In July, the economy continued on a steady, measured path of recovery from the pandemic, but racial disparity in the labor market persists. 

Employment of white workers grew by 1.1 million, compared with only 12,000 for Black workers, a wide gap in relative employment growth. While the Black unemployment rate fell by one percentage point to 8.2%, it remains significantly higher than the white rate of 4.8%.  Bottom line: African Americans remain in the caboose  as the economic train moves steadily toward recovery and full employment. 

In July, the economy continued on a steady, measured path of recovery from the pandemic, but the racial disparity in the labor market persists.

NEW YORK (August 5, 2021) – National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial issued the following statement in response to the death of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka:

“With the passing of Richard Trumka, the nation has lost one of its greatest champions for racial and economic justice. Wherever the National Urban League challenged inequality and discrimination, Trumka and the AFL-CIO stood firmly by our side.  We frequently worked together and our movement was all the stronger for his allyship.  

Earlier this week, the Urban League of Northwest Indiana (Gary, IN) presented a check for $2,500 to Aaliyah Stewart, founder of the ASW Foundation. Stewart, 20, plans to open the I AM THEM Hope Youth Center and is raising funds to cover renovation and operational costs for the facility which will be located in Gary’s Glen Park neighborhood on Broadway.

Two of Stewart’s brothers lost their lives to gun violence, and she is determined to honor their memory by providing a recreational outlet for area youth.

“We are proud to be able to support this ambitious, intelligent and incredibly strong young lady,” said Dr. Vanessa Allen-McCloud, President and CEO of the Urban League of NWI. “She has taken on a Herculean task that will undoubtedly change the lives of countless young people. She deserves our support.”

Michael McMillan, President and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis (St. Louis, MO), feels a war started in early 2020. “This virus has attacked us, and we have to do everything we can to fight back. It’s like we’re almost in a war and a war demands action that otherwise we wouldn’t have to do,” he said.

Stretching McMillan’s analogy further, he serves as the general of a unit tasked with protecting marginalized communities throughout the region. The Urban League’s headquarters in Jennings is one of three locations in the region. Its Ferguson location serves as a community empowerment center designed to help individuals improve their economic situations. 

The Fort Wayne Urban League (Ft. Wayne, IN) put on the Southside Urban League Vibes concert. About a hundred people attended.

The Sweetwater All-Stars and Comedian Kam Snacks Coleman performed. It was the first event for new Urban League President and CEO Terra Brantley.

“This event is designed to help the Urban League reintegrate into the community by allowing people to see that we’re back, by allowing people to come and enjoy each other, to fellowship, and just enjoy their neighborhood. It’s one of several events we have planned for the rest of the year,” Brantley said.

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Janssen has recently announced the Scholars of Oncology Diversity Engagement Program(SODEP). The mission of SODEP is to serve as a program geared towards ethnically diverse researchers providing mentorship from senior industry leaders and developing essential skill sets valued in scientific careers both inside and outside of an industry setting. Janssen SODEP consists of three steps: 

1. Exposure to industry at the virtual Janssen Oncology Day, an all-day program that will provide an overview of the various opportunities within science and medicine. 

Washington, D.C. (July 1, 2021) – National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial issued the following statement in response to the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Brnovich V. Democratic National Committee:

“Voting rights are under attack in this country, making it harder for Black and Brown people to exercise their fundamental voting rights granted under the U.S. Constitution,” said Marc H. Morial, President, and CEO of the National Urban League.

“Since the November 2020 elections, state legislatures across the country have introduced hundreds of restrictive voting laws that would prevent voters from casting their ballots freely, safely, and equally.”