INDIANAPOLIS – In their fundraising luncheon, the Indianapolis Urban League (Indianapolis, IN) reflected on how the pandemic has seen them accelerate the way they’ve helped the community.

The luncheon, held on Wednesday, June 8th, not only serves as  fundraiser for the organization, it also serves as an award ceremony that recognizes people who have given back to the community.

The pandemic has seen the Urban League assist over 50,000 Indiana residents with programs that assist families as they still feel the effects of COVID-19. President of the Urban League, Tony Mason, commented on how the pandemic was a crash course on adapting.

KNOXVILLE – Local entrepreneurs in the Knoxville area got some cash for their business ideas.

On Tuesday, June 7th, the Knoxville Area Urban League (Knoxville, TN) gave out a total of sixteen thousand dollars to entrepreneurs as part of their entrepreneurship program, CO.STARTERS. The program is a ten-week program that gives entrepreneurs the chance to build upon their business plans and test their ideas, with instructors, peers and local business owners giving feedback. At programs’ end, program participants showcase their ideas to a judges panel, who then pick out three winners.

What's next for Buffalo? From meeting with victims' families and Mayor Byron Brown to engaging with the community, see what came out of our visit. | Rooting out police violence. We took our 21 Pillars Tour to Kansas City this week! Check out the full video on how we make community safety a reality. | What's your answer? And if it hasn't crossed your mind much yet, now is the time to plan for a fun, safe summer. We're here to help with info and resources. | It's all about the policies. From student loans and Black health to tech and the upcoming midterm elections and more, we went there. Watch the replay! | FREE.99. Community, this one's for you! Register now to get a free backpack and brand-new sneaker for your child on July 23rd in Washington, D.C. | How to level up. If you are a person of color in a leadership role or trying to climb up the corporate ladder, watch for strategies to make your next move. | Enough is enough. Mass shootings and gun violence won't magically disappear if city, state, and national leaders don't act now. Let's dive into the conversation. | Too much is at stake. Black and brown voters are facing the biggest assault on our voting rights since Reconstruction. Support our work as we combat this.

Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League

BUFFALO – National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial had a message for the residents of Buffalo this past weekend.

“We will not forget Buffalo.”

Standing in front of the Jefferson Avenue Tops Market where the tragedy occurred, Morial stood with Buffalo’s Black leaders, and other political leaders, as he spoke about the shooting and the need for action.

In his speech, Morial spoke about not only the need for tougher gun laws, but also a call for action to end systemic racism.

SEATTLE – In an effort to assist Black-owned businesses, The Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle (Seattle, WA) has partnered with the newspaper the Seattle Medium to bring back the 25 Alive Campaign.

The first initial run of the campaign came when businesses across the country were being shut down temporarily due to the pandemic. These shutdowns hit businesses hard, especially Black-owned businesses that may not have survived without the campaign’s initial run.

The main goal of the 25 Alive Campaign was to have people spend $25 a week at a Black-owned business.

KANSAS CITY – Gwen Grant, President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City (Kansas City, MO), is fighting for the taxpayers of Kansas City.

In a lawsuit filed by Grant on behalf of the city’s taxpayers, she is claiming that the Board of Police Commissioners system is “Taxation without Representation,” which violates the state’s Hancock’s Amendment.

The Kansas City police are overseen by a five-member board of commissioners. The state governor appoints four of the five members, with the fifth chosen by the mayor of Kansas City. No other major city in the country operates in this fashion.