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Thursday, July 31, 2003

By Ervin Dyer, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

The 2003 National Urban League conference concluded yesterday on a note of encouragement and motivation, as nearly 10,000 visitors headed home to continue their work for justice, civil rights and the advancement of black families.

	Laneal Stovall, a Hill District electrician who has been with the David L. Lawrence Convention Center for 18 years, removes microphones from the podium as the weeklong National Urban League conference winds down yesterday. (Andy Starnes, Post-Gazette) Click photo for larger image. Related stories What they're saying Index to conference coverage

"It's been a great conference," said Marc Morial, new president of the National Urban League. "I believe Pittsburgh surprised people. They were warmly embraced here."

More than 2,500 registered guests and 7,000 others hit the David L. Lawrence Convention Center last Thursday for a week of activities geared toward motivating youths and young professionals and discussing everything from affirmative action to AIDS awareness.

The conference heard from President Bush and seven of the nine Democrats who would like to have his job, as well as authors, community experts, business leaders and celebrities who provided a mix of information and entertainment in a riverfront venue that gave Pittsburgh a chance to shine.

Pittsburgh Urban League President Esther Bush said people have stopped her on the street to compliment the city.

"Even taxi drivers have been wonderful," she said. "They had some hospitality training before the conference and I think it made a difference."

Now comes the work. Morial laid out national goals to attack the crisis of unemployment and incarceration that plagues young black men, and called for national summits on education and health.

"Affiliates have a desire to work with the process," he said. "They know it's very important that we move forward. I think they're motivated to follow through. We've set a new agenda."

Renee Du Jean, 68, of Wilmington, Del., a longtime member of the Urban League, said she is ready to roll up her sleeves.

"Marc's vision is global," she said. "It's one of action. We'll have to bring it down to the constituency we know."

Du Jean said Morial's plan presents an opportunity to get back to the streets and back to the people.

Founder of a mentoring program at the National Urban League, she said she was most educated by the session on HIV and AIDS and how "it devastates the family."

"Its toll is emotional, financial and everything," she said. "You've got to keep the family together to be resilient with that."

Judge Glenda Hatchett "was off the hook," said Vera Dorsey, coming from a luncheon where the judge and television personality talked about rebuilding the fabric of child care.

Dorsey, 52, a single parent who works at an Urban League automotive training center in Los Angeles, said Hatchett's comments "resonated" about coming together to make a difference.

Dorsey briefly got to meet Bush after his Monday morning speech. "He asked what I did," said Dorsey.

Even if Bush and some of the other candidates were mending fences after missing the convention of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People two weeks earlier, Dorsey said, "It was good that all the candidates came out."

The "queen" of civil rights, Dorothy Heights, was honored last night with the Urban League's Legend Award. Earlier in the day, she autographed copies of her memoir, "Open Wide the Freedom Gates." Later, she had a chance to reflect on the conference's theme: "The Black Family: Building on Its Resilience."

"Valuing education, kinship and spiritual values has been the key to black Americans' survival," she said. "No matter what happens, we have to build on the positive."

Ervin Dyer can be reached at edyer @post-gazette.com or 412-263-1410.