National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial today announced that the League’s anticipated 2020 Conference, slated for August in Houston, will not take place due to the current international health crisis.

“Due to the overwhelmingly devastating effect of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the National Urban League has made the decision not to host a live event in Houston, Texas this year for our 2020 Conference,” Morial said. “This has been an extraordinarily difficult decision, demanded by an extraordinary set of circumstances.”

“Even though a live event will not take place this year, the spirit of the Conference and our commitment to meeting the challenges facing Black America remains at the forefront of the Urban League Movement’s efforts as we continue to lead the nation in confronting the health and economic crises of the pandemic.”

By Lango Deen, US Black Engineer

Chase Bank, the consumer and commercial banking subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase, announced its partnership with 78 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), to help 27,000 students celebrate their graduation this weekend. According to Chase,  leaders and entertainers joined forces for a virtual commencement.

Hosted by comedian Kevin Hart, the event included a special message from former President Barack Obama, as well as commencement speeches, well-wishes, and performances from actors, entertainers, and sports stars. The virtual graduation also featured National Urban League president Marc Morial, Chase Consumer Banking CEO Thasunda Brown Duckett, and academic leaders.

Show Me Your Walk HBCU Edition was live-streamed on Chase’s YouTube and Twitter channels, JPMorgan Chase’s LinkedIn channel, and HBCU Connect’s Facebook page.

Join us in watching the virtual theatrical release of American Trial: The Eric Garner story. We will be hosting a live stream event with Q&A featuring CBS' Michelle Miller on Thursday, May 21st. 

American Trial: The Eric Garner Story is an unscripted, hybrid fiction-documentary about the case that never happened. A mock trial with the real players (with the exception of the actor who plays Pantaleo), the film depicts the trial that would have followed Garner’s death had Pantaleo been indicted. In the pursuit of accuracy, balance, and unbiased accountability, the film uses former New York State prosecutors, real attorneys, and actual witnesses, all to present to the jury – in this case, the audience - the facts necessary to determine Pantaleo's guilt or innocence. No script. Only real people and real testimonies in a courtroom setting through a cinematic lens.

What's the latest? Marc Morial is back with updates on COVID-19, unemployment rates, local resources, and more. Watch the Facebook Live video. | Ahmaud Arbery. We must push for justice and accountability in the tragic killing of 25-year-old Arbery. Here's more on where the case stands. | Celebrating the class of 2020! Don't miss today's livestream graduation at 2PM ET, featuring Barack Obama, Kevin Hart, our very own Marc Morial, and more. | Returning & thriving. Are you ready to get off the bench and get back in the game? Learn how to transition back to working after an extended leave from the office. | Must watch! "I can't breathe" sparked a nationwide rallying cry. Watch the new film, American Trial: The Eric Garner Story, that explores the tragic 2014 incident. | Let's Make Black Count. It’s not too late to fill out your Census form! Do it online from your phone, tablet, or laptop; it only takes 10 minutes or less. | Inside scoop. Our D.C. office has the latest on getting justice for the horrific killings of Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. Read up on that and more.

Attention Federal Workers

The National Urban League is honored to be an approved charity for the Combined Federal Campaign!

Your payroll contributions will help support the National Urban League’s initiatives and programs to over 300 communities in 36 states.  

Click the link below and enter our CFC code #11191 

CFC GIVING PAGE

Members of Civic Progress and the Regional Business Council granted $500,000 to the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis’ (St. Louis, MO) Save Our Sons program and its Gun Violence De-escalation public safety program. Civic Progress contributed $150,000 to each program, and the Regional Business Council invested $100,000 in each program.

Save Our Sons equips African-American men with the education, job training, career skills and work ethic needed to compete in the job market

The Regional Business Council also made a $25,000 contribution to the Urban League’s COVID-19 relief efforts. These efforts include community health evaluations, increased access to food, school supplies, clothing and employment services.

The Urban League of Greater Atlanta (Atlanta, GA) and the ULGA Young Professionals and ULGA Guild join the national outcry for justice in the case of Ahmaud Arbery. We are relieved by the news that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has arrested two of the men involved in his murder. We call on the Bureau to also arrest the third man who allegedly was an accomplice, videotaping the two men as they accosted and shot Arbery to death.

George McMichael, 64, and his son Travis McMichael, 34, are identified as the two who are seen in a video following and murdering the unarmed 25-year-old who was jogging in a Brunswick, Georgia neighborhood. Travis’s neighbor, William Bryan, is said to have been in a separate vehicle videotaping the incident. We believe all three should be held accountable.