Laurie Shanderson Evans has her sights set on the future of the Knoxville Area Urban League (Knoxville, TN), but the nonprofit’s new leader knows she has to start with what her community needs right now.

"My primary goal is to get to know the community," said Shanderson Evans, who began her role as president and CEO of the Knoxville Area Urban League in July. "The needs of the community, the challenges that the community is facing right now, given all the federal changes and all the other administrative changes that will impact families in our community, it's really important to know what they need so we can prioritize it properly."

Shanderson Evans was selected after an 11-month national search. She brings to Knoxville from Nashville an extensive education and health management background.

The Knoxville Area Urban League's (Knoxville, TN) Equal Opportunity Awards Gala has been honoring the community's changemakers for 35 years, and this year, it's lifting up some of Knoxville's most notable movers and shakers.

“This year’s Equal Opportunity Awards Gala was a success, honoring the tremendous achievements of each awardee,” Laurie Shanderson Evans, President and CEO of the Knoxville Area Urban League, said in a news release. “The carefully selected recipients exemplify the mission of our organization, advocating for empowerment, equality and community uplift."

The event's theme, "Celebrating Resilience," recognized the nonprofit's consistency and constancy over the last 57 years in carrying out its mission to help minority groups and underserved communities in Knoxville reach social and economic equity.

The Tallahassee Urban League (Tallahassee, FL) held a press conference Friday (October 24th) to discuss how they’re helping the children left without a daycare as Tallahassee Head Start programs end Friday due to the government shutdown.

The Tallahassee Urban League wrote in a press release that Tallahassee has five centers that serve 378 students.

Tallahassee Urban League President and CEO Curtis Taylor said it was the organization’s duty to step in and help.

“We cannot stand on the sideline and not have a place for our young kids to go come Monday morning,” Taylor said in an interview.

The Washington Bureau is pleased to welcome the 2025-2026 Cohort to the National Urban League Congressional Advocacy Program! This diverse group of leaders from across the Urban League movement share a common goal and common commitment to empowering communities and changing lives through advocacy and grassroots outreach. Over the next six months, cohort members will expand their knowledge of congressional and grassroots engagement through curated training with policymakers, thought leaders, and political influencers, while developing core leadership competencies to become effective catalysts for change in their communities and respective professions. 

Protect our votes. See how the Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais could redefine America’s voting rights future. | A well-deserved honor. Congratulations to our collaborator in the movement for justice, Melanie Campbell, on celebrating 30 years of service and leadership. | Don’t miss the gems. Catch up on the latest about the government shutdown and find out how you can help demand action from Congress. | Meet the honorees! Get ready for a night of entertainment and empowerment as we honor heavy hitters and changemakers. Grab your tickets and tables. | The tale of two countries. In today’s society, Black Americans lack nearly 25% of economic opportunity. Donate today to help us close the gap. | Congratulations! The movement is about action, and our new Congressional Advocacy Program cohort is leading the way. Meet the changemakers. | A step forward. See how the Indianapolis Urban League is helping families obtain homeownership through the Arnold Place affordable housing project. | Represent the movement. Shop for official Urban League merch and rep the movement in style anytime, anywhere via our online marketplace.

Reach Community Development, one of Oregon’s largest affordable housing landlords, has finalized a $12.6 million deal to offload 66 homes, a move it says will help stem cash flow problems and help its tenants become homeowners.

The transaction will see Reach partner with Minneapolis nonprofit Brick By Brick Housing Corp. and the national Housing Partnership Network to form Rose City Fund LLC, which will work over the next two years to repair and sell the 66 “scattered site” single-family, duplex and multiplex homes to new buyers — many of them current tenants, the nonprofit said.

About a third of the units stand vacant, and many require extensive repairs to get them into good enough condition that a bank will approve a mortgage for them, Reach CEO Margaret Salazar said in an interview.

State Rep. Doreen Carter (D-Lithonia) will participate in a community conversation with the Urban League of Greater Atlanta (Atlanta, GA) on Thursday, Oct. 30,  6:30 – 8 p.m., at South Gwinnett High School Auditorium in Snellville, Georgia.

“When education is underfunded, the future of our children and our workforce is at stake,” said Rep. Carter. “I am honored to join the Urban League of Greater Atlanta in this timely dialogue to ensure every student has access to quality education and every family has a pathway to opportunity.”

“This is more than a conversation—it’s a call to action,” said Nancy Flake Johnson, President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Atlanta. “We must work collectively to reimagine education and employment pathways that empower families and prepare the next generation for success.”

The Urban League of Essex County (Newark, NJ) will host its Annual Gala on Monday, October 21, 2025, at Nanina’s in the Park in Belleville, New Jersey. This year’s theme, “Breaking Barriers, Building Futures,” celebrates individuals and organizations that exemplify the Urban League's enduring mission to empower communities and change lives through education, employment, housing, and advocacy.

For more than a century, the Urban League of Essex County has been a steadfast advocate for equity and opportunity—helping individuals and families achieve economic self-reliance and access to resources that improve quality of life. Through programs in workforce development, digital literacy, financial empowerment, youth development, and affordable housing, ULEC continues to serve as a catalyst for social and economic transformation in Newark and across Essex County.