NEW YORK (December 3, 2025) — National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial issued the following statement in response to President Trump's comments about Somali Americans:

"The President's abhorrent slurs against Somali Americans are not simply beneath the dignity of his office — or of any self-respecting adult — but dangerous and fundamentally un-American. These words are  attack on the very principles of equality and dignity that define our nation.

"Immigrants and their descendants are the foundation of this country, and Somali Americans are no exception. They contribute to our communities, our economy, and our culture. To demean them with hateful rhetoric is to fuel division and incite hostility against an entire group of people based on their heritage.

NEW YORK (December 2, 2025) — The National Urban League today called on Congressional leaders to take bold, comprehensive action to confront the nation’s worsening housing affordability crisis. The organization urged lawmakers to strengthen and fully fund the ROAD to Housing Act as part of the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act.

In a letter to the House Committee on Financial Services and the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, President and CEO Marc H. Morial outlined key recommendations to ensure the legislation delivers meaningful and lasting relief for American families. The letter underscores that the housing crisis—marked by skyrocketing rents and shrinking homeownership opportunities—has become one of the most urgent economic and civil rights issues of our time.

The King County Council approved a $20 billion biennial budget for 2026 to 2027 that aims to confront racial injustice and deliver targeted resources to historically marginalized communities. For Councilmember De’Sean Quinn, who represents District 5 in South King County, the budget is more than a spending plan. It is a roadmap for repair.

Quinn, who was appointed in January to fill a vacancy left by former Councilmember Dave Upthegrove, praised the budget’s direct investments in the Black community and described the final package as a meaningful step toward equity and justice.

The Urban League of Middle Tennessee (Nashville, TN) or ULMT is donating 500 turkeys to community members in need ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

The initiative is led by ULMT’s Group Violence Intervention (GVI) program, with support from Enterprise, which is providing volunteer truck drivers. The turkeys have been purchased and will be distributed to three locations across Nashville.

ULMT’s GVI program works to support underserved and underrepresented populations in Middle Tennessee. The program assists residents in finding employment, expunging criminal records, restoring driver’s licenses, and accessing vital resources including food, diapers, medicines, and hygiene products.

The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis (St. Louis, MO) gave out 3,000 Thanksgiving meals on Tuesday (November 23rd).

The Thanksgiving Turkey Drive-Thru giveaway distributed turkeys and holiday food boxes to families across the region.

“Our Thanksgiving distribution is one of the most cherished traditions in the St. Louis community,” said Urban League President & CEO Michael P. McMillan. “This year, it means even more. We remain committed to stabilizing families, restoring hope, and ensuring that everyone has access to food and essential resources during a season when need is especially high.”

The Urban League said the need quadrupled at its food pantries after the government shutdown. McMillan said the need is greater than ever. This year, they’re giving out 500 more meals to people across the region this week, on top of this event.

There was standing room only at the Sport of Kings Theatre in Hallandale Beach  as Philip Morris International’s U.S. businesses (PMI U.S.) announced a new partnership with the Urban League of Broward County (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) or ULBC, supported by a $400,000, three-year donation designed to expand economic opportunity for small businesses and accelerate economic development across South Florida.

Dr. Germaine Smith Baugh, President and CEO of ULBC, said the partnership arrives at a pivotal moment.

“By investing in our neighbors, PMI U.S. is helping small business owners do what they do best: build, create, and keep our community strong,” Baugh said in a statement.

“We’re truly grateful for this partnership and excited for all we’ll accomplish together to lift up small businesses and the families we serve.”

Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League

When Chicago Urban League (Chicago, IL) President and CEO Karen Freeman-Wilson’s colleague told her the organization should respond to Walmart’s request for proposals to redevelop its Chatham site, Freeman-Wilson remembers balking at the idea.

“I’m like, ‘That big superstore?’” Freeman-Wilson said.

But what her colleague, Chicago Urban League Vice President Andrew Wells, was referring to was the smaller building next door: The 15,000-square-foot Walmart Academy the big-box retailer used as a training center.

“He went on and on about it,” Freeman-Wilson said. “And then we came and toured the building, and I said, ‘We have to reactivate this building for the community.’”

In response to increasing demand for food assistance, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has provided additional emergency funding to 60 food pantries across the Southeastern United States with the potential for assistance to additional locations.

This support will help relieve shortages and provide meals for more than 400,000 individuals and families facing food insecurity.

Receiving organizations such as the Tallahassee Urban League (Tallahassee, FL) are on the front lines of helping those in need.

Curtis Taylor, President and CEO of the Tallahassee Urban League, said, “During these desperate times when there is a major concern with food insecurity due to the government shutdown, this donation which provides food for our citizens is very timely and very much needed.”