John Edward Jacob

[1] During his tenure as Urban League president, Jacob fought cutbacks in federal social programs and the weakening of civil rights enforcement under the Reagan Administration.

In addition, he recommended the federal government institute full employment through substantial public works and job training programs, and along with other civil rights groups, supported economic pressure in the corporate world to develop markets and jobs for minorities.

He promoted SAT tutoring, comprehensive teenage pregnancy prevention, and a male responsibility program for fatherhood, to address issues contributing to the cycle of poverty in the African-American community.

Jacob added voter registration, education, and drug control to the League's agenda of priorities.

The early 1990s also saw new court decisions and conservative political pressure against affirmative action policies the Urban League supported.