Marcus Johnson, president and CEO of The Urban League of Springfield; Percy Miller (Master P.), business mogul/rap artist; Candy Johnson, president and CEO of The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga; Michael McMillan, president and CEO of The Urban League of Metropolitan Saint Louis
The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga (ULGC) and its president and CEO, Candy Johnson, have been honored with the prestigious John W. Mack Medal of Honor during the National Urban League Conference, held July 26, in New Orleans. These distinguished affiliates are designated as "Affiliate of the Year" for their respective market sizes. This award recognizes high-performing affiliates across the nation and celebrates their exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to supporting marginalized communities.
The John W. Mack Medal of Honor is awarded to Urban League affiliates that demonstrate outstanding performance in their respective market sizes—large, medium and small. The Medal of Honor was presented to four Urban League CEOs (Metropolitan St. Louis; Palm Beach County, Fl.; Springfield, Il.; and Chattanooga) by National Urban League President Marc H. Morial and NUL Board Chair Tim Murphy of Mastercard at the conference’s Whitney M. Young Jr. Awards Gala. The recognition underscores the organization’s role as a champion of change and its effective leadership in advancing economic empowerment, social justice and equity.
During the ceremony, Judge Curtis Collier, ULGC board member emeritus and a National Urban League Quarter Century Club inductee, commended ULGC President and CEO Candy Johnson’s leadership, stating:
“President Johnson elevated the Chattanooga affiliate to unparalleled professionalism and community esteem. She is a unique talent. Her visionary leadership, marked by initiating numerous successful programs, fundraising efforts and her hands-on, caring disposition for the staff and mission of the organization, has made the Urban League a model for affiliates nationwide. Working with her over the past three years has been a real pleasure, and her impact on Chattanooga and the surrounding area is profound, making it a much better place to live.”
“Being involved under her leadership has brought my pride in the Urban League to the bursting point. The award of the John W. Mack Medal of Honor is just more well-deserved recognition of what all who serve with her here already know—her dedication and commitment to the Urban League movement is unsurpassed.”
In addition to ULGC’s recognition, the conference honored other notable figures during the Whitney M. Young Jr. Awards Gala. Recipients included Congressman Troy Carter and Percy Miller, also known as “Master P,” who received Lifetime Achievement Awards. David and Tamela Mann were similarly honored, and Leslie Odom Jr. received the President’s Award for Arts, Media and Entertainment.
This recognition affirms the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga’s critical role in fostering a more equitable and inclusive community and its leadership's tireless efforts to uplift those who have been historically disadvantaged.