His title is executive vice president and chief operations officer, but Maurice Wilson jokingly admits that he handles everything that doesn't go right during the course of a day.
"I'm the chief cook and bottle washer," joked Wilson with a smile when asked about his role at the Urban League of San Diego County.
Wilson, who earned both his bachelor and master's degrees at National University, said the Urban League takes the next step wherever the NAACP leaves off. He credits the NAACP for the Urban League's ability to lobby for civil rights laws. The Urban League strives to change behavior, in a larger effort to improve the conduct of companies.
The mission of the Urban League of San Diego County is to assist African Americans and other underserved people in San Diego County to achieve social and economic equality through advocacy, bridge building, program services and research.
Wilson, 54, is a friendly, talkative man. He and his wife Ethel have been married for 21 years. His wealth of wisdom might make you feel like you are his student in a black studies class at a university.
"I dropped out of high school in the 11th grade. They weren't teaching me anything, they didn't meet me on an emotional intellect." Wilson said.
He left high school and became the youngest store manager at Church's Chicken in his hometown Chicago. Later Wilson joined the Navy where he earned his GED and began to take classes. He earned an associate's degree from a community college before going on to earn his bachelor and master's degrees from National University.
Even though Wilson carries multiple degrees he doesn't believe that a person needs a college degree to be successful in life. Some of the most influential people in his life do not have degrees. One in particular is his predecessor and mentor at the Urban League, Gema McWilson.
Wilson gives more merit to mentorship programs versus college. "College is a plus, but not a necessity" Wilson said.
Asked if he had any aspirations to run for a political office, Wilson firmly replied, "Never! No position really excites me. I am a free spirit. I like the latitude to be outside of the box," Wilson said.
"My position at the Urban League allows me to be as expressive as I can be," Wilson added. "I am able to create opportunities and open doors. In the political realm I could not do things like this," pointing to the Diversity Works! magazine, a quarterly publication designed to serve the Urban League of San Diego County's business and community partners.
Wilson constantly feeds himself with knowledge and is currently reading an article titled "Slave Ownership" that he suggests every person -- white and black -- should read.
His office is modest with a personal touch of black art, books and music. He prefers to listen to jazz and is studying a music book by Maxwell Maltz titled "Psycho Cybernetics."
When asked if he believes music influences young people he replied that the music that young people listen to really scares him. "There is no such thing as harmless music anymore; people need to listen clearly to the lyrics." Wilson said. He is emphatic in his belief that music shapes and influences the mind and he cautions parents to begin to censor the music that their children listen to.
Wilson, a retired U.S. Navy Master Chief, started out as a volunteer at the Urban League while he was still enlisted. He came on board to bring the organization's technology into the 21st Century.
Wilson said his passion is to bring people together and he feels he has the solution to the black community. "Let's sit down at the table and rebuild the village." said Wilson.
Cecil Steppe, president/CEO of the Urban League of San Diego County, said he is delighted with Wilson.
"Every organization, whether a for-profit or non-profit, needs the kind of person Maurice is. He is a dreamer, committed to his work and the kind of person who keeps me focused." Steppe said. "He keeps me thinking and brings new opportunities and challenges to the organization."
Steppe made a 3- to 5-year commitment to the Urban League and has served now for six years. He sees Wilson as a natural replacement.
"I would love to see Maurice in my chair when I leave" Steppe said. It is confirmed that Wilson is a candidate for the position, but it is a national competition and there are others interested in the top Urban League seat for San Diego County.
"I hope I can touch as many people as possible and give them the insight and knowledge I have," he said. "This job is not about money, but about self-satisfaction."
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