An interracial, nonpartisan, interdenominational Board of Directors formed the Urban League in December 1946. The first Executive Director, Cenoria D. Johnson, was appointed and housed in the basement of the Stile-Street YWCA on Northeast 2^nd St. and Stiles. Jesse T. Owens was elected president of the Board of Directors. The team of two staff and fourteen board members, along with an influential group of volunteers, shaped the organizational structure, established a basic program and adopted a method of operation.

One of the first tasks that confronted the new organization was the desegregation of the city’s fire department. The League played a significant role, along with other community leaders, in changing the employment practices to include “negroes” as fire fighters. The specific task of the League was to recruit and train the twelve first Black firemen.

The Urban League spearheaded:

• The hiring of the first Black Bus Drivers
• The acceptance of Blacks as apprentices in local unions
• The entrance of Black women in local hospital-based nursing training
• The appointment of Blacks to major local and state boards and commissions

During the first ten years of operation, the Urban League formed a volunteer auxiliary group known as the Urban League Guild.  This addition completed the trilogy: a strong policy-making board, a well-trained dedicated staff and volunteer support ready to seek equality and justice.

Dr. F.D. Moon summed up the first ten years with this statement, “As a result of the Urban League, a type of community climate is being created in Oklahoma City which offers a great hope for all people in our City of Tomorrow.”

During this exciting time for the Urban League, “New Thrust” and “Systems Change” were the new buzz phrases within the movement. The New Thrust concept, simply stated meant “people power.”  It had two components: 1) program demonstration and 2) citizen’s participation. The Urban League developed programs in each component. Its demonstration programs included:

• Street Academy – demonstrated that Black youth could excel in education   given an alternative to traditional classrooms
• Education Center – project to assist suspended, expelled and drop out students
• Housing Counseling Center – promoted home ownership and assisted homeowners in delinquency or default with their loans
• Black Board of Education – dramatized the lack of representation on the Oklahoma City Public Schools’ Board of Education
• Job Development and Employment Center – assisted the unemployed and under employed job seekers to obtain gainful employment

The Urban League organized the Southwestern Urban Development Corporation (SUDC), whose purpose was to promote safe, decent, low-cost housing for low- to moderate-income people. SUDC planned and organized a building fund campaign, which resulted in the construction of the Urban League Community Center.

During this time, the Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City became stronger. The Board of Directors became more attentive to its role as policy-maker and fund developer and for its financial accountability. The Guild assumed a greater role in fundraising and program implementation. The staff took on more tasks and learned the skills of volunteer training and utilization.

A new program department was created with the acquisition of a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce: the Minority Business Development Center, which provided professional assistance to minority people wanting to start their own business.

The top program and management staff became of age during this period. One resigned after 18 years, one wanted a career change after 16 years, two others, including the CEO, retired after serving 25 and 29 years respectively. These staff changes represented eighty or more years of service and experience. A new and younger staff had been given the mantel of responsibilities. They had more energy, new ideas and different approaches for solutions to the problems of racism, prejudice and discrimination.