Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League

“My greatest fear is that one day we may wake up and our democracy is gone.” — John Lewis

On Tuesday, November 4th, Americans took the first step toward turning the page on this dark chapter of our history by voting for state and municipal leaders committed to our advancement, our democracy, and standing up to an increasingly authoritarian government. 

2025 has been an emotional year for Americans. It began with wildfires that brought one of our most beautiful cities to a standstill, followed by the inauguration of an administration that immediately began turning back the clock on American life as we’ve come to know it.

Schnuck Markets, Inc. is hosting a food drive Thursday, Oct. 30, through Tuesday, Nov.11, 2025 at over 100 of its stores to help fill local pantries and stock local food banks to meet the growing needs of area residents due to the potential cessation of SNAP benefits resulting from the federal government shutdown. This is not a new effort.  Executive Vice President of Supermarkets Ted Schnuck said, “Each day, our store teams partner with food pantries in their respective neighborhoods, giving products that total more than $15 million of in-kind donations annually.” Long-time partners include the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis (St. Louis, MO), United Way and the Salvation Army.

Customers will be able to donate food items simply by purchasing them and then placing them in the donation barrels/bins that will be located in each store.

The most requested items are shelf-stable, non-perishables such as:

● Light tuna or salmon (canned or packaged)

At the Urban League of Louisiana (New Orleans, LA), our mission is clear: to build a Louisiana where Black people and other communities of the global majority can achieve economic self-reliance, generational wealth, civil rights and equitable representation.

As a historic civil rights and direct service organization, we recognize that true empowerment is more than individual success; it is about transforming systems to create lasting opportunity.

What sets us apart is our ability to fuse programming with policy. We connect individuals with the tools they need to thrive today, while also advancing reforms that dismantle barriers to success in the future. This dual approach ensures that we are not only responding to immediate needs but also building pathways to sustainable change for generations to come.

Metro United Way (MUW), Dare to Care, Louisville Urban League (Louisville, KY), and the Association of Community Ministries launched the Hardship to Hope Food Relief Fund.  MUW has made an initial donation of $500,000.

Through the fund, families with children under 18 and seniors can apply for a Kroger gift card worth $250 to $350 to buy food, as SNAP benefits may halt starting Saturday.

MUW said this will leave about 60,000 families in Kentuckiana in need.

"We know that in this moment, as families go to bed tonight, wondering how they'll eat tomorrow, we each need to do our part to let them know there is hope and relief in sight," said President and CEO of MUW, Adria Johnson.

A federal judge has ordered the Trump Administration to use contingency funds for SNAP payments during the shutdown. 

The Louisville effort also aims to fight food insecurity across the community.

Mark your calendars — November 8. The 3rd Annual National Urban League STEAM Experience returns, featuring Project Ready youth innovation from the Chicago, Seattle, Rochester, Chattanooga, and Louisiana Urban League affiliates. Get your watch party ready for an immersive journey (Full length movie will be available on YouTube on Saturday, November 8th).

To watch the trailer, click here.

Food assistance is running low. See how the White House is deliberately inflicting avoidable hardship on families by increasing food insecurity. | Tuesday is Election Day! Your voice matters now more than ever. Show up, cast your ballot, and help shape the future of your community. Find out more. | Black power in action. Congratulations to our President & CEO, who received an award from the Maryland Black Caucus after delivering a powerful keynote. | Hunger cannot wait. Millions of families are at risk of losing access to food assistance as the government shutdown deepens. Urge Congress to act now. | Don't miss #EOD2025! Grab your tickets for an unforgettable evening of live entertainment featuring Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter, Shanice. | How can AI help you? Sign up for our free webinar on Wednesday for tips on integrating AI tools in your professional journey. | Get the facts. Watch as public health experts discuss how to support people experiencing addiction, inequities in drug policies + more. | Upgrade your gear! Check out our online store for exclusive apparel and accessories that celebrate empowerment, unity, and progress.

The Los Angeles Urban League (Los Angeles, CA), a leading civil rights and economic empowerment organization, convened prominent leaders, advocates, and community partners for the third annual gathering of the State of Black Los Angeles on October 16, 2025, at the University of Southern California’s Town and Gown Ballroom. Themed “Solidarity in Action: Black and Brown LA,” the event united influential voices from political, civic, business, and academic sectors to spotlight racial equity, health, economic empowerment, and immigration—creating a powerful platform for collaboration and solutions across Los Angeles.

Laurie Shanderson Evans has her sights set on the future of the Knoxville Area Urban League (Knoxville, TN), but the nonprofit’s new leader knows she has to start with what her community needs right now.

"My primary goal is to get to know the community," said Shanderson Evans, who began her role as president and CEO of the Knoxville Area Urban League in July. "The needs of the community, the challenges that the community is facing right now, given all the federal changes and all the other administrative changes that will impact families in our community, it's really important to know what they need so we can prioritize it properly."

Shanderson Evans was selected after an 11-month national search. She brings to Knoxville from Nashville an extensive education and health management background.