Patrick J. Franklin
Nonprofit
Since 1973, the Urban League of Palm Beach County (ULPBC) has been dedicated to helping African Americans and other minorities achieve social and economic equality across Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties. The nonprofit organization provides a range of services including food assistance, youth education, homebuyer support, financial literacy programs, job placement and community development through its 25 free programs and services, reaching 18,000 clients annually.
“We’re a trusted agency that has consistently delivered programs benefiting underserved residents across the county. We’ve impacted communities and changed lives for the better,” says Patrick J. Franklin, President and CEO of ULPBC. “The need for our services is greater than ever, and I’m committed to ensuring that our agency will continue to serve those in need in the future.”
ULPBC collaborates with various groups, citizens, government entities and community business leaders. For instance, they’re holding their third annual summer food telethon and drive with WPTV Channel 5 in June. Funds raised will provide perishable and nonperishable foods to 2,400 families in one day at three locations: West Palm Beach, Delray Beach and Belle Glade. “Food disparity is real. Many families rely on school breakfast and lunch for their kids and when school is out, kids go hungry.”
As a nonpartisan advocate for civil rights, ULPBC actively promotes voter registration for the upcoming 2024 presidential election, continuing their efforts from 2020. “Our goal is to encourage people to engage in the democratic process and exercise their right to vote.”
ULPBC is an affiliate of the National Urban League, the largest civil rights organization in the country, with 92 affiliates in 36 states and the District of Columbia, serving 2.7 million people annually.
Entering his 23rd year as leader of the organization, Franklin reflects on their work: “We’ve done meaningful work to help children and families navigate through tough times.”
A resident of West Boca Raton for the past 36 years, he plans to expand ULPBC’s operations to cover more of South County. “More can be done to help the underserved who are sometimes invisible in such a wealthy county like ours. We invite those who want to support ULPBC in realizing its promise of Empowering Communities and Changing Lives to donate their time, expertise and resources.”
In February, Franklin joined a group of community leaders on a trip to Israel to study hatred and antisemitism. He also hosts a weekly podcast, “South Florida Sundays,” on X102.3 FM, airing Sundays at 6 a.m., where local and national leaders discuss topics of interest to the community.
Urban League of Palm Beach County, Inc., 1700 N. Australian Ave., West Palm Beach, 561-833-1461, ulpbc.org
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