NEW YORK (February 23, 2026) -- National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial issued the following statement in response to the death of civil rights heroine Dorothy Prevost:

"It is hard to imagine the courage and conviction it took to send her daughter, Tessie — a tiny first-grader — into the hostility that surrounded the desegregation of New Orleans public schools.  Her work — in advocacy, community organizing, and the relentless pursuit of equality — helped build the foundation on which so many of today’s freedoms stand.

"Dorothy not only believed in the power of ordinary people to effect extraordinary change — she lived it. She showed us progress is not only landmark legislation or historic marches. but  daily acts of resistance, dignity, and hope.

Honoring a trailblazer. See how Dr. Norman C. Francis' leadership opened doors to higher education and professional advancement for Black Americans. | His legacy lives on. Rev. Jesse Jackson was more than a civil rights leader; he was our moral compass. Take a moment to reflect on and continue his legacy. | Greetings from Chicago. Watch as our President & CEO reflects on Rev. Jesse Jackson after keynoting the Cook County Land Bank Association Luncheon. | More than a place of worship. See how the Black church has always been a place to build power, featuring Rev. Frederick Haynes' congregation in Dallas. | You can create change. Civil rights and economic opportunity are being rolled back, and pathways to stability are narrowing. Stand with us + donate. | We’re heading to Nashville. #NULConf26 is heading to the Music City to gather changemakers who want to better their communities. Register today.

NEW YORK (February 20, 2026) —National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial issued the following statement in response to the Supreme Court Decision on tariffs:

"Today’s Supreme Court decision striking down the Trump administration's unlawfully imposed tariffs is a welcome affirmation of constitutional balance and a meaningful step toward protecting the economic well‑being of America’s working families.

"The decision is a long-overdue sign that the Court has reasserted its independence and will not act as a rubber-stamp for the administration in every case.

"For more than a year, the National Urban League has emphasized that these tariffs are regressive taxes that fall hardest on everyday Americans. They have driven up prices on essential goods, disrupted supply chains, and deepened the economic anxieties already felt in communities across the nation.

Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League

“We've got to have people who believe that education belongs to everybody. The future is education for our kids, starting early. Let them know about Blacks who made history and did it from their own belief in themselves, and belief in that we have to make a change.” - Dr. Norman C. Francis

There are times in history when we are called to meet the moment. During the Civil Rights Movement, the murder of Martin Luther King Jr. dimmed a lot in the eyes of many who had exalted him for courage in the face of violence and racism. For Dr. Norman C. Francis, who began his presidency at Xavier University of Louisiana on the day of Dr. King’s assassination, it was a call to build something greater.

It was a call he answered for nearly five decades.

NEW YORK (February 17, 2026) — National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial issued the following statement in response to the passing of Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr.:

"The nation has lost  a giant of American history, a fearless freedom fighter, and one of the most consequential leaders of the modern civil rights movement.

Ice has gone rogue. See how courageous governors and mayors are standing up to ICE's illegal, abusive acts in Chicago and Minneapolis. | Day on the Hill. Get highlights from our President & CEO's meetings on Capitol Hill during the CBC's Black History Month convening on this urgent moment. | Don't miss the action! Tune in this Sunday, February 15 as we kick off our Defend Democracy, Demand Diversity, Defeat Poverty (D3) tour in Atlanta, GA. | Where do we stand with reparations? Tune in to episode two as community leaders in New York and Illinois take us inside the fight for reparations. | There’s room at the table. Sign up for our free webinar for tips on embracing pivots and turning unexpected detours into opportunities for growth. | Heart to Heart. This American Heart Month, get the facts on how to recognize the signs of a heart attack or stroke, ways to keep your heart healthy & more.

Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League

“If the federal government will not hold these rogue actors accountable, then Chicago will do everything in our power to bring these agents to justice.” – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson

There comes a point when euphemisms fail us. What ICE has done in Chicago and Minneapolis is not mere “overreach.”  Agents did not make “missteps” or “tactical errors.” These are clear, documented violations of the law and abuses of power that have endangered the lives of American citizens — and they demand a forceful reckoning. State and local leaders in Illinois and Minnesota have been forced into a role that should shame the federal government: they are defending the Constitution against the very agents sworn to uphold it.

The National Urban League and its affiliates strongly condemn the Trump administration’s latest reckless and politically motivated attempt to punish states by withholding $10 billion in critical funding that supports low-income children and families. 

Programs like the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the Child Care and Development Fund, and Social Services Block Grants are lifelines for hundreds of thousands of families, providing essential support including childcare, cash assistance, and job training. This move threatens the communities we serve by disrupting programs that drive up costs for families, and it limits essential access to vital services like housing, healthcare and education.