WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 25, 2023) - The National Urban League Washington Bureau is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2023-2024 Cohort of the NUL Congressional Advocacy Program! The Congressional Advocacy Program is a competitive program that gives leaders the opportunity to expand their knowledge of congressional and grassroots engagement and network with policymakers, thought leaders, and political influencers, while developing core leadership competencies to become effective catalysts for change in their communities and respective professions.

SEATTLE (Sept. 25, 2023) – With a new focus on equity, the Capitol Hill EcoDistrict is partnering with the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle (Seattle, WA).

The Ecodistrict represents Seattle’s neighborhoods as the city seeks to grow and expand. It was first created about a decade ago under the name Capitol Hill Housing, where the focus was affordable housing. Now, it seeks to address social and environmental concerns.

In a statement announcing the partnership, EcoDistrict executive director Donna Moodie said, “This next phase of partnership with the Urban League is an opportunity for the EcoDistrict to co-create a future for equitable community development at scale.”

CLEVELAND (Sept. 25, 2023) – The Urban League of Greater Cleveland's (Cleveland, OH) Entrepreneurship Center enrolled 14 Black, women-owned businesses to receive general and industry-specific coaching, mentoring, and training through the Black Women in Retail Accelerator Program in collaboration with the National Urban League and sponsored by Walmart through the Walmart.org Center for Racial Equity.

The program concludes with pitch opportunities in September and October for qualified businesses; participants will also be given direct assistance with certification, direct access to retail relationships, and leadership skills development training.

KNOXVILLE (Sept. 25, 2023) – There is a new multi-use stadium in Knoxville, and the Knoxville Area Urban League (Knoxville, TN) wants more minority owned businesses to be a part of it.

“We need more. We need more businesses in our area. We need more entrepreneurs in our area,” said Urban League CEO Charles Lomax.

To have more minority businesses be a part of the stadium project, the Urban League will be offering classes to new businesses.

Said Lomax, “We’re really looking to build up this trade space as well as entrepreneurs in our community to do this type of work.”

It’s a new era. See how U.S. Open champ Coco Gauff is helping to redefine long-standing narratives around race and sports. | CBCF week. What a powerful few days of empowerment in D.C., connecting around voting rights, wealth creation, and more. Catch the convo. | Are you vaxxed? Before the holiday season begins, take a moment to schedule your appointment to get the updated vaccine. Learn more. | Ending gun violence. Marc H. Morial joined President Biden and Vice President Harris as the White House announced its first-ever Office on Gun Violence Prevention. More on that. | Your vote is your voice. Tune in as we dive into the importance of registering to vote and and getting your voting plan ready. | Advance your future. Learn more about our apprenticeship programs to help you land a job in the energy industry.

NEW YORK (September 22, 2023) --National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial today commended President Biden and Vice President Harris for creating the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention and joined them in urging Congress to enact universal background checks, and ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

"The conscientious leadership of the Biden-Harris administration on the issue of gun violence prevention stands in stark contrast to the disgraceful apathy of too many members of Congress," Morial said. "We look forward to working productively and effectively with the new agency to implement President Biden's executive orders on gun violence and the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, and to find new strategies to stem the tide of gun violence."

FORT WAYNE (Sept. 18, 2023) – Banned books? What banned books?

In response to schools banning books that include themes of race and sexuality, the Fort Wayne Urban League (Fort Wayne, IN) has put over 500 banned books into the hands of readers.

According to President and CEO of the Urban League, Aisha R. Arrington, the Urban League was able to give 537 books to the community.

The Urban League announced this banned book distribution program back in June, where it gave its first 100 books during Juneteenth festivities.

LOUISVILLE (Sept. 18, 2023) – The Louisville Urban League (Louisville, KY) wants to get its hand in the dirt.

Through a federal project, Project Kilimo, the Urban League wants to help grow the city’s urban farming community.

The program will have farmers and educators as paid fellows that would support Black urban farmers in the western part of the city. These fellows would support the farmers by granting educational opportunities, resources, and land access.

ELYRIA (Sept. 18, 2023) – With a rise in teen violence, the Lorain County Urban League (Elyria, OH) is trying its best to keep young people from falling victim to its clutches.

The Urban League has partnered with the cities of Elyria and Lorain to create a new program called “S.O.S,” which stands for “Save Our Streets.”

The program has already received $600,000 in grants, including one from the Nord Family Foundation for $200,000.