Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League

A core memory for nearly four generations of Americans, the first time their teacher announced at the beginning of February that it was time to honor Black History Month. 

Lesson plans highlighted the work of Thurgood Marshall to desegregate the very classrooms they sat in. The words of Martin Luther King Jr. adorned hallways' corkboards, serving as a reminder to build character and to respect people regardless of race. And the contributions of Mae Jemison, Lewis Latimer, and George Washington Carver encouraged us to lean into our ability to wonder and shape the world around us.

A year ago, those lessons, the landmarks of those contributions, and the way we tell those stories in our schools, workplaces, and museums came under attack.

Watch as our EVP Dennis Serrette sits down with our Board Member Tom Reid to explore how philanthropy can create lasting impact.

As we reflect on Dr. King's timeless legacy, join our President & CEO Marc H. Morial at commemorative events this weekend.

Black history is American history. 2026 marks 100 years since Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded Negro History Week! Learn the origin & ways to celebrate. | Abolish ICE. See how the aggressive and confrontational tactics of federal immigration agents are undermining public safety nationwide. | How to meet this moment. Catch our Demand Diversity Roundtable for actionable steps you can take to protect diversity, equity, and inclusion. | Ready to level up your career? Our virtual Black History Month Career Fair is back on Feb. 3! Sign up to connect with hiring managers, network, and more. | Secure a discounted rate. Jan. 31 is the final day to lock in our lowest price for #NULConf26. Register today, and tell a friend. | Congratulations are in order! We can't wait to see how Jennifer Thompkins takes the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh to the next level as its new CEO. | Own your story. Sign up for our free webinar on Feb. 4 for tools to help you build a personal brand, highlight your strengths + more.

Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League

“Officers in unmarked cars and masks are indiscriminately arresting people based on the language they speak or the color of their skin. They’re detaining U.S. citizens! Even folks without criminal records. They’re disregarding Americans’ constitutional rights and throwing due process to the wind. This is NOT what a safe city looks like: Kids are terrified to go to school. Families can’t go to the grocery store. It’s horrifying.” – Senator John Hickenlooper

NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE CONDEMNS THE ARREST OF JOURNALISTS DON LEMON AND GEORGIA FORT

NEW YORK (January 30, 2026) — National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial today condemned the arrest of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort as they were performing their constitutionally-protected duty of informing the public during a protest in Minneapolis.

"A free and independent press is a foundational pillar of our democracy, and any effort to intimidate, silence, or criminalize journalistic activity is an affront to the constitutional rights we all share," Morial said. "The arrest of journalists is the act of an administration bent on deception and secrecy and a clear intimidation tactic."

Suppression of independent media, Morial noted, is a clear hallmark of authoritarianism.

URBAN LEAGUE LEADERS "HORRIFIED AND OUTRAGED" BY ATTACK ON REP. OMAR DURING TOWN HALL 

NEW YORK and MINNEAPOLIS (January 27, 2026) — National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial and Urban League Twin Cities President and CEO Marquita Stephens issued the following statement in response to the attack on U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar during a town hall at Urban League Twin Cities headquarters: