Dear Friends and Community Members,
Several of you have reached out regarding campaign flyers circulating in our community that display the Urban League logo and suggest our organization's support for two candidates. Thank you for asking — and for your vigilance. I want to address this directly and unequivocally.
The Akron Urban League is not involved with these flyers in any way.
Let me be clear on three points:
First, the Akron Urban League does not endorse candidates for public office. We never have. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we speak on policy — the issues that shape opportunity, equity, and quality of life for the residents of Akron and Summit County. We do not speak for or against candidates, and we do not lend our name to campaigns.
Second, no one contacted us. We were never asked for — and never gave — permission to use the Urban League logo on this material. Its use was unauthorized.
Third, the flyers do not even name us correctly. There is no "Urban League of Greater Akron." We are the Akron Urban League, and we have served this community under that name since 1925.
We are addressing this misuse of our name and logo through the appropriate channels. In the meantime, please know this: for over one hundred years, our credibility has rested on being a trusted, nonpartisan voice for this community. That has not changed, and it will not change.
If you see materials that claim otherwise, we would be grateful if you would share them with our office. And as always, if you have questions about where the Akron Urban League stands on the issues, ask us directly — our door is open.
With gratitude for your trust,
John M. Williams
President & CEO
Akron Urban League
440 Vernon Odom Blvd., Akron, OH 44307
