Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League

 
"A second Trump administration intends to abandon efforts to advance and legally defend affirmative action and DEI policies within military academies, federal minority contracting programs, and other federal programs shown to open opportunities – as well as create inclusive education and workplace environments – unfairly denied to people of color, women, and other marginalized groups ... A second Trump administration would not only refuse to enforce civil rights regulations on behalf of individuals from historically marginalized groups, but to actively weaken these protections in housing, education, health care, and other essential resources." — Alexis Agathocleous, Kim Conway, ReNika Moore, ACLU 

The Defender’s Winter Grocery Buyout, in partnership with Urban League of Greater Kansas City (Kansas City, MO), served the people through revolutionary mutual aid at Black-owned Sunfresh. This intervention provided direct material support to our people while disrupting the criminalizing narratives about our community.

This winter, while much of the city nestled into their holiday traditions, The Kansas City Defender team gathered at Sunfresh on 31st & Prospect – launching one of our most inspiring mutual aid initiatives yet.

Our final Grocery Buyout of 2024 was as much about providing material relief to our people, as it was about building power, communal love, and the radical act of Black people just taking care of Black people.

Remembering the legacy of former President Jimmy Carter has been at the forefront of many people's minds since he passed just days after Christmas on Dec. 29. One of the many people reflecting on this is Columbia Urban League (Columbia, SC) President JT McLawhorn. McLawhorn said he had the opportunity to meet President Carter on several occasions while serving on Carter's energy advisory council, attending a gospel concert at the White House and social gatherings.

McLawhorn praised Carter's dedication to creating an equal America. "He was committed to a society that respected all people," said McLawhorn. What McLawhorn remembered the most was how he cared for the African American community. "He saw the worth and intellect of African American people," said McLawhorn.

The Urban League of Nebraska (Omaha, NE) is working to empower small businesses by securing contracts through a new program.

In a statement Friday, the Urban League of Nebraska announced the “Nebraska Opportunity Exchange”, a program that aims to support underrepresented small businesses in Nebraska.

The program works to provide small businesses with “... the tools, resources, and expert-led training to access capital, navigate government and corporate contracting, and thrive in today’s businesses landscape,” according to the statement.

“What they’re telling me, it’s great to really come together with other business owners, it’s great to see the opportunities that are available and provide hope for a better tomorrow and building that business opportunity in the future.”

How do we protect our rights? Trump’s projected policies are set to have a devastating impact on racial justice, but we’re ready to fight back. More on that. | Honoring a giant. Jimmy Carter is the first president Marc H. Morial voted for and this week, he attended President Carter's funeral. Watch as he reflects. | Mark your calendar! Join us on Instagram Live on Tuesday at 6 PM ET for a candid conversation about Black men's health, self-care practices, and more. | New year, clean slate. See how a new law will help expunge the criminal records of up to 500,000 Minnesotans charged with minor + nonviolent crimes. | Are you vaxxed? Getting vaccinated is the best way to boost your immune system against COVID-19 and the flu. Find out more + set your appointment. | Need to update your resume? Tap into our free webinar on Wednesday for tips on how to craft and update your resume to get results. Register now. | Don’t miss the discount! Register by January 31 to join us at #NULConf2025 in Cleveland, Ohio with our lowest price of the year. | It’s showtime! A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical has officially hit Broadway. Check out showtimes + grab your tickets. | What do the numbers tell us? Check out an in-depth look at the state of the economy from Dr. Bernard E. Anderson, our Chief Economics Adviser.

By Bernard E. Anderson, Ph.D.
Whitney M. Young, Jr. Professor Emeritus, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and Senior Economic Advisor, National Urban League

December’s job growth of 256,000 jobs – 231,000 of them in the private sector, showed a strong labor market driven by stable, modest consumer spending.  It’s steady as you go on the path of stable, balanced growth.

Given the reduced rate of inflation, the number of new jobs suggests that the Federal Reserve might cut interest rates only once, not two times in the next two quarters.  Rate cuts increase borrowing which stimulates spending and boosts inflation. 

While the overall unemployment rate fell to 4.1%, the Black rate remained unchanged at 6.1% and the Black/white unemployment ratio was 1.69. 

Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League