Advancing Equity Through Data, Dialogue, and Action
Los Angeles Urban League’s Advocacy work advances civil rights and social justice by translating data into dialogue, and dialogue into action. We convene policymakers, community leaders, researchers, and residents to confront inequities and shape solutions that strengthen opportunity, access, and accountability across Los Angeles.
In 2024, we launched a new phase of advocacy through our D3 framework: Defend Democracy, Demand Diversity, and Defeat Poverty. This framework continues to guide our work as we move into 2026, anchoring our advocacy in the systems that most directly impact educational attainment, economic mobility, workforce access, health equity, and justice.
The State of Black LA
Elevating Data. Informing Policy. Driving Change.
The State of Black LA is a cornerstone of our advocacy platform, bringing together national, state, and local policymakers alongside community stakeholders to examine racial trends, disparities, and solutions affecting Black Angelenos.
The 2025 State of Black LA convening underscored the power of data-driven advocacy to shape public understanding and policy direction. Through trends analysis reporting and open dialogue, the event elevated critical issues across health equity, economic development, entrepreneurial growth and immigration, spotlighting the role of advocacy as a catalyst for systemic change.
The State of Students LA
Centering Student Experience and Educational Equity
Building on our commitment to educational justice, the Los Angeles Urban League has expanded its advocacy to include the State of Students LA, a platform focused on the lived experiences, outcomes, and systemic barriers facing students across Los Angeles.
This initiative amplifies student voices, surfaces critical data, and informs strategies to close opportunity gaps. By centering students and educators in policy conversations, State of Students LA strengthens pathways from education to economic mobility and civic participation.
Looking Ahead: Advocacy in 2026 and Beyond
As we move forward, our advocacy work will continue to:
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- Elevate data-driven analysis to inform public policy
- Convene cross-sector leaders to address persistent inequities
- Center community voice and lived experience
- Align advocacy with workforce development, education, and economic resilience
Our advocacy is not a stand-alone effort. It is deeply connected to our Pillar Programs and Community Initiatives, ensuring that policy conversations translate into tangible outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS
The Los Angeles Urban League works to achieve policy change that advances equality, economic justice, social equity and civil rights.
Combat and overturn racially targeted voter suppression tactics such as gerrymandering, strict voter ID laws, the shuttering of polling places in predominantly minority neighborhoods, limits on early voting, and reckless purging of voter rolls.
Overcome the white supremacist “anti-woke” backlash to our push for equality in employment and education, access to housing and healthcare, and the criminal justice system.
Dismantle the structural and institutional barriers to financial services, social safety net programs, quality educational resources, and other economic opportunities.
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