Congressman Wesley Bell joined the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis (St. Louis, MO) at Lambert Airport Saturday morning (March 28th) to distribute gift cards to TSA workers who have been struggling financially during the partial government shutdown.

The Urban League provided $50,000 worth of gift cards for groceries, toiletries and gas to workers who have gone without pay. Michael P. McMillan, President and CEO of the Urban League, said the organization used the workers' union as a conduit to get resources directly to employees.

"We are supporting our TSA agents with a $50,000 contribution of Schnucks gift cards for groceries, of course, and toiletries and other resources. And then gas cards because of course they have not been paid," McMillan said.

Dennis Blockton, treasurer of AFGE Local 912, said the impact on his members has been severe.

As America marks its 250th year, democracy faces consequential tests. Americans need clear information—as they engage in their communities with public officials and candidates seeking to hold public office—about where public officials and candidates stand on upholding the nation’s Constitution.

To read the full guide, click here.

The SAVE Act saves no one. See how the Trump administration's voter suppression legislation will keep millions of Americans from voting. | Greetings from DC! Catch a snippet of Marc H. Morial speaking at Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.'s 37th Annual Delta Days in the Nation’s Capital. | The woman behind the magic. Meet Rhonda Spears Bell, our SVP & Chief Marketing Officer who curates the National Urban League Conference. | The Movement takes Capitol Hill. See Urban League leaders in action as they meet with members of Congress to advocate for their local communities. | 23rd Annual Legislative Policy Conference. From Black wealth creation to the role of AI in our lives and more, see how our summit met this moment. |The place to be! Register by April 1st to lock in our current price for #NULConf26 and join changemakers from across the nation in Nashville. | Advancing justice together. Sign up for a powerful day of conversation in NYC as leaders gather to advance solutions for safer + more just communities.

Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League

"The SAVE Act is not an election security bill — it is a voter suppression bill, full stop ... The CBC will not sit back while extremists continue to strip away access to the ballot box for our communities, and we are calling on every Senator to reject this assault on our democracy and stand up for the integrity of our elections." — Congressional Black Caucus 

Analysis after analysis shows that the Trump administration's voter suppression legislation will keep millions of Americans from voting.

But pointing out that the bill will disenfranchise huge swaths of the electorate will not deter its proponents—because mass disenfranchisement is the goal.

Gwen Grant, an indefatigable advocate for social justice and Kansas City’s Black residents for more than three decades, announced her retirement from the Urban League.

Grant will continue as CEO until her official retirement in March 2027, when a successor will be named. In the meantime, Melissa Robinson, a member of the Kansas City Council, will join the Urban League of Greater Kansas City (Kansas City, MO) as President and CEO, according to a news release.

Grant, who has spent 25 years as the league’s leader and 31 years with the organization overall, helped form the “broader civic landscape of our region,” said Joe Davis, chair of the league’s board of directors.

“For more than three decades, she has led with courage, clarity, and an unwavering commitment to justice — strengthening this organization, elevating the voices of our community, and ensuring the Urban League remains a trusted and impactful institution for generations,” Davis said.

Schnucks Markets and its customers raised a combined $100,000 for the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis (St. Louis, MO) through the sixth annual Round Up at the Register campaign, held Feb. 4-17. Customers contributed $83,624 at checkout, with Schnucks adding $16,376 to reach the $100,000 total.

Customers were given the option at checkout to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar, with 100 percent of St. Louis-area donations directed to the Urban League’s Save Our Sons and Save Our Sisters programs. Round-ups at Schnucks stores in other markets support the respective local Urban League chapter or the National Urban League.

Todd Schnuck, Chairman and CEO of Schnucks and a past chairman of the ULSTL board, said the campaign reflects a partnership that stretches back more than 50 years.

Austin Housing and the Austin Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) are thrilled to announce the groundbreaking celebration for Urban Empowerment Zone 1 (UEZ I). The new community will provide 80 Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) units to serve individuals and families at risk of or exiting homelessness. Located at 6400 FM 969 Road in District 1, the development will consist of a four-story, elevator-served building that includes a community room, warming kitchen, community pantry, laundry facilities, computer center, supportive service areas, and a central courtyard designed to promote safety and community connection. 

“By combining affordable housing with supportive services at UEZ I, we’re creating more than a place to call home,” explains Deletta Dean, Director of Austin Housing. “We’re creating opportunities for residents to rebuild their futures as part of our Austin community.” 

The Pinellas County Urban League (St. Petersburg, FL) has formally pitched its vision for the next phase of the Deuces Rising redevelopment, centered on a new Sankofa Empowerment Center along St. Petersburg’s historic 22nd Street South corridor.

In a December 30, 2025 proposal to Mayor Ken Welch, the organization outlined plans to anchor Phase II of the city-led project with a mixed-use commercial facility designed to serve as both an economic engine and community hub.

The proposal focuses on the “North Commercial Building,” a planned 28,000-square-foot, two-story development at the southwest corner of 22nd Street and 6th Avenue South. The project is part of a broader three-phase initiative that includes affordable townhomes already underway and a potential future mixed-use building with housing.