Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League

“A people without the knowledge of their history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots.” - Marcus Garvey

When I graduated high school in New Orleans, America was a different place. Black Americans were all but locked out of economic opportunity because of the color of our skin and the racial caste system that saw us as no more than servants to White Americans; many of whom benefited financially and socially from our enslavement for centuries.

 It’s back-to-school season in central Ohio and families in Columbus are getting their students ready for the first day of classes.

This time of year can be expensive for families, so the Columbus Urban League Young Professionals (Columbus, OH), in partnership with Things That Matter, is helping out with a Back-To-School Block Party on Sunday. 

Families were given free supplies, backpacks, wellness kits, and free haircuts to help with the start of the school year.

Pearce McDaniel brought his six-year-old niece to make sure she was ready for her new journey to the first grade.

“This is definitely something that came in clutch because it helps us save a little money because I do have 10 nephews and nieces total,” he said. “When having to take them out to appointments and things like that times 10, it can get a little bit more costly. Events like these definitely do help out.”

31 people graduated from the Youth Builders STL program on Saturday (August 22nd).

The Youth Builders STL program at the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis (St. Louis, MO) gives young people hands-on experience for jobs in construction and the trades. The program was launched in response to last year’s May 16 tornado.

One speaker had a passionate message for parents in the crowd.

“The best gift that you can give them is not the latest phone. It’s not the latest kicks. The best gift that you can give your child is an example,” said James Clark, Vice President of Public Safety at the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis.

To read the full story, click here.

Applications are officially OPEN for the 2026-2027 cohort of the National Urban League Congressional Advocacy Program!

All active members of the Urban League Movement, including national staff, affiliate CEOs, affiliate staff, and auxiliary members are invited to apply. This interactive six-month virtual certification program equips leaders with the tools to master policy engagement with elected officials and drive change in their cities, states, and beyond. Participants will join a vibrant community of change-makers, connect with policy influencers, and elevate their advocacy skills to the next level!

Submit your application by September 21st and help us spread the word!  Application link 

For more information, please contact Toni Wiley, Senior Director of Congressional Advocacy at awiley@nul.org

NEW YORK, NY (August 24, 2026 ) – The National Urban League and Marc H. Morial mourn the loss of Jerome “Big Duck” Smith, a Civil Rights Movement champion who fought segregation and kept the movement’s legacy alive through teaching younger generations. 

Our politics are too often consumed by division and distraction, while the everyday concerns of working families are pushed aside.

NEW ORLEANS (August 21, 2026) – The National Urban League, the Isaiah Institute of New Orleans, and Dillard University's Center for Racial Justice today announced a strategic partnership to sonaltrengthen voter engagement, civic participation, and advocacy efforts throughout the 2026 election cycle.

The path to liberty. See how Angie Nixon, Juliana Stratton, and Keisha Lance Bottoms are some of the Black women leading the charge for access & freedom.| Our fight continues. This week, Marc H. Morial traveled to Biloxi, Mississippi to honor Nolan Wells on what would have been his 19th birthday. See more.| Meet us in D.C.! Join us for the March on Washington on August 28th as we gather to defend voting rights, demand economic dignity + more. | Have a little FOMO? You can watch some of our most powerful sessions from the 2026 National Urban League Conference on demand, from anywhere. | Black media matters. Read Don Lemon’s powerful reflection on resilience, journalism, and finding his voice in our State of Black America® report. | Greetings from New Orleans! See how the MOU Marc H. Morial signed with the Isaiah Institute and Dillard University will positively impact voters.

Wednesday was supposed to be Nolan Wells’ 19th birthday. Instead, hundreds of people gathered for a prayer vigil mourning the beloved Ocean Springs teen’s death and celebrating his life at Greater St. John AME Church in Biloxi.