The PepsiCo Foundation and the National Urban League announced the first grant recipients of their Black Restaurant Accelerator Program, a joint $10 million initiative that will provide 500 Black restaurant owners in 12 cities over the next five years with capital, technical assistance, and mentorship services. As the United States begins to reopen, this program is providing critical support to Black restaurateurs who were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.

Today's announcement recognizes the vital contributions of Black-owned restaurants to the fabric of American culture, as well as the need to preserve these institutions. The program provides a tangible pathway towards substantive pandemic recovery and lasting economic equity. The first grantees include:

• Victoria's Kitchen & Catering Soul Food Restaurant in Philadelphia, PA

• Takoma Station Tavern and Wingery in Washington, D.C.,

JUNE JOBS REPORT: LIKE AN EARTHQUAKE SHIFTS EARTH PLATES, THE PANDEMIC SHIFTED STRUCTURAL UNEMPLOYMENT 

by Bernard E. Anderson, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and Senior Economic Advisor, National Urban League.

We appreciate the efforts of lawmakers leading the negotiations around the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. We were heartened to see the U.S. House of Representatives pass a strong version of the bill last year and again this year. Yet, more than a year after George Floyd was murdered and weeks after a draft bill was circulated, the U.S. Senate still has not agreed on key provisions of the bill. Congress must deliver justice. We collectively demand that Congress honor its commitment to produce a final bill that can pass the House and Senate before the end of June and ensure a strong George Floyd Justice in Policing Act is passed before the August recess.

CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS DEMAND RESULTS IN GEORGE FLOYD JUSTICE IN POLICING ACT NEGOTIATIONS

Watch as Marc Morial, President & CEO of the National Urban League and Kala Gibson, Fifth Third’s head of business banking and chief enterprise corporate social responsibility officer, discuss the what, why, and how of the need to invest in our communities.

Hundreds of people who had their hours cut or were furloughed because of the pandemic will have some relief after receiving a one-time $1,000 grant. 

Pastor Ricky Floyd of Pursuit of God Transformation Center says his church provided the spot for the Memphis Urban League (Memphis, TN) to give out more than $2 million in aid to those in the hotel or restaurant industry affected by the pandemic.

All they had to bring was an ID and a pay stub. In a few days, they will receive a one time $1,000 grant to their account.

“People were here as early as 5 a.m. this morning, waiting,” Floyd said. “They have the resources, we have the relationships.”

For mom Brittni Turner, who works in the hotel industry, the money is a huge relief.

“This is God sent, I’m just going to be honest with you,” Turner said.

Turner says she was furloughed for several months. Even just within the last few days she didn’t know how she was going to pay her rent.

Presented by Dove and the CROWN Coalition, National CROWN Day, also known as Black Hair Independence Day, is back!  National CROWN Day is a special holiday commemorating the inaugural signing of the first CROWN Act legislation in the United States in 2019 to "Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair." The July 3rd celebration will feature a full day of virtual events, including the inaugural CROWN AWARDS at 7:00 p.m. ET honoring Black women paving the way with contributions to culture, community, entrepreneurship, entertainment and the advancement of Black beauty.