Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League

“It's within our DNA as black women, and some of it is within the historical evolution of who we are as black women, where we were trained and groomed to give so much of ourselves. Essence was specifically created to be a platform where we gave to her. We're not looking to take from her or to put more of a burden on her, but we just want her to come in a safe space – whether it’s with her girlfriends, herself, if she wants to bring her family, it's up to her – but it's all about her. It doesn't matter what's surrounding her; she comes and she gets energized and she feels rejuvenated and she feels safe and comforted.” Joy A. Profet, former Essence Communications CEO

Washington, D.C. (June 30, 2022) – Today, National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial made the following statement as the United States Supreme Court swears in its first Black woman – Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Urban League of Oklahoma City (Oklahoma City, OK) held its second expungement event this past Saturday, June 25th.

For citizens like Tiffany Mason, it is a dream come true.

“My felony is over twenty years old – twenty – and yet people look at me like I did it yesterday.”

Stories like Tiffany’s are the reason that the Urban League holds these expungement events. According to Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform, an estimated 94% of people who are eligible for expungement can’t access it.

JERSEY CITY – In a resolution, the Jersey City Municipal Council honored the Urban League of Hudson County (Jersey City, NJ) for their dedication to the community.

In their resolution, the Council called the Urban League a mainstay in Jersey City for fifty years, a place where low-income people can go for help.

Paying tribute to former Urban League President and CEO Elnora Watson, the resolution said that she was a force behind the Urban League’s move from Bergen Avenue to MLK Drive. She had hoped the Urban League would revitalize that area of the city.

PEORIA – The Tri-County Urban League (Peoria, IL) has just received some help from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.

The state agency gave a little over $68,000 to the Urban League.

Dr. Dawn Harris Jeffries, president and CEO of the Urban League, said, “There’s a place to go where people care about them, and care about their futures deeply, sincerely and fiercely. Regardless of where you are in life, wherever you jump off that train, we can get you back on.”

She said that they will now research into which directions the funds will go.

COLUMBUS – The Columbus Urban League (Columbus, OH) is stepping up for the powerless.

Thousands in the Central Ohio area went without power last week, and the Urban League is working with American Electric Power (AEP) in getting reimbursements for its customers.

Applicants can receive up to $500 in lost goods or any costs related to the power outage. Customers can apply online via the Urban League’s website.

For Toni Fisher, the funds couldn’t come at a better time.

Due to the power outage, she was forced to miss work to take care of her children.

PHILADELPHIA – The Urban League of Philadelphia (Philadelphia, PA) received a federal grant to assist in their housing counseling efforts.

The grant comes from the Community Project Funding, which allow Congress members the ability to request monies on behalf of nonprofits operating in their districts.

United States Representative Brendan F. Boyle announced the donation.

Boyle said, “One of the main ways we can lift people from lower income to the middle class is through homeownership. I think it also creates more stable neighborhoods. I’m glad I could get help from Washington, D.C. to bring those funds.”

By Maggie Haberman, New York Times

Dozens of organizations representing people of color, women and L.G.B.T.Q. voters called on President Biden on Wednesday to strike a deal for the release of Brittney Griner, the W.N.B.A. star who has been detained in Russia since February.

In a letter sent to Mr. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the groups said Ms. Griner “continues to endure inhumane treatment, deprived of contact with her family.”

The letter said the United States “has acknowledged that Brittney is essentially a political pawn in classifying her as wrongfully detained.” And while the signatories cited “deep appreciation” for the administration’s efforts to free Ms. Griner, “we now urge you to make a deal to get Brittney back home to America immediately and safely.”

A devastating decision. The Supreme Court has snatched away a fundamental right from more than half our nation’s citizens. Let's fight back together. | Bring Brittney Griner home. We urge President Biden and Vice President Harris to make every effort to end Griner's wrongful detainment in Russia. | Happening soon! Grab the fam for a fun, full experience at our Back to School Community & Family Day and get a free backpack and sneaker for your child. | Safety first. Do yourself and others around you a favor by adding COVID safety to your summer checklist. Visit our hub to find what you need.

NEW YORK, June 24, 2022 – National Urban League President Marc H. Morial today issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade:

“For nearly 50 years, American women have had the right to choose what to do with their own bodies. Today’s devastating decision will reverberate for generations. For the first time in our history, the Supreme Court has snatched away a fundamental right from more than half our nation’s citizens.