The Urban League of Greater Cleveland and the Vision of Marsha A. Mockabee
By the time this summer’s National Urban League Conference opens in Cleveland, Marsha A. Mockabee will do more than just welcome thousands of guests to the Huntington Convention Center—she’ll celebrate a legacy that has been 15 years in the making. As President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Cleveland (ULGC), Mockabee has led the organization through some of its most significant moments. The Conference, scheduled for July 16–19, represents more than just a major event—it symbolizes the progress the League has achieved under her leadership. “We’ve worked hard to be in a different place—and we absolutely got there.” Originally, the conversation focused on her 2026 “re-direction”—her preferred term for what others might refer to as retirement. However, given the volatility nonprofits face today, including political tension and funding challenges, the discussion shifted toward resilience and reinvention.
A Leader in Transition, a Movement in Motion
We need to reconsider our approach to fundraising, our operations, and our mission protection
Mockabee is embracing transition with strategy and clar- ity. She’s not just preparing to step away—she’s ensuring the ULGC is positioned to thrive. From staffing to space re- design, her focus remains on sustainability and equity. That clarity was forged in a crisis. In 2009, she stepped in as interim CEO amid organizational chaos. Layoffs followed, and morale was low. “I told the 13 who remained, ‘Get in the boat and row. I don’t know where we’re going, but I’ll tell you when we get there.’” What could have been the League’s final chapter instead became the beginning of a remarkable turnaround. By 2011, she was appointed as the permanent CEO. A pivotal moment occurred in 2018, when the League adopted a new Vision Statement: to be the leading voice for African American empowerment in Greater Cleveland. That vision is now a living reality. Under her leadership, the League’s budget has tripled to over $4.5 million. Its board—chaired by Kevin Clayton, Executive Vice President and Chief Impact & Equity Officer at Rock Entertainment Group and Cleveland Cavaliers—is both diverse and dynamic. The staff is thriving, and the League now has a consistent presence in regional decision-making spaces once considered out of reach.
“It’s the trust, the respect, the love from the community—that’s what matters most.”
Faith, Purpose, and a Divine Assignment
For Mockabee, impact always outweighs accolades. Her journey is grounded in faith and guided by purpose.
“My role here has always been a divine assignment. God told me, ‘Keep your ears and heart open.’ And that’s what I’ve tried to do.” As Cleveland looks ahead to hosting the 2025 National Urban League Conference, the spotlight rightfully shines on Marsha A. Mockabee and the Urban League of Greater Cleveland. However, her gaze remains on the horizon—focused on what’s next for the League, the city, and the people she has long served.
“We’re navigating new challenges, but we’re ready. And I may be planning for redirection,” she says, “but I’m not done yet.”
