Written By: John Williams

President & CEO, Akron Urban League

This is the third story in a three-part series, “Shared Found­a­tions,” examin­ing the his­tory of Black-Jew­ish rela­tions with the hopes of encour­aging thought­ful reflec­tion and greater under­stand­ing to build a stronger Akron com­munity.

While Parts I and II of Shared Found­a­tions explored the shared roots of racism and anti­semit­ism and the strains they place on Black-Jew­ish rela­tions, the final ques­tion is prac­tical: What does renewal look like in a city like Akron?

Solid­ar­ity does not nat­ur­ally ree­m­erge; it depends on insti­tu­tions, lead­er­ship and habits strong enough to endure a crisis. It also requires clar­ity about what, exactly, is being pro­tec­ted: demo­cratic dig­nity.

The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga (Chattanooga, TN) is set to renew their partnership with Hamilton County Government.

County commissioners will consider a resolution that would grant them $250,000.

This money would go towards the following:

         $150,000 to Entrepreneurship & Small Business Development

“Funding will support entrepreneurship and small business development services that provide startup training, business planning assistance, mentorship, and technical support designed to help launch or expand more than 30 local businesses and contribute to job creation across Hamilton County.”

         $40,000 to Workforce Pipeline Expansion

“Career readiness training, job placement assistance, and employer engagement to connect residents with local employment opportunities.”

$30,000 to Youth Career Readiness & Leadership

The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis (St. Louis, MO) is set to receive a major grant from Boeing Thursday morning in north St. Louis. 

Boeing will present a check for $260,000 to support various initiatives at the organization. Michael McMillan, the head of the Urban League, called the grant an investment and a commitment to changing lives.

The money will be used to expand the Urban League’s programs and high-impact workforce development initiatives, including the Save Our Sons, Save Our Sisters and St. Clair County Employment Services. Officials hope Boeing’s financial support will serve as a pipeline of opportunity and stability with generational impact.

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Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League

“All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” - The 14th Amendment

They hoped we weren’t paying attention.

While the country was watching fighter jets and debating troop deployments, while the administration’s shock-and-awe news cycle churned through one manufactured crisis after another, a quieter and far more dangerous move was playing out in plain sight.

NEW YORK (March 30, 2026) — National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial issued he following statement in response to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth striking Black and female officers from a promotion list:

“It is reprehensible that this administration, driven by racial and gender bias and a deliberate effort to weaponize and mischaracterize DEI, refuses to recognize and celebrate the sacrifices of highly qualified military leaders. The decision to block the promotion of four exceptionally accomplished Army officers—two Black men and two women—not only contradicts our nation’s longstanding commitment to honoring those who serve, but also undermines the strength and integrity of our armed forces.

The Springfield Urban League (Springfield, IL) hosts a HBCU College & Cultural tour each year over spring break, offering high school students an enriching experience that exposes them to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as well as other culturally significant historical and national landmarks. This tour is designed to inspire and educate students, broadening their horizons and deepening their understanding of their heritage and history.

During the recent 2026 HBCU Tour, “The South Got Something to S.A.Y.,” six of the participating students received on-the-spot college acceptances, four to Tuskegee University and two to Tennessee State University, while traveling on the bus.

Kroger invested thousands into the Louisville Urban League's (Louisville, KY) urban farming initiative on Wednesday (March 25th).

The investment will help develop the initiative's farm infrastructure, deliver cooking and nutritional education, provide farming education workshops and support its entrepreneurship program, according to the Urban League. The initiative, called Project Kilimo, aims to strengthen community health, economic empowerment and food equity.

"The West End continues to face significant barriers to healthy food access, and the Urban League is committed to tackling food insecurity and wellness on multiple fronts," President and CEO Lyndon Pryor said. "Through policy advocacy, addressing childhood obesity, securing local plots to provide community gardens, and community partnerships like this one, the League is helping to close the gap on food insecurity."

Congressman Wesley Bell joined the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis (St. Louis, MO) at Lambert Airport Saturday morning (March 28th) to distribute gift cards to TSA workers who have been struggling financially during the partial government shutdown.

The Urban League provided $50,000 worth of gift cards for groceries, toiletries and gas to workers who have gone without pay. Michael P. McMillan, President and CEO of the Urban League, said the organization used the workers' union as a conduit to get resources directly to employees.

"We are supporting our TSA agents with a $50,000 contribution of Schnucks gift cards for groceries, of course, and toiletries and other resources. And then gas cards because of course they have not been paid," McMillan said.

Dennis Blockton, treasurer of AFGE Local 912, said the impact on his members has been severe.

As America marks its 250th year, democracy faces consequential tests. Americans need clear information—as they engage in their communities with public officials and candidates seeking to hold public office—about where public officials and candidates stand on upholding the nation’s Constitution.

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