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Earl Exum was a mover. And a shaker. And a double-dutcher.

Exum, who was the board treasurer for the Urban League of Greater Hartford (Hartford, CT) when he died unexpectedly last fall, who was also an advocate for people getting active and staying healthy.

So it's only fitting, organizers believe, that Exum, who was a vice president at Pratt & Whitney and chairman of subsidiary International Aero Engines, have an award named for him at Saturday's third annual MOVE! event at Keney Park in Hartford.

The event is designed for people of all ages, abilities, and fitness levels to promote an active lifestyle and mental health, as well as showcase the amenities of one of the largest designed park landscapes in the United States.

Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina and Urban League of the Upstate (Greenville, SC) announced  they signed a memorandum of understanding to launch of a film academy.

The four-week course introduces participants to essential industry television and film skills and technologies. Participants explore multiple career pathways, including 3D gaffing, environmental design, virtual production support and optitrack operator. The program is held weekly in Greenville and includes a training stipend for all participants.

“We are thrilled to launch the Film Academy in partnership with Urban League as part of our Innovation Institute,” said Pat Michaels, president and CEO of GIUMSC. “This program is a unique opportunity for individuals to gain valuable industry skills and open doors to a variety of exciting career paths in the film and television industry.”

The Urban League of Central Carolinas (Charlotte, NC) will present the Whitney M. Young. Jr. Award  to the honorable Governor Roy Cooper at its annual award gala on Friday, August 2nd, 2024. The Whitney M. Young, Jr. Award is given to honor individuals who demonstrate leadership and support for the African American community through community service and investment.

This prestigious award is presented in honor of Whitney M. Young, a prominent civil rights leader and advocate for social justice who led the National Urban League from 1961 until his death in 1971.

The Fort Wayne Urban League (Fort Wayne, IN) will debut a new take on local art next week – touring sneakers.

Four pairs of sneakers will be traveling around Fort Wayne over July and August for people to come and see in person in this unique display of local art. Each pair of white-on-white Air Jordans was hand painted by a local artist – Theopolis Smith, Michael Johnson, Karrington Thompson and Rocelynne Kennerck.

The sneakers are helping spread the word about the Urban League’s new fall fundraiser, a Sneaker Ball, but President and CEO, Aisha Arrington says people should come out to see the sneakers because it’s a different way of showcasing local art.

“If you’re interested in art, if you wanna expose your kids or your family to different ways that art can be expressed, I think this is just an awesome opportunity for folks to see what our local artists were able to do," she said.

Impeachment? See why Clarence Thomas & Samuel Alito are not fit to serve on the Supreme Court & what Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is doing about it. | Calling all young professionals! #NULConf24 has sessions curated for you on entrepreneurship, tech, advocacy + more. Check out the schedule. | Free vaccines for everyone. Give your immune system a boost and set your appointment today to get vaxxed for free. Get started now. | Essence Fest's origin story. Marc H. Morial was pivotal in bringing the festival to life as the Mayor of New Orleans 30 years ago. Get more of the story. | What a time! See photos from our luncheon, a blend of sisterhood and collaboration hosted by our Chief Marketing Officer Rhonda Spears Bell. | Coming to a screen near you. Can’t make it to New Orleans? Get ready to experience the FREE virtual National Urban League Conference. Register now. | Honoring Black women. Congratulations to Bevy Smith, Judge Faith Jenkins, Lisa Price & Tracey Edmonds! See how we celebrated them during Essence Fest.