Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League

"Athletes are artists whose artistry dies with their youth. For fighters, it tends to be worse, as the youth is literally beaten out of them. But George Foreman -- erstwhile bully, seller of grill gadgets and mufflers -- did the greatest thing any athlete can do. He beat time." -- Mark Kriegel

When former world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali tried to intimidate reigning champ George Foreman at the start of their famous "Rumble in the Jungle" in 1974, Foreman almost fell down laughing.

"Someone must have told him, 'Tell him this to psych him out,'" Foreman said years later. "He opened his eyes just a little bit and said, 'You were just a kid in high school when I fought Sonny Liston. You don't deserve to be here.'"

NEW YORK (March 25, 2025) – The National Urban League, in partnership with DoorDash, is proud to announce the expansion of the Virtual Financial Empowerment Center (VFEC) through the launch of the VFEC App in April 2025. Since its launch, the VFEC has offered personalized financial coaching and self-paced learning opportunities that equip individuals and families with the knowledge and skills they need to achieve financial stability and build generational wealth.

The Fort Wayne Urban League (Ft. Wayne, IN) held its first ‘Breaking Bread, Stopping Bullets’ dinner forum on Thursday (March 20th).

It is part of a new initiative by the organization called ‘Mothers for the Movement: Every Child Home Alive’, educating the youth on how to behave during a traffic stop.

“Sometimes we have to have hard conversations. What do you do if the police pull you over in traffic? How do you behave? What are protocols that would be acceptable?” said Aisha Arrington, President and CEO of the Fort Wayne Urban League.

This inspired her to put together the event, alongside an educational video explaining the correct protocol for police interactions. A protocol that was vetted by the Fort Wayne Police Department.

One scholarship at a time for nearly a decade, the Indianapolis Urban League (Indianapolis, IN) has offered opportunities for high school seniors of color to achieve higher education.

Tony Mason, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Indianapolis Urban League, said Friday (March 21st), “So right now, we actually have 52 scholarship recipients currently attending college and universities across the country. Last year, we awarded $52,000 in scholarships.”

High school students can apply by April 2 for three scholarships: The Project Ready Program, Indianapolis Urban League Education Matters, and the Burke, Dabner, Rodman Family Scholarship Programs.

“Each grant, scholarship becomes important in this process because you may have a student that has to pay $20,000 to $30,000 to attend college. If you’re talking about a full-time rate, then all of these dollars add up,” Mason said.

The Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA) held its “Leadership Awards Gala” on Friday (March 21st).

The event celebrates people who work to keep their communities strong and vibrant.

This year’s honorees included: LaTrenda Leonard Sherrill, Donta Green, Latasha Wilson-Batch, Charlie Batch, Daniel Onorato and Marimba Milliones.

Several of the Urban League’s “Youth Leadership” program members also attended. They were recognized for their school work and program attendance.

“We celebrate the memory of Ronald H. Brown, who was the first Black commerce secretary, who did a lot to empower communities and create opportunities for folks but, also, we celebrate great people who continue that tradition. [The] people who really help uplift the Black community who help marginalized communities in the region,” said Carlos T. Carter, President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh.

An economic disaster is brewing. See how dismantling the Minority Business Development Agency will impact Black businesses and weaken the economy. | #SaveTheMBDA. The 47th President is on a mission to defund small businesses by removing critical funding, but we cannot let this happen. Take action. | Calling all changemakers! Join us this summer for #NULConf25 to connect with likeminded individuals who want to build power and create solutions. | A dangerous, reckless move. Trump's order to dismantle the Department of Education is an outright attack on America’s students. Check our full statement. | Grand opening! Congrats to National Urban League Trustee Nicholas Perkins on opening Fuddruckers in downtown D.C. Watch Marc Morial's key takeaway. | When was your last vaccine? Whether it's a road trip or an international adventure, vaccines are your best travel companion. Find out more. | What’s your dream job? Register for our FREE webinar to learn more about how technology and AI will impact the future of jobs.

BALTIMORE, WASHINGTON D.C., and NEW YORK (March 20, 2025) – National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial, Greater Baltimore Urban League President and CEO Tykia Warden, and Greater Washington Urban League President and CEO George H. Lambert, Jr., issued the following statement in support of Maryland Senate Bill 432.    

“We proudly stand alongside Governor Wes Moore, the Clean Slate Initiative, and community partners in support of SB432, a critical step toward providing record relief for individuals impacted by the criminal justice system and advancing equity in Maryland.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 20, 2025) – National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial issues the following statement in response to President Trump's executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education:

"The National Urban League vehemently condemns President Trump’s reckless and dangerous executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education--- an institution that has played a critical role in upholding America’s promise of equal educational opportunity for all. This shortsighted and politically motivated action is an outright attack on the fundamental rights of America’s students—particularly Black, Brown, students with disabilities, and low-income children—who rely on federal protections to ensure they receive a quality education.

Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League

“We must also provide an expanded opportunity to participate in the free enterprise system at all levels--not only to share the economic benefits of the free enterprise system more broadly, but also to encourage pride, dignity, and a sense of independence. In order to do this, we need to remove commercial obstacles which have too often stood in the way of minority group members--obstacles such as the unavailability of credit, insurance, and technical assistance. Involvement in business has always been a major route toward participation in the mainstream of American life. Our aim is to open that route to potentially successful persons who have not had access to it before.” – President Richard M. Nixon