By Megan Sayles
AFRO Staff Writer
msayles@afro.com
The Greater Washington Urban League (GWUL) is set to host its annual Whitney M. Young Jr. Gala: Honoring Those with Courage Under Fire on March 28 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. The evening is the organization’s flagship fundraiser and is a time to celebrate social justice champions and changemakers in the Greater Washington area.
“It’s an opportunity for us to gather folks together to meet and be exposed to transformative leaders who are making a difference in our community and who will share perspectives on where we are as a community and a country,” George H. Lambert Jr., president and CEO of GWUL, told the AFRO. “It’s an opportunity to come out that evening and meet friends, neighbors and rub our shoulders with those making an impact.”
Founded in 1938, Lambert said the GWUL arose out of a group of Black residents’ appeal for support in accessing “good government jobs.” The origin remains relevant today, as the 47th president moves to shrink the federal workforce and ban diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across federal agencies.
Aside from workforce development initiatives, GWUL delivers financial literacy training, scholarships for higher education, rent and utility support, housing counseling, therapy and entrepreneurial accelerators.
GWUL’s theme for the 2025 gala is “Building the Vision: The Power of We,” to celebrate the collective strength of Greater Washington’s Black community. The organization has selected Giant Food to be its presenting sponsor.
At a time when some corporate companies have backed down on DEI efforts, Lambert said Giant Food has been a steadfast partner of GWUL’s work for more than 30 years.
“They touch everything we do in Greater Washington. They touch what we do in the way of food security, a program that supports seniors, our back-to-school festival and other initiatives as well,” said Lambert. “While we have many corporate partners, and they all support us in different ways, Giant Food has the distinction of being the one company that’s been engaged and supported everything that we do.”
In 2020, Giant Food deployed $50,000 to the GWUL as part of its commitment to racial equity. The funds have supported scholarships, mentorship and nutrition initiatives led by GWUL in Black communities. It has also donated thousands of turkeys to organizations, like the GWUL, annually to support families in need during the holiday season.
Since 2022, GWUL has received more than $290,000 from the supermarket chain’s Social Equity and Equality Roundup Campaign, which raises money for organizations that are bettering their communities. Giant Food is even a part of the GWUL’s board of directors.
“As a long-standing board member and secretary of the Greater Washington Urban League, I have had the privilege of witnessing the truly transformative power of our partnership with Giant Food since 2016,” said Brandi Petway, human resources facility lead at Giant Food, in a statement. “Together, we have not only funded life-changing scholarships but also galvanized our community through initiatives like the Trusted Voices COVID-19 vaccination campaign and provided essential resources at GWUL’s annual back-to-school events.”
This year, GWUL will launch a new initiative, “Elevating Black Fatherhood: Creating Brighter Futures for Children, Families and Communities,” in collaboration with United Way of the National Capital Area.
The two-year pilot program will support 150 Black fathers, with a focus on D.C.’s Wards 7 and 8, through a three-pronged approach that addresses their emotional, structural and financial development. Fathers will receive up to $2,000 toward child support payments, individual and family therapy services, access to legal advice and a hotline for emergency emotional support. They will also participate in healing circles to foster relationships with other men experiencing similar situations.
As the tides turn in the White House, Lambert said GWUL is standing firm on its values, which include racial justice, equity and self-reliance.
“These are unprecedented times. It’s a high-stakes moment for us. But, just like our ancestors, we’re going to lean into this moment,” said Lambert. “It is not a time for us to despair. It is a time for us to stay in the trenches and continue to do the work.”
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