In the aftermath of the racial awakening, attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and affirmative action make the call to support long-standing Black-led civil rights organizations more relevant than ever. Rahsaan D. Hall is the president and chief executive officer of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts (ULEM). He brings more than 20 years of experience in civil rights and criminal justice to the role. Since opening to the Greater Boston community in 1919, ULEM has been employing a multi-point strategy to deliver services and programs which aim to increase self-reliance, specifically in the area of workforce and economic development.

Hall previously served as the director of the Racial Justice Program at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Massachusetts and is the founder of Rahsaan Hall Consulting. Prior to the ACLU, Rahsaan served as Deputy Director and Interim Director for the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights (Lawyers for Civil Rights) and worked as an assistant district attorney for the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx