OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY

Our HUD-Certified Housing Counselor, Candace Greene, visited  to host a powerful Lunch and Learn for their Basic Needs students as part of our Financial Literacy for Young Adults program.

We were honored to engage students in an open and honest conversation about the history of financial wealth in America and the systemic barriers that have prevented communities of color from accessing wealth-building opportunities. Our discussion included the lasting impacts of slavery, sharecropping, redlining, and the devastating events of the Tulsa Race Massacre, all of which disrupted generational wealth and economic mobility.

After grounding ourselves in this important historical context, we shifted the focus toward empowerment and practical wealth-building strategies. We explored:

• Understanding and overcoming the “Black Tax.”
• Managing family expectations while setting personal financial boundaries
• Making tactical money moves with intention
• Banking with purpose and strategy

Students also learned key financial concepts, including APY (Annual Percentage Yield), how compounding interest works, and how high-yield savings accounts can accelerate financial growth over time.

Beyond the numbers, we discussed protecting mental health when navigating financial stress and breaking cycles of financial trauma.

Overall, it was an impactful and engaging session. We’re grateful for the partnership with San Diego Community College District and the opportunity to support and empower the students at San Diego City College with tools, knowledge, and confidence to build lasting wealth.

New Homeowner Participant

Hi Candace,

Happy New Year! I hope you are doing well.

I wanted to take a moment to personally thank you for the support and guidance you provided throughout my homebuyer process. Your help played a key role in my receiving the homebuyer grant, and I am truly grateful.

Buying a home can feel overwhelming, and you helped explain it and kept me updated on the grant. I genuinely appreciated how approachable and supportive you were throughout the process.

I am happy to share that we are now settled into our new home, and my son is already enjoying the neighborhood. This grant has made a meaningful difference for my family, and it would not have been possible without your assistance.

Thank you again for everything you do and for taking the time to help people like me reach such an important milestone.

With gratitude,

Jane Gachucha

Rental Assistance Participant

Please use this link to listen to a housing rental assistance participant who wanted to share her experience

Mortgage Assistance Participants

Dear Mr. Castillo and Ms. Stanley,

Thank you, thank you, thank you sincerely from the bottom of my heart for working to secure this partial arrears payment of $4,700 toward my mortgage arrears. It is a good-faith bridge that will get me out of the red. I truly appreciate the support and the effort your team has put into helping families like mine during such challenging times. I know there are many families struggling as we are, and I appreciate that you and the Urban League are standing by to offer us a bridge to stabilize our home. This is such a ray of hope. 

This assistance makes a meaningful difference for my daughter and me, and I’m very grateful. 

Thank you again for your care, time, and commitment to the community.

With gratitude, 

C. Brown

Property Manager Letter

To Whom It May Concern,

On behalf of Modernaire Apartments, I would like to formally express our sincere appreciation for the Urban League of San Diego's exceptional rental assistance program.

Over the past several months, we have had the opportunity to work alongside your team to support several residents who were facing serious financial hardship and were at risk of potential homelessness. The impact of your program has been truly remarkable.

Last night, on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, we were fortunate to attend the Benjamin L. Crump Talk and Book Signing at UC San Diego, hosted and led by Ahliyah Chambers, at the Cross-Cultural Center. The UC San Diego Price Center Theatre was full. It was an evening of community dialogue with the renowned civil rights attorney and author Ben Crump. Dr. Dennis R. Childs, PH. D., who is a local professor of Black Diaspora & African American Studies, moderated the interview questions for the evening, followed by the book signing and photos.

America at a Crossroads: The Trouble Facing the 2026 Midterms

BY HERMAN C. COLLINS, Public Affairs Consultant

URBAN LEAGUE OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY

As the 2026 midterm elections approach, the United States is entering one of the most tense and uncertain voting seasons in recent memory. Across the country, people are asking the same question: Can our election system hold up under growing pressure?

This year, several events have raised concerns about how votes are counted, who controls elections, and whether Americans can trust the results. Two issues stand out: the seizure of ballots in Georgia and the national fight over how voting districts are drawn, also known as reproportioning or redistricting.

Are You a Senior Living in San Diego and

 Need Help Finding Resources?

Finding the right senior programs should not feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Not sure where to start—or tired of getting the runaround?

The Urban League of San Diego County (ULSDC) Elder Multicultural Access & Support Services (EMASS) Team is here to help you!

We proudly serve as advocates for San Diego residents aged 60 and older, connecting you to the resources you need and deserve.

While we do not provide direct senior programs or financial aid, our mission is to identify services tailored to your age, income, and personal or family needs.

