Marc H. Morial
State of the Urban League Keynote Address
“America’s Crisis of Priorities” – Delivered July 29, 2026
Nashville, Tennessee

Good evening, Urban League Movement, friends, partners, all who love liberty, justice, equal opportunity, and rights for all.

Tonight, we are gathered. For a homegoing – and a homecoming.

We are gathered to eulogize racism. To bury hatred. To lay violence and destruction in the ground where they belong.

We are gathered to sound the requiem – for division, for hunger, for homelessness.

NASHVILLE, TN — Today, the National Urban League called on elected officials at every level of government to embrace its “Affordability for All Agenda,” a bold policy framework designed to address the rising cost of living and restore the promise of economic opportunity for working families across America.

Mayor Michelle Wu, Boston’s Age Strong Commission, the Biogen Foundation, the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts or ULEM (Boston, MA), and Lyft announced the expansion of Healthy Rides, a free transportation initiative for Boston’s older residents. Supported by a collaborative investment of $150,000, the expanded program builds on the success of the pilot to tackle social isolation, expand medical access, and improve the quality of life for older adults. Following the pilot’s success, the Biogen Foundation joined as a funding partner, contributing $50,000 toward program expansion. The City of Boston and Lyft each matched Biogen’s contribution, bringing the total investment to $150,000.

The Shenango Valley Urban League or SVUL (Farrell, PA) has received a $25,000 grant to provide free swim lessons to underserved youth in Mercer County.

The grant funds come from the Buhl Regional Health Foundation and are intended to address historic and generational inequities.

SVUL CEO Dr. Erin Houston is quoted in a press release saying that the funding will cover at least 50 youth to participate in one of six six-week sessions held at the Buhl Club.

The swim lessons will be provided to students in grades K-12. While this initiative focuses on African American youth, children of any race in Mercer County will be accepted.

“Statistically, 64% of African American children cannot swim, according to national surveys, and this is one way to address that issue,” Houston said.

Registration is full for the summer sessions, but registration is open for one of two fall and spring sessions and one winter session.