Arva Rice
Arva Rice is the President and CEO of the New York Urban League (NYUL), a position she has held since 2009, making her the second woman to lead the organization in its century-long history. Under her leadership, NYUL has expanded its mission to empower African Americans and other underserved communities across New York City through education, employment, and civil rights advocacy. Rice’s initiatives have focused on youth development, economic empowerment, and social justice, reinforcing NYUL’s role as a pivotal institution in addressing systemic inequalities.
Before her tenure at NYUL, Rice held several key positions in the nonprofit sector, including executive director roles at Project Enterprise and Public Allies New York. Her work has consistently centered on community development and support for marginalized populations.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Rice serves as a Commissioner for the NYC Equal Employment Practices Commission and is actively involved with organizations such as the Women’s Forum and The Links Incorporated. A graduate of Northwestern University, she resides in Harlem and continues to be a prominent advocate for equity and inclusion in New York City.
