Dear Urban Beat Community,

As we gather with family and friends this Fourth of July weekend, we are reminded that the promise of freedom and justice for all is a vision still in progress. Independence Day commemorates the founding of our nation. Yet, it also challenges us to reflect on the work that remains to make accurate equity and opportunity a reality for every American.

At the Urban League of San Diego County, our commitment to civil rights and direct service is rooted in this ongoing pursuit of freedom. For over seventy years, we have worked to advance economic empowerment, educational access, health equity, and social justice in our communities. This holiday serves as a potent reminder that the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness must be safeguarded, strengthened, and shared with those who have been historically denied their full measure.

As we celebrate, let us also recommit to ensuring that the ideals of our democracy are lived out in our neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, and institutions. Together, we can build a more inclusive future that truly honors the spirit of independence for all.

On behalf of the Urban League family, we wish you a safe, reflective, and inspiring Fourth of July.

In unity,

Al Abdallah

President & CEO

Urban League of San Diego County

If you know of high school youth struggling with multiple barriers, especially some form of homelessness, unhoused, please reach out to the Urban League of San Diego County at 619.266.6265 or kea@sdul.org. We want to invite them to join our network of high school and college students, supporting college and career readiness. We aim to empower the next generation of young leaders to succeed in education, career paths, and local community civic engagement opportunities.

“A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people" -  Mahatma Gandhi.

I no longer want to be called Black, African American, BIPOC, or interested in America’s determination of my identity. Since the Portuguese initiated the trade of Africans to the Americas, there has been an ongoing issue concerning my identity as a man.

Race is a social construct, rather than a biological reality. Racial categories are based on social and historical factors, not inherent biological differences. The concept of race evolved from European exploration and colonization, which categorized populations based on physical differences. This led to the subjugation and marginalization of groups deemed racially inferior.

Helping Educators Achieve Homeownership 

HOPE, Housing Opportunities for Public Educators, is a unique opportunity provided by Lennar Home Construction Company and Councilmember Marni von Wilpert, designed to help certified educators teaching in San Diego Council District 5 achieve the dream of homeownership in San Diego County. By offering financial assistance, mandatory counseling, and guidance through the homebuying process, this program ensures that teachers can focus on building their futures while contributing to their communities and living in the communities that they serve.

Calling all jazz lovers!

Calling all of D-9!

Calling all of HBCUs!

Calling all of the Community Colleges, CSUs, and UCs!

Calling all Patrick Henry, Mores, Lincoln, Crawford, Sweetwater, Madison, Mt Miguel, Kearny, San Diego, Point Loma, and Monte Vista High School Alumni!

Calling all Labor Unions!

Calling all current Military and Veterans!

Calling all community-based organizations!

Calling all Community Leaders!

Calling all of Southern California!

Celebrate Labor Day Weekend at the 2025 Jazz at the Creek!

For more information about the concert or to secure your space, please use the link below.

Good news - Registration for the Small Business Matters Entrepreneurship Summit 2025 is now open!

This free, one-day summit is a wonderful opportunity for entrepreneurs at all stages to gain insights, make connections, and grow their businesses.

Here’s what attendees can look forward to:

• Powerful Workshops on financial management, business leadership, and high-impact marketing
• Networking Opportunities with fellow entrepreneurs, innovators, and industry leaders
• Access to Resources from both public and private sector organizations
• Live Pitch Competition where bold entrepreneurs compete for cash and prizes

Why It Matters:

Whether someone is launching a new venture or scaling an existing one, this summit serves as a powerful resource hub, featuring insights from some of the nation’s leading business minds.

Small Business Matters Schedule

https://conference.iamempowered.com/cleveland-2025/small-business-matters

Please forward the registration link or include it in your newsletters, social posts, etc. Every share helps us reach more small business owners who can benefit from this experience.

Thank you in advance for your support. Looking forward to seeing you at SBM 2025!

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 2025"!

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.

Exploring Our Ocean Planet is a five-day residential program designed to provide a fun-filled, science-rich, campus-life experience that inspires wonder and curiosity about the Earth-ocean system and the life it supports.

Daily activities are designed to inspire students’ interest in the science that helps us understand and protect our ocean planet, expand students' sense of possibilities for STEM academic and career pathways, and engender a feeling of belonging.

Days will be filled with both educational and recreational activities on the Scripps campus and adjacent beaches, including a tour of Birch Aquarium. Additionally, evenings and meals will be spent on the UC San Diego campus, providing a truly collegiate experience.

Sunday, July 27, 2025, through Friday, August 1, 2025

Free

Education Level: for Students (11 - 12 graders and College Freshman/Sophomores)

If you participated in the Golden Pyramid Scholars Program, Project Ready, or Delta GEMS, please let them know, and let us know that you signed up for this excellent summer enrichment opportunity.

For more information and/or to sign up, please get in touch with William Rochester at: William.Rochester.BBF@gmail.com.

Greetings!

My name is Ayeisha Gipson, and I serve as a Robinhood Partnership Coordinator and College Access Counselor in Harlem, NY. I am a proud alumnus of Grambling State University (Spring 21) and Teachers College, Columbia University (Spring 23).

