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Friendly and Fierce Faces of the Urban League Break the Cycle of Poverty

If you take a stroll down 2nd Street in downtown Fort Lauderdale, you’ll notice a strip of black and white faces – some friendly and some fierce - but all are passionate. These individuals are members…

If you take a stroll down 2nd Street in downtown Fort Lauderdale, you’ll notice a strip of black and white faces – some friendly and some fierce – but all are passionate. These individuals are members of the Urban League of Broward County Young Professionals.

While the Urban League has joined Broward County in celebrating their 100th anniversary, they are also celebrating their own milestone of being in existence for 40 years. Their message for this Inside Out installation is “Breaking the Cycle”, which has also been their theme for 2015.

UL_photo2The Urban League exists to break the cycle of poverty and empower communities and change lives. President of the Urban League, Daniel Nicolas, says the biggest issue the community is facing is lack of access to education, jobs, housing, and health programs.

“We want to show that there is a new generation of civic leaders, community leaders, and business leaders in the Broward community,” Daniel Nicolas, president of the Urban League, said. “We are doing that through breaking the cycle through education, professional development, and self development.”

Not only are people looking for affordable housing, healthcare, and help with their next ACT test, but they are also seeking opportunities to serve.

“A lot of people are looking for an opportunity to be a part of something bigger than themselves,” Nicolas said.

When you look up at the diverse faces on 2nd street, you see expressions of confidence and a passion to overcome adversity no matter where they have been.

“I think what people really see as they walk by is the passion and emotion to want to have a better community,” Nicolas said, “…and the desire to have a stronger Broward County.”