As a continuation of his Lakeside Chats, Mayor Brandon Johnson appeared before the Business Leadership Council (BLC) for a “State of Black business” address and assured African American small business owners they will not be left behind. 

During a June 23, late-night panel discussion at 317 N. Clark Street, Johnson not only listed the many human investments his administration has made but assured small business owners of his commitment to honor and practice Diversity, Equity and Inclusion of Black businesses which in the past have been left behind. 

The “State of Black Business” was convened by Business Leadership Council (BLC) CEO Keiana Barrett in partnership with the Chicago Urban League (Chicago, IL), headed by Karen Freeman-Wilson, President/CEO. 

Johnson was accompanied by panelists who provided information about the different city portals and services available to help Black businesses open and expand. 

Bright and early Saturday morning, cars lined the streets at the University Preparatory Academy in West Palm Beach.

That's where volunteers and the WPTV team were hard at work filling bags with fresh fruit, produce, and veggies.

For the last four years, WPTV and the Urban League of Palm Beach County (West Palm Beach, FL) have teamed up to help fight food insecurity during the summer months.

Soulan Johnson with the Urban League of Palm Beach County says this event plays a crucial role in our communities.

"There is over 173,000 people that are food insecure. That means 1 and 5 children and 1 and 9 adults. We know that there is over 200 thousand kids in the school district. Half of those kids are Title 1 and also face food insecurity."

With the help of WPTV viewers, nearly $40,000 was raised to help feed 1500 families across Palm Beach County.

Our justice cannot be silenced. A ruling by the Senate parliamentarian could eliminate a provision in the “Big Ugly Bill” that would block ordinary Americans from seeking justice in court. | Spread the word. The “Big Ugly Bill” will strip Medicaid, SNAP & other benefits from millions of people. Urge your Senators to take action now. | Mother Emanuel AME 10 years later. Marc Morial honored the victims of the white supremacist attack and joined meaningful discussions on the work ahead. | Greetings from Tampa! Check out scenes from the 93rd U.S. Conference of Mayors Annual Meeting, where Marc H. Morial served as a speaker + moderator. | #NULConf25 from anywhere. Did you know you can attend the virtual National Urban League Conference for FREE? Register now to secure your spot. | Grab your summer swag! Our online store is open 24/7 and the only place to purchase official Urban League merchandise. Start shopping today.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 27, 2025) -- The Fair Budget Coalition,  a broad alliance of civil rights organizations, policy experts, and advocates for under-resourced communities, expressed to Senate leadership their strong opposition to the House passed budget reconciliation bill and any similar proposals under the Senate’s consideration.  

The House bill and Senate cuts released to date would inflate the historic harm on working families, deepen inequality, and undermine civil rights protections, the coalition warned. 

Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League

“Senate Republicans tried to write Donald Trump’s contempt for the courts into law — gutting judicial enforcement, defying the Constitution, and bulldozing the very rule of law that forms our democracy," Schumer said in a statement. "It was nothing short of an assault on the system of checks and balances that has anchored this nation since its founding, and a brazen attempt crown Trump king." -- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer

With an intimidated Congressional majority unwilling to stand up to even the most egregious actions by the Trump administration, it falls to the courts to protect the rights of vulnerable Americans.

A provision in the "Big Ugly Bill" -- the budget reconciliation bill currently pending in the Senate -- would make that nearly impossible.

As the terms diversity, equity, and inclusion continue to be scrutinized, the Urban League of Rochester (Rochester, NY) is grounding its work in the voices of the community. The organization is taking a listening-first approach, holding conversations with the community to ensure its efforts—rooted in a legacy of 60 years—remain relevant and responsive.

“We are a civil rights organization and our foundation is diversity, equity and inclusion,” says Seanelle Hawkins, President and CEO. “We have to be conscious of that, and we’re thinking about, how do we make sure that we can continue to do our work?”

These reflections on preserving mission, efforts that aren’t limited to the Urban League, come at a pivotal moment, as the organization considers raising funds to assess the need for a new space. The Urban League is eyeing the site currently occupied by the bus terminal, which is expected to move to the Louise M. Slaughter Rochester Station in the next few years.

The Austin Area Urban League or AAUL (Austin, TX) is mobilizing free tree-removal teams after May's severe weather events.

AAUL says it has activated emergency crews to provide no-cost tree removal and debris cleanup for residents across Austin and Travis County, with priority going to seniors, low-income households and neighborhoods historically lacking resources.

The May 28 storm delivered winds of up to 85 mph. Austin Energy ranked the microburst storm as the third-worst storm in the utility's history based on overall impact. The event caused widespread outages throughout the Austin area, and 72,500 people were without power at the storm's peak.

On the heels of Juneteenth—a day to honor freedom and reflect on the continued pursuit of equity—The Greater Stark County Urban League (Canton, OH) and 7 17 Credit Union today announced a powerful new partnership: the launch of a co-branded Affinity Credit Card that gives back to the community with every use.

The new Affinity Card will help fund programs led by the Urban League that support education, economic empowerment, and community advancement throughout Stark County. A portion of every transaction will be reinvested directly into initiatives that build stronger, more equitable futures.

“This Affinity Urban League card is more than a financial tool – it’s a symbol of shared purpose,” said Thomas West, President and CEO of the Greater Stark County Urban League. “Each transaction represents an investment in equity, access, and opportunity for our community.  We’re proud to partner with 7 17 Credit Union to turn everyday spending into lasting impact.

Five weeks after a deadly tornado touched down in St. Louis, some storm survivors are still displaced.

The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis (St. Louis, MO) is helping families and individuals secure shelter at local hotels.

“We have now almost 400 people throughout the entire region that are in hotels,” said Michael McMillan, President and CEO of the Urban League.

The tornado ripped through north city with a vengeance on May 16, 2025, destroying homes, churches and neighborhoods.

Roosevelt Price recently moved to the Gateway City from Kansas City. The damage to the apartment he shared with his son and fiancé astounded him. 

“We had nowhere to go,” he said.

Price scrambled to find a place for his family. His efforts led him to the Urban League.

Fortunately, the organization has a shelter program that paid for Price and his family to stay at a hotel.

A dangerous step backward. See how reserving the names of military bases back to the names of Confederate generals threatens the nation’s progress. | Celebrating freedom. Watch as our President & CEO Marc H. Morial breaks down Juneteenth’s 160-year legacy and its impact on American history. | Secure your dream job. Register for our Career & Networking Fair during #NULConf25 to network and get your resume in front of hiring managers. | We need your help! The House passed a “Big Ugly Bill” to strip Medicaid + SNAP benefits from millions of Americans. Tell the Senate to act now. | Meet us virtually. Can’t travel this summer? Register for FREE to experience the virtual #NULConf25 from anywhere. | Mentorship matters. Register for our FREE webinar on June 25 for a conversation on what makes mentorship effective across teams, roles + more. | Join our fight for equity. Every dollar empowers us to lobby, litigate, protest, and provide direct services to those who need it most. Make a donation today. | What’s on your shopping list? Our online store is the perfect place to grab Urban League swag. Check it out.