Winston Salem Urban League

What Winston Salem Urban League does

The Winston-Salem Urban League (WSUL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit civil rights organization founded in 1947 and headquartered at 201 W 5th Street in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It is one of more than 90 affiliates of the National Urban League and operates a portfolio of workforce development, economic empowerment, youth, senior, and social-service programs targeting African American and other underserved communities in the Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, and Triad region. The CEO is James Perry.

The organization's programmatic offering spans twelve named programs. Core offerings include the Career Expo (a recurring regional job fair), the Community Business of the Month recognition program, the SCSEP (a federally authorized Older Americans Act senior workforce training program), the Summer Youth Employment Program, Youth Worx (academic and life-skills support), the Urban Empowerment Garden, the WSUL Young Professionals networking group, a Job Board, Startup|URBAN ($10,000 forgivable small business loans plus mentorship), SNAP enrollment assistance, a first-time homebuyer seminar, and Tent Tutor (a COVID-era virtual learning support program that served 100+ students). Programs are delivered free of charge through direct service at offices, community events, and partner sites; there is no traditional commercial product or technology platform.

The business model is grant- and donation-funded: revenue streams comprise donations and recurring memberships (managed through a Wild Apricot member portal), grants from program funders (including the 2024 GroMoreGood Grassroots Grant and a 2024 Charter Communications contribution), and in-kind partnership contributions. The organization depends heavily on a dense community ecosystem of recurring nonprofit, civic, media, and government partners — The Chronicle, Winston-Salem Black Chamber of Commerce, Triad Minority Business Expo, NAACP Winston-Salem Chapter, Forsyth Tech Small Business Center, HUSTLE Winston-Salem, the Housing Authority of Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, and others — to deliver programming and reach constituents. No paying customer base, commercial product, or proprietary technology stack exists.

Name

Winston Salem Urban League

Legal name

Winston-Salem Urban League

Website

https://wsurban.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Winston-Salem Urban League is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, National Urban League affiliate founded in 1947 that delivers workforce development, youth, senior, and small-business programs to African American and underserved residents of the Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, and Triad, North Carolina region, funded by grants, donations, and memberships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Educational Services (611), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGADAF

Workforce Readiness, Career Pathways & Youth Employment Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

SECONDARYEDAAAOAD

Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth)

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Workforce Development Initiatives

SECONDARYEDAAAFAK

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Community & Public Education Programs (Libraries, Community Centers)

SECONDARYBPAIACAN

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local)

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Local/Municipal Government Administration

SECONDARYBPAGAEAJ

Employment & Job Readiness Support Services

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Services & Community Support (Food, Housing, Family)

SECONDARYEDAAAFAB

Community Center Education Programs

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Community & Public Education Programs (Libraries, Community Centers)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Youth employment programs
• Community economic empowerment
• Senior job training
• Small business support

Headquarters

HQ city

Winston Salem

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Membership: The organization accepts donations and offers membership programs, with a member portal for engagement and community involvement.
2. Grants and Funders: Funded by community partners and grant programs including the 2024 GroMoreGood Grassroots Grant for garden improvements.

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Winston-Salem Urban League delivers a portfolio of free community programs centered on workforce development, economic empowerment, and social services. Core offerings include the annual Career Expo, Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), Summer Youth Employment Program, Youth Worx, WSUL Young Professionals, Community Business of the Month recognition, the Startup|URBAN small business forgivable loan program ($10,000), SNAP enrollment assistance, the Urban Empowerment Garden, and first-time homebuyer seminars.

Product overview

Winston-Salem Urban League operates as a community-based nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of workforce development, economic empowerment, and social services programs. The core offerings include the Career Expo (annual job fair), Community Business of the Month (minority business recognition), Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP - job training for seniors), Summer Youth Employment Program, Youth Worx (youth educational support), Urban Empowerment Garden, WSUL Young Professionals networking group, Job Board, Startup|URBAN (small business forgivable loan program), SNAP enrollment assistance, and first-time homebuyer seminars. These programs work together to serve African Americans and other disenfranchised communities through education, training, and civic engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Career Expo: Annual career fair bringing together employers and job seekers in the Triad area
• Youth Worx
• Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)
• Urban Empowerment Garden
• Startup|URBAN
• WSUL Young Professionals
• Community Business of the Month

