A new initiative is taking aim at improving health outcomes in underserved communities, starting with northeast Oklahoma City. Oklahoma Complete Health and the Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City (Oklahoma City, OK) have joined forces to launch a Health Empowerment Zone, which is an effort to address serious health disparities such as maternal health, youth well-being, behavioral care access, and social drivers of health like transportation and food insecurity.

With $300,000 committed over three years, the partnership aims to bring direct services, education, and community collaboration to neighborhoods with some of the lowest life expectancy rates in the state.

Michael P. McMillan, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis (St. Louis, MO) President and CEO, says his organization stands ready to support the community following the May 16, 2025, storm that left unprecedented destruction behind.

“St. Louis is strong, and together, we will rise,” said McMillan in a release.

 “In the wake of the devastating tornados, [the Urban League will] lead the charge in helping our community recover and rebuild.”

An Urban League Humanitarian Fund, specifically to support the 2025 tornado recovery effort, has been established to help respond quickly and directly to the most urgent needs in our community, including, according to McMillan.

Emergency Food and Clean Water
-Providing meals, groceries, and bottled water to families facing food insecurity and loss of power.

Just released! Where do we stand on police reform and racial justice five years after the tragedy that changed America? See the findings in our new report. | Now is the time to mobilize. See snippets from Marc H. Morial's participation in the State of the People tour stop in New Orleans and tap in at a city near you! | Remembering George Floyd. Watch as Urban League leaders stand united in the promise to continue the demands of the mass racial uprisings of 2020. | Bold voices, unshakeable vision. See a few photos from our Empowerment Summit, where we honored outstanding Congressional Black Caucus leaders. | Protect your peace. Register for our FREE webinar on Wednesday for tips and strategies to prevent workplace burnout + more. | Curate your experience. #NULConf25 has a track for everyone, with dozens of phenomenal speakers. Check out the lineup, register + curate your schedule.

Charter Communications, Inc., the company behind Spectrum, has awarded $75,000 in Spectrum Digital Education grants to five Cleveland-area nonprofit organizations. The funding is part of the company’s ongoing effort to expand digital literacy and improve educational access in underserved communities.

Since the program’s launch in 2017, Spectrum Digital Education has committed more than $11 million to nonprofits across its 41-state service area. The initiative promotes digital inclusion through training, equipment and educational support.

“Connectivity is the foundation for meaningful learning, professional growth and human connection,” said John Higgins, Regional Vice President for Spectrum. “Spectrum Digital Education supports programs that empower community members to enhance their lives with connectivity.”

This year, 66 organizations nationwide received a 2024 Spectrum Digital Education grant, including five in Northeast Ohio:

Louisville Urban League Young Professionals (Louisville, KY) hosted a workshop to introduce students to Black tech professionals.

Students, young adults and parents gathered on Saturday, May 10 for the Future Forward: Tech Career Pop-Up. It’s also been dubbed a ‘miracle territory.’

“That was the word of today, which is where you take the opportunity to put yourself in a room that’s going to introduce you to people that could transform the trajectory of your life,” said Gregory Mitchell, the vice president of Louisville Urban League Young Professionals.

Two tech professionals were invited to the event to share their journeys, discuss their ventures and give advice. One of them was Louisville native Ricky Mason, the CEO of BrainSTEM and Kentucky Agritech.

“Today’s event was awesome,” Mason said. “It’s amazing whenever I get the chance to talk to young people about their career, their purpose and being intentional about their lives.”