We gather today in the year of the 155th anniversary of the 15th Amendment, the 100th anniversary of women suffer age and the 65th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. It’s also a moment where contempt for those victories permeates the body politic in too many corners of this very powerful city.

In August of 2016, Donald Trump stood before an overwhelmingly white crowd at a campaign rally in suburban Michigan and implored Black voters to support him, asking “What the hell do you have to lose?”

Shortly after his inauguration, he wasted no time in showing us what we had lost.

Voters struggling to get to the polls can look to Lyft.

On Friday, the ride share service announced that it would be expanding its free and discounted ride program throughout the primary calendar and general election. Part of the company's LyftUp initiative — a charitable effort that helps in-need riders of all kinds — the Voting Access Program will start with the Iowa caucus on Monday. 

MIT has selected four nonprofits that serve survivors of sexual abuse and exploitation to receive gifts totaling $850,000. This is the amount that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein donated to the Institute between 2002 and 2017, as determined by a recently completed review.

The first piece of the expansive REACH Riverside community revitalization project is nearly set to open its doors on Wilmington’s East Side.

The Warehouse – billed as community space “For Teens, By Teens” – could be ready as soon as next month.

The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis (St. Louis, MO) is issuing a call to action for black men in the community.

The organization held an event Saturday focused on addressing public safety and offering resources for change, it was called the “Calling All Black Men to Action Town Hall Summit.”

"People don't listen as much to what we say as to what we do. We have to put our money where our mouth is. We have to be doers. Not just saying what we have to do," said attendee Ron Ross.

St. Louis police data reveals 143 of the victims out of the nearly 200 homicides in the city in 2019 were black men. Urban League President Michael McMillan said he wanted the “Save Our Son’s” initiative to push the summit to help black men to find ways to reduce crime, get jobs, renew hope and opportunity.

Remembering Kobe Bryant. As we mourn the loss of the NBA legend, we look back at his life and legacy, both on and off the basketball court. | Black History Month is here. And it kicks off with the 60th anniversary of the Greensboro Four, who staged a sit-in at a segregated lunch counter and sparked a larger movement. Follow @NatUrbanLeague on social media for more coverage! | CBC Summit. The stakes for Black America couldn’t be higher. Explore solutions to secure our future with Marc Morial and others at Congressional Black Caucus' event.

Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League
 

“The kid we had first seen as spoiled — bickering with established stars next to him to whom we thought he should have shown deference — we saw now as an avuncular figure generously sharing his knowledge of the game with younger players who grew up idolizing his talent … We watched him step into the role of a retired athlete, not commentating on TV, but lending his energy, fame and wealth to foundations to help people in need — kids at risk, veterans struggling to transition to civilian life, and the homeless.” -- Kevin B. Blackistone

The sudden death of a beloved public figure in the prime of his life is always a shock. When Kobe Bryant took the basketball world by storm in the mid-1990s, anyone could have predicted he’d leave his mark on the game.  Many could even have predicted he’d transition into a successful business career, as so many former pro athletes have done.