Memphis leaders are calling for a citywide prayer for peace. 

The Memphis Urban League or MUL (Memphis, TN) launched a citywide initiative called "Pause for Peace."  

It is a unified pause at 9:01 a.m. and 9:01 p.m. 

"Memphis has always found strength in moments when we breathe and act together,” said Gale Jones Carson, President and CEO of the Memphis Urban League. “At 9:01—a number that is distinctly Memphis—we are asking our entire community to pause, focus on peace, and recommit to caring for one another." 

Leaders are calling for all residents, city leaders and religious leaders to take a moment at those times to focus on peace, and recommit to caring for one another. 

It is a 90-day initiative runs from now until December 16. 

To read the full story, click here.

Thanks to the Tallahassee Urban League (Tallahassee, FL), the FAMU Federal Credit Union and Tallahassee's Loews stores, about a dozen low-income seniors are getting the latest energy-efficient appliances.

One of the delighted recipients was Delois Hollinger.

"Oh, my goodness! I'm getting a refrigerator and a stove! Oh, my, I needed it so badly; I'm SO happy!!!" she exclaimed.

The FAMU Federal Credit Union purchased the appliances from Loews, which Credit Union Board Chair Lorenzo Alexander said provided a significant discount.

"From $14,000 to $8,000 was a big, big difference."

Urban League President and CEO, Curtis Taylor said several of the households have been without working stoves or refrigerators for some time. Event organizers say the new appliances will be delivered in the next week or so.

Ever wonder where that perfect glass of wine comes from – or what led that bottle of Riesling to appear on your grocery store shelf? Odds are, a local distributor is behind it.

Pinnacle Imports, with locations in St. Louis and Kansas City, is one such distributor. Founded by siblings and St. Louis natives Bill and Elizabeth Kniep, the brand has been a fixture in the city’s hospitality industry for more than 20 years, sharing its passion for wine through both education and supply to local restaurants and shops. When the May 16 tornado ravaged the city, Pinnacle decided to give back by partnering with the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis (St. Louis, MO) – an organization that has served St. Louis for 107 years.

Community members gathered Wednesday night (September 17th) at Strikers Youth Arts Project for a forum on gun violence, hosted by the Tallahassee Urban League (Tallahassee, FL) and the Leon County Council on the Status of Men and Boys.

Community leaders say a conversation like this is the first step to making our neighborhoods safer.

"The goal of Leon County Sheriff's Office and every law enforcement agency is to reduce gun violence, but we reduce it with education," said Deputy Paxton Rogers.

At Strikers Youth Arts Project, college students, community leaders, and neighbors of all ages gathered for an open discussion about gun violence and what can be done to create change.

Tallahassee Urban League President Curtis Taylor says the goal is to move past the headlines and toward real solutions.

He said, "We will have a dialogue about how to come up with ways to combat this senseless gun violence and crimes in our communities."

A local community leader is among those appointed to serve on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Advisory Commission on African American Affairs.

Dr. Erin Houston, President and CEO of the Shenango Valley Urban League (Farrell, PA), was among 27 people appointed to the commission’s 2025-27 advisory board, according to a press release issued Monday by the governor’s press office.

Houston said she was honored to serve in this capacity for the commission.

“I appreciate and do not take lightly the responsibility for serving on a commission such as this,” Houston said.

According to the press release, the commission’s purpose is to:

•Gather information regarding African American Pennsylvanians’ experiences and needs.

•Review, evaluate and assess programs affecting them.

NEW YORK (September 22, 2025) — National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial issued the following statement in response to the Trump administration's failure to enforce fair housing laws:

"The Trump administration’s systematic dismantling of fair housing protections represents a grave betrayal of civil rights and a direct assault on vulnerable communities across America. Under President Trump’s leadership, the Department of Housing and Urban Development has gutted its Fair Housing Office, slashing staff and resources, abandoning investigations, and closing cases in progress. This retreat from enforcement has emboldened discriminatory landlords and housing authorities, who may now discriminate with impunity, knowing the federal government will not hold them accountable.

Freedom of speech? See how Fox News is turning a blind eye to Brian Kilmeade’s violent rhetoric, while going after Trump’s critics without justification. | Celebrating culture! From Sept. 15 to Oct.15, we celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. | Harlem, we’re home! See how our new Urban League Empowerment Center embodies the resilience, strength, and promise of economic and social justice. | The clock is ticking! Apply by September 29 to our Congressional Advocacy Program for a chance to learn policy, legislation & more. | Build your own legacy. As we count down to our anniversary, you can add the National Urban League to your estate plan to join our community of supporters. |The future of vaccines. Sign up for our free webinar on opportunities to promote vaccine equity, challenges to vaccine access & more. | Jobs in clean energy. We’ve created the Urban Energy Jobs Program to help underserved communities obtain careers in the energy industry. See more. | A second chance. See how the Urban League movement is empowering young adults and other returning citizens through impactful reentry programs. | Secure your seat. Register for our virtual #NULConf25 experience to tap into free resources from industry professionals on entrepreneurship + more. | Grab your merch. Our online marketplace is the perfect place to grab official Urban League merchandise. Check it out.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 19, 2025) — Ahead of a vote on a continuing resolution that would deprive Americans of vital services and programs, National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial urged Congress to choose instead legislation advanced by 

 House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro and Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Patty Murray that would avert a government shutdown and safeguard critical services for millions of Americans.

“The DeLauro/Murray proposal is a lifeline for communities across the country,” Morial said.  “It not only prevents a  government shutdown, but it also restores funding for essential health care programs and protects the integrity of our democratic institutions.”

Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League

“This is not a simple slip of the tongue. This remark promotes violence against some of the most vulnerable members of our society—people experiencing homelessness and serious mental illness. It dehumanizes them, reduces their lives to disposable inconveniences, and implicitly endorses state-sanctioned violence.” – Change.org petition demanding termination of Fox News host Brian Kilmeade

A late-night talk show host on ABC suggested the Trump administration is exploiting the murder of right-wing provocateur Charlie Kirk to score political points. Under pressure from the Trump administration, the network immediately pulled his show off the air.