AKRON (Dec. 5, 2022) – For many business owners, starting your own business is a frightening endeavor. Constant rejections due to lack of experience or denial of financial capital makes getting a business off the ground incredibly difficult.

This is especially true for minority contractors – and the Akron Urban League (Akron, OH) wants to help with that.

The Urban League has built the Minority Contractor Capital Access Program (MCCAP), a program that gives small, minority contractors the tools to truly grow and develop their business.

Gail Wilson, MCCAP’s director for the Urban League, said, “Our goal is for them to be successful and grow their business – we provide them with the tools to do that.”

CHATTANOOGA (Dec. 5, 2022) – The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga (Chattanooga, TN) is celebrating.

The Urban League is preparing for their upcoming Equal Opportunity Day Breakfast, which will take place this coming Thursday, Dec. 8th at 8 AM. It’s a milestone celebration, as it’s in 40th year.

President of the Urban League Candy Johnson said, “This year is extra special because it’s our 40th anniversary – 40 years for EOD and 40 years as an organization in the Chattanooga area.”

The theme this year is “Moments in the Movement”, where the organization will reflect on its past, present, and future.

Phone bank for Georgia! Join us virtually this Sunday as we call Georgia voters to make sure they’re ready for the runoff Election Day. | Los Angeles has a new mayor! The historic election of Karen Bass creates a new wave of inclusive and equitable civic leadership. Read more. | Your health matters. ’Tis the season to protect your health and make sure you’re up to date on the most recent vaccines + boosters. Learn more. | Racism in banking. Watch Marc H. Morial’s testimony in front of the Senate on the barriers Black and brown people face when seeking financial services. | We’re moving to Harlem. We’ve been working hard to build our new empowerment center in the heart of New York City. Take a look at our progress. | Minding our Black-owned business. Read more on the success stories of our Chicago Black Restaurant Accelerator Program recipients. | Meet us in Houston! We’re heating up summer 2023 with the National Urban League Annual Conference. Register today to join in on the festivities. | What is environmental justice? Tune in to the latest episode of Justice Now as we tap into climate change, environmental racism + much more. | What do the numbers tell us? Dr. Bernard Anderson, our Chief Economics Adviser, shares an in-depth look at the state of the economy. Check it out. | 2023 depends on you. Your donation will help us to continue curating programs focused on uplifting disadvantaged communities. Donate today.

Dr. Bernard E. Anderson
Whitney M Young, Jr. Professor Emeritus, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
Senior Economic Advisor, National Urban League

The economy added 263,000 jobs in November, indicating a strong, but unbalanced labor market with wages rising at a rate that sustains strong consumer spending.

The overall unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.7%, but the demographic pattern of employment trended in opposite directions in November. Black employment rose while white employment declined; as a result, the Black /white unemployment disparity slipped down from the persistent 2:1 ratio to 1.78.

The pace of employment growth was similar to growth over the prior 3 months, which averaged 282,000. Monthly job growth over the entire year 392,000, down from an average of 562,000 per month in 2021. Most employment growth in leisure/hospitality, the industry that lost most jobs when the pandemic hit in early 2020.

ADVISORY FOR: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2022
CONTACT:        Niambé Tomlinson (National Urban League)
                           ntomlinson@nul.org | 585-576-4406
                          Diane Larché (Urban League of Greater Atlanta)
                          diane@larchecommunications.com | 404-273-3227
                          Khadijah M. Davis (Planned Parenthood Action Fund)
                          khadijah.davis@ppfa.org | 212-261-4583
                          Angelo Greco (National Coalition on Black Civic Participation)

NEW YORK (December 1, 2022) – Today the National Urban League and Wells Fargo announced a $5 million grant to create the Diverse Appraiser Initiative, a new program that aims to increase diversity and reduce barriers to entry in the home appraisal industry.

Washington, D.C. (November 30, 2022) — Today, Marc H. Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League, released the following statement congratulating Congressman Hakeem Jeffries for being elected to serve as Minority Leader for the House Democratic Caucus. He is the first Black lawmaker in history to lead a major political party in Congress:  
 
“Today, we congratulate Leader Jeffries on a historic election as the first Black lawmaker to lead a major political party. Not only does this election symbolize the growing representation of diverse membership in Congress and our country, but it also creates a positive image for young people in our communities who may aspire to serve in positions such as this.