Lifting as she climbs: Tacoma Urban League President and CEO T’wina Nobles will move on to State Senate, but not before assisting with the transition

TACOMA, Wa. – The Tacoma Urban League board of directors announced Monday that T’wina Nobles, the organization’s president and CEO is moving on from her position as she joins the State Senate, but will stay on throughout the leadership transition.

“We have appreciated T’wina’s leadership,” Tacoma Urban League board chair LaTasha Wortham said. “We couldn’t be more proud of her. It’s amazing what she’s done for our organization and the community, and it’s amazing what she’s going to be doing for the entire state as Washington’s only Black Senator.”

The search for a new president and CEO will begin immediately with Nobles helping to lead the search and transition. The board of directors hopes to have the new president and CEO in place by mid-March.

“I will always be an Urban Leaguer,” Nobles said. “Across the country, at all Urban Leagues, we say, ‘Once an Urban Leaguer, always an Urban Leaguer.’ I think that part is important. Nothing about a new job or transitions will get in the way of me being an Urban Leaguer and a major supporter.”

Nobles was elected to the State Senate out of the 28th Legislative District in November, so she will be taking the responsibility of advocating on behalf of Tacoma’s Black community and the Tacoma Urban League to the state level.

As the Tacoma Urban League begins the process of looking for its next leader, the organization wants to ensure it hires someone with local roots, someone who understands the community’s needs.

“As we look for our next leader, it needs to be someone who understands the community, knows when to take appropriate risks and wants to do good work, while looking for innovation,” Senator-elect Nobles said.

During Nobles’ tenure as president and CEO, she took an intentional approach to understand the Tacoma Urban League’s legacy, while implementing a future-focused approach to encourage innovation. She empowered the community and she helped reestablish the legacy of the organization in a way that paid tribute to the foundation laid by Harold Moss and Thomas Dixon (who served as president and CEO for 43 years).

Nobles took the job in 2017, and in 2019, the Tacoma Urban League received the Most Improved Affiliate Award by the National Urban League. She orchestrated the State of Black Tacoma event in 2019, launched the Black Empowerment Center and worked on the Black Business Directory. She has been instrumental in the work of the Black Future Co-Op Fund and established the T’wina Nobles Young Professionals Scholarship.

The growth Nobles started will continue as the organization moves forward.

The Tacoma Urban League has a history of cultivating leaders who go on to do big things and Nobles is the latest example. The board of directors’ expectation is the next president and CEO will follow in Nobles’ footsteps.

“We need someone to hop on board and keep the train moving in the right direction,” Wortham said.

Salary Range: $80,000 – $100,000 per annum, commensurate with training and experience.

Deadline has been extended to Thursday, January 21st

The Tacoma Urban League seeks a President and Chief Executive Officer to manage and oversee the day-to- day operation of the non-profit social service agency. An affiliate of the National Urban League, the Tacoma Urban League (TUL) works to advance educational, economic and social progress for African Americans in the greater Tacoma Pierce County area and to promote strong, sustainable communities through advocacy, collaboration and innovation.

The President and CEO will have overall responsibility for expanding and managing the operations of the organization, with a particular emphasis on increasing the level of engagement of Tacoma businesses and business leaders. The CEO will work closely with the Board of Directors, the national organization, and other affiliates to ensure the TUL’s strategy is locally effective, and to leverages the national and local resources. The CEO will also be expected to build partnerships and work with individuals and organizations to advocate and secure economic and social progress for the organization’s constituents.

Just 20 minutes away from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Tacoma is located on Washington’s Puget Sound about 32 miles southwest of Seattle and 31 miles northeast of the state capital, Olympia. Located in Pierce County, Washington Tacoma has about 218,000 residents, according to 2019 population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. Tacoma is a city on the rise.

Tacoma is home to a vibrant, creative community of writers, artists and musicians, photographers, filmmakers, passionate entrepreneurs and business owners. Tacoma is experiencing unprecedented growth. Urbanites are drawn to downtown Tacoma for its competitively priced living spaces with sweeping mountain, city and water views, while families gravitate toward Tacoma’s charming neighborhoods with big city amenities, include the food and nightlife scene along Pacific Avenue, 6th Avenue and in the Hilltop neighborhood. A haven for hikers, runners and cyclists, Tacoma is alive with activity from students attending the University of Washington Tacoma, the University of Puget Sound, The Evergreen State College Tacoma campus, local trade and technical colleges, and nearby Pacific Lutheran University.

Tacoma is one of the top 100 best places to live according a 2020 report from Livability.com, a leading online journal that explores what makes small-to-medium sized cities great places to live. Tacoma is a port city with a growing aerospace scene, as well as a skilled workforce thanks largely to several colleges, universities and military installations that call this region home.

Today, Tacoma is at a critical junction as we grapple with the pressing public health, economic, and civil rights issues of our time, Tacoma Urban League needs a leader who can navigate through unanticipated obstacles, and build coalitions to support the African American community.

The President and Chief Executive Officer serves as the chief administrator and is responsible to the Board of Directors; demonstrates the ability to develop, articulate and communicate the vision of the TUL; provides leadership to the organization, administers TUL’s functions and operations; assists in the development of short- and long-range objectives; acts as principal spokesperson, generates new ideas and initiatives and leads through completion; initiates and maintains relationships with staff, board, political, corporate and community leaders; stays well-informed about issues facing the African-American and minority community; forms a disciplined approach to achieving goals and objectives; and engages in dialogue across race, gender, sexual orientation, economic, and other differences.

As the administrator of the agency, the President and Chief Executive Officer directs the day-to-day operation of the TUL; implements and administers the agency’s policies and procedures; demonstrates wisdom, tact, and diplomacy in managing internal and external politics; evaluates programs and services administered by the agency; and engages multiple stakeholders in the mission, goals, and objectives of TUL.

The President and Chief Executive Officer must be proficient and excel in the areas of operating, managing, and programming in virtual and in person environments, planning, monitoring, philanthropy, fiscal administration, proposal writing, organizational skills, written and oral communication, planning and evaluation, human resource administration, community and public relations, using social media to market TUL’s initiatives, programs, activities, and accomplishments, vision, advocacy, and strategic planning.

The successful applicant for the position of President and CEO will demonstrate a willingness to gain an understanding of the league’s current advocacy, fundraising, and other processes and seek ways to manage and improve where possible. The candidate must hold a bachelor’s degree (master’s degree preferred) in business administration, social work, public administration, or finance. Other disciplines may be considered based on experience and a proven track record of leadership and management in community-based organizations.

Candidate must have at least three years of senior non-profit or for-profit management experience. Must be able to prove at least three years’ experience working with a volunteer board, community leadership, and mobilization and collaboration efforts. Prior experience within the Urban League Movement is desirable.

Please submit cover letter and up-to-date resume to LaTasha Wortham – Search Committee Chair (subject line: “Tacoma Urban League CEO Position”) on or before January 11 (Deadline has been extended to Thursday, January 21st), 2021, to: