WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 20, 2025) – National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial issues the following statement in response to President Trump's executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education:

"The National Urban League vehemently condemns President Trump’s reckless and dangerous executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education--- an institution that has played a critical role in upholding America’s promise of equal educational opportunity for all. This shortsighted and politically motivated action is an outright attack on the fundamental rights of America’s students—particularly Black, Brown, students with disabilities, and low-income children—who rely on federal protections to ensure they receive a quality education.

Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League

“We must also provide an expanded opportunity to participate in the free enterprise system at all levels--not only to share the economic benefits of the free enterprise system more broadly, but also to encourage pride, dignity, and a sense of independence. In order to do this, we need to remove commercial obstacles which have too often stood in the way of minority group members--obstacles such as the unavailability of credit, insurance, and technical assistance. Involvement in business has always been a major route toward participation in the mainstream of American life. Our aim is to open that route to potentially successful persons who have not had access to it before.” – President Richard M. Nixon

Schnucks Markets and its customers showed their love for the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis (St. Louis, MO) during February by donating $112,000 to the nation’s top metro Urban League affiliate through the 5th annual “Round Up at the Register” campaign.

Customers donated $97,364, and Schnucks provided an additional $14,636 during the campaign which ran February 5 – 18, 2025,

Schnucks customers could round up their purchases to the nearest dollar with 100% of donations in the St. Louis area supporting the non-profit organization’s Save Our Sons and Save Our Sisters programs.

Michael P. McMillan, Urban League President and CEO said the funds “will directly impact our Save Our Sons and Save Our Sisters programs, helping individuals gain the skills, training, and support they need to achieve economic independence.”

The conversation about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is an important part of what Urban League of Northwest Indiana (Gary, IN) represents. On Thursday, March 6, students and adults throughout the Region gathered at Valparaiso University's Harre Union ballroom to discuss significant DEI topics in a safe environment.

The Greater Stark County Urban League (Canton, OH) has launched the Cultural Ally Program to improve mental health care access for underserved communities.

The program is funded by a $159,000 grant through Stark County Mental Health & Addiction Recovery.

The Cultural Ally Program aims to bridge the divide between behavioral health services and diverse populations, including Black, Latinx, LGBTQ+, veterans, and economically marginalized people.

A "cultural ally" serves as a liaison between mental health providers and community members, advocates for culturally responsive care, helps people navigate mental health resources and builds trust and resilience by promoting self-support systems within communities.

For the last eight decades, the Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City or ULOKC (Oklahoma City, OK) has been the African American community’s premier social service agency, providing affordable housing, minority business support, workforce development, employment and education services. As CEO, Dr. Valerie Thompson works to break poverty cycles, address systemic inequities and foster hope.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of the role is witnessing transformation firsthand,” Dr. Thompson shared. “Every day, I hear stories of clients who have overcome barriers and thrive through the ULOKC’s programs. My role also gives me the unique opportunity to uplift the next generation.”

In 2025, Dr. Thompson says the organization will prioritize affordable housing, youth education, workforce programs and expungement services.

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A march forward. Urban League leaders from all over marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge to honor John Lewis & others. More on the powerful day. | Let’s talk tariffs. See how Trump’s imposed tax increase on American consumers can impact you, your community, and the future of jobs. | Making sense of this moment. Watch as Marc Morial shares a timely message about the assault on diversity during a Legal Defense Fund event in Selma, AL. | We’re on the list! The National Urban League has officially been added to CharityWatch’s Top-Rated Charities list. Check it out. | Black communities matter. The American Community Survey is an ongoing collection of community-level data, ensuring everyone is counted. Find out more. | Uniting for change. Join us as we gather advocates, leaders, entrepreneurs & more for a powerful Conference focused on real solutions and collective action. | What are your spring plans? Don’t let preventable illnesses ruin your travel plans. Here’s what you need to know about which vaccines are best for you.

Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League

"You can’t really run a campaign where you’re like: I want to cut taxes for rich people and raise them on the poor. So instead, it’s all of this smoke-and-mirrors distraction about how foreigners are taking advantage of us ... It’s a story that, if you don’t know any economics and you haven’t stopped to think about it, sounds appealing. And the more people who buy that story, the more he can do this fiscal switch and have an excuse for the tax cuts." — Kimberly Clausing
 
President Trump says "tariff is the most beautiful word in the dictionary."

The beauty, for him, is that it allows him to avoid the word "tax."