Previously, I attended San Diego City College, where I was mentored by the Urban League of San Diego County and actively involved in Umoja. I was one of the first successful participants in the California Community Colleges to HBCU cohort. My story is found here: CCC to HBCU General Brochure 2017-Present

I recently opened the 2025 MaryAnn Jackson Memorial Scholarship. My mother, MaryAnn, was deeply committed to education and dedicated to giving back to those in need. In her honor and memory, I am giving five (5) HBCU transfer students $100 gift cards for dorming essentials. I have included the eligibility, application, and deadline information below.

Eligibility:

✅ Must be African American 

✅ Must be a US Citizen 

✅ Must be transferring from a California Community College, Fall 2025

✅ Must be attending a HBCU, Fall 2025

✅ Upload Proof of Fall Enrollment

✅ Submit a 20-word response: How Will You Make An Impact At Your HBCU?

Deadline: July 13, 2025 

Please spread the word to colleagues and your transfer students from California!

Link: https://forms.gle/YheqG7nwFVfTfjVr7

The flyer is above.

If you have any questions, please contact me.

Enjoy your week,

Sincerely,

Ayeisha Gipson 

There are still a few spots available in the ImPactful Sandbox and VisMo Summer Adventure programs for students enrolled in the San Diego Unified School District. Please use the link below to learn more about summer programming for youth and share with others.

The UC San Diego Black Alumni Scholarship Fund offers eligible students a four-year $10,000 scholarship renewable at $2,500 annually. This scholarship program provides financial, academic, and personal support to over 200 students currently attending UCSD. Steps to follow to apply for the BASF Scholarship are: (1) apply to UCSD before the 11/30/25 deadline; (2) if you are offered admission to UCSD, you will receive a link to the application from BASF; (3) complete and submit the online application.

The James Beard Foundation is excited to announce the opening of applications for the Fall 2025 Legacy Network program. This 12-week mentorship initiative will run from Sept. 8 to Dec. 9, 2025, virtually, to celebrate emerging People of Color leaders in the culinary industry with seasoned mentors for focused leadership coaching and connection. A total of 20 applicants (10 advisors and 10 advisees) will be selected for the fall program. While the program is open to all Culinary Professionals of Color (POC), priority will be given to Black/ African American and Indigenous applicants. Successful applicants will be notified by July 2025.  

Please see key details that include:

• Program Dates: September 8 to December 9, 2025
• Application Period: April 14 – May 11, 2025
• Info Webinar: Wednesday, April 23 at 12:00 P.M. ET. Register here - Informational Webinar: JBF Legacy Network Program and Application | James Beard Foundation

Access the application and program details here - Fall 2025 Legacy Network Program Application 

We encourage you to spread the word about this valuable program, and please share the registration link and application with interested candidates. Feel free to email impactforward@jamesbeard.org with any questions.

Thank you for your support in helping to shape the next generation of culinary leaders!

Please review a list of openings!

Please refer candidates to our website: https://jobs.citi.com/

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

San Diego Area

• 25823541- Part-Time Universal Banker- Poway Branch
• 25823546- Head Universal Banker- El Cajon
• 25829345- Part-Time Universal Banker- Chula Vista Branch

• Assistant Director of Human Resources at UC Riverside - UC Riverside is looking for a dynamic individual to fill the role of Assistant Director of Human Resources, Facilities Services. Could this be your next opportunity? Details: https://lnkd.in/gkrX7RPb
• The University of California, Riverside, is searching for a dynamic individual for the role of Assistant Dean and Chief Financial & Administrative Officer (AD/CFAO) for the School of Business. For a full job description and to apply, visit https://bit.ly/3E2wTt4
• Senior Director of Inclusive Governance Programs - Leavey Executive Center, Santa Clara University (SCU) is seeking a Senior Director, Inclusive Governance Programs. Details - Please click this link.

• RESOURCES FOR UNEMPLOYED FEDERAL WORKERS - Click here to learn more: https://thejobhopper.substack.com/p/special-edition-resources-for-unemployed?fbclid=IwY2xjawKTimhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFnNVpuSGc3SkZHUXd1OWV6AR7EOCbpREM0cHFVBgU1o4_tTYJ7COlHlLCn1KkP-Rc6K5qx82hQRsSVIz3fvA_aem_kP5-3jIHO5LTlAS-iJ8

• Verizon Skill Forward provides you with the skills to pave your path to new career opportunities with job-relevant programs from edX, part of Verizon’s goal to make quality education accessible for all. 
• The Verizon Skill Forward program is a collaboration between edX and Verizon aimed at providing career-enhancing online courses focused on high-demand skills to facilitate long-term career growth. The Skill Forward effort is part of Citizen Verizon, Verizon’s responsible business plan to prepare 500,000 individuals for in-demand jobs by 2030.
• Earn certificates in high-growth fields: Artificial Intelligence, Coding, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Project Management, and Leadership.
• No cost to you. Skill Forward is free for any participant during the 12 months of the program. 
• You will not be asked for your banking information or a payment by Verizon or edX at any time during the 12 months.
• Learn more here: https://partnerships.edx.org/verizon/?direct
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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.