Rebuilding and Re-emerging: Aisha Arrington and the Fort Wayne Urban League
By Tabitha Ervin,
Editorial Director
Aisha Arrington has been at the helm as the CEO of the Fort Wayne Urban League for 7 weeks so far! We were able to connect on what she is learning and her thoughts going forward. As she stepped into this role after being the long-standing Executive Director of the LTC Ombudsman Program, she knew she was prepared for some of the challenges she would face.
Aisha’s story is a testament to her strength, faith and tenacity as a leader. She herself once received services as a single mom raising her oldest daughter and worked her way up at each job she has ever had. From Aging and In Home Services to Healthier Moms and Babies and finally the Ombudsman Program where she worked up to the Executive Director role all while pursuing a college education. She studied for 7 ½ years to receive her bachelor’s degree from Purdue Fort Wayne and then went on to earn her master’s degree in Organizational Leadership & Supervision from Indiana Tech. She is not one to back down from a challenge or anything that seems hard.
She is mission driven, focused on changing lives and looking forward to getting back to serving the community through the Urban League. She knows that she has to rebuild confidence in the community and find the space where the Urban League can collaborate, support, and initiate mission driven programming.
Ervin: How has the work been going so far?
Arrington: I am doing my research. I have sat down to have many candid conversations with local foundations, community leaders, and donors. I have done a lot of listening. I am getting all the puzzle pieces soa to speak and putting them together to see what we'll do and where we’ll go. As I meet with people, I recognize where we’ve been and get ideas on where we can go. There’s a lot of history within this organization that has been serving the community for over 100 years. It’s faced some challenges, just like my life, but I think we just need to hit the reset button. There is a lot of good that can still be done.
Ervin: What do you have coming up soon?
Arrington: I will be visiting both the Indianapolis and Gary Urban League’s within the next couple of weeks. I think it will be good to be inspired by what those Affiliates are doing because it will give me hope for what can be done right here in Fort Wayne. The Urban League is a national movement, and the Fort Wayne Urban League is apart of that family. Because the organization has experienced some challenges, programming and services that are typically done through an Urban League have been filled through other organizations. It’s critical to take the necessary time to understand what gaps remain and what services are still needed for those we serve. I am ok with taking the time to get it right.
Ervin: What led you to the Urban League?
Arrington: I enjoyed my time with the Ombudsman Program and was able to do a variety of work for the organization. I created their Annual Pajama Drive that serves hundreds of nursing home residents with a new gown or pajama each year. However, after 14 years, I was ready for a new challenge.
Last year, I was interviewed for an article on black women in leadership positions. When I read that article about myself, I was overwhelmed with just how much I have overcome, and I was able to see my own potential through the lens of a stranger. It gave me the confidence to push myself out of my comfort zone. Once I applied for the Urban League position, it was a 6-month process. It was tough but I learned a lot about myself. When I was actually offered the job, I was excited and nervous but felt like it was a great opportunity. This is my dream work and something that I would love to do until I retire. I have a heart for the mission and understand what it really means to serve people.
Ervin: This is great and thanks for sharing! Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Arrington: I’d love to chat again in a year! Just thinking about all the good that can be done within the next year fills me with hope. In the meantime, we have several programs running including Happy Families (conflict resolution help), Ideation Destination (support services for entrepreneurs), and Black College Club is kicking off September 24th on the Urban League campus. We can be reached at 260-745-3100 and I encourage people to follow us on Facebook!
Ervin: Thank you for your time today and I look forward to connecting in the future and blessings on the journey!
