Election Day is nearly one week away and on Saturday across Southeastern Wisconsin, communities were taking every opportunity to get more voters on board and to the polls early.

In Kenosha, the family of Jacob Blake led the charge with their organization, Justice for Jacob, marching from Civic Center Park to City Hall, where early voting is underway.

Members of historically black fraternities and sororities spread that same message in Milwaukee, coming together for a march hosted by the Milwaukee Urban League (Milwaukee, WI).

President and CEO of the Urban League, Eve Hall said voting is about more than our rights, it’s how we can improve inequities in society.

“We know that votes mean action and it let’s people know that individuals are concerned,” Hall said.

To read the full article, click here.

Reclaim Your Vote series. What’s at stake for Black America in this election? In a word, everything. Watch Sen. Kamala Harris and others break it down! | Your community matters. This weekend, make it a point to reach out to your family, friends, neighbors and help them create a voting plan. Use these tools! | Racism & voter intimidation. Voters in Florida and Alaska woke up to a chilling message in their email this week. More on the latest suppression efforts.| Black Entrepreneurs Day. Celebrate with us on October 24th at 7:00 PM ET for a free global live-stream celebrating Black business and entrepreneurship. | Don't miss career tips! Are you looking to increase your influence at work? Join us on Wednesday from 12:00-1:00 PM ET for a powerful session. | Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses. Get practical skills to take your business to the next level! Applications are due October 30th.

PURCHASE, NY, Oct. 20, 2020 -- The National Urban League and PepsiCo joined forces to create the Black Restaurant Accelerator, which will boost approximately 500 Black-owned businesses over the next five years. The PepsiCo Foundation is providing a $10 million grant to fund the program, which will provide current and aspiring Black restaurateurs with access to capital, training, mentorship and other support services that are necessary for business success.

Millions of Americans continue to wait for another stimulus check, but those discussions are still up in the air. However, one local organization is stepping up. The Knoxville Area Urban League (Knoxville, TN) is looking for eligible families to give money to.

Funds to help with mortgage, rent and utilities are available for residents in Knox, Sevier, Anderson, Jefferson and Blount counties. This is a grant, so it won’t have to be paid back.

The money comes from the CARES Act passed earlier this year to provide support to communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The state set aside $150,000,000 for Tennessee nonprofits to help support to the communities they serve.

There are several criteria you have to meet to qualify, including:

During the height of the protests following the deaths of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia, the leadership at the Urban League of Rochester  (Rochester, NY) recognized that it was time to act. 

"People were protesting because they wanted their voices heard," said Seanelle Hawkins, President and CEO of the Urban League of Rochester. She holds a doctorate in leadership from St. John Fisher College, and took the reigns of the civil rights organization in June 2019.

They set to work planning its first Interrupt Racism Summit, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 20 and 21. The virtual event promises to build common language, educate the community and help people understand the work they have to do, Hawkins said.