KeyBank Invests $300K in Urban League to Expand Entrepreneurship Center Program

KeyBank and the KeyBank Foundation proudly announced an investment of $300,000 the Indianapolis Urban League or IUL (Indianapolis, IN) to expand its Entrepreneurship Center Program (ECP).

The ECP was established in 2021 to support entrepreneurs in developing, launching, sustaining, and expanding minority-owned small businesses in Central Indiana and the surrounding counties. This comprehensive program offers both current and prospective small business owners access to in-person and virtual workshops, short-term industry-recognized training credentials, individualized coaching, and resources to help maximize revenue, reduce costs, enhance profitability, and create job opportunities.

Submitted byihall_11 onMon, 12/02/2024 - 10:59

Urban League Serves Thousands with Thanksgiving Dinner Resources

The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis (St. Louis, MO) staff and volunteers distributed over $100,000 in food to families on Tuesday, Nov. 26. 

Urban League's President Michael McMillan said many families are struggling with inflation even with both parents working.

“The cost of food and the cost of what they had been having to survive, whether it's flour, whether it's eggs, milk, cheese, bread, or any number of things–people's income has not matched inflation," said McMillan. "So there are people that are working that are still unable to take care of themselves and their family – People just in general just don't make enough to cover the daily existence – How could we not come together and give something so that everybody can enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving holiday?”

Submitted byihall_11 onMon, 12/02/2024 - 10:47

Urban League Staffing Austin’s Overnight Cold Weather Shelters, You Can Help

On nights like Tuesday, where temperatures drop below freezing, the City of Austin opens its overnight cold weather shelters — but this year there’s a new crew helping run the show.

It comes after a city audit released roughly a year ago showed flaws in how the city was staffing those shelters, including using Parks and Recreation Department employees and other staff with little to no training.

Now, a Central Texas nonprofit, the Austin Area Urban League or AAUL (Auston, TX), does a bulk of the staffing. They’ve worked with the city previously, but taken over staffing this year.

Submitted byihall_11 onMon, 12/02/2024 - 10:38

National Urban League Announces Transformative Main Street Tax Initiative During Senate Testimony

WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 25, 2024) — National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial unveiled the organization's new "Main Street Tax Initiative" during his recent testimony before the United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs’ Economic Policy Subcommittee.

“The Main Street Tax Initiative is a roadmap to ensure our tax system reflects our shared values of fairness, equity, and opportunity,” Morial aid. “By expanding critical tax credits, restoring key deductions, and creating targeted incentives, this plan provides the tools needed to uplift hardworking Americans, reduce poverty, and foster economic growth in undercapitalized communities.”

Submitted byiamempowered onTue, 11/26/2024 - 12:23

NUL and UnidosUS Join the Airbnb Housing Council to Ensure Equity and Inclusion

More than 15 years since its founding, Airbnb continues to be an economic lifeline for people around the world with 40 percent of hosts saying the income from hosting helps them stay in their homes. To help ensure more people can benefit from the economic opportunities of hosting and homeownership, Airbnb is expanding partnerships with leading organizations through the Airbnb Housing Council and the Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy.

In January 2024, we launched the Airbnb Housing Council as part of our commitment to partner with governments and communities on the housing challenges they face. Chaired by former mayor of Baltimore Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, the Council brings together leading independent housing organizations and experts to advise Airbnb on policies, partnerships and initiatives we can support that not only help spur housing supply but also prioritize inclusion and access for all communities.

Submitted byihall_11 onMon, 11/25/2024 - 21:55

Urban League CEO Michelle Merriweather Honored for Visionary Leadership and Community Impact

Michelle Merriweather, President and CEO at the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle (Seattle, WA) was recently named the CEO of the Year by Urban League of Metropolitan Saint Louis (St. Louis, MO). Chosen from among the 92 Urban League affiliates from across the country, the award outside of being recognized by the National Urban League is one that recognizes the hard work and impact that other Urban League affiliate CEOs are having across the country.

According to Merriweather, who joined ULMS in 2015, the award is an acknowledgment by her peers that she is indeed carrying out the mission of the Urban League that is both meaningful and impactful in the community that she serves.

“It means a lot. St. Louis Urban is literally the gold standard, they are the largest urban league in the country and for Michael McMillan, their CEO, to see me and recognize the work we are doing truly meant a lot,” said Merriweather.

Submitted byihall_11 onMon, 11/25/2024 - 21:43

Urban League, City of Boston and Lyft Partner in Health Access Initiative

The Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts (Boston, MA) recently announced its Holistic Health Access Initiative, which will allow citizens 60 and older to access five free Lyft rides with the intention of using the ride for health and wellness-related errands and activities.

“ It’s an opportunity to address some of the concerns around health access for seniors in the city of Boston. It is a partnership between the city of Boston, the Urban League, and Lyft. I think given the concerns around health equity issues and the disparities and health outcomes in communities of color, we felt it would be important to increase access,” said Rahsaan D. Hall, Esq., President and CEO of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts.

Submitted byihall_11 onMon, 11/25/2024 - 21:35

Urban League Pitching in to Help Fight Youth Homelessness

While many across Connecticut will be with their friends and family this Thanksgiving holiday, thousands of students across the state won’t have a place to call home.

The Urban League of Greater Hartford (Hartford, CT) is pitching in to help the growing issue in the capital city by putting together bags that include oral care items and winter wear for those struggling.

In the Hartford school system, there are hundreds of teens that are without a home.

“You don’t have to be rich to do something and many hands make light work,” said Kyrinda Richardson.

She deals with the youth every day, and she says you truly never know the situation someone is living in.

“A lot of us are in a situation where we too could be in an unfortunate circumstance. One paycheck away or one tragedy away from being in this situation,” she continued. “We have over 5-thousand students who experience homelessness.”

Submitted byihall_11 onMon, 11/25/2024 - 21:01