(May 5, 2020) –Today, national Black civil rights leaders participated in a call with former vice president Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential nominee, a day after the release of Lift Every Voice: The Biden Plan for Black America. Among the participants were Reverend Al Sharpton, President of the National Action Network, Melanie Campbell, Convener of the Black Women’s Roundtable Public Policy Network, Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP and Marc Morial, President & CEO of the National Urban League.

The National Urban League congratulates our leader Marc Morial on the release of his book, “The Gumbo Coalition”. Marc highlights 10 leadership lesson that he has shared in writing and as the leader of the National Urban League.

We think it’s a great way for the public to learn more about the organization and the work that it does to benefit under resourced and under served communities.

To learn more about the book click here.

Tens of thousands of Central Texans have lost their jobs in the month since the coronavirus public health crisis began, according to statistics from Workforce Solutions Capital Area, putting many in a position to ask for help for the first time.

That can leave families in an unfamiliar and stressful position, said Sara Ramirez, executive director of Catholic Charities of Central Texas.

On Saturday May 2, the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc. (St. Louis, MO) hosted the area’s largest food distribution to 2,500 families in need throughout North St. Louis County. It is the 5th weekly distribution that the Urban League has held to help residents ravaged with unemployment, poverty, and uncertainty during the COVID-19 Crisis, feeding 10,000 families total.  

“The Urban League is committed to helping our neighbors to navigate the COVID-19 crisis by providing free food, toiletries, personal protective equipment and testing to help them achieve their best possible outcomes. It is our goal to provide Free Food & Toiletries Giveaways on a weekly basis throughout the Summer of 2020 in the St. Louis Metropolitan Bi-State Region. We are also incredibly grateful to our partners, sponsors and volunteers for helping us to execute these worthy events,” said Michael P. McMillan, President & CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc.

With school buildings closed for the rest of the academic year due to the coronavirus crisis, the Urban League of Greater Cleveland Guild (Cleveland, OH) is “Keeping their Promise” to help others by handing out laptops to Wade Park Elementary School students who couldn’t participate in their online classes without them.

The promise was kept thanks to community partners that stepped up.

To read the full article, click here.

Are you ready for entrepreneurial success? ? Join us for this engaging session where you'll learn the strategies for success as a small entrepreneur with a big idea, featuring guest speaker Gina B. Ramcharan.

Event Date: May 6th, 2020 – Wednesday

Event Time: 12 PM EST – 1 PM EST

To register for the event, click here.

La Selecta Radio along with the Urban League of Hampton Roads (Norfolk, VA) hosted a drive-thru giveaway on Sunday.

Diapers, masks, and food were given out until supplies ran out.

Sentara Healthcare also provided free COVID-19 tests.

The event maintained social distancing guidelines and offered all services via a drive-thru. 

To read the full article, click here.

Watch the latest. Marc Morial is back with key info and resources to help you navigate COVID-19. Check out the Facebook Live video and visit our online hub. | The rush to reopen the economy. Despite protests by some to lift COVID-19 restrictions, here's why it's risky to prematurely end the lockdowns. | Make Black Count. This pandemic has shown how important it is to invest in hospitals, schools, etc. The Census helps with that! Complete your form today. | Gumbo Coalition. Our president and CEO Marc Morial's new book comes out this Tuesday, May 5! Find valuable lessons on leadership, especially in these trying times. | Are you ready for entrepreneurial success? Sign up for Wednesday's session to learn strategies for success as a small entrepreneur with a big idea. | Inside scoop. Our D.C. office interviewed Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina this week! Read that and a round up of the latest coronavirus news.

Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League
 

“Researchers at the Harvard Global Health Institute estimate that the U.S. will have to have at least triple the number of tests carried out daily, from about 150,000 to 500,000, for the country to safely ease restrictions on local businesses and gatherings. That translates to 1.52 tests for every 1,000 individuals in the population. Only Rhode Island and West Virginia meet that standard.” – U.S.News & World Report

The number of Americans who have filed a claim for unemployment benefits hit 30 million this week. 

The estimated unemployment rate is between 15% and 20%. 

U.S. gross domestic product fell at a 4.8 percent annual rate in the first quarter of the year, the worst contraction since 2008. Economists expect the economy to shrink by 30% during the current quarter.