Almost a dozen of Philadelphia’s Black civic, religious, business and political leaders gathered on a Zoom call Friday afternoon in response to the economic impact of looting and rioting following the police killing of Walter Wallace Jr.

Congressman Dwight Evans lead the discussion with state Sen. Vincent Hughes, Urban League of Philadelphia CEO Andrea Custis, Urban Affairs Coalition CEO Sharmain Matlock-Turner, Black Clergy of Philadelphia President the Rev. Robert Collier, African American Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Steven Bradley and others.

Custis stressed the importance and the economic impact of cities like Philadelphia: “Urban cities are jewels. And yet, we are not treated as such. We are the economic drivers for this nation.”

Election Day is a little over a day away and several non-profit organizations are organizing drivers to help get people to the polls on Tuesday.

Sadiqa Reynolds, Louisville Urban League (Louisville, KY) President and CEO told WHAS11 News that volunteers will be at every polling location. Anyone who needs a ride to a polling location can call the Urban League’s number or one of their partner organizations to arrange transportation.

“We'll take people to any polling place that's needed. Wherever you are, we'll get you there. If we know there’s a place with a shorter line, well take you to that one. We'll go where we know the line is shortest – people make jokes about who people vote for. Listen, that’s not our business. We’re just trying to get people to the polls."

Rides will be assigned on a first come, first serve basis and they are free.

The Newark City of Learning Collaborative (NCLC) welcomes Robyn Brady Ince as its executive director. She was selected to provide transformational leadership to this nationally prominent initiative that has marshalled more than 40 partners, spanning higher education institutions, for-profit corporations, and nonprofit organizations, including faith-based, government, and philanthropic agencies, with a shared focus on the importance of accessing a postsecondary education to pave Newark’s path to equitable growth and racial equity. Ince also will join the faculty of the Department of Urban Education in the School of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University–Newark. 
 
“We’re thrilled to welcome Robyn to lead the NCLC during this period of challenge and opportunity,” said NCLC Advisory Board Chair Jeremy Johnson. “She brings a breadth of experience, a history of collaboration, and a passion for strategic partnerships that will help shape NCLC’s bold future.”

Three days left. We only have a short amount of time left until Election Day. Vote EARLY. Vote NOW. Vote TOGETHER. | Returning citizens. Watch as Desmond Meade joins Marc Morial to discuss the importance of restoring voting rights for formerly incarcerated people. | The state of race. Has President Trump truly done more for Black America than any president with the exception of Abraham Lincoln, as he claims? | Election Day handbook. Check out this guide for important reminders, tips and resources to prepare you for voting day. | We’re here to help! If you run into issues voting early or on Election Day, call 866-OUR-VOTE immediately and a trained team of lawyers will assist you.

Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League

“In short, Trump has left African Americans in the deepest hole with the shortest rope.”—Rev. Jesse Jackson.

As a non-partisan organization, the National Urban League does not endorse political candidates or encourage voters to choose one candidate over another. As a historic civil rights organization devoted to economic and social justice for African Americans, we have an obligation to combat racism, discrimination, racially-motivated violence and disinformation targeting Black Americans. Racial justice and the status of African Americans has been central to our mission since our founding. As such, we have a duty to evaluate the effect of federal policies on Black communities.

According to fact-checkers in the media, President Trump has made nearly 23,000 false or misleading claims over the course of his presidency.

Today, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF), the National Urban League (NUL), and the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s “Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping” on the grounds that it violates the guarantees of Free Speech, Equal Protection, and Due Process – fundamental rights secured in the United States Constitution.

Celebrate with us on October 24th at 7:00 PM ET for a free global live-stream celebrating Black business and entrepreneurship.

Originally Published: October 27, 2020 Pepsi has announced that The National Urban League is launching the Black Restaurant Accelerator Program which is expected to boost approximately 500 Black-owned businesses over the next five years.

The PepsiCo Foundation is providing a $10 million grant to fund the program. The money will provide current and aspiring Black restaurateurs with access to the necessary capital, training, mentorship, and other services that are needed to run a successful business.