Urban League Names New Chief Executive

Ibrahim Naeem, former Los Angeles Urban League official, was named chief executive officer of the troubled San Diego Urban League on Wednesday.

Naeem fills a post vacated by Herb Cawthorne, who resigned abruptly June 7 amid allegations that he mismanaged about $13,000 in funds belonging to the black service organization. Cawthorne, who was one of the city’s most influential black leaders when he headed the Urban League, never offered an explanation for his mysterious resignation.

Urban League officials also have refused to comment on Cawthorne’s departure, but they voted last month to sue him for the allegedly mismanaged funds, plus $16,000 for legal and audit fees. However, no complaint has been filed to date.

Naeem’s appointment was announced in a press release issued by local Urban League officials. No information was given about his salary or when he is expected to assume his new duties. Urban League Board Chairwoman Deborah Brady-Davis, who was listed as a contact on the release, did not return phone calls placed to her business office.

According to the statement issued by the group, Naeem will head an office with 34 employees and an operating budget of $1.5 million. The Urban League has served the black community in San Diego since 1955 and operates community programs, including job training and parent education.

Before coming to San Diego, Naeem had headed the Pasadena/Foothill branch of the Los Angeles Urban League since 1985. As head of the Pasadena office, Naeem criticized city officials for failing to recruit and promote minority employees.

In August, Naeem joined several black officials who complained about employment discrimination against blacks in Pasadena. The city responded to the complaints by commissioning an audit of its hiring and promotion policies.

Naeem could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Cawthorne took over the helm of the Black Federation of San Diego last week. He quit his $40,000 a year half-time position with the Greater San Diego Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 3. He joined the Chamber in September, three months after resigning from the Urban League.

As head of the Black Federation, Cawthorne will try to revitalize an organization with a $50,000 debt. The group is active in programs to encourage the building of low-cost housing.