Dr. Bernard E. Anderson

The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

Senior Economic Advisor, National Urban League

The October Jobs Report released this week shows the economy is bouncing back strongly as businesses reopened across the country, but recent employment gains will be unsustainable without additional federal stimulus to bolster household income.

Consumer spending that was boosted by the CARES Act drove the numbers. The unemployment compensation programs that drove the spending expired in late July, reducing household income.

Pride St. Louis and The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis (St. Louis, MO) have entered into a strategic partnership that provides much needed food supplies to the St. Louis LGBTQIA community. This agreement brings together two nonprofit organizations that serve their respective communities with programs and events that empowers and educates its members.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic many members of the St. Louis LGBTQIA community have either had a significant decrease of their income or have lost their jobs creating a struggle for even the basic needs of food.

In their effort to help people permanently get off the streets, the Urban League of Portland (Portland, OR) has opened a new motel-based shelter.

The Jamii Program started earlier this month at the Palms Motel on North Interstate Avenue.

Not only does it offer a safe and socially-distant shelter for African Americans, but those in the program are matched with services designed for their needs, which helps them stay off the streets.

The program lasts 18 to 24 months. During that time those at the motel will receive meals, health care, and help developing a plan toward permanent housing.

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Almost a dozen of Philadelphia’s Black civic, religious, business and political leaders gathered on a Zoom call Friday afternoon in response to the economic impact of looting and rioting following the police killing of Walter Wallace Jr.

Congressman Dwight Evans lead the discussion with state Sen. Vincent Hughes, Urban League of Philadelphia CEO Andrea Custis, Urban Affairs Coalition CEO Sharmain Matlock-Turner, Black Clergy of Philadelphia President the Rev. Robert Collier, African American Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Steven Bradley and others.

Custis stressed the importance and the economic impact of cities like Philadelphia: “Urban cities are jewels. And yet, we are not treated as such. We are the economic drivers for this nation.”

Election Day is a little over a day away and several non-profit organizations are organizing drivers to help get people to the polls on Tuesday.

Sadiqa Reynolds, Louisville Urban League (Louisville, KY) President and CEO told WHAS11 News that volunteers will be at every polling location. Anyone who needs a ride to a polling location can call the Urban League’s number or one of their partner organizations to arrange transportation.

“We'll take people to any polling place that's needed. Wherever you are, we'll get you there. If we know there’s a place with a shorter line, well take you to that one. We'll go where we know the line is shortest – people make jokes about who people vote for. Listen, that’s not our business. We’re just trying to get people to the polls."

Rides will be assigned on a first come, first serve basis and they are free.

The Newark City of Learning Collaborative (NCLC) welcomes Robyn Brady Ince as its executive director. She was selected to provide transformational leadership to this nationally prominent initiative that has marshalled more than 40 partners, spanning higher education institutions, for-profit corporations, and nonprofit organizations, including faith-based, government, and philanthropic agencies, with a shared focus on the importance of accessing a postsecondary education to pave Newark’s path to equitable growth and racial equity. Ince also will join the faculty of the Department of Urban Education in the School of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University–Newark. 
 
“We’re thrilled to welcome Robyn to lead the NCLC during this period of challenge and opportunity,” said NCLC Advisory Board Chair Jeremy Johnson. “She brings a breadth of experience, a history of collaboration, and a passion for strategic partnerships that will help shape NCLC’s bold future.”

Three days left. We only have a short amount of time left until Election Day. Vote EARLY. Vote NOW. Vote TOGETHER. | Returning citizens. Watch as Desmond Meade joins Marc Morial to discuss the importance of restoring voting rights for formerly incarcerated people. | The state of race. Has President Trump truly done more for Black America than any president with the exception of Abraham Lincoln, as he claims? | Election Day handbook. Check out this guide for important reminders, tips and resources to prepare you for voting day. | We’re here to help! If you run into issues voting early or on Election Day, call 866-OUR-VOTE immediately and a trained team of lawyers will assist you.