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Celebrating Women’s History Month in Seattle: Michelle Merriweather, President & CEO at the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle

Each year, the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) invests hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts to more than 200 community-based organizations (CBOs) and programs that support strong and healthy communities. In recognition of Women’s History Month, we are shining a spotlight on women-led organizations that receive funding from HSD and are breaking barriers in the community.

International Women's Day concept. Women's community. There are women of different races, different ages in the picture. Vector illustration. Empowering quote about equity from Michelle Meriweather.

In this post, we feature the incredible President & CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle (ULMS), Michelle Merriweather. She has been with ULMS since 2016 and has served in various leadership roles, including Chief Operating Officer and Interim President and CEO, before being appointed as the permanent CEO in 2019. Michelle is also a co-founder of The Equity Collaborative, a group of healthcare leaders focused on advancing health equity and promoting the development of culturally responsive care.

Photo of Michelle Meriweather [Credit: Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle]

Under Merriweather’s leadership, ULMS has expanded its reach and impact in Seattle’s underserved communities. She has helped to strengthen the organization’s focus on equity and inclusion and has worked to build strong partnerships with other community-based organizations, local businesses, and government agencies.

The ULMS was established in 1930 to become one of approximately 90 affiliates of the National Urban League (NUL). Today, ULMS implements its mission within the Seattle/King County service area through advocacy, direct programming, community outreach, and coalition building in six major pillars of focus: housing, education, entrepreneurship, workforce development, public health, and civic engagement. With a vision of equity for all, ULMS empowers those it serves by providing programming and services designed to support and encourage self-sufficiency in all aspects of life.

As the second-oldest civil rights organization in the state of Washington, ULMS is one of the region’s essential economic first responders, helping families cope with challenges through a variety of programs designed to support and encourage self-sufficiency in all aspects of life. ULMS also serves as a liaison between community members, local businesses, city and county government, and other service-based organizations that share our concern for the welfare of the Black community and other disadvantaged residents in the Greater Puget Sound area.

ULMS is a women-led organization that is breaking barriers in the community. The organization empowers African Americans, as well as other diverse underserved communities, to thrive by securing educational and economic opportunities. The ULMS also works to bridge the gap between its members and the community by fostering relationships and empowering individuals to create change in their own neighborhoods.

There are several ways in which individuals and organizations can share in the mission to empower those ULMS serves, including: becoming a volunteer, official ULMS member, email subscriber, ULMS Young Professional, or community partner.

To learn more about how to get involved with the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, head to the ULMS website for more information: https://urbanleague.org/get-involved/