Urban League of Greater. N.O. names new president

Erika McConduit-Diggs, a lawyer and college professor, has been tapped to serve as president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater New Orleans. McCon-duit-Diggs, who has served as interim president since former president Nolan Rollins headed west to lead the Los Angeles affiliate of the National Urban League, will take over the helm of the New Orleans affiliate after serving nearly a year as its Interim President & CEO.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am pleased to announce the successful conclusion of our national search for the next President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater New Orleans,” Dottie Reese. Chair of the Urban League of Greater New Orleans’ Board of Directors, said. “I want to commend the Executive Search Committee, chaired by Sonia Perez, President, AT&T Louisiana, and Flozell Daniels Jr., CEO, Foundation for Louisiana, and The Hawkins Company for the integrity of this very important selection process. Of the stellar candidates vying for the position, Erika emerged as the right choice to lead the organization forward with impactful and visionary leadership.”

Mrs. McConduit-Diggs becomes the second female to serve in the position of President and CEO in the 75-year history of the Urban League of Greater New Orleans, one of the most credible and influential nonprofit organizations in the State of Louisiana. She will report to Reese and the Board of Directors, leading a more than 50-strong League staff and volunteer team focused in the areas of workforce and community development, education and youth development, and policy and social justice advocacy. McConduit-Diggs is expected to assume her new leadership role immediately.

“Erika McConduit-Diggs is one of the bright young stars of the Urban League Movement,” said Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League. “Her work in the education arena, to insure the voices of parents are heard, places her at the forefront of reform issues. She is uniquely qualified to lead the Urban League of Greater New Orleans, and I congratulate the Chair and entire Board on a great selection. I pledge to work side-by-side and enthusiastically with Erika as she prepares to lead one of our most important affiliates in this time of transformation and opportunity.”

Erika is a native of New Orleans, and began her professional career with the Urban League nearly five years ago as V.P. of Programs and subsequently as Executive Vice President. In these capacities she expanded the education focus of the agency directing and implementing strategies to empower community members in an evolving education reform landscape. Under her leadership the work of the Urban League’s Parent Information Center grew to include an expanded Schools Expo; staff housed in three Recovery School District family centers; and research and resource publications to assist students, parents and school leaders such as the New Orleans Guide to High Schools, Hand in Hand Guide to Title I Parent Engagement Funds, and Parent Perspectives Research Study. Mrs. McConduit-Diggs has also served on numerous education committees including Mayor Landrieu’s Education Task Force, Louisiana State Superintendent of Education John White’s Student Task Force as co-chair, and the Recovery School District’s Charter Application Task Force.

“Erika brings a new era of excitement to the Urban League. New Orleans could not have a better advocate for economic inclusion, development and social justice,” said John Georges, multi-sector businessmen, civic leader and philanthropist. “I have had the privilege of working with Erika, and I am confident that she will advance the Urban League’s mission, and carry the mantle even further.”

As the new president & CEO, Mrs. McConduit-Diggs will hit the ground running with an early agenda to stabilize the agency through procurement of a permanent headquarters and home for the Urban League’s Centers of Excellence. Creating innovative direct service programs focused on critical community impact, while diversifying the organization’s funding streams, will also headline her priorities.

McConduit-Diggs received her undergraduate degree from Howard University in Washington D.C. and a Juris Doctorate Degree from Loyola University School of Law in New Orleans.

Mrs. McConduit-Diggs has also served on numerous education committees including Mayor Landrieu’s Education Task Force, Louisiana State Superintendent of Education John White’s Student Task Force as co-chair, and the Recovery School District’s Charter Application Task Force.

The Urban League of Greater New Orleans is one of 95 affiliates of the National Urban League, which is currently being run by former New Orleans mayor and Crescent City native Marc H. Morial. The mission of the Urban League is to encourage and empower communities in the pursuit of economic self-reliance, parity and civil rights. The Urban League’s three Centers of Excellence are focused in the areas of education and youth development, community and economic development, and public policy and advocacy. The Urban League is a non-profit, non-partisan, non-sectarian, community based organization and a participating agency of the United Way. For more information on the Urban League, visit www.urbanleagueneworleans.org. Follow the Urban League of Greater New Orleans on Facebook and Twitter (@ULGNO).

This article originally published in the December 2, 2013 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.