Special Holiday Edition. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa, or Hanukkah, we hope this time of year is a source of joy, comfort, and reflection. We asked our staff to review the past year and look ahead of 2020 - here's what they have to share. Happy Holidays!
Jersey City shootings. Tuesday's attack, which left 6 people dead, is the latest example of anti-Semitic violence. How do we stop the growing tide of hate crimes? | Beware of Google Play gift card scams. ‘Tis the season to be jolly. But it’s also scammer time. Follow these tips and resources to avoid becoming a fraud victim. | On the front lines of education. Check out Forbesmagazine's Q&A with Marc Morial on educational opportunities for students of color and low-income students. | InFocus with Cheryl Wills. Watch Spectrum News NY1 tomorrow as Urban League and education leaders explore inadequate education funding in NYC. | War is (far from) over. This week, we check in on the latest updates from the crisis in Northern Syria and discuss how it connects to domestic terrorism. Tune in!
Next year, efforts will begin to get people counted in the once-every-10-years census.
Austin area leaders have said that some of the hardest to count communities, including undocumented immigrants, minorities and young children and seniors are best reached through local nonprofits and social services agencies, rather than by government officials, since they work with these communities every day and have established trust.
On Thursday (December 12th), the United Way for Greater Austin announced $395,000 in grant money to 17 of these local organizations, which will help with the census count in Central Texas.
The Central Florida Urban League (Orlando, FL) is proud to be the recipient of Fifth Third Bank's 2019 Strengthening Our Communities grant award in the amount of $50,000.
“Fifth Third Bank is a critical partner of ours and these funds will directly benefit members of our community through our Meet the Bankers program,” said Glenton Gilzean Jr. President and CEO of the Central Florida Urban League.
The CFUL’s Meet the Bankers program is being offered from the organization’s new Empowerment Zone in downtown Orlando. This newly renovated workspace serves two purposes: a place where individuals are invited to improve their financial literacy skills, but additionally, a unique collaborative workspace where entrepreneurs and small business owners can receive the mentoring necessary to grow their idea or business.
Fayette County Public Schools was honored recently by the Urban League of Lexington-Fayette County (Lexington, KY) as the 2019 Community Service Award winner.
P.G. Peebles, Urban League President and CEO, presented the award to Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent Manny Caulk at the Urban League's 51st annual empowerment banquet.
Caulk has been with Fayette County Public Schools for just four years, but he has already left an indelible mark.
"We are all working to make a difference in the lives of the children and families we serve," Caulk said.
When he took over in 2015, then education commissioner Terry Holiday put FCPS on warning saying if the district did not close the achievement gap, they faced state takeover. Four years later, he is being honored for accomplishing just that.
Because of the Urban League, “a miracle is happening in the United States of America on the most pervasive issue holding back our progress,” CNN political contributor Jones told the crowd who attended the Urban League of Philadelphia’s (Philadelphia, PA) annual Whitney M. Young Jr. Empowerment Luncheon.
All of the current presidential candidates are willing to discuss and address criminal justice reform.
Jones said that has never happened before.
Jones, one of the founders and CEO of the REFORM Alliance, said there are more African Americans locked up today than there were enslaved in the 1800s. He noted that 2.3 million African Americans are currently incarcerated, while another 4.5 million are on probation and parole.
Pennsylvania has the second-highest percentage of residents on probation or parole in the country.
On the front lines of education. Check out Forbes magazine's Q&A with Marc Morial on educational opportunities for students of color and low-income students.
