Mission Directed
Terra Brantley works to “rebirth an organization that will be a reflection of the community it serves”
By Fredrick McKissack
Ink Spot Managing Editor
When she took over as president and CEO of the Fort Wayne Urban League, former WANE-TV anchor Terra Brantley became the fourth person to head the organization – either full-time or interim – in the last two years. The local branch had been without a permanent CEO since May 2019 when the nonprofit fired Cosette Grant-Overton. Board Secretary Renetta Williams served as the interim directly afterward. Quintin Dixie, a former Purdue Fort Wayne professor now at Duke University, volunteered as interim president and CEO on January 1, 2020.
Brantley’s tenure begins with the FW Urban League celebrating a century of service; the Fort Wayne Urban League formed in October 1951 with a merger between the Fort Wayne Community Association and the National Urban League.
Yet, it’s a time of change for the FW Urban League, as it seeks to fulfill its stated mission of being “the premier catalyst for positive change in the quality of life for African Americans and others in the greater Fort Wayne, northeast Indiana region.”
With just one full-time staff assistant, Brantley is working hard to reclaim the organization’s place among the region’s powerful institutions. In terms of public events, Brantley pointed out the FW Urban League held two free Southside Urban League Vibes concerts, a 5K run/walk health fair, a voter registration day event, hosted a General Motors job fair, launched a PSA campaign, and helped a local author launch her first children’s book.
“Now, we’re looking ahead to our holiday gift giveaway scheduled for December 11th, launching our minority business incubator in January 2022, and presenting our biggest fundraiser of the year, the Fort Wayne Urban Leaguer Gala,” she wrote in an e-mail to Ink Spot. The black-tie event will take place Saturday, February 26th from 6:30 pm to 11:30 pm at the Grand Wayne Center.
In late January, Brantley accepted a large grant from Ruoff Mortgage president and CEO Mark Music. The FW Urban League was one of five local non-profits Music has targeted to help advance development in Southeast Fort Wayne.
Financially, a look at the FW Urban League’s public tax filings on Propublica.org, showed six-figure net income losses in the 2018 and 2019 fiscal years, before Brantley’s arrival.
In 2019, total revenue was $690,902, nearly 60% coming from contributions, against functional expenses of $913,767. At the time of the reports filing, known as IRS form 990, 28% of expenses were for executive compensation and “other salaries and wages.” The FW Urban League reported net assets of over $1,777,000.
(Find more at projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/350869052)
Due to scheduling problems, Brantley was unable to meet in person with Ink Spot. However, she graciously answered e-mailed questions about the first five months of her tenure.
Ink Spot: First, how have the first few months been for you as the executive director?
Brantley: It’s been layer after layer of responsibilities where I’ve had to juggle many hats as President and CEO of the Fort Wayne Urban League. With a slight chuckle, I tell everyone just call me the CEO, COO, CFO, CIO, Director of Marketing, Supervisor of Environmental Services, and more. I came into this position knowing I would not have a full-time staff because the organization is rebuilding. At present, my Executive Assistant and I are the only full-time staff but by creatively partnering with volunteers and board members, we’re working collaboratively to make sure we’re covering the bases.
Ink Spot: Did being a trusted journalist prepare you for being on “the other side” of the table answering questions and creating solutions rather than posing questions and seeking answers?
Brantley: Life prepared me. Being a trusted journalist helped expose me to some of the tools, resources, and connections that are crucial to this position.
Ink Spot: The Urban League motto is “Empowering Communities | Changing lives.” However, would you agree that, at least locally, the Urban League has a brand identity issue created by a range from instability at the (CEO) level to its role of differentiating itself from, say, the NAACP?
Brantley: I cannot speak to the past. I am focusing on the present and the future. Positive forward momentum is our focus as we rebirth an organization that will be a reflection of the community it serves.
Ink Spot: Has the board set short- and long-term goals to meet? If so, are you at liberty to layout those goals? Is there a strategic plan?
Brantley: Both the board and I set short-and long-term goals and we are working diligently to see that they are met. Our vision is to re-energize the Fort Wayne Urban League so it will serve all the city’s underserved with programs and resources to help them have a better quality of life.
Ink Spot: For people who don’t know the Urban League’s hierarchical structure, how does the national office support the local chapter?
Brantley: The Fort Wayne Urban League is one of 90 affiliates the National Urban League supports in over three dozen states. Headquartered in New York City, it provides guidance and governance by helping affiliates develop programs for those who struggle to advocate for themselves.