One of the most respected social service and civil rights organizations in the state of Indiana has announced its new leader Thursday morning. Tony Mason will take the helm of the Indianapolis Urban League as its new president and chief executive officer.
“I want to commend the search committee and board of directors for maintaining the integrity of this important selection process,” said Linda Thomas, Chair of the Indianapolis Urban League Board of Directors. “We spoke with numerous outstanding candidates. Tony Mason quickly rose to the very top as the appropriate choice to guide the organization and build upon the momentum of our past leadership.”
The board voted unanimously for Mason to become the third president and CEO in the organization’s 49-year history.
Mason brings to the Indianapolis Urban League (IUL) a long track record of successes including relationship with the organization that he will now helm. “As former president of the Indianapolis Urban League Young Professionals, Tony Mason understands the critical mission of the Urban League Movement and will bring that combination of passion and service to his new role leading the Indianapolis Urban League,” said Marc H. Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League. “I commend the Chair and the entire Board on his selection, and I look forward to working with Tony as he prepares to lead one of our most important affiliates into a new era.”
Mason has worked with Indiana Black Expo, served as the executive director of the Circle City Classic and was the Senior Vice President of the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl XLVI Host Committee.
Reactions to Mason’s selection:
“Tony Mason has the capacity and leadership qualities IUL needs right now. I have had the privilege of working with him for many years. We are confident he will elevate the presence of the Indianapolis Urban League among the community, sponsors and donors.” -Indiana State Representative and current IUL board member Greg Porter
“Tony Mason is an excellent choice to lead the Indianapolis Urban League. His work with Indiana Black Expo, Circle City Classic and the Super Bowl XLVI Host Committee uniquely qualifies him to lead the organization.” -Carey Lykins, CEO, Citizens Energy Group and search committee chair
Mason, an alum of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio holding both a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration and Master of Science, will report to Thomas and the Board of Directors, leading the League staff and volunteers through the National Urban League 5-Point strategy that includes education and youth empowerment, economic empowerment, health and quality of life empowerment, civic engagement and civil rights and racial justice empowerment.
Mason will succeed Joseph Slash who has served as the president and CEO of IUL since 2003.
Mason is expected to assume his new leadership post Monday, October 13, 2014.
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