Urban Leadership Initiative

The Urban Leadership Initiative (ULI) program provides students with the fullest possible exposure to the urban communities in which they minister, serve, and live. ULI’s programs – seminars, conferences, workshops, and forums – are designed to encourage and equip students for participation in a variety of interdisciplinary and interdenominational Christian ministries, faith-based agencies, community organizations, government agencies, and businesses. ULI uses collaborations, internships, and mentoring relationships to expand the student’s education outside the classroom. Many of ULI’s programs are available to leaders who are not students at CUBM but are involved in urban leadership positions.

ULI Conferences

The first Urban Leadership Conference was held in 2001. Once a year, CUBM and ULI sponsor an intensive weekend program that is part of each student’s class schedule for that term. Each conference focuses on one issue pertinent to urban ministry. These conferences are open to the public so that students can meet and associate with proven community leaders. Past conference speakers have included Dr. Bernard Franklin from the Fatherhood Initiative in Kansas City; Dr. Terrell Byrd of Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida; Dr. Tom Fortson of Promise Keepers in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Dr. John Perkins, author of Reclaiming the Urban Family; Dr. Carl F. Ellis, Jr., author of Free at Last, Dr. Willie Richardson of Stronghold Baptist Church in Philadelphia; Rev. Charles Mock of National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.

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Urban Heroes

The Urban Heroes project began in 2010 as a way to recognize and honor Western Pennsylvania residents who serve their communities with distinction and model servant leadership. These individuals help others, making their communities better and more meaningful every day with little or no recognition. A grant from the Multicultural Arts Initiative helped us launch the project: Urban Heroes: Stories of Ordinary Pittsburgh Residents Who Do Extraordinary Things. We told the amazing stories of the first three groups of honorees in books available to the public for purchase.

Please visit our our Pittsburgh Urban Heroes website, to read or listen to the stories of both current and previous Urban Heroes. You can also purchase our latest Urban Heroes publication or nominate an Urban Hero from your community.

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ULI International

Urban Leadership Initiative International (ULII): educates students and the public about the trends, challenges, and opportunities in the ministry world outside of the urban area. ULII sponsors workshops, classes, and missions trips that provide individuals with firsthand experience in cross-cultural ministry. By doing so, ULII aims to develop global leaders who are equipped to face the challenges of the 21st century.