Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League

“The opportunity to serve the American people at scale, to be in the room when decisions are made…this really appeared to be a great opportunity to make a big difference at a time when it matters most.”

-Stephen Benjamin, The Root

In the sophisticated corridors of power at the White house, one name resonates as the linchpin connecting the administration to the heartbeat of the nation: Stephen Benjamin. As the Senior Advisor and Director of the Office of Public Engagement, Benjamin serves as a key figure in the Biden administration who stands as the crucial bridge between President Biden’s vision and the diverse communities the administration serves.

To put it more plainly, he’s President Biden’s right-hand man or as The Root called him, ‘the brotha you need to know in the White House’.

TACOMA (Nov. 27, 2023) - Rising grocery prices have intensified the financial strain on families, particularly during Thanksgiving.

However, a heartening initiative led by the Tacoma Urban League (Tacoma, WA), with other downtown businesses, offered a reprieve to fortunate shoppers at the WinCo on 72nd Street. These businesses collectively raised $12,000 to reimburse families for their Thanksgiving dinner expenses, recognizing the challenges many face during the holidays.

TAMPA (Nov. 27, 2023) - Stanley Gray, the interim president and CEO of the Urban League of Hillsborough County (Tampa, FL), addressed the complex issues underlying a recent mass shooting in Ybor City, in an interview recently.

Emphasizing the need for nuanced solutions, hee stressed the importance of parental responsibility in curbing youth-related problems during an interview on WMNF WaveMakers. Gray highlighted the need for fair and equitable approaches by city officials, cautioning against the implementation of a juvenile curfew solely in Ybor City, as such measures often lead to inequitable enforcement.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nov. 27, 2023) – National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial and National Action Network Founder and President Rev. Al Sharpton today (Nov. 26) issued the following statement in response to the Federal Communication Commission’s vote to adopt rules to prevent and eliminate digital discrimination of access to broadband services based on income level, race, ethnicity, color, religion, or national origin:

SEATTLE (Nov. 27, 2023) - The Bank of America's Neighborhood Builders program, spanning 19 years, has been a beacon for nonprofits, offering financial backing and leadership training during difficult times.

In the Seattle area, two chosen nonprofits annually receive a $200,000 grant spread over two years, coupled with extensive leadership training, to address pivotal issues like food insecurity and bolstering marginalized communities.

BUFFALO (Nov. 20, 2023) - The Buffalo Urban League (Buffalo, NY) is planning to construct a new $25 million headquarters on Jefferson Avenue, aiming to enhance its presence in East Side neighborhoods.

This project, revealed at the organization's gala, seeks to consolidate multiple locations, including the current headquarters, into a 40,000-square-foot building. The new space will accommodate administrative functions, program areas, and a potential business incubator.

The design intends to reflect the neighborhood's culture and sustainability while fostering private conversations and community engagement. The new location aims to put the Urban League closer to the communities it serves and become a catalyst for activity in the area.

SACRAMENTO (Nov. 20, 2023) - The Greater Sacramento Urban League (Sacramento, CA) is partnering with local barbershops in a program called Cut to the Chase, offering mental health support to Black men.

This initiative hosts group therapy sessions with licensed therapists at barbershops, aiming to create a comfortable space where attendees can discuss mental health openly. By combining mental health resources with familiar community spaces, the program tackles barriers to seeking professional help and challenges societal stereotypes surrounding mental health among Black men.

KANSAS CITY (Nov. 20, 2023) – Congratulations are due to Gwendolyn Grant, the president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City (Kansas City, MO), who is included on the Kansas City Power Fifty List.

Grant is a determined advocate for civil rights, having recently engaged in a legal battle with Mayor Quinton Lucas over the control of board appointments for the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners, thereby highlighting her willingness to stand up for constitutional principles.

Grant's involvement spans beyond the Urban League; she actively participates in various city groups, including the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Tax Incentive Reform Task Force and the Citizens to Abolish Poverty Education Committee.

LAS VEGAS (Nov. 20, 2023)- The Las Vegas Urban League (Las Vegas, NV) in its efforts to provide opportunities for small business owners to acquire badly needed funding and receive training on how to manage and strategically operate their businesses, recently sponsored two “Shark Tank” Small Business Pitch Competitions through its Innovation Center for Entrepreneurship.