Breaking News

Marc Morial

The Criminalization of Poverty: Cash Bail for Non-Violent Misdemeanors Perpetuates Unequal Treatment Under the Law
Marc MorialOpinion

The Criminalization of Poverty: Cash Bail for Non-Violent Misdemeanors Perpetuates Unequal Treatment Under the Law

Marc H. Morial, President and CEO, National Urban LeagueOctober 4, 2018

Praise the Lord, indeed. Since the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Black voting rates – particularly in presidential years – rose steadily. In 2008, the Black voting rate matched the White rate for the first time and in 2012 exceeded it. Not coincidentally, in 2013 the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act and the Black voter turnout in 2016 dipped to a low not seen since 2004.

The Criminalization of Poverty: Cash Bail for Non-Violent Misdemeanors Perpetuates Unequal Treatment Under the Law
Marc MorialOpinion

The Criminalization of Poverty: Cash Bail for Non-Violent Misdemeanors Perpetuates Unequal Treatment Under the Law

Marc H. Morial, President and CEO National Urban LeagueSeptember 28, 2018

Our nation’s racially-discriminatory cash bail system has left hundreds of non-violent misdemeanor suspects to die in jail while awaiting trial, simply because they are poor. A 2015 study identified more than 800 deaths in local jails and lockups; more than 75% of those in local jails have not been convicted, and 70% of those awaiting trial are detained for non-violent offenses. 

Breaking the Gubernatorial Glass Ceiling
Marc MorialOpinion

Breaking the Gubernatorial Glass Ceiling

Marc H. Morial, President and CEO National Urban LeagueSeptember 14, 2018

In the 240-year history of the United States, four African American men have presided as the chief executive of a state or commonwealth. Only two were elected in their own right – Deval Patrick of Massachusetts, in 2006, and Douglas Wilder of Virginia, in 1989. David Paterson of New York was elevated to the office upon the resignation of Eliot Spitzer in 2008

The Passing of Civil Rights Legend John Mack is a Deeply-Felt Loss to the Urban League Movement
Marc MorialOpinion

The Passing of Civil Rights Legend John Mack is a Deeply-Felt Loss to the Urban League Movement

Marc H. Morial, President and CEO National Urban LeagueJuly 19, 2018

While John’s service to the Urban League goes back more than half a century, his association with the leaders of the movement goes back even further. While he was studying for his Master of Social Work degree at Atlanta University (now Clark Atlanta), he became a protégé of Whitney M. Young, then