We may be able to connect you with trusted programs that offer:

• Home food delivery (free or at a minimal cost)
• Transportation to and from appointments
• In-home senior services (cooking, cleaning, etc.)
• In-home health care providers
• Veteran services

Tell us what you need—we will do the legwork for you. This assistance is provided at no cost to you. We are your partner and your advocate.

You are not alone on this journey. We are here to support and stand by you every step of the way.

Once we find the right program(s) for you, we can also:

• Help you complete any required application(s)
• Attend appointments with you
• Speak with program representatives on your behalf
• We'll follow up with you to make sure that the selected program is meeting your needs.

Our EMASS team, led by Jackie Stanley, is available to help you. You can reach Jackie by email at Jackie@sdul.org or by phone on 619-266-6285

The Urban League of San Diego County was invited San Diego Miramar College for a Health & Wellness Table Event. Our Health & Wellness Case Manager Jackie Stanley and our Young Professionals represented the affiliate who joined others for health services, mental health, counseling and nutrition. The event was called Love Your Mind, Love Your Body Wellness Fest!

San Diego Alumnae Chapter Scholarship Application

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., San Diego Alumnae Chapter recognizes and honors female students who are committed to academic excellence, positive leadership, and community service. 

Scholarships are limited to African-American female high school seniors who reside in San Diego Alumnae Chapter’s Service Area. The applicant must demonstrate the following:

• Academic achievement (minimum 2.75 G.P.A. on a 4.0 scale or 3.5 G.P.A. on a 5.0 scale in all classes)

• Leadership ability as demonstrated by participation in extracurricular activities, community service, and/or holding positions in various organizations.

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The National Bar Association (NBA) youth event. As I mentioned, the NBA will hold its Gertrude Rush Conference in San Diego on March 26-29, 2026, at the JW Marriott on Harbor Drive. The NBA is the largest association of predominantly African American lawyers in the US. Approximately 300 attorneys are expected to attend. In every host city, the NBA provides students the opportunity to engage with its lawyers and judges – an experience valuable whether or not they plan to pursue law.

The youth event will be on March 28^th from 2:30-4:30 pm at the JW Marriott. A flyer with all of the details is attached. Participation is limited to the first 50 students who register, and lunch will be provided. Registration is available via the QR code on the attached flyer or the link below. (The registration form includes a billing page requesting contact information only. The event is free.)

At this interactive Catalyst event, students will bring history to life by participating in a live reenactment of Sitting Down for Justice – a powerful moment in the Civil Rights Movement. Following the reenactment and discussion, a panel of attorneys from diverse practice areas will share candid insights about their career paths, challenges, and how they transformed a passion for justice into a profession. 

Whether students are interested in law, leadership, activism, or simply a meaningful experience, this event offers a unique opportunity to engage, ask questions, and explore how young people can make an impact.

The Young Men's Leadership Conference again this year on March 7th, 2026, at Monte Vista High School. It is free, and grades 6th - 12th are invited! We will have free breakfast and lunch, plus giveaways! This will be the last one in Grossmont Union High School District! We will have the 20th anniversary at Cuyamaca College on March 13, 2027

Could you please place the attached 2026 flyer on your website for promotion? 

Also, LKW STEM FOUNDATION would like to give out 4 Scholarships at your Golden Pyramids Awards. What do we need to do?

Finally, LKW STEM FOUNDATION would like to volunteer to be a part of Project Ready and/or your Youth and Education Development! What do we need to do?

We look forward to catching up with you again! The community also stated that your execution of the 2025 annual awards and dinner was exquisite!

Best;

Dr. Watkins

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Epsilon Xi Omega Chapter has awarded academic scholarships to San Diego County high school graduates since its chartering in 1949. Funding for these scholarships was originally generated through the annual Fashionetta Fashion Shows until 1955, when the EXO Debutante Ball became the primary fundraising event.

Today, our annual Scholarship Program is a collaboration between The Ebony Pearls Foundation of San Diego Incorporated® and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Epsilon Xi Omega Chapter. Through this collaboration, we are proud to offer Pearls of Promise Scholarships to young women each year. In addition, both females and males are eligible for scholarships directly funded by members of Epsilon Xi Omega through the Ebony Pearls Foundation. In total, our scholarship program provides more than twenty scholarships worth $1,000 - $3,000 each to San Diego college-bound seniors each year.



