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photo by steed media service
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Rising Star, National Urban League
The National Urban League Young Professional-Heineken USA Rising Star
program identifies and recognizes young professionals in the National
Urban League for their commitment to the community. This year’s
national winner is Lisa Kathumbi, a lawyer from Columbus, Ohio.
“I’m so excited about competing in the Rising Star policy paper
competition hosted by Heineken USA and the Urban League. I’m a lawyer
by training; however, when I heard about the policy paper competition
and the topic, I was excited about the chance to share my thoughts on
an important issue,” says Kathumbi.
Kathumbi’s passion and
experience was the inspiration for writing her paper. “I felt compelled
to take part in the policy paper competition because of the topic – the
Community Reinvestment Act, which addresses discrimination in lending.
It’s a topic that’s important to me, having worked for the Fair Housing
Organization in Chicago and serving on the board for Fair Housing
Organization in Cincinnati. I’m very familiar with the issues that low-
to moderate- [income] communities face, so when I saw the opportunity
to share my thoughts on such an important topic, I felt compelled to
take part in the competition. I think it’s great that the Urban League
has partnered with Heineken USA to take the ideas of young people and
use [them] in their five-point agenda for change.”
As the 2007
National Urban League Young Professional-Heineken USA Rising Star award
winner, Kathumbi received $5,000 and an all-expense paid trip to a
Heineken USA sponsored event. – adrienne gadling
