Following a multi-million dollar settlement with the owner of the E.D. Edwards coal plant, Peoria-area organizations met today at Mt. Zion Baptist Church to celebrate the grants being awarded as part of the settlement process. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit and three community partner organizations who advised during the selection process announced a wide range of projects that will help the community transition as the plant prepares to retire.

The settlement of the lawsuit, brought under the Clean Air Act in 2013, provided a total of $8.6 million dollars for workforce development, healthcare-related funding, and clean energy projects. It also provides for the Edwards plant to close by the end of 2022 -- pending approval by regulators. 

Los Angeles Urban League’s (Los Angeles, CA) Construction Career Academy (CCA) held its first class of the new year this past week with a full house of diverse men and women of all ages looking to get into a construction trade.  CCA and many other workforce development programs are trying to fill employment gaps as labor shortages continue to plague the construction industry.

According to a new report released by the Southern California Partnership for Jobs, the Los Angeles County construction sector is expected to add more jobs and higher salaries. The report forecasted a 6% growth in LA County adding about 9,500 jobs for 2020. In addition, average construction wages are projected to grow 0.7% to $68,024, annually.

With projects ranging from sports venues, housing, and hotels to transportation and infrastructure, there is a growing need for skilled construction workers in Los Angeles. However, contractors cannot find enough workers to meet the demand.

 Fundraising for the track and field complex in west Louisville is approaching the finish line, but it's in need of a final push.

The Louisville Urban League (Louisville, KY) has raised $44 million of the $50 million cost for construction. President Sadiqa Reynolds said she also wants to raise an additional $5 million to help support the facility's operating costs.

Reynolds said most of the funds for the Norton Sports Health Sports Athletic and Learning complex have come from individuals, foundations and Metro Government, and she is now challenging local corporations to also step up.

“Maybe there's been so much reliance on government and foundations that corporations don't see their role. I don't know,” Reynolds said. “But I also want to say this: We have at this facility many opportunities for sponsorships.” 

We hosted diverse voices in Washington, D.C. this week to exchange strategies for making sure Black communities are fully counted in the 2020 Census. Catch the highlights and do your part to Make Black Count!

The Census is coming! And so is our second tele-town hall to help you get ready. Sign up now to hear from Martin Luther King, III and other national leaders. | Reclaim Your Vote. The stakes couldn't be higher for Black communities in 2020! Check out our new partnership with BET for all things voting. | New episode. Think tobacco is wack? Our kids don’t. Studies show that vaping has caused a surge in young people who are addicted to smoking. Hear the latest. | A seat at the table. Join us for an engaging session on Feb. 25th about the challenges diverse leaders face as they rise in their careers. | Black Census Roundtable. We hosted diverse voices in Washington, D.C. this week to exchange strategies for making sure Black communities are fully counted in the 2020 Census. Catch the highlights and do your part to Make Black Count!

Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League
 

LOS ANGELES (February 20, 2020) -- Today, at META:2020, the National Urban League announced #ReclaimYourVote, a social change campaign in partnership with BET Networks committed to harnessing Black collective power and increasing Black participation in the 2020 Census and the 2020 Election.

The nationwide #ReclaimYourVote campaign will layout the most significant issues, break down otherwise confusing processes, and highlight specific ways where we can reclaim our collective power by harnessing the power of media, entertainment, and technology to drive civic engagement. #ReclaimYourVote will leverage this opportunity through community activations, television spots, compelling print, social and digital media platforms and urge the Black community to be counted in the census and to take a stand and vote.