When Dr. Germaine Smith-Baugh discovered an old letter at the Urban League of Broward County, it felt like holding a piece of living history. Dated 1974 and addressed to founder Margaret Roach, the letter outlined the steps to form a local Urban League chapter and included a modest startup budget of just $30,000.
“In 1974, Margaret and others believed Fort Lauderdale needed an Urban League because of the integration of schools and other social changes,” said Dr. Smith-Baugh, President and CEO of the Urban League. “If they could figure that out then, with under $30,000, I think to myself, we got this.”
A Legacy of Growth
Fifty years later, the Urban League of Broward County now operates with an annual budget exceeding $11 million and holds over $20 million in assets. Since joining nearly 30 years ago, Dr. Smith-Baugh has led the organization through transformative growth by focusing on long-term impact.
“Our brand capital, our human capital, and our financial capital—that’s our foundation,” she said. “We ask: What do we want our community to look like in the future, and how do we work backwards to get there?”
With programs spanning education, housing, health, and workforce development, the League’s mission centers on economic resiliency. “It’s about economic freedom,” Dr. Smith-Baugh emphasized. “Because the more you can move people toward economic resiliency, the more choices they have in their lives.”
A Strategic Relationship with TD Bank
TD Bank has been a key relationship on this incredible journey that Urban League of Broward County has been on.
This relationship spans almost 15 years and is marked by shared values and bold decisions, especially during times when others were hesitant.
In the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, when many institutions were scaling back, TD Bank leaned in. The bank provided a $750,000 line of credit and became the first financial institution to back the Urban League’s vision of a signature headquarters, the Community Empowerment Center, which opened in 2012.
“Most banks were looking the other way,” said Pablo Pino, TD Bank’s South Florida Market President and Urban League of Broward County Board Member. "We had capital, and we saw the value of investing in a project like this, which has a positive community impact.”
TD Bank’s early support also helped bring the 2015 National Urban League Conference to Fort Lauderdale, another first for the city. “TD Bank wasn’t even a donor to the National Urban League at that time,” said Dr. Smith-Baugh. “But they believed in us. And once they came on board, others followed.”
In a testament to the strength of the relationship, the Urban League was awarded a $1 million TD Ready Challenge grant to advance affordable housing solutions and break down systemic barriers.
Investing in Entrepreneurs
Another milestone was the Urban League’s 2020 designation as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), named the Central County Community Development Corporation, enabling it to support small business owners who lack access to traditional financing.
TD Bank was an early and essential investor in the CDFI, providing capital to fund microloans for businesses such as bakeries, salons, and contractors.
“Access to capital is one of the biggest hurdles for small businesses,” said Pino. “Through the Urban League’s CDFI, we’re able to support people, whether it’s a bakery, a beauty salon, or an HVAC technician—who wouldn’t qualify for traditional bank loans yet. And as these businesses grow, they eventually become bankable.”
Beyond funding, TD Bank provides financial education, business planning, and coaching to help ensure lasting success for these small businesses.
Leading from the Future
Dr. Smith-Baugh’s vision extends well beyond the present. A prime example is “The Village at Oakland Park,” a 20-acre development poised to be Broward County’s largest mixed-use, mixed-income affordable housing project. With 469 units, green spaces, and community resources, the project is designed to foster economic mobility and intergenerational connections.
“We believe in innovating from the future,” she said. “It’s not enough to respond to today’s needs—we have to anticipate what families will need in 10 or 15 years.”
Building for the Next 50 Years
As Dr. Smith-Baugh looks ahead, she’s focused on sustainability—both financial and human.
“We’re building this to last another 50 years and beyond,” Dr. Smith-Baugh said. “That means strong finances, but also strong people.”
For TD Bank, the mission is deeply aligned. “No matter what’s happening—socio-economically, the Urban League of Broward County keeps the focus on the community,” said Pino.
Nick Miceli, TD Bank’s Regional President of Metro Florida concludes, “This is what collaboration should look like: showing up and building something that lasts. When the Urban League moves forward, so does the community. That’s why we’re all in.”
From a $30,000 startup vision to a $20 million community powerhouse, the Urban League of Broward County continues to shape a future rooted in freedom, fairness, and opportunity.
For more information on how TD Bank can support your business, visit https://www.td.com/us/en/small-business/black-business-month
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