The Urban League of Louisiana (New Orleans, LA) kicked off its Listen and Learn Tour in Alexandria on Friday, May 17, where they engaged with residents, community leaders, and elected officials from across the region. Established to advocate for fairness in society and the economy, particularly for African Americans, the organization seeks to support those in Louisiana facing economic challenges, striving for legislative changes and seeking to improve society.

During Friday’s meeting, locals voiced their perspectives on pressing issues in Central Louisiana. Urban League leaders emphasized the importance of transparency and open dialogue to address these concerns. Their objective is to foster consensus and collaboration so that they may enact meaningful change for the betterment of the community.

Black Lives Matter. Almost a decade ago, Ferguson police fatally shot Michael Brown, cutting short his life. Help honor him by demanding change.  We demand accountability. Read more about where the nation stands on policing bills that are needed to demand change within our communities. | Free vaccines for everyone. Getting the COVID-19 vaccine has become one step easier through the Bridge Access Program. Set your appointment today. | T-minus 3 days! Register now for our virtual town hall to hear from Marc H. Morial, Stacey Abrams, Hakeem Jeffries + many other leaders in the movement. | National Police Week. We need your help to send a powerful message that we will no longer tolerate policing as usual. Take a minute to urge Congress to act. | New Orleans, here we come! This week, we gathered at the Urban League of Louisiana to share the exciting elements of our July Conference. Watch it here. | Make an impact. As we continue breaking down barriers and opening doors for countless individuals, we need your support more than ever. Donate today. | Save the date. Register for our FREE webinar on May 29th for tips on how to unlock the power of mentorship + more. | Affordable housing matters. Learn more about the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle’s latest partnership to help people become homeowners.

Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League
  

“If there’s no criminal accountability of police for criminal behavior, then the fox is guarding the henhouse, and we’re the hens, and we’re living in a country that’s becoming a police state.” – Maya Wiley

Since 1994, Congress has appropriated more than $20 billion for the Community Oriented Policing Services grant program, commonly known as COPS.

Has this program made communities safer? We don’t know, because in its entire 30-year existence, it has operated without any oversight, transparency, or accountability measures.

Last month’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing was the first full committee meeting ever on oversight of the COPS Program.

Read more about our new headquarters, which will house New York City’s first museum devoted to the American civil rights movement.

Nearly 300 business and civic leaders will join the Chicago Urban League (Chicago, IL) for the 2024 Policy SUMMIT on Friday, May 17. This year’s breakfast event will focus on the “State of Black Chicago: Solutions” and take place at the Marriott Marquis Chicago from 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. Two panels will address wealth building as it relates to homeownership and careers. In addition to the thought-provoking panels, former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia Fudge will be honored with a Humanitarian Award. 

 In February, a Chicago mom and her daughter were visiting St. Louis when police say a speeding driver sideswiped another car and then hit the two, killing them. 

Weeks later, Cedric Dixson was sentenced to 10 years in prison for speeding down Grand and causing a car crash that killed four people last year.

"It will consist of a yard sign campaign. It will consist of billboards in our four challenged neighborhoods where speeding is an issue," said James Clark, the  Vice-President of Division of Public Safety for the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis.

Now, the Urban League and Regional Business Council are shifting "Slow Down St. Louis" into high gear.

The new public safety campaign's goal is to raise awareness about reckless driving, speeding and the alarming rise in traffic-related incidents and fatalities in St. Louis and St. Louis County.