Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League

“In addition to giving us countless thrilling moments of athletic excellence, the Summer Games have given the DEI movement the greatest gift it could ever hope for: a picture of success that can inspire people from across the political spectrum … They represent what makes America great: individuals from diverse backgrounds, viewing their distinctive identities as sources of pride, cooperating together to achieve excellence and bring honor to their nation.” -- Eboo Patel

The power of the Gumbo spirit was on full display in Team USA at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

The most diverse women’s gymnastics team in U.S. history was the most decorated, with 10 medals total, 3 of them gold, including the coveted individual all-around.

A new initiative from the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts (Boston, MA) aims to increase access to mental health services for Black men, a group often left out of behavioral healthcare.

The effort, a partnership between the Urban League and William James College, is pushing for greater access now, while also looking to expand opportunities — both for care and economic advancement — by training more Black men for jobs in the field.

“When we think about economic issues, there’s the saying, ‘health is wealth,’ and a significant part of health is mental health,” said Rahsaan Hall, President and CEO of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts.

When the initiative was announced July 18, the Urban League launched a directory of mental health services and resources with a focus on communities of color. The initiative will also work to identify up to 10 candidates for programs at William James College.

Hard Rock Casino of Northern Indiana and The Urban League of Northwest Indiana (Gary, IN) have united to support up to 30 local high school graduates in their pursuit of earning a degree from Indiana University Northwest. Through the program, graduates of any Gary-based high school are eligible to receive a fully funded, tuition-only scholarship as they work toward earning their associate or bachelor’s degree at IU Northwest. The new Do Well by Doing Good scholarship program will begin taking applications on July 17 at 5:30 p.m. at https://ulofnwi.communityforce.com/

Approximately 6,500 people attended the Knoxville’s Area Urban League’s (Knoxville, TN) 22nd annual Shoes for School, which provides new shoes and school supplies for children and connects families with valuable community resources. A total of 1,750 pairs of shoes were distributed to students, and the organization estimates that more than 4,000 children stocked up on school supplies.

The annual celebration marks the start of the new school year; Knox County students return to classrooms on Thursday, Aug. 8. Shoes for School was supported by presenting sponsor Tennessee Valley Authority for the event, which was held inside the Jacob Building at Chilhowee Park & Exposition Center to escape the August heat after years at Caswell Park.

NEW YORK, AUSTIN & HOUSTON (August 5, 2024) – The National Urban League and its affiliates in Texas today demanded that the Texas Juvenile Justice Department take immediate action to remedy the inhumane conditions at its facilities.

“The level of abuse revealed in the U.S. Justice Department’s report goes beyond mere dereliction of duty,” National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial said. “It is a violation of the most basic standards of human decency.”

Federal investigators revealed routine use of excessive force, including assault with pepper spray, dangerous restraint techniques, and isolation that lasted for weeks. The department’s negligence created what investigators called a “pervasive atmosphere of sexual abuse, grooming and lack of staff accountability and training.” 

Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) announced more than $2.5 million in commitments to Milwaukee-area nonprofits through partnership renewals with Acts Housing, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, Greater Milwaukee Urban League (Milwaukee, WI_, Milwaukee Art Museum, Ronald McDonald House Charities Eastern Wisconsin, Safe & Sound, and Zoological Society of Milwaukee. This support furthers Kohl’s commitment to helping improve the health and wellness of families in its hometown.

“It’s an honor for Kohl’s to call the Milwaukee area home, and we are proud to do our part in making our communities stronger by providing support to nonprofits helping to improve the lives of local families,” said Tara Geiter, Kohl’s director of community relations. “These organizations do incredible work and we’re looking forward to continuing to make a positive impact together.”

Greater Milwaukee Urban League

Honoring her legacy. Read more about Sheila Jackson Lee, who inspired a generation of activists through her fearlessness and indomitable spirit. | Relive the moments. Watch as we honored Master P, Leslie Odom, Jr., David & Tamela Mann + more during our Whitney M. Young. Jr. Awards Gala. | No justice, no peace! Watch the replay of our #NULConf24 Reclaim Your Vote Rally to hear from activists, political leaders + many others. | Representation matters. See how we honored six Black Miss Americas at our 20th anniversary Women of Power Awards Luncheon! | Family fun day. New Orleans locals + #NULConf24 attendees gathered for giveaways, free bookbags + more at Community & Family Day. Take a look. | Don’t miss the gems. Catch the replay of Rep. Justin Pearson's speech during our Legacy Leadership Luncheon in New Orleans at #NULConf24. | Watch from anywhere. Our virtual #NULConf24 speakers dropped gems on entrepreneurship, tech, and so much more. Register now and watch the replay. | What do the numbers tell us? Check out an in-depth look at the state of the economy from Dr. Bernard E. Anderson, our Chief Economics Adviser.

Bernard E. Anderson, PhD

Whitney M. Young Professor Emeritus,
The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania

Chief Economic Advisor,
National Urban League

July's modest job creation, coupled with evolving labor market tightness, generated improvement in racial employment opportunities.

Over the past several years during the post-pandemic revival of the economy the Black/White gap in unemployment narrowed to 1.63, much below the previously long-term 2:1 ratio.  The Hispanic unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.3 percent.

Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League

“I am a benefactor of the hills and valleys, the broken bodies and broken hearts, the loss of life of many who have gone on before me.” – U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee

The so-called “anti-woke” movement in the United States is determined to obscure the nation’s ugly history of slavery, segregation, and discrimination.

But Sheila Jackson Lee saw the beauty in that history.

“The Constitution did not grant us citizenship or even status as one human being, but we survived,” she said. “We had the Harriet Tubman of the world, the Sojourner Truth of the world. We had the Frederick Douglass of the world.  That is the beauty of America. We were resilient, we should tell that story. Brutality comes with survival and success.”