The Empowerment Summit is a three-day policy event in Washington D.C. hosted by the National Urban League, consisting of the Energy Jobs Convening, the release of the State of Black America, and the Legislative Policy Conference. Congress members, state leaders, and community advocates gather to address persistent policy challenges impacting Black Americans and underrepresented communities. Essential civic, social, and business leadership skills are also shared to prepare those in the Urban League movement for success.
Our design approach centered on creating a unifying Empowerment Summit identity and emblem with a collection of sub-event materials under its umbrella while remaining part of the National Urban League brand. By developing a flexible system of stylized D.C. architecture, energy grid dot patterns, and simple shapes with changes in scale, each sub-event held a distinct visual presence using a shared color palette. The resulting promotional materials are serious but dynamic to appeal to a wide audience and provide the energy and optimism framing the future-forward topics discussed.
Day one of the Summit included Energy Jobs Convening sessions on electric vehicles, the latest developments in residential and commercial buildings, and how communities of color can thrive in the energy revolution and transformation age. We developed promotional graphics for these topics and the speakers who serve as key stakeholders in the energy sector, including energy companies, coalitions, unions, training providers, and nonprofits.
The Legislative Policy Conference kicked off with the highly-anticipated launch of the National Urban League’s State of Black America report, a source for thought leadership around racial equality in America across economics, employment, education, health, housing, criminal justice, and civic participation.
In the 48th edition of the report, its contributing authors reflect on a landmark piece of legislation that transformed everyday life in America, the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Read more about this project and our approach here.
Legislative Policy sessions on days two and three of the Summit covered anti-diversity efforts in K–12 education, artificial intelligence & civil rights, the Medicaid crisis, community redevelopment and revitalization, small business, and the latest on student loans. Live coverage of the conference was available on the National Urban League site and select streaming platforms.
