photo by steed media service

After receiving an undergraduate degree at Johnson C. Smith University, Patrick Graham wanted to put himself in a position to be an advocate for the poor and working class. He soon earned a position as the director of financial assistance and economic self-sufficiency at Crisis Assistance Ministry in North Carolina. Taking the work he does to even higher levels, Graham was recently named president and CEO of the Urban League of Central Carolina. He hopes to use the position to implement vital changes in his community.

“I want to have a strategic planning and vision session,” says Graham. “[The League] will decide how this place will look and what our strategic vision for the community [will be] in the next 30 years.”

In his new position, some of the issues that Graham hopes to address include entrepreneurship and homeownership. He believes that urban communities grow when the residents have more economic power.

“We want to focus on encouraging people to get involved with our homeownership and entrepreneurial programs,” he says. “We’re providing information that will allow people to maintain their homes and have the skills to start their own businesses.”

Graham is also looking forward to the Whitney M. Young Fundraiser and the release of the 2008 edition of The State of Black America.

“The State of Black America will focus on black women and their future well-being,” he says. “We want to provide a shared vision for the future. We all have certain fears but we have to inspire people to take risks. It’s important for us to take inventory of ourselves and make the changes that are needed.” -amir shaw

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