Akron Urban League announces new president and CEO

The Akron Urban League has a new president and CEO, the organization announced Wednesday.

John Williams will now lead the Akron chapter of the Urban League, replacing Teresa R. LeGrair, who recently retired from the position. He will take on the new role starting in September.

“I am thrilled and honored to have been chosen to lead the Akron Urban League particularly as we enter our centennial year," Williams said in a statement. "Akron Urban League has done so much for the community, and I am looking forward to building on past successes and leading the talented staff, to broadening our outreach, and to elevating and empowering more people to improve their quality of life.”

Prior to leading the Akron Urban League, Williams served as the president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Michigan, where he helped to increase their fundraising efforts and expanding Habitat’s budget to serve more clients, the company said. Williams has also worked as the deputy executive director for Alpha Phi Alpha Homes Inc..

“Our board is very excited to welcome John as President and CEO of the Akron Urban League. He has a vast amount of leadership experience in the non-profit and corporate sectors with specific expertise in fundraising, strategic management and relationship-building," said Jolene A. Lane, board chair for the Akron Urban League, in a statement. "He is a visionary and strategic thinker whose knowledge and skillset will help advance the mission of the Akron Urban League to the next level and lead us into the future."

The Akron Urban League's mission is "to advocate and facilitate programs that are economically and educationally transformational, impacting the lives of African Americans in Summit County, along with the lives of future generations," according to the organization's website.

Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@gannett.com, or on Twitter @athompsonABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Urban League announces new president and CEO