Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League
 

“Too many people struggled, suffered and died to make it possible for every American to exercise their right to vote. And we have come too far together to ever turn back. So we must not be silent. We must stand up, speak up and speak out. We must march to the polls like never before. We must come together and exercise our sacred right.” – Congressman John Lewis

In April of 2019, the Associated Press released an analysis of census data and exit polling that reached a remarkable conclusion: the Black voter turnout rate in the 2012 presidential election exceeded the white rate for the first time in history.  A census report in May confirmed the AP’s findings.

Some researchers disputed the findings, contending that the milestone actually had occurred in 2008.

LOUISVILLE, KY (September 16, 2020) -- Marc H. Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League, and Sadiqa N. Reynolds, Esq., President & CEO of the Louisville Urban League, issued the following joint statement in response to the unprecedented settlement agreement between Louisville Metro Government and the family of Breonna Taylor.

The FedEx Racing team will use its sponsorship to provide a platform for creating more diverse and equitable communities. The No. 11 FedEx Cares Toyota, driven by Denny Hamlin, will highlight the National Urban League and its Project Ready program for the Sept. 12 NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway.  Project Ready prepares Black Americans and other historically underserved youth for college and careers, offering support, services, and opportunities not always found in the classroom. The newly unveiled paint scheme for Hamlin’s No. 11 represents the goals of the program with images of graduation caps being tossed in the air.

The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc. (St. Louis, MO) has been given a $1 million grant to expand their crime de-escalation program.

“For over a year, my administration has been working with community groups, civic leaders, clergies, law enforcement, and mayors across the state to find solutions to violent crime,” Governor Mike Parson said. “We know we have a serious issue with violent crime in Missouri, and the Serving Our Streets Initiatives is a very valuable tool in addressing these issues at the local level. We are excited to see the initiative expand, which is another great step in our overall efforts to combat violent crime and make our communities safer.”

The Serving Our Streets Initiative focuses on community outreach and direct engagement with citizens in high crime and poverty areas. The program focuses on gun violence de-escalation and providing resources to crime victims.

The Kentucky Department of Income Support was awarded $942,294 for fiscal year 2021.

Eight states, including Kentucky, were selected by the Office of Child Support Enforcement at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families to develop nine programs to educate teens and young adults who do not yet have children about the financial, legal and emotional responsibilities of parenthood.

The agencies will collaborate with youth job development programs, foster care transition services, juvenile justice agencies, teen pregnancy prevention programs, community colleges and public schools to integrate child support and responsible parenting education into youth-centered systems.

The Urban League of Northwest Indiana (Gary, IN) took its annual Diversity & Inclusion Awards event online last Wednesday, recognizing nine organizations for their efforts during the local organization's 75th anniversary year.

The awards were presented by Vanessa Allen-McCloud, president and CEO of the Urban League of NWI, and Thomas Keon, chancellor of Purdue University Northwest and chairman of the Urban League of NWI board of directors. 

U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-1st, congratulated the organization and award winners via video, noting the events of this year that have prompted protests and a reckoning with the state of race relations in the United States.

"This past year has highlighted just how urgent it is to have these conversations, and act," Visclosky said. 

Pinellas County health workers are making it easier for residents in underserved neighborhoods to get tested for COVID-19. They're operating pop-up testing sites in areas like the North Greenwood section of Clearwater and South St. Petersburg.

These communities have a lot of Black residents who have been disproportionately affected by the coronavirus.

On a recent Saturday morning, the parking lot of Mt. Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in South St. Petersburg was home to ones of these sites. Every few minutes, a couple cars rolled up to tents where nurses in protective gear screened drivers and used nasal swabs to test them for COVID-19.

It was around 10 a.m., and Rebecca Watson with the Pinellas County Urban League (St. Petersburg, FL) which is leading the initiative, said things were quieting down since dozens of cars lined up ahead of opening.

You have power. We’re partnering with BET for National Black Voter Day! Stay tuned for Sept. 18, featuring a special virtual event at 8PM ET, and much more. | The search for a COVID-19 vaccine. Here’s why we must keep politics out of the coronavirus vaccine approval process. | Equal Opportunity Dinner. Join us for our annual fundraising event on October 14 as we honor Emmy Award-winning Actor Sterling K. Brown & others! | Everyone counts! Six out of every 10 Black children ages 0-4 were not counted in the 2010 Census. Complete your census today. #MakeBlackCount | The Future of Work. Join us on September 16th at 11:00 AM ET as we discuss opportunities in the post-pandemic workspace. | Black Jewish Unity Week. We have worked with AJC to compile a list of 15 things to watch and read on the American Jewish experience. Check it out! | Washington National Cathedral. Last Sunday, Marc Morial, preached a powerful sermon at the Washington National Cathedral. Watch the full message!

NEW YORK, Sept. 2, 2020 -- In celebration of the relationship between America's Black and Jewish communities, and in opposition to antisemitism and racism, the National Urban League and American Jewish Committee are partnering to designate the week of September 7th Black-Jewish Unity Week. The hashtag #BlackJewishUnity will be used to promote the unity week's themes and programs to strengthen Black-Jewish understanding and joint advocacy.