Black History Month is a time to reflect on how the Black community has navigated historical challenges, celebrating progress while recognizing the work that remains. The Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County (ADAMH) supports a diverse network of providers, including the Columbus Urban League, that has a longstanding presence serving the behavioral health needs of the African American population.
The Columbus Urban League has a 107-year-old history of creating access and opportunity for all people through employment training and placement, financial literacy, small business resources and youth leadership development. The Columbus Urban League serves people of all backgrounds and races, including being a trusted, valued partner to the Black community.
“When you think of African American agencies, and not to take away from any other historically African American agencies, the first one that may come to mind is the Columbus Urban League,” said Lorenzo Brent, Columbus Urban League Associate Vice President of Financial Empowerment Services. “We stay on the pulse of the community, identifying needs and creating initiatives or partnering with other organizations to support our neighbors.”
The Columbus Urban League understands that a holistic approach to a wide range of issues and needs is important to mental wellness.
“Being African American and growing up knowing the trauma we’ve experienced as a people affords us a real understanding and expertise in how to connect, engage and serve people,” Lorenzo said.
Charity Martin-King, Columbus Urban League Vice President of Leadership and Workforce Development, highlighted the organization’s role during pivotal moments in United States history, including the desegregation busing era of the 1970s, when communities grappled with its impact on families and education.
“Around that time, you would have seen the Columbus Urban League focusing on how to navigate childcare and early education programming for families,” Charity said. “Whatever it was, we were there to make sure people got the right information about what was happening and how to work through it.”
By addressing challenges like food insecurity, financial instability and affordable housing, the Columbus Urban League can identify and support the mental health needs of individuals with a variety of programming.
“We’ve ramped up our focus on mental and behavioral health across the board, and ADAMH is a huge partner for us in making sure we incorporate those principles into what we do,” Charity said. “There’s a lot going on and people need mental and emotional supports, in addition to resources and access to opportunities.”
ADAMH has supported several Columbus Urban League initiatives that encompass mental health and addiction care. One such program is I Am My Brother’s Keeper, which provides boys and young men with educational resources, mentorship and social and emotional development opportunities. Another initiative, Neighborhood Violence Intervention Program, works to prevent and intervene in gang-related violence in the Columbus neighborhoods by engaging directly with youth and offering better options than violence. Additionally, Strive Toward Empowerment and Purpose Initiative equips parents and children with skills to build healthier relationships. This program aims to deter all parties from further involvement with the court system.
“We make sure we address choices, behavioral health, the whole family and build upon the history that we have had since the 1900s to do this work,” Charity said. “It can’t be about mental health one week and not the next, so we format curriculums to be able to address behavioral health aspects consistently.”
As the community's behavioral health needs evolve, the Columbus Urban League remains committed to adapting its services and programs to best support those it serves.
“We will always put the needs of the community first, helping all those we serve get the resources and support they need to succeed and thrive,” Lorenzo said. “Our mission doesn’t change but how we deliver services evolves because the world changes. It’s critical that we adapt to challenges in ways that make a difference in our community.”