Scholarships are offered to female and male graduating high school seniors in the San Diego area. Most scholarships require a minimum GPA of 3.0, with a 2.5 GPA minimum for select awards. Proof of enrollment at an accredited institution of higher learning is required and may include 2-year community colleges, 4-year colleges or universities, and trade schools. Scholarship recipients will be recognized at a Scholarship Reception jointly sponsored by The Ebony Pearls Foundation of San Diego Incorporated®, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Epsilon Xi Omega Chapter and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity,  Incorporated® in June of each year.

The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 2026 Scholarship Opportunities - Qualified African American female and male high school seniors in San Diego County are invited to apply. Scholarship awards range from $1,000 to $3,000. Scholarship eligibility varies depending on the specific award. Please see the flyer and application form for complete details.

The application deadline is March 15, 2026.

To apply, email the completed application form by midnight on March 15, 2026.

Welcome to this year’s ASIST Scholarship opportunity,

I am pleased to attach a link to the application for the San Diego Chapter of Executive Women International’s 2026 Adult Scholarship Program (ASIST).

https://apply.mykaleidoscope.com/program/Asist2026

Executive Women International®(EWI) is pleased to announce that our San Diego Chapter is again participating in the Adult Students in Scholastic Transition (ASIST) scholarship program. The ASIST Scholarship is a non-discriminatory educational scholarship program for non-traditional students. The goal of the ASIST Program is to help recipients improve their self-esteem and positively impact their personal lives, employment, family, and community.

Application Criteria:

• Past high school age and who are entering college, university, or trade school, and/or workforce for the first time.
• Non-Traditional students are already in college, university, or trade school programs.
• Re-Training due to changes in the workplace.
• Applicants must reside within the boundaries of our San Diego Chapter.

The deadline for submitting applications is Monday, March 30, 2026, at 9:59 p.m. Only one applicant from each institution in San Diego County

The San Diego Chapter of EWI will award one $2,500 scholarship and will also submit it to our corporate scholarship, ASIST, which could provide additional scholarship funding.

Please call me at the number below if you have any questions. We look forward to your participation.

Colette Morel

Executive Assistant & Property Manager Manpower West

C: 619-395-2906

Email: cmporel@manpowerwest.com

EWI President Elect and Co-Chair of ASIST

We would like to refer our community to the following openings in the area:

San Diego Area

• 26936571- Part-Time Universal Banker (20 Hours)- College Heights
• 26938573 Part-Time Universal Banker (20 Hours)- San Marcos Branch
• 26940944- Part-Time Teller (20 Hours)- Mission Valley Branch

Once they go to this site, they will see a search bar. They can then type in the position they are interested in and apply. They just need to create an online profile and attach a resume.  

As we rise to shape the future, we remain committed to investing in the next generation of leaders who will carry our legacy forward.

Applications for the CBCF Summer 2026 Internship Programs close March 27, 2026. Don’t miss your chance to gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and professional development in Washington, D.C.

Are you passionate about the health and wellness of our community? Do you work in the health wellness industry? Do you have a skill that can benefit the advancement of health and wellness equity in our community? If so, we need you! Our community needs you! Sign up today using the link below. If you have questions, please send an email to info@sdul.org.

We want to help you with tools to "Thrive in 2026"!

Do you have a business that provides health and wellness for individuals and families in the County of San Diego, Orange County, or the Inland Empire?

We are creating a Health & Wellness Directory housed on the Urban League of San Diego County website. This will include a behavioral health directory and a general health and wellness directory. According to the attendees of our Fireside Chats, areas in our communities lack health resources and need more urgent care facilities, especially ones open after 5 p.m. Our young families need a directory and a resource toolkit that includes accepted insurance information and medical professionals with cultural sensitivity training for diverse community members. This will be an online business list versus a case management site. Individuals will be directed to contact hotlines if they need to speak to a live person or need case management services.

This can be mental health, medical health, doula professional health, promotoras/ community health worker, physical health, fitness, or nutritional health businesses. This can be small, extensive, private practice, or consulting businesses.

These are some important dates to mark on your calendar!

Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 2 p.m.

Golden Pyramid Scholars Program & College Signing Day at the University of San Diego

Thursday, December 3, 2026

Annual Awards Dinner, at DoubleTree by Hilton Mission Valley Hazard Center

Do you have an upcoming event that should be shared with our community? Please use the link below, and we will review and add it to our website calendar.

The Urban League of San Diego County uses specific image sizes to maintain consistency across all viewing platforms. Any event submissions with images not properly cropped will result in immediate rejection.

Submitting your event does not guarantee that it will be posted on www.sdul.org.

Becoming a member of the Urban League of San Diego County does qualify your event to appear on the website. For more information about becoming a member of one of our auxilaries contact info@sdul.org or call 619.266.6265.