A local community leader is among those appointed to serve on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Advisory Commission on African American Affairs.

Dr. Erin Houston, President and CEO of the Shenango Valley Urban League (Farrell, PA), was among 27 people appointed to the commission’s 2025-27 advisory board, according to a press release issued Monday by the governor’s press office.

Houston said she was honored to serve in this capacity for the commission.

“I appreciate and do not take lightly the responsibility for serving on a commission such as this,” Houston said.

According to the press release, the commission’s purpose is to:

•Gather information regarding African American Pennsylvanians’ experiences and needs.

•Review, evaluate and assess programs affecting them.

NEW YORK (September 22, 2025) — National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial issued the following statement in response to the Trump administration's failure to enforce fair housing laws:

"The Trump administration’s systematic dismantling of fair housing protections represents a grave betrayal of civil rights and a direct assault on vulnerable communities across America. Under President Trump’s leadership, the Department of Housing and Urban Development has gutted its Fair Housing Office, slashing staff and resources, abandoning investigations, and closing cases in progress. This retreat from enforcement has emboldened discriminatory landlords and housing authorities, who may now discriminate with impunity, knowing the federal government will not hold them accountable.

Freedom of speech? See how Fox News is turning a blind eye to Brian Kilmeade’s violent rhetoric, while going after Trump’s critics without justification. | Celebrating culture! From Sept. 15 to Oct.15, we celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. | Harlem, we’re home! See how our new Urban League Empowerment Center embodies the resilience, strength, and promise of economic and social justice. | The clock is ticking! Apply by September 29 to our Congressional Advocacy Program for a chance to learn policy, legislation & more. | Build your own legacy. As we count down to our anniversary, you can add the National Urban League to your estate plan to join our community of supporters. |The future of vaccines. Sign up for our free webinar on opportunities to promote vaccine equity, challenges to vaccine access & more. | Jobs in clean energy. We’ve created the Urban Energy Jobs Program to help underserved communities obtain careers in the energy industry. See more. | A second chance. See how the Urban League movement is empowering young adults and other returning citizens through impactful reentry programs. | Secure your seat. Register for our virtual #NULConf25 experience to tap into free resources from industry professionals on entrepreneurship + more. | Grab your merch. Our online marketplace is the perfect place to grab official Urban League merchandise. Check it out.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 19, 2025) — Ahead of a vote on a continuing resolution that would deprive Americans of vital services and programs, National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial urged Congress to choose instead legislation advanced by 

 House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro and Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Patty Murray that would avert a government shutdown and safeguard critical services for millions of Americans.

“The DeLauro/Murray proposal is a lifeline for communities across the country,” Morial said.  “It not only prevents a  government shutdown, but it also restores funding for essential health care programs and protects the integrity of our democratic institutions.”

September 4, 2025 (Harlem, NY) — Under the stewardship of its President and CEO, Marc H. Morial, the National Urban League opened the doors to the Urban League Empowerment Center (ULEC) and returned home to Harlem, the place the organization was founded over 110 years ago.

Located on the iconic 125th Street and standing 17 stories high, the $250 million center represents one of the most significant new developments in the neighborhood in decades.

"This center represents not just a building but a beacon," said Morial. "It embodies the resilience of Harlem, the strength of our movement, and the promise of economic and social justice for future generations. I am proud to see this dream realized in the very heart of our community." 

Our Urban Tech Jobs Program trains Black Americans for high-growth, entry-level jobs in IT. 

The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis (St. Louis, MO) is launching an urgent campaign to combat speeding in the city by distributing 3,500 yard signs and placing billboards in high-risk areas.

The campaign, which kicked off Thursday afternoon (September 11th) at the Crown Mart, near Jefferson and Martin Luther King, aims to remind drivers to slow down and drive responsibly.

“We have over 3,500-yard signs placed in the neighborhoods challenging people to be more responsible,” said James Clark, Vice President of the Division of Public Safety and Community Response at the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis.

In addition to yard signs, the Urban League is placing billboards along streets where speeding is a regular issue. These visual reminders are part of a broader public awareness campaign to reduce speeding incidents.

The Louisville Urban League (Louisville, KY) is taking new steps to combat childhood obesity. 

In June, the Urban League announced a new initiative, “A Healthier Path Forward." A grant enabled the organization to open its application process, looking for innovators who could help solve what CEO Lyndon Pryor called a multi-pronged issue. 

He said childhood obesity disproportionately affects children in the West End.

“There are a whole host of different things – finances, poverty – lots of things, even if you just wanted to take one issue," Pryor said. 

The application process will last five weeks long, and at the end of its search, six innovators will receive more than $200,000 to provide a solution to childhood obesity that suits Louisville’s needs.

The National Urban League was founded in 1910 to respond to the social and economic changes brought by the Great Migration of Black people from the rural South to northern cities. The Tacoma Urban League was founded in 1968, and in 1976, the chapter dedicated a new building, becoming the first affiliate in the nation to build and own its own facility. Now, nearly 50 years later, Desireé Wilkins Finch is stepping onto the shoulders of Thomas Dixon, the founder of Tacoma Urban League (Tacoma, WA), and the CEOs who came after him to build upon an energy of empowerment and possibility. The Tacoma Urban League has long been a beacon for the community, serving families and transforming lives. On Friday, September 19, the organization will celebrate the grand opening of its newly remodeled space, continuing a history of legacy and liberation through financial empowerment that has defined its work for decades.