Just as it’s done for some 15 years, the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA) hosted its annual Thanksgiving Day food distribution Saturday morning  — continuing a tradition of helping area families in need fill their bellies and feast in style for the holiday.

“This is a great thing,” said Kahlil Morris, who was part of a steady stream of people driving SUVs, vans and small buses from area social service agencies that stopped by the cavernous Hall D at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center to pick up the turkey day donations and distribute them to the people they serve.

“It helps people who are less fortunate and fills the gap, especially with COVID and the loss of jobs,” said Mr. Kahlil, who is with Housing Opportunities Unlimited, a social services group based at the Oak Hill Apartments in the Hill District.

The Greater Stark County Urban League (Canton, OH) originated 100 years ago as a group seeking to eliminate racial segregation and discrimination and achieve parity for minorities.

"It really doesn't vary much from the mission of today, which is to enable African Americans and other underserved individuals to reach full economic, social and health parity to enrich that individual's life and the lives of the individual's families," President and CEO Diane Robinson said. 

She began leading the organization in 2018 and recently reflected on its history. Although different initiatives have come and gone based on community needs, the five foundational pillars — workforce, housing, health, education and social justice — continue to be top priorities. 

"They are consistently the challenges that we have in the community," Robinson said from the league's office at the Edward "Peel" Coleman Community Center.

Washington, D.C. (November 19, 2021) – National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial issued the following statement in response to House passage of the Build Back Better Act and urges the Senate to pass the bill before the end of the year.

Authorities in other jurisdictions should heed the example of the Manhattan District Attorney’s office and take action to remedy past injustices and make reforms to prevent them in the future...

“From the moment Kyle Rittenhouse heeded the call to ‘take up arms’ against peaceful protestors last year to his acquittal in the courtroom today, this case has been a long and unrelenting exercise in the power of white privilege..."

"The notion that you can withhold information and documents from Congress no matter whether you are the party in power or not in power is wrong."

Oklahoma has averted an outrageous miscarriage of justice by calling off Julius Jones’ execution but has yet to address the shoddy defense and blatant racism that tainted conviction, leaders of the National Urban League and the Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City said today.

Today, National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial issued the following statement in response to Sherrilyn Ifill’s, President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, retirement announcement.

Recently, the Affiliate Newswire (ANW) team had the opportunity to speak with legendary Urban Leaguer, Esther L. Bush (EB) as she reflects on her extraordinary career.

“I think working for the Urban League, literally, is one of the best jobs in America for an African American leader.” – Esther Bush

ANW: I guess I’ll start with something you led off with a few moments ago about the Urban League being one of the best jobs that you can have as an African American leader – why do you feel that way?

Community leaders coming together today demanding an action plan to bring more affordable housing in Franklin County. The leaders say the city is in crisis mode.

Columbus Urban League (Columbus, OH) President and CEO Stephanie Hightower says the housing problem is a crisis on par with COVID-19.

“Since July our team at the Columbus Urban League has fielded more than 12,000 calls. This is just from July from people at risk of losing their home,” she said.

Hightower says that’s about 3,000 calls a month.

The overwhelming need is why many community leaders came together to demand an action plan from the city and county officials and to include them at the table when trying to resolve the problem.

“We are demanding a comprehensive affordable action plan,“ said Nana Watson, the President of the Columbus NAACP. “We all need to get on the same page as we begin to address homelessness in our community.”