“We hear your calling/ And we begin by giving you 100 years/ Of loving defense/ We shall encourage the world to look/ Upon your complexion and see community.” Dr. Maya Angelou, from the original poem “We Hear You,” a commemorative tribute to the National Urban League, performed at the organization’s Centennial celebration – July 28, 2010
“You can kill a man, but you can’t kill an idea.” Slain Civil Rights leader, Medgar Evers
When President Obama takes the oath of office on Monday, he will be surrounded by an extraordinary legacy of 50-year civil rights milestones that helped make possible his second inauguration. It is fitting that the inaugural invocation will be delivered on the steps of the U.S. Capitol by Myrlie Evers-Williams, the widow of civil rights hero, Medgar Evers. After years of risking his life to end discrimination against black Mississippians, Evers was felled by an assassin’s bullet in the driveway of his home 50 years ago on June 12, 1963.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 24, 2023) – Three years ago, a tragedy of untold proportions took place in Minneapolis. The world watched as Derek Chauvin kneeled on George Floyd’s neck for nine minutes and 30 seconds, ignoring his calls for relief and eventually, killing him. The outpouring of rage and empathy that followed triggered a global racial reckoning and shook the foundations of Corporate America in unprecedented ways, and provoked promises made by corporations to address the apparent inequities that are often overlooked. National Urban League President and CEO Marc H.
Event Description: Lead with empathy and empower others. Hear from Blacks at Microsoft (BAM) WW Chair, Alfred Ojukwu and CEO and President of Campaign for Working Families, Nikia Owens.
Date: May 24th
Time: 12pm EST
Event Registration Link here.
GARY (May 22, 2023) – Recently, the Urban League of Northwest Indiana (Gary, IN) celebrated area young scholars with its Annual Scholastic Achievement Luncheon.
The luncheon saw young students who have studied hard get rewarded for their hard work with over $65,000 in scholarship money that will help them fund their college education.
At the luncheon, Dr. Vanessa Allen-McCloud, President of the Urban League, said, “This room is filled with love and support for students who will soon be off to college and pursuing their dreams. Thanks to the generous support of sponsors and donors, they have monetary support and the assurance that we are indeed rooting for their success.”
KNOXVILLE (May 22, 2023) – Since 2012, the Tennessee Bar Association has been increasingly involved in helping Tennessee residents get past convictions expunged from their records.
One way they are helping is through expungement events held by the Knoxville Area Urban League (Knoxville, TN).
The University of Tennessee Legal Clinic partners with the Urban League several times a year via the Urban League’s Workforce Development Program.
GREENVILLE (May 22, 2023) – The Urban League of the Upstate (Greenville, SC) is going Hollywood.
To boost the state’s presence in the entertainment industry, the Urban League has partnered with the University of South Carolina as well as the marketing agency Cargo to lure in more entertainment dollars. Other partners in this initiative include the Minority Film Institute and the South Carolina Film Commission.
The project will have the Urban League host a yearly symposium with industry experts, as well as film screenings. With the symposium, the Urban League hope to provide opportunities for education and networking.
Black Lives Matter. Today, on what would’ve been Michael Brown’s 27th birthday, we are still demanding police reform. Here’s how you can take action. | Justice for Jordan Neely. Fear of mental illness, racial bias, and inadequate healthcare all played a role in Neely’s death. More on his tragic life & killing. | COVID-19 is still here. Staying up to date with your vaccines is still the first line of defense to protect yourself from COVID-19. Find out more. | Congrats, 2023 graduates! Watch as Marc H. Morial shares words of encouragement & wisdom with Southern University’s graduating class. | The price is going up! Secure our current rate for the National Urban League Conference by registering today before the price increases on June 1st. | Don’t miss the gems. Hear community leaders and many others as they discuss solutions to build just, healthy, resourced & restored communities. | Uplifting Black-owned businesses. See how the Houston Area Urban League helped local biz, A D Welding, develop a strategic plan and secure contracts. | Mark your calendars! Register now for our webinar on Wednesday as we dive into how to lead with empathy to empower others in your life.
Marc H. Morial
President and CEO
National Urban League
“His mental illness screamed of profits prioritized over people … His Blackness disquieted the American ideals and sensibilities that proclaim us all equal. His existence, on that train, on that day, exposed just how poorly America cares for her people and how poorly we care for one another.” -- Brittany Packnett Cunningham
One man faces charges of criminal manslaughter, but Jordan Neely’s death had many accomplices.
Ignorance and fear of mental illness. Implicit racial bias. A desperately inadequate health care system. Reckless and distorted political rhetoric about violent crime.
Jordan Neely didn’t fall through the cracks. The world where he existed is nothing but cracks.
