History & Impact

Showing up for Tacoma’s Black community for 50 years and counting

The Tacoma Urban League was born out of the civil rights movement as a racial justice advocacy organization for African Americans and other people whom society has marginalized in the South Puget Sound. For more than 50 years, we’ve provided services, training, and advocacy to build social and economic equality.

Our programs focus on the foundations of a thriving community: education, economic empowerment, health, housing, and justice. We make sure people have a safe welcoming space, the information, and the resources they need to realize their goals and dreams. We also work with partners to break down barriers to people’s full participation in society and catalyze systems change. Thousands of people have passed through our doors and their lives have been positively shaped by the Tacoma Urban League.

Black man wearing glasses, Black woman wearing glasses and a necklace with braids, Black baby, all smiling at the camera, in full color. Teal background color wash.

Oral History Interviews

In this 2008 interview project, founding leaders of the Tacoma Urban League share stories about the organization’s beginnings and its impact over the years.

Part 1

Part 2

State of Black Tacoma

Each year we take stock of where we are in this work and the progress we are making as a community. In 2023, we brought together experts to review the State of Black Tacoma to lay out the GAINS, GAPS, and OPPORTUNITIES for GROWTH for our Black community. Together, we look for examples of success and guidance on how to take action in areas such as housing, civic engagement, healthcare, education and more.