MADISON – For the first time since the pandemic started, the Urban League of Greater Madison (Madison, WI) held its Unity Picnic.

The Unity Picnic is the Urban League’s an event that they’ve held for the past eight years. It is designed for the community to get together and learn about the community service programs that the Urban League is responsible for.

One of the big names this year was former Governor Jim Doyle, who has made a point to attend the event every year it’s held.

ATLANTA – The Urban League of Greater Atlanta (Atlanta, GA) partnered with Courvoisier Cognac to award Atlanta’s best minority-owned small businesses.

The Courvoisier Entrepreneurship Awards was designed to recognize the best of Atlanta’s small business community. It is part of Courvoisier’s Foundation 1828, which is a $1 million commitment to support minority businesses. The cognac company partnered with the Urban League to host the awards, as part of its multi-year partnership with the National Urban League.

The event also had a compelling pitch competition, a networking panel for small business, and an educational panel. Financial grants were given to the top participants.

The wait is over. On Wednesday, we kick off our first-ever hybrid in-person and virtual Annual Conference in Washington, DC! Here’s what we have in store. | We love to see it! Marc H. Morial hosted the official press conference for Stellar TV to announce the launch of its Black-owned TV network. Take a look. | The final countdown! Get ready to kick it with us in DC for the most epic experience of the summer. Register now and see what to expect. | Can’t make it to DC? Register now for the FREE virtual #NULCONF22 experience to catch gems to enhance your career, business, and more. | Family fun day. Back-to-school supplies are on us this year! Meet us in DC for FREE items for your kids, giveaways, health screenings, and much more.

Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League

“I thank you, Urban League, for all of your leadership, and I look forward to fighting with you ... Part of the strength of this organization and all of the leaders in this room is we have always been motivated by knowing what can be, unburdened by what has been. This is a fight that is born out of optimism. This is a fight that is born out of knowing that we must fight for the soul of our country also out of love of country. And this is a fight we will win.” Kamala Harris, address to the National Urban League Conference

The last time the National Urban League convened for an in-person Conference in July of 2019, special counsel, Robert Mueller was taking a seat to testify to the House Judiciary and Intelligence committees about his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, and the then-President’s efforts to obstruct that investigation.

Organization leaders are learning that understanding the needs of their workforce is essential to success in business. One way DoorDash is taking care of home is by working with the National Urban League to provide financial education to dashers — the company’s front-line workforce responsible for making deliveries.

From March to September 2020, nearly two million people applied to become dashers. During that time, dashers earned more than $3.5 billion, and those who lived in predominantly Black or Latinx communities brought in $2.1 billion of those earnings. As part of its $200 million Main Street Strong pledge, DoorDash and the National Urban League announced a four-year partnership in December 2020 to increase economic opportunity and support Dashers’ financial success.

KNOXVILLE – The Knoxville Area Urban League (Knoxville, TN) is focusing on helping minority entrepreneurs get their business off the ground.

According to the Urban League, in 2021, 41% of minority businesses closed down, due to the pandemic. Around 50% of minority businesses saw a revenue reduction.

It these numbers that have the Urban League determined to make sure that minority entrepreneurs succeed in their business ventures.

CHICAGO – In an announcement, ComEd announced that over 600 people had completed clean energy job training programs, including a program spearheaded by the Chicago Urban League (Chicago, IL).

ComEd has partnered with area non-profit organizations in a push to help train individuals with job training specializing in the green industry.

ComEd had partnered with the Urban League, along with several other agencies for these specialized programs. As the company has partnered with organizations that have serviced minority communities, the 2021 graduate class has boasted an incredibly group of diverse graduates.

PEORIA – Peoria firefighters have saved the day.

On Wednesday, July 6th, the Peoria Fire Department donated $500 to the Tri-County Urban League (Peoria, IL) for their school supply drive.

“Fill the Fire Truck,” is a school supply drive for Peoria public school students. The drive was an idea had by Scott Howard, who is a firefighter of the Peoria fire department. He was the one who reached out the Urban League to make it happen.

Howard is himself a graduate of the Peoria public school system, so he understands the needs of the students. The drive was an opportunity to give back to those that have helped him along the way.

ST. LOUIS – In a measure to help fight soaring inflation prices, the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis (St. Louis, MO) coordinated a giveaway the morning of Saturday, July 9th.

In partnership with Operation Ten City Tour, the Urban League gave out hundreds of goods to families that are suffering due to rising prices in gas, groceries, and other necessities.

For people like Michael Lacy, the giveaway came at a great time.

“With gas the way it is, every little bit helps,” Lacy said. “Especially when you have to go to the doctor, have to spend money to get that. Every little bit helps.”