Marc H. Morial
Stories this photo appears in:
The Digital Revolution will be powered by Black Millennials
The presence and influence of Black millennials on our shared digital frontier can neither be denied nor dismissed.
History of Thanksgiving in the U.S. is a quest for unity
While Thanksgiving is clearly a celebration of gratitude for a bountiful harvest, its origin and history in the United States tell an unexpected tale of unity that is particularly relevant in in these divisive times.
Randall Woodfin: A son of Birmingham becomes its mayor
The first line of Randall Woodfin’s official autobiography on his mayoral campaign website is: “I am a proud son of Birmingham.”
A Message To The Next President: Invest In America
As the major-party conventions conclude and the general election season begins in earnest, the National Urban League has a message for the next President, whoever he or she might be: invest in America.
Dallas tragedy debunks gun reform myths
One of the more unsettling revelations about the tragedy in Dallas is that the mentally unbalanced gunman was rejected, after a background check, for membership in an extremist group but was legally able to purchase a high-capacity assault rifle.
Class of 2016: Beating the Odds
Congratulations, graduates. Whether you’ve walked across a stage to receive your high school diploma and begin your journey into a new world of independence, or you finally have your college diploma and are ready to step out into a world outside of lecture halls and dorms, you deserve much congratulations on your achievement.
Celebrating six years of the Affordable Care Act
On March 23, 2010, President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Health Care Act into law in the East Room of the White House. Six years later, 20 million people who could not afford health insurance or were deprived of life-saving coverage because of a pre-existing condition, now have health insurance coverage.
Rigged: Racial Bias in Jury Selection
Despite the efforts of our federal government and the Supreme Court to address and eliminate racial discrimination in the jury selection process, the practice continues to run rampant, and unchecked, throughout our criminal justice system.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Raising Awareness and Saving Lives
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States. It strikes blindly, touching women of all racial and ethnic groups. But while race is not a risk factor for breast cancer, Black and Hispanic women—who are less likely to get breast cancer than white women—are dying from the devastating disease at higher rates.
Remembering Julian Bond, a giant among giants
Julian Bond was never one to shrink away from a worthy fight. He lived his life as a tireless champion of the oppressed and maligned, a battle-worn warrior for civil rights, equality and social justice. Bond fought the good fight, and at the still-youthful age of 75, he completed his course.
One Nation, One Flag
During a South Carolina gubernatorial debate last year, when the topic of the Confederate battle flag on the State Capitol grounds came up, Gov. Haley insisted there was no need to remove the flag.
Making certain every child achieves
In a matter of weeks, our nation’s senators will decide whether to improve access to this country’s promise of opportunity for every child through quality education, or deny our most vulnerable children – many from historically disadvantaged groups – equity, excellence and accountability in our public school system, and along with that, a proven path to future opportunity and success in this country.
Summer Jobs Pay Future Dividends
I can still remember my very first job – and the valuable lessons I learned from it that continue to inform my career to this day.
B.B. King: Why I Sing the Blues
As a young boy in 1920s Mississippi, Riley B. King – who would one day come to be known as legendary blues icon B.B. King – was introduced to the electric guitar at Rev. Archie Fair’s church.
A Message for the Class of 2015
If you are disposed to using the Internet as your guide, a diploma will generally be described as the proof of your successful completion of a course of study, or the bestowal of an academic degree.
Baltimore Rising: Women Leading Fight for Justice
Wherever there has been struggle, black women have been identified with that struggle.
The State of On-Screen Diversity
From our television sets in our living rooms to our local movie theaters, diversity appears to be the new Black.
Inequity in Education Funding Shortchanges America’s Future
That all citizens will be given an equal start through a sound education is one of the most basic, promised rights of our democracy.
It’s Time for Hollywood to Act Like Diversity Matters
Hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the 87th annual Academy Awards ceremony, better known as the Oscars, will either best be remembered for the uproar incited by this year’s homogenous nominations, or as a seminal moment for change in the Academy’s long, non-inclusive history.
‘Selma’ Wins Greatest Award – Our Hearts
Who among us could have predicted that a cinematic retelling of the heroic efforts of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other civil rights leaders in 1965 to organize and lead marches from Selma to Montgomery, Ala.
Black Parents Support Common Core State Standards
The National Urban League released a new survey that shows overwhelming support from one of the most important, but rarely heard voices in the roiling and often distorted debate over Common Core State Standards – African American parents.
Silicon Valley Must Embrace Diversity
While the number of African American, Latino and women consumers of Internet and broadband products and services is rising, their numbers at the major Silicon Valley companies continue to lag way behind.
Jobs Bill Tackles Urban and Youth Unemployment
Just when it seemed Congress was no longer capable of working together on any level to serve the best interests of the American people, on July 9 members of both parties in the House of Representatives joined forces to pass a new bipartisan jobs bill, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
Vice President Joe Biden to Deliver NUL Address
We are in the final countdown to the kick-off of the 2014 National Urban League conference, “One Nation Underemployed: Bridges to Jobs and Justice.”
Ruby Dee Exits the Stage but Remains in Our Hearts
Everything about Ruby Dee was an expression of a lifelong dedication to human rights, racial equality and social justice.
Mayor Baraka – A New Direction for Newark
Add Newark to the list of big cities now being headed by a new wave of progressive mayors. On the heels of New York Mayor Bill de Blasio’s successful “economic inequality” campaign last year, another urban crusader, Ras Baraka, was elected mayor of Newark on May 13.
“Bring Back Our Girls:’ Why We Should Care
A real war on women, marked by murder, rape and slavery is raging in too many parts of the world. In fact and unfortunately, human trafficking is now thought to be among the fastest-growing illegal enterprises globally.
Sotomayor: A Voice of Reason among Reckless Rhetoric
Two weeks ago, in a disturbingly lopsided 6-2 vote, the United States Supreme Court once again became a willing accomplice in the recent onslaught of attacks on 50 years of civil rights progress.
What the Dunn Verdict Says About Us
Another mother’s anguish. Another unarmed Black teenager in Florida shot dead for no good reason. Another indefensible instance of Stand Your Ground rearing its ugly head.
Black History Month: Needed Now More Than Ever
Ever since the 2009 election of Barack Obama as America’s first Black president and the 100th anniversary of the National Urban League in 2010, the perennial debate about the need for Black History Month has intensified.
Remembering the Life and Legacy of Amiri Baraka
On January 9, with the passing of the prolific poet, playwright, essayist, and critic Amiri Baraka, one of the literary giants of the 20th century was called home.
Top 10 News Events of 2013
As the sun sets over a tumultuous 2013 and rises over the promise of a brighter new year, we have put together a list of the top 10 events that have particularly affected African Americans and communities of color over the past 12 months.
Pope Francis Joins Calls to End Economic Inequality
Throughout history, the eradication of poverty has been a professed goal of most progressive-minded political and religious leaders.
12 Years a Slave: A Harsh Truth We Dare Not Forget
A recently re-discovered autobiography, “Twelve Years a Slave,” by Solomon Northup describes a particularly heinous aspect of the slave-trade – the 1841 kidnapping and selling into captivity of Northup, a free black man who had been living with his wife and children in relative comfort in New York.
