It was the perseverance of Dr. Jack Kimbrough, among others, that was crucial in finally establishing a local Urban League branch in 1953. In many cities the local NAACP branch fought for civil rights, but in San Diego it was the Urban League that played the pivotal role after World War II in pushing for civil rights and full inclusion in the city’s burgeoning economy. The San Diego Urban League had an ability to unify competing interests, and work on behalf of communities of color. Among its successful programs was a vocational education program introduced to city schools in 1956. Another success was the Adopt-A-Child program, a charitable project that represented a collaborative effort between several social service agencies.

Pictured Above: First Annual Meeting of the San Diego Urban League, 1955