Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League
  

“If there’s no criminal accountability of police for criminal behavior, then the fox is guarding the henhouse, and we’re the hens, and we’re living in a country that’s becoming a police state.” – Maya Wiley

Since 1994, Congress has appropriated more than $20 billion for the Community Oriented Policing Services grant program, commonly known as COPS.

Has this program made communities safer? We don’t know, because in its entire 30-year existence, it has operated without any oversight, transparency, or accountability measures.

Last month’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing was the first full committee meeting ever on oversight of the COPS Program.

Read more about our new headquarters, which will house New York City’s first museum devoted to the American civil rights movement.

Nearly 300 business and civic leaders will join the Chicago Urban League (Chicago, IL) for the 2024 Policy SUMMIT on Friday, May 17. This year’s breakfast event will focus on the “State of Black Chicago: Solutions” and take place at the Marriott Marquis Chicago from 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. Two panels will address wealth building as it relates to homeownership and careers. In addition to the thought-provoking panels, former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia Fudge will be honored with a Humanitarian Award. 

 In February, a Chicago mom and her daughter were visiting St. Louis when police say a speeding driver sideswiped another car and then hit the two, killing them. 

Weeks later, Cedric Dixson was sentenced to 10 years in prison for speeding down Grand and causing a car crash that killed four people last year.

"It will consist of a yard sign campaign. It will consist of billboards in our four challenged neighborhoods where speeding is an issue," said James Clark, the  Vice-President of Division of Public Safety for the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis.

Now, the Urban League and Regional Business Council are shifting "Slow Down St. Louis" into high gear.

The new public safety campaign's goal is to raise awareness about reckless driving, speeding and the alarming rise in traffic-related incidents and fatalities in St. Louis and St. Louis County.

Dear mama. This Mother’s Day is dedicated to all moms + mother figures whose love and guidance help sustain our communities. | State of Black Business report. Get the good news and bad news of where Black businesses stand when it comes to debt, funding, contracts, and more. | Leadership Summit. We just wrapped a fruitful week in Atlanta convening Urban League affiliate leaders for training and events, including presenting a lifetime achievement award to Ambassador Andrew Young & hearing from Donna Brazile. | Free COVID-19 vaccine. Before you start planning your next vacation, schedule your appointment to get the COVID-19 vaccine for free. Learn more. | We need your help! It takes less than 2 minutes to urge your member of Congress to fund the Affordable Connectivity Program. Take action now. | Price increasing soon. We’re taking over New Orleans for #NULConf24! Register before May 31st to lock in the current rate. | Elevate your work life. Tap into our FREE webinar on Wednesday, May 15th for tips and resources on mindfulness in the workplace. Sign up now. | Home to Harlem. Read more about our new headquarters, which will house New York City’s first museum devoted to the American civil rights movement. | Save the date. Join us on May 21 for our virtual town hall as we discuss priorities for 2024 + more. Register now.