Indianapolis is allocating $1 million of its American Rescue Plan funding to support the creation of a loan fund designed to support communities of color, it was announced Thursday (Oct. 21).

The $1 million will go toward the development of Indiana’s first-ever Black-led Community Development Financial Institution Loan Fund, according to the press release. (A CDFI Fund is a federal designation applied to financial institutions that support economically disadvantaged communities.)

Equity1821 was officially formed last week and is named in honor of what is believed to be the first Black-owned business established in Indianapolis by David Mallory in 1821, the press release stated. 

The Urban League of Broward County (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) received a generous grant of $165,500 from Verizon. 

The money will be used to develop programming within the organization that will focus on racial equity, diversity and inclusion leadership training. 

It will allow the Urban League to conduct civic engagement and advocacy, as well as start important conversations about social justice. The Urban League was selected as one of only two grant recipients in South Florida.

“We are honored to be selected as one of Verizon’s Racial Justice grantees,” said Dr. Germaine Smith-Baugh, President and CEO for the Urban League of Broward County. “Verizon’s investment is one of the first leadership gifts of its kind to support critical conversations about racial equity in the workplace, business and community.”

By Brandon Drenon, Indy Star

Indianapolis is allocating $1 million of its American Rescue Plan funding to support the creation of a loan fund designed to support communities of color, it was announced Thursday.

The $1 million will go toward the development of Indiana’s first-ever Black-led Community Development Financial Institution Loan Fund, according to the press release. (A CDFI Fund is a federal designation applied to financial institutions that support economically disadvantaged communities.)

Equity1821 was officially formed last week and is named in honor of what is believed to be the first Black-owned business established in Indianapolis by David Mallory in 1821, the press release stated. 

Remembering a legend. On Monday the world stood still as we learned about the passing of General Colin Powell. Here’s more on his legacy. | Fact vs. fiction. We’ve created a resource hub to combat a lot of inaccurate information online. Learn more. | What a night! On Thursday we hosted the 65th Annual Equal Opportunity Dinner. Did you miss it? Watch the full replay now. | Time is almost up! Our first-ever virtual conference was a vibe. You have until Oct. 31 to watch it before the replay is no longer available. | Latinx Identity. This week, we sit down with Natasha Alford to discuss the importance of claiming your heritage. Tune in.

Recent independent research conducted on the 2020 Census Black count estimates a potential net undercount of the Black population at extraordinarily high levels. If these estimates are anywhere near accurate, implications for Black communities and the Nation, overall, will be far reaching. The simulation, conducted by Connie Citro, Ph.D., a senior scholar at the Committee on National Statistics at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, calculated a net Black 2020 Census undercount (for persons choosing Black Alone), between 3.24% and 7.25%--potentially three times greater than the 2.3% net undercount in 2010.

Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League

“As the world goes forward, we cannot start going backwards. African-Americans have come too far and we have too far yet to go to take a detour into the swamp of hatred. We, as a people who have suffered so much from the hatred of others must not now show tolerance for any movement or any philosophy that has as its core the hatred of Jews or the hatred of any other group. Our future lies in the philosophy of love and understanding and caring and building. Not of hating and tearing down. We know that – each and every one of us know that to the depth of our heart – and we must be prepared to stand up for it and speak up for it.” – Gen. Colin Powell, Commencement Address at Howard University, May 14, 1994

Your credit health impacts your financial well-being and ability to achieve long-term financial goals. By regularly checking your credit report and score, and increasing your financial literacy, you will know what areas to focus on to develop a strong credit profile.

Virtual Dinner Hosted by Hill Harper Features Performances by Dazz Band, Kathy Sledge & Loose Ends

Dear Urban Leaguers,

It’s time to register for the 2021 Virtual Whitney M. Young Jr. Urban Leadership Development Conference happening October 25, 2021 – October 28, 2021, where the theme is “Expanding The Movement.”

You can expect dynamic speakers, trainings that will provide insight into the Movement, ways to provide measurable impact, and more!  We are virtual and offering many open sessions that will allow more Urban Leaguers to participate, share experiences and integrate what is learned into everyday workflows and protocols.

This conference is only open to those in The Movement.

To register, click here