NEW YORK (August 5, 2020) – The National Urban League today announced a newly formed Indianapolis African American Quality of Life Renewal Initiative. This extraordinary place-based effort will provide a unique funding opportunity to address challenges facing Indianapolis’ African American community. This initiative is made possible by a $100 million grant from Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. to the National Urban League.

School supplies can be an extra financial burden for some families, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

On Saturday the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis (St. Louis, MO) and Saint Louis Public School District joined forces to provide basic necessities to students ahead of the fall semester.

This was week 17 of the Urban League’s weekly large scale food, toiletries and PPE material distribution.

The drive-through style event was held at the Urban League’s North St. Louis Community Empowerment Center in North St. Louis. It provided more than 4,000 school supply sets for families. The organization gave out more than a total of $250,000 in items.

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The Louisville Urban League (Louisville, KY) sponsored a free COVID-19 testing event Saturday in downtown Louisville, designed to give those protesting for social justice an easy and accessible way to screen for the virus.

One protester, who goes by J Bird, said with the virus still out there, testing is an important way to protect everyone attending the protests.

"I don’t want this virus to spread. I’m wearing a mask, I’m wearing a mask every time I’m out here," J Bird said. "So it’s just important for everyone to get tested."

Saturday's testing was performed by Strickland, Cox and Associated less than a block away from Jefferson Square, which has been the center of protest activity in downtown Louisville. Urban League president and CEO Sadiqa Reynolds said the organization offered the testing because protesters reached out for an option not connected to the government.

The Knoxville Area Urban League’s (Knoxville, TN) 18th annual Shoes for School became a drive-through and pickup event Saturday, Aug. 1, after the traditional festival in Caswell Park was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns.

The Urban League arranged for delivery or pickup of more than 1,500 pairs of new tennis shoes and 3,000 backpacks full of school supplies, including masks, in coordination with nonprofit partner agencies.

“A pandemic can’t stop Knoxville from giving schoolchildren the help they need,” said Phyllis Y. Nichols, president/CEO of KAUL. “We are especially grateful to our sponsors for stepping up at a tremendous time of need and ensuring that this event could be held.”

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