Products and services

• Career Expo Annual career fair bringing together leading employers and job seekers to create economic opportunity. Free admission, open to the public, with advance registration.
• Community Business of the Month Monthly recognition program highlighting minority-owned businesses in the community, presented in partnership with The Chronicle, Triad Minority Business Expo, Winston-Salem Chapter of the NAACP, Winston-Salem Black Chamber of Commerce, and HUSTLE Winston-Salem.
• Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) Community service and work-based job training program for older Americans, authorized by the Older Americans Act, providing training for low-income, unemployed seniors aged 55 and older.
• Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) Youth employment program providing work experience opportunities during summer months.
• Youth Worx Youth program providing educational support, school work assistance, social skills development, team building exercises, and financial workshops for young people.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Urban LeaguecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 January 2025National parent organization providing policy guidance, advocacy coordination, and brand affiliation. Winston-Salem Urban League operates as one of 90+ local affiliates in the network.
• The ChroniclecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMonthly partner in the Community Business of the Month program, providing interview/article promotion and newsletter circulation to winner businesses.
• Winston-Salem Black Chamber of CommercecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMonthly partner in Community Business of the Month program providing visibility and promotional support for minority-owned businesses.
• Triad Minority Business ExpocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMonthly partner in Community Business of the Month program supporting minority business visibility and economic development.
• Winston-Salem Chapter of the NAACPcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMonthly partner in Community Business of the Month program providing promotional support for Black-owned businesses.
• Forsyth Tech Small Business CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMonthly partner in Community Business of the Month program providing Small Business Center services access to winners including counseling and training resources.
• HUSTLE Winston-SalemminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in the monthly Community Business of the Month initiative promoting local entrepreneurs.
• United Way Place Matters CivicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in identifying neighborhood for Startup|URBAN forgivable loan program eligibility, focusing on underserved community areas.
• Housing Authority of Winston-SalemminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) waiting list information and housing assistance resources for community members.
• Mental Health Association in Forsyth CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Mental Health Seminar and educational events for human service professionals.
• Vocational RehabilitationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in SCSEP program referring Ticket to Work participants to Winston-Salem Urban League for employment support.
• Hayes Taylor YMCAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSNAP Out Senior Hunger breakfast venue partner for food assistance enrollment events.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Goodwill Industries International: National nonprofit operating workforce development, job training, and community programs through a network of local affiliates. Highly comparable model to WSUL's Career Expo, SCSEP-like senior programs, and community-based service delivery.
• National Urban League: The national parent network of 90+ affiliates including WSUL. Directly comparable as the umbrella civil rights and workforce development nonprofit, providing policy advocacy and program frameworks that WSUL implements locally.
• United Way of Forsyth County: Major community funder and partner (United Way Place Matters CiVIC program). Comparable as a regional nonprofit intermediary supporting workforce and basic needs programs, though operating at a broader community funding level.

Regional players

• NAACP (Winston-Salem Chapter): Direct community partner of WSUL in the Community Business of the Month program. Operates similar civil rights and minority business advocacy functions locally, with overlapping audience but broader national mission.
• Durham Workforce Development Board: NC-based workforce development organization with similar mission to WSUL's Career Expo, SCSEP coordination, and employer-job seeker matching services, though operates in adjacent Triangle geography.

Direct peers

• Boys & Girls Clubs of America (Triad): National youth development nonprofit with local Triad affiliate serving similar youth demographics as WSUL's Youth Worx and Summer Youth Employment Program. Highly comparable youth workforce and education mission.
• Winston-Salem Black Chamber of Commerce: Direct partner with WSUL on minority business visibility and economic development. Comparable mission around supporting Black-owned businesses in the Triad region with overlapping programmatic focus.
• Hayes Taylor YMCA: Direct WSUL partner for SNAP Out Senior Hunger breakfast venue. Comparable as a community-based nonprofit serving Winston-Salem with overlapping youth, senior, and basic needs programming in the same geography.
• Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County: Regional housing-focused nonprofit that complements WSUL's Home of My Own first-time homebuyer seminar. Operates in the same geography with shared housing/financial empowerment mission.
• Charlotte Urban League: Sister Urban League affiliate operating in the same NC region with highly comparable programs (workforce development, youth, small business, civic engagement). Most direct structural peer given shared National Urban League affiliation and similar program mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wsurban
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCgQaw1QZhkLmBWLSf5LS6CQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/WSUrbanLeague
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/winston-salem-urban-league
• Instagraminstagram.com/ws_urbanleague

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Winston Salem Urban League