Written By: 

Dr. Richard Danford, Pres. & CEO                                                                                                             Jacksonville Urban League (Jacksonville, FL)

The Jacksonville Urban League was invited to attend a combined meeting of the Duval County School Board and the Jacksonville City Council on Aug 14.

The meeting focused on the School Board’s desire to quickly submit their plan for financing the rebuilding of Duval County school facilities. Superintendent Diana Greene pointed out that the average age of schools in Duval County is 44 years and current funding is insufficient to bring these schools into the 21st century.

As she explained, a half-cent sales tax would address safety and learning; critical needs in areas with decaying facilities and rapid growth; operational cost inefficiencies; the historical vestiges of segregation and neglect; and teacher recruitment1.

Joshua's journey with sickle cell disease has inspired his dad's artwork, helping the family give back to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where his family will never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.

In the language of abstract expressionism, Ephraim's year-old painting speaks volumes, but not about the usual topics. There’s no political commentary reflected in the artwork, no universal truth to be discerned from the shades of red, blue, gray and white adorning it.

This particular piece is about a place, an institution that’s helping his teenage son deal with potentially debilitating sickle cell disease.

His painting tells the story of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Get up to speed on recent congressional proceedings, current public opinion polling, and how a possible government shutdown might impact the looming presidential impeachment. 

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Academic and career guidance will be offered to Maple Heights residents over the next year through a pilot program between Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) and community partners.

The program is designed to help residents in the city select a career path and find the training needed for employment in their chosen field. The goal is to connect people to jobs with family-sustaining wages and high growth potential.

The College is collaborating on the project with Maple Heights City Schools, the city of Maple Heights and the Urban League of Greater Cleveland (Cleveland, OH).

“Education and workforce training opens the door to opportunity,” said Alex Johnson, president of Tri-C. “The College is committed to meeting the community where they live to change lives and put a better future within reach.”

The Grand Rapids Urban League (Grand Rapids, MI) is taking a strong stance on smoking and vaping when it comes to our youth.

The organization encourages healthy living and lifestyles, housing, employment, equity, inclusion and more. Alarming numbers when it comes to youth and vaping have encouraged them to take the matter head on.

Acting as advocates, they work with leaders on a local and state level. Social media has been a great platform for them to get their message across. Recently they went to MLK Park to do a clean-up and netted more than 1,300 cigarette butts! When it comes to vaping, they don’t want to wait 50 years down the road to see what the true impact will be on one’s health.

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