Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League

“Cliff was an American original—a civil rights trailblazer whose eyes were never shut to injustice but whose heart was always open. He was like a father to me and an inspiration to Barack. We admired the way he fought and learned from the way he led.” – Michelle Obama

The name of Clifford Alexander, Jr., who died this week at the age of 88, is not as well-known today as some of his contemporaries in the Civil Rights Movement. Perhaps no American, however, has done more to combat segregation and discrimination in private employment and the military or leaves as great a legacy.

NEW YORK and CHICAGO (July 5, 2022) -- National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial and Chicago Urban League President and CEO Karen Freeman-Wilson today issued the following joint statement in response to yesterday’s deadly mass shooting in Illinois:

A win for all of us. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was officially sworn in as the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court. Let's celebrate this milestone! | The magic of #EssenceFest! It’s more important than ever to celebrate Black women and this empowering gathering shines at that. Here's what we mean. | A healthy dose of reality. Take a few steps to keep yourself and others around you safe as you soak up the sun this summer! We're here to help. | The countdown is on. Annual Conference is less than 3 weeks away and features the nation's leading voices on a range of issues. Check out the lineup. | Epic day ahead! Meet us at D.C.'s Walter E. Washington Convention Center on July 23rd for all kinds of fun, from games and giveaways to screenings & more. | Creating a safe space. Pride Month may be coming to a close but the work of fighting for Black LGBTQ+ rights and dignity continues year-round. Take a listen.

Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League

“It's within our DNA as black women, and some of it is within the historical evolution of who we are as black women, where we were trained and groomed to give so much of ourselves. Essence was specifically created to be a platform where we gave to her. We're not looking to take from her or to put more of a burden on her, but we just want her to come in a safe space – whether it’s with her girlfriends, herself, if she wants to bring her family, it's up to her – but it's all about her. It doesn't matter what's surrounding her; she comes and she gets energized and she feels rejuvenated and she feels safe and comforted.” Joy A. Profet, former Essence Communications CEO

Washington, D.C. (June 30, 2022) – Today, National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial made the following statement as the United States Supreme Court swears in its first Black woman – Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Urban League of Oklahoma City (Oklahoma City, OK) held its second expungement event this past Saturday, June 25th.

For citizens like Tiffany Mason, it is a dream come true.

“My felony is over twenty years old – twenty – and yet people look at me like I did it yesterday.”

Stories like Tiffany’s are the reason that the Urban League holds these expungement events. According to Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform, an estimated 94% of people who are eligible for expungement can’t access it.

JERSEY CITY – In a resolution, the Jersey City Municipal Council honored the Urban League of Hudson County (Jersey City, NJ) for their dedication to the community.

In their resolution, the Council called the Urban League a mainstay in Jersey City for fifty years, a place where low-income people can go for help.

Paying tribute to former Urban League President and CEO Elnora Watson, the resolution said that she was a force behind the Urban League’s move from Bergen Avenue to MLK Drive. She had hoped the Urban League would revitalize that area of the city.

PEORIA – The Tri-County Urban League (Peoria, IL) has just received some help from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.

The state agency gave a little over $68,000 to the Urban League.

Dr. Dawn Harris Jeffries, president and CEO of the Urban League, said, “There’s a place to go where people care about them, and care about their futures deeply, sincerely and fiercely. Regardless of where you are in life, wherever you jump off that train, we can get you back on.”

She said that they will now research into which directions the funds will go.

COLUMBUS – The Columbus Urban League (Columbus, OH) is stepping up for the powerless.

Thousands in the Central Ohio area went without power last week, and the Urban League is working with American Electric Power (AEP) in getting reimbursements for its customers.

Applicants can receive up to $500 in lost goods or any costs related to the power outage. Customers can apply online via the Urban League’s website.

For Toni Fisher, the funds couldn’t come at a better time.

Due to the power outage, she was forced to miss work to take care of her children.