Eddie Harrell, Jr. is the 7th President and CEO of the Columbus Urban League — a post he assumed in April 2006. The Columbus Urban League, founded in 1918, is an affiliate of the National Urban League and is one of the oldest affiliates in the United States. The Columbus Urban League serves thousands of people every year in the following areas: Career Development, Education & Prevention, and Housing. The National Urban League was founded in 1910. Since beginning at the Columbus Urban League, the organization has grown to a budget of $9.4 million from $2.7 million, and the staff has grown to over 100 from 40 when assumed the leadership role.

Prior to joining the Columbus Urban League, Mr. Harrell served as the Executive Director of I KNOW I CAN and Project GRAD Columbus. These two programs, with a combined budget of $7.4 million, work hand in hand to provide Columbus City School District students with a quality public education that prepares them to enter college. Both programs also provide financial assistance for high school graduates from the Columbus City School District. Under Mr. Harrell's leadership, I KNOW I CAN grew from awarding $1 million in Last Dollar Grants to awarding $1.7 million. While at I KNOW I CAN, growth in Last Dollar Grant funding was spurred by an endowment in excess of $22 million. During his tenure, Project GRAD expanded from the Linden McKinley area to include the Marion Franklin area as well, thereby doubling the amount of students served.

In 2000, Mr. Harrell was recognized as one of the outstanding "Forty Under Forty" community leaders in Central Ohio by Business First.

Before working for I KNOW I CAN and Project GRAD Columbus, Mr. Harrell held various management positions with The Kroger Company. Prior to taking over the helm at I KNOW I CAN, he served on the organization's Board of Directors, first as a student member, then as a full member, and finally on the Executive Committee. He now serves on the Otterbein College Board of Trustees, as well as the Board of Directors for COSI (Center of Science and Industry), Columbus Public Schools Education Foundation, and KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program). Additionally, he serves as Co-Chair of the Diversity Focus Area for the City of Columbus 2012 Bicentennial Commission. He has previously served on the Boards of Youth For A Positive Image, Greater Linden Development Corporation, Otterbein College Alumni Council, Columbus Public Schools Equity Task Force, and the Columbus Workforce Alliance. He is an active member of the Capital Square Rotary Club and currently serves as an Adjunct Faculty member at Franklin University.

Mr. Harrell received a B.A. in Business Administration from Otterbein College and a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Ashland University. Mr. Harrell received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Otterbein College Alumni Association in 2002.

Mr. Harrell and his wife, Valerie, reside in Columbus with their two children, Kayla and Eddie III.