Fort Wayne Urban League

10/10/2026

10/09/2026

Shop Local. Support Local. Build Opportunity.

The Fort Wayne Urban League, in partnership with SEED Fort Wayne, invites local entrepreneurs, small business owners, artisans, and makers to be part of Holiday Hustle 2026!

This festive community shopping experience is more than a holiday market. It's an opportunity to showcase your products, connect with new customers, increase your brand visibility, and celebrate the power of shopping local!

WHY BECOME A VENDOR?

✔ Showcase your business and unique products
✔ Connect with holiday shoppers
✔ Expand your customer base
✔ Network with fellow entrepreneurs
✔ The first 20 vendors may qualify for a $250 stipend!

📅 Saturday, November 28, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Fort Wayne Urban League
2135 S. Hanna Street | Fort Wayne, IN

VENDOR APPLICATION DEADLINE: OCTOBER 31, 2026

Vendor opportunities are limited, so don't wait!

Apply today:
https://1l.ink/82W354H

Let's turn holiday shopping into opportunities for local businesses and stronger communities!

HOLIDAY HUSTLE: SHOP LOCAL. BUILD OPPORTUNITY.

10/08/2026

Our first GUILD meeting since the September 12th Equality for All Sneaker Ball is extra special as we celebrate one of our own! ❤️👑

Join us in congratulating our very own Guilder and 2026 Sneaker Ball Queen, Costella Hamilton, who raised more than $5,000 in support of the Fort Wayne Urban League’s Community Closet!

Her generosity, leadership, and commitment to serving our community are truly worthy of celebration.

Isn’t she lovely??? 😍👑❤️

Costella, thank you for using your crown to make a difference in the lives of others! That’s what the GUILD is all about—service, sisterhood, and making an impact! ❤️🙌🏾

P.S. Thank you Catherine Hill for these beautiful flowers that we presented to our Queen tonight!

10/07/2026

Calling all monsters, ghosts, and goblins! 👻🎃

Join us at our annual Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 31, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Our parking lot will be filled with decorated car trunks, tons of sweet treats, and community spirit for a night of safe Halloween fun for all ages!

10/07/2026

✨ Board Member Spotlight: Merri Lanier 📸

FWUL Guild President and Board Member Merri Lanier leads with purpose every day. She believes in uplifting families and equipping them with the tools they need to overcome barriers and achieve self-sufficiency. Through job training, educational support, and grassroots outreach, Merri works to ensure everyone in our underserved neighborhoods has the opportunity to thrive.

Thank you, Merri, for your tireless service and dedication to empowering families and driving change for future generations in Fort Wayne!

10/02/2026

Since 1920, your Fort Wayne Urban League has been committed to creating a world with no equality gaps.

For 106 years, education has been at the forefront of our mission because we know it is a powerful pathway to opportunity, growth and a brighter future.

Today, that commitment continues through programs like Afterschool with FWUL, Project Ready, Work Ready and our youth leadership initiatives—helping young people learn, grow and prepare for what comes next.

But this work cannot be done alone. It takes all of us—families, educators, businesses, community partners, donors and volunteers—working together to create opportunity and strengthen our community.

Since 1920, we’ve been here. And together, we’re continuing the work. ❤️

10/01/2026

🗳️ RECLAIM YOUR VOTE. MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD.

The Fort Wayne Urban League is proud to participate in Reclaim Your Vote, a National Urban League initiative encouraging civic engagement and voter participation.

📍 FORT WAYNE URBAN LEAGUE IS A VOTING SITE!

As a designated Vote Center, eligible Allen County voters can cast their ballot at participating Vote Centers during the designated voting periods.

📅 MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

🗳️ ELECTION DAY — NOVEMBER 3
6 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Your voice matters. Your vote matters. Your participation matters.

Make a plan to vote. Learn about the candidates and issues on your ballot. Encourage your family, friends and neighbors to participate.

❤️ The Fort Wayne Urban League is proudly NONPARTISAN. We do not endorse or oppose candidates or political parties. Our role is to encourage civic participation and provide access to the voting process.

09/30/2026

✨ Board Member Spotlight: Dave McComb 📸

For more than a decade, Dave McComb has been a dedicated board member and champion of the Fort Wayne Urban League. Dave is passionate about opening doors for the next generation. He understands that lasting community impact starts when we give young people the practical skills and confidence they need to pave their own way.

A huge thank you to Dave for his continued leadership and service to the Fort Wayne community, and for investing in our future leaders!

09/30/2026

A message from our President & CEO, Aisha R. Arrington, in The Journal Gazette today:

“I’m honored to be quoted in today’s Journal Gazette editorial discussing the importance of diversity in leadership and representation on governing boards.

My perspective is simple: strong leadership is strengthened when people with different experiences, perspectives and backgrounds have a meaningful seat at the table.

As leaders, we have a responsibility to build organizations that reflect the communities we serve. Representation is particularly important in youth athletics because sports can shape a young person’s confidence, sense of belonging and belief in what is possible for their future.

When young people see leaders who reflect different backgrounds and experiences, they are reminded that there is a place for their voice, their perspective and their leadership.

Diversity should never be about simply filling a seat. It should be about bringing together the right combination of experiences, expertise and perspectives to make better decisions and better serve the people who depend on us.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my perspective—and even more committed to continuing the work of creating spaces where every voice has an opportunity to be heard.”