NATIONAL AND HOUSTON AREA URBAN LEAGUE LEADERS MOURN THE PASSING OF U.S. REP. AND FORMER MAYOR SYLVESTER TURNER

HOUSTON and NEW YORK (March 5, 2025) — National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial and Houston Area Urban League President and CEO Judson W. Robinson III issued the following statement upon the passing of U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner, the former mayor of Houston.

"Congressman Turner was a public servant of the highest order, whose deep love for his community and commitment to his constituents guided his every decision. For four decades, he set the standard for integrity, decency, and resolve, not just for Texas but the nation at large.  We will miss him as a friend and fellow advocate on all things that made our friendship and our communities stronger.

The Urban League of the Upstate (Greenville, SC) nears the completion of its $3.5 million campaign for the McClaren Institute of Health & Quality of Life. 

The local nonprofit organization is transforming the McClaren Medical Shelter in downtown Greenville into a wellness, education and outreach center for Black and underserved communities. 

“The McClaren Institute will provide essential services and inspire the community to come together and invest in long-term solutions for health and wellness,” said Gail Wilson Awan, president and CEO of Urban League of the Upstate.

After a five-year hiatus, the Urban League of Springfield’s (Springfield, MA) signature fundraising event is back in person, bringing the community together for an evening of celebration, impact, and renewed energy. The Rise Up Anniversary Celebration taking place on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at the MassMutual Center, will mark the organization’s 112th anniversary with an elevated elegant experience designed to honor the changemakers who embody its mission.

The keynote speaker, Danielle R. Holley, is the twentieth president of Mount Holyoke College. She is a noted legal scholar and educator. Holley served as Dean of the School of Law at Howard University (2014 – 2023) prior to joining Mount Holyoke. She holds a B.A. from Yale University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Holley also previously served as a law clerk to Judge Carl E. Stewart on the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

President and CEO, Urban League of Rochester (Rochester, NY)

Years in current role: 6

What was the most significant challenge your organization faced in 2024, and how did you address it?

The Urban League of Rochester faced the challenge of meeting growing community needs while maintaining service excellence. We conducted a strategic evaluation of our strengths and those of our partners to ensure every service was delivered at the highest level. By shifting certain programs to organizations better equipped to provide them, we strengthened the overall support system while focusing on what we do best. This decision allowed us to enhance impact and prioritize community needs. In the end, it reinforced our belief that our work is about impact, not just effort.

What trends or innovations in your industry do you anticipate having the biggest impact in 2025?

What an incredible lineup of women who are trailblazing industries and communities! Congratulations to all those who made Crain’s 2025 Women of Influence list, showcasing their extraordinary talent and ability to lead Chicagoans with passion and purpose. The women featured include: 

Saluting women! We honor the impact and contributions Black women make in our families, communities the nation at large. Watch our recent celebration! | Never forgotten. Four years have passed since the loss of one of our nation’s greatest civil rights champions, Vernon Jordan. More on his enduring legacy. | Farewell to an icon. See how Roberta Flack, who passed away this week, used her journey from hardship to musical legend and activist to inspire generations. | On the ground. See as our President & CEO Marc Morial joined the Los Angeles Urban League and other leaders to support fire recovery and rebuilding efforts. | How do we fight back? Watch a recap of our Demand Diversity Roundtable meeting with Rep. Hakeem Jeffries on standing up against attacks on DEI. | Help is available. If you were affected by the Southern California wildfires, you can register for FEMA assistance until March 10. Here's how to get started. | #FightTheFreeze. Were you or someone you know impacted by the federal funding freeze? Your Congress members need to know! Share your story today. | Supporting entrepreneurs. In last week's issue of ReMARC's, we ran a piece celebrating Black History Month under "The Movement" incorrectly attributing the work of the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio to the Miami Valley Urban League. Read the full story here. | When was your last vaccine? Staying up to date with the latest vaccines is the best way to protect your immune system. Set an appointment today.

Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League

“I'm deeply saddened that many of the songs I recorded 50 years ago about civil rights, equal rights, poverty, hunger, and suffering in our society are still relevant in 2020. I hope that people will hear these songs in a new way as they connect to their lives today, to this pandemic, to the growing economic disparities, to Black Lives Matter, to police brutality, to activism versus apathy, and the need for each of us to see it and address it.” – Roberta Flack

From the time she was a 4-year-old girl in Black Mountain, N.C., Roberta Flack dreamed of having her own piano.  But her parents couldn’t afford one.

When she was 9 and her family was living in Arlington, Va., her father spied a beat-up old upright piano in a junkyard. He brought it home and painted it green.