The Los Angeles Urban League (Los Angeles, CA) hosted the 50th Anniversary of its prestigious Whitney M. Young Jr. Awards & Celebration on June 11, honoring five decades of social progress and community impact inspired by the enduring legacy of civil rights leader Whitney M. Young Jr.

Held at the Skirball Cultural Center, the gala was an extraordinary gathering of changemakers, corporate leaders, elected officials, and entertainers who came together to celebrate individuals committed to equity, justice, and economic empowerment.

The evening was highlighted by the presentation of four distinguished honors to leaders whose work continues to shape Los Angeles and beyond.

Jenifer Lewis received the Visionary Award. The beloved actress, bestselling author, and mental health advocate is known as “The Mother of Black Hollywood.” She was honored for her decades of activism, philanthropy, and cultural impact across generations.

As a continuation of his Lakeside Chats, Mayor Brandon Johnson appeared before the Business Leadership Council (BLC) for a “State of Black business” address and assured African American small business owners they will not be left behind. 

During a June 23, late-night panel discussion at 317 N. Clark Street, Johnson not only listed the many human investments his administration has made but assured small business owners of his commitment to honor and practice Diversity, Equity and Inclusion of Black businesses which in the past have been left behind. 

The “State of Black Business” was convened by Business Leadership Council (BLC) CEO Keiana Barrett in partnership with the Chicago Urban League (Chicago, IL), headed by Karen Freeman-Wilson, President/CEO. 

Johnson was accompanied by panelists who provided information about the different city portals and services available to help Black businesses open and expand. 

Bright and early Saturday morning, cars lined the streets at the University Preparatory Academy in West Palm Beach.

That's where volunteers and the WPTV team were hard at work filling bags with fresh fruit, produce, and veggies.

For the last four years, WPTV and the Urban League of Palm Beach County (West Palm Beach, FL) have teamed up to help fight food insecurity during the summer months.

Soulan Johnson with the Urban League of Palm Beach County says this event plays a crucial role in our communities.

"There is over 173,000 people that are food insecure. That means 1 and 5 children and 1 and 9 adults. We know that there is over 200 thousand kids in the school district. Half of those kids are Title 1 and also face food insecurity."

With the help of WPTV viewers, nearly $40,000 was raised to help feed 1500 families across Palm Beach County.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 27, 2025) -- The Fair Budget Coalition,  a broad alliance of civil rights organizations, policy experts, and advocates for under-resourced communities, expressed to Senate leadership their strong opposition to the House passed budget reconciliation bill and any similar proposals under the Senate’s consideration.  

The House bill and Senate cuts released to date would inflate the historic harm on working families, deepen inequality, and undermine civil rights protections, the coalition warned. 

Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League

“Senate Republicans tried to write Donald Trump’s contempt for the courts into law — gutting judicial enforcement, defying the Constitution, and bulldozing the very rule of law that forms our democracy," Schumer said in a statement. "It was nothing short of an assault on the system of checks and balances that has anchored this nation since its founding, and a brazen attempt crown Trump king." -- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer

With an intimidated Congressional majority unwilling to stand up to even the most egregious actions by the Trump administration, it falls to the courts to protect the rights of vulnerable Americans.

A provision in the "Big Ugly Bill" -- the budget reconciliation bill currently pending in the Senate -- would make that nearly impossible.

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.

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.