As the terms diversity, equity, and inclusion continue to be scrutinized, the Urban League of Rochester (Rochester, NY) is grounding its work in the voices of the community. The organization is taking a listening-first approach, holding conversations with the community to ensure its efforts—rooted in a legacy of 60 years—remain relevant and responsive.

“We are a civil rights organization and our foundation is diversity, equity and inclusion,” says Seanelle Hawkins, President and CEO. “We have to be conscious of that, and we’re thinking about, how do we make sure that we can continue to do our work?”

These reflections on preserving mission, efforts that aren’t limited to the Urban League, come at a pivotal moment, as the organization considers raising funds to assess the need for a new space. The Urban League is eyeing the site currently occupied by the bus terminal, which is expected to move to the Louise M. Slaughter Rochester Station in the next few years.

The Austin Area Urban League or AAUL (Austin, TX) is mobilizing free tree-removal teams after May's severe weather events.

AAUL says it has activated emergency crews to provide no-cost tree removal and debris cleanup for residents across Austin and Travis County, with priority going to seniors, low-income households and neighborhoods historically lacking resources.

The May 28 storm delivered winds of up to 85 mph. Austin Energy ranked the microburst storm as the third-worst storm in the utility's history based on overall impact. The event caused widespread outages throughout the Austin area, and 72,500 people were without power at the storm's peak.

On the heels of Juneteenth—a day to honor freedom and reflect on the continued pursuit of equity—The Greater Stark County Urban League (Canton, OH) and 7 17 Credit Union today announced a powerful new partnership: the launch of a co-branded Affinity Credit Card that gives back to the community with every use.

The new Affinity Card will help fund programs led by the Urban League that support education, economic empowerment, and community advancement throughout Stark County. A portion of every transaction will be reinvested directly into initiatives that build stronger, more equitable futures.

“This Affinity Urban League card is more than a financial tool – it’s a symbol of shared purpose,” said Thomas West, President and CEO of the Greater Stark County Urban League. “Each transaction represents an investment in equity, access, and opportunity for our community.  We’re proud to partner with 7 17 Credit Union to turn everyday spending into lasting impact.

Five weeks after a deadly tornado touched down in St. Louis, some storm survivors are still displaced.

The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis (St. Louis, MO) is helping families and individuals secure shelter at local hotels.

“We have now almost 400 people throughout the entire region that are in hotels,” said Michael McMillan, President and CEO of the Urban League.

The tornado ripped through north city with a vengeance on May 16, 2025, destroying homes, churches and neighborhoods.

Roosevelt Price recently moved to the Gateway City from Kansas City. The damage to the apartment he shared with his son and fiancé astounded him. 

“We had nowhere to go,” he said.

Price scrambled to find a place for his family. His efforts led him to the Urban League.

Fortunately, the organization has a shelter program that paid for Price and his family to stay at a hotel.

A dangerous step backward. See how reserving the names of military bases back to the names of Confederate generals threatens the nation’s progress. | Celebrating freedom. Watch as our President & CEO Marc H. Morial breaks down Juneteenth’s 160-year legacy and its impact on American history. | Secure your dream job. Register for our Career & Networking Fair during #NULConf25 to network and get your resume in front of hiring managers. | We need your help! The House passed a “Big Ugly Bill” to strip Medicaid + SNAP benefits from millions of Americans. Tell the Senate to act now. | Meet us virtually. Can’t travel this summer? Register for FREE to experience the virtual #NULConf25 from anywhere. | Mentorship matters. Register for our FREE webinar on June 25 for a conversation on what makes mentorship effective across teams, roles + more. | Join our fight for equity. Every dollar empowers us to lobby, litigate, protest, and provide direct services to those who need it most. Make a donation today. | What’s on your shopping list? Our online store is the perfect place to grab Urban League swag. Check it out.

Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League

“Why wouldn’t we want to name it after the great heroes that we do have in the U.S. Army? They reflect the best of America. Inspirational people with inspirational stories.”

— Brigadier General Ty Seidule (Ret.), former vice chairman of the Naming Commission

In 2020, as the nation reckoned with systemic racism in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, the U.S. Department of Defense took a long-overdue step: initiating the process to rename military bases that bore the names of Confederate generals—men who fought to preserve slavery and divide the Union.

This was not a symbolic gesture. It was a deliberate act to honor the values of unity, equality, and democratic service over the legacy of white supremacy. That progress is now under threat.

The Greater Washington Urban League (Washington, DC) and collaborator, The United Way of the National Capital Area, are proud to announce the inaugural Black Fatherhood Blueprint program which kicks off in June timed to Father’s Day and Men’s Mental Health Month. The program is focused on not just supporting fathers - but empowering them. The program will provide Black fathers with the tools, community, and resources they need for lasting change. GWUL’s evidence-based program is designed to help fathers reclaim their sense of agency, rebuild their lives, and strengthen their families. More about this program and a link to register is available on the GWUL website: HERE

The Fort Wayne Urban League (Ft. Wayne, IN) cut the ribbon on its newly renovated computer lab on June 11th. 

Teresa Yarbrough, a local artist, has painted a mural in the computer lab and will share her inspiration behind the piece during the event.

The new lab was made possible by a grant from the McMillan Foundation and Google. The Urban League is developing programs to serve youth and seniors in the space.

Aisha Arrington, the Urban League’s President and CEO, shared her excitement about the project.

“I am just thrilled that we were able to receive the support necessary to bring a functioning computer lab back to our building,” she said in a statement. “It’s been a lot of blood, sweat and tears, but the effort is so worth it because of the value it will bring to our educational programming.”

The Urban League of Middle Tennessee (Nashville, TN) is equipping college students with essential financial management skills through their new Path to Purpose program, helping them navigate the challenges of independence.

According to WalletHub, seven in 10 college students feel overwhelmed by their financial responsibilities, reflecting the broader financial stress many Americans experience.

“When you go off to college, you’re all on your own — no parents looking over you,” said Tyler Brown, a University of Tennessee sophomore participating in the program.

The program focuses on a lot — like practical budgeting skills — including a challenge where students had to prepare meals for two days with just $20.