National Urban League, Isaiah Institute of New Orleans, and Dillard University Join Forces to Expand Civic Engagement and Voter Mobilization

NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE, ISAIAH INSTITUTE OF NEW ORLEANS, AND DILLARD UNIVERSITY JOIN FORCES TO EXPAND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND VOTER MOBILIZATION AHEAD OF 2026 ELECTIONS

Partnership Combines Faith-Based Leadership, Student Engagement, and Civil Rights Advocacy Through Reclaim Your Vote Campaign

NEW ORLEANS (August 21, 2026) – The National Urban League, the Isaiah Institute of New Orleans, and Dillard University's Center for Racial Justice today announced a strategic partnership to sonaltrengthen voter engagement, civic participation, and advocacy efforts throughout the 2026 election cycle.

The partnership will support the National Urban League's 2026 Reclaim Your Vote campaign, a nonpartisan civic engagement initiative to mobilize voters, protect voting rights, and increase participation in the democratic process. Through the agreement, the Isaiah Institute will leverage its faith-based Community of Hope network to engage churches and community organizations throughout New Orleans, while Dillard University will join the League's national Reclaim the Campus initiative to activate and mobilize student voters ahead of the Fall 2026 midterm elections.

"This partnership reflects the power of bringing together the civil rights community, faith leaders, and higher education institutions to strengthen democracy," National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial said. "At a time when voting rights are under assault, we must build broad coalitions that educate, engage, and mobilize communities. The Isaiah Institute and Dillard University are trusted leaders in New Orleans, and together we will empower more people to make their voices heard at the ballot box."

Under the agreement, the Isaiah Institute will mobilize churches to serve as voter registration and civic engagement hubs, distribute educational materials through its faith network, and encourage congregation-based voter participation efforts, including rides-to-the-polls programs.

"The Isaiah Institute's mission has always been rooted in building stronger, safer, and more engaged communities," Isaiah Institute of New Orleans Executive Director Joe Givens said. "We recognize that civic participation is essential to community well-being, and we are proud to partner with the National Urban League and Dillard University to ensure that every eligible voter has the information, encouragement, and support needed to participate in our democracy."

As part of the initiative, Dillard University's Center for Racial Justice will engage student leaders in a national peer-to-peer voter mobilization effort, develop a campus-specific civic engagement strategy, and host a major voter education and civic participation event on September 12, 2026. The event will provide students and community members with voter education resources, election information, and opportunities for continued civic engagement.

"Historically Black colleges and universities have long been incubators for civic leadership and social change," Dillard University President Monique Guillory said. "Through this partnership, Dillard students will have an opportunity to lead, organize, and inspire participation in the democratic process both on campus and throughout the broader community."

Beyond voter engagement, the three organizations have also committed to coordinating advocacy efforts on voting rights, economic opportunity, criminal justice reform, education equity, health equity, environmental justice, and fair representation.