The Urban League of Philadelphia has found its next President and CEO in Darrin W. Anderson. 

His selection marks the end of the organization’s months-long national search in finding its new leader.

Terri Washington Wiggins had been filling in as interim CEO since Andrea Custis resigned from the role last fall after five years. 

Anderson is the CEO of the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance, an organization he has worked with since 2009.

In his CEO role, he has led key initiatives involving 31 independent YMCA associations representing $300 million in collective revenue. 

He also worked collaboratively with national donors, secured $50 million in government aid during the COVID-19 pandemic, and established the New Jersey YMCA Equity Committee and National Housing and Social Services.

“His primary focus is driving innovation, growth, and transformative change on behalf of marginalized and low-income communities,” said Urban League of Philadelphia Board Chair Keith Bethel, in a statement. 

In his current role, Anderson is also responsible for helping to pass over 100 legislative bills and ordinances in New Jersey, assisting in removing social and economic barriers to good health and economic mobility.

Previous roles for Anderson included executive director of the American Diabetes Association and director of health initiatives & public policy for the American Heart Association. 

He will bring over 25 years of experience providing strategic direction and guidance within the nonprofit sector, to the Urban League of Philadelphia. 

“Throughout the selection process, what most impressed the Board, was Darrin’s singular commitment to the mission and vision of the ULP,” said Bethel. 

“He will be a valued partner for our Board, a dedicated and compassionate leader for our staff, a committed visionary for our donors and stakeholders, and a tireless champion for the communities we serve,” he added. 

Anderson serves on a number of boards, including the Chichester Baseball League, Advocates for Children of New Jersey, and Active Living By Design.

He is a graduate of the University of Delaware, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education/Fitness and a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology. Anderson then earned his Doctorate of Philosophy in Kinesiology and Exercise Science. 

The Urban League of Philadelphia was founded in 1917, and over its 106-year history, the organization has served the Philadelphia region with professionalism, distinction, and an unwavering commitment to its core mission of empowering African Americans and other underserved people to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power, and civil rights. 

The organization does so through five core program types: Youth & Education (Preparation for College and Career); Workforce Development (Training, Development, and Job Placement for Career Seekers); Housing Counseling (Expert Assistance for First-Time Homebuyers, Foreclosure, and Financial Literacy), Entrepreneurship (Resources for Startup and Established Business to Promote Growth), and Health & Wellness (Educating and Empowering Our Communities to Adopt Healthy Lifestyles).