The National Urban League was founded in 1910 to respond to the social and economic changes brought by the Great Migration of Black people from the rural South to northern cities. The Tacoma Urban League was founded in 1968, and in 1976, the chapter dedicated a new building, becoming the first affiliate in the nation to build and own its own facility. Now, nearly 50 years later, Desireé Wilkins Finch is stepping onto the shoulders of Thomas Dixon, the founder of Tacoma Urban League (Tacoma, WA), and the CEOs who came after him to build upon an energy of empowerment and possibility. The Tacoma Urban League has long been a beacon for the community, serving families and transforming lives. On Friday, September 19, the organization will celebrate the grand opening of its newly remodeled space, continuing a history of legacy and liberation through financial empowerment that has defined its work for decades. 

NEW YORK (September 14, 2025) — National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial today called on Fox News Channel to fire Fox & Friends host Brian Kilmeade over his shocking remarks about murdering homeless people.

"Kilmeade's comments reveal a stunning lack of compassion and indefensible ignorance about homelessness and mental illness," Morial said. "It's doubly offensive that he would make them at a rare moment when leaders from all points on the political spectrum have urged a halt to incendiary political rhetoric."

Following a successful first year, in which 31 Hartford businesses each received a $2,500 grant, year two will introduce expanded grant amounts of $2,500 to $5,000, along with new dedicated staff to strengthen outreach, technical assistance, and program coordination. A total of more than $370,000 will be invested this year to help Hartford residents start, stabilize, or strengthen their dream of entrepreneurship and increase business activity within local neighborhood to create jobs, build capacity, and attract future investments.

On a picture-perfect summer day, hundreds of children and their parents attended an event in District Heights, Md., on Saturday, Aug. 23, which helped families gear up for the return of classes with free school supplies, health screenings and vaccines and food and entertainment for all.

The event, the 13th Annual Back 2 School Health and Wellness Festival, was co-sponsored by the Greater Washington Urban League or GWUL (Washington, D.C.) and Second Baptist Church Southwest, and was held in the church’s spacious parking lot. 

George H. Lambert Jr., President and CEO, GWUL, spoke with the AFRO prior to a ribbon cutting ceremony which kicked off the day, and reflected on how much the event has grown over the past 13 years. 

Calling all Changemakers!

The National Urban League Congressional Advocacy Program is back, and we're looking for the next cohort of activists + leaders! Our annual virtual certification program is designed for members of the Urban League Movement, this includes national staff, affiliate CEOs and their staff, as well as auxiliary members. During the six-month program, participants will expand their knowledge of congressional and grassroots engagement, and get an opportunity to network with policymakers, thought leaders, and political influencers.

Apply by September 29th and share with your networks!  Apply Here

For more information, please contact Toni Wiley, Senior Director of Congressional Advocacy at awiley@nul.org. 

By: Aisha R. Arrington

President and CEO, Fort Wayne Urban League

Harlem, we're home! Our new Urban League Empowerment Center is now open, featuring our headquarters, retail stores, and more. See more. | Protect our votes. See how Louisiana’s attack on voting rights deepens the assault on Black political power and America’s civil rights state of emergency. | Own your power. Marc H. Morial spoke at the Third Statewide Meeting for the Black Agenda about voter suppression vs. voter self-suppression. Learn more. | Applications are now open! The Congressional Advocacy Program is curated for changemakers who want to learn about grassroots engagement + more. | Leading the next generation. See how Melina Morgan's dedication to the Austin Area Urban League’s G.I.R.L. program has impacted her community. | Your front-row seat to inspiration. Secure your FREE spot for the virtual #NULConf25 experience to tap into sessions on entrepreneurship + more. | What do the numbers tell us? Dr. Bernard Anderson, our Chief Economics Advisor, shares an in-depth look at the state of the economy. Check it out. | Carry the movement with you. Elevate your style with Urban League essentials and statement pieces designed to inspire change. Shop now.

By Bernard E. Anderson, Ph.D.
Whitney M. Young, Jr. Professor Emeritus, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
Senior Economic Advisor, National Urban League

The August employment report paints a picture of an economy that continues to grow, but at a slower and more uneven pace. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, total employment rose by just 22,000 jobs in July, a sharp decline from earlier months and a clear sign that the labor market is losing steam. The unemployment rate increased to 4.3 percent, up one-tenth of a percentage point from July, marking the highest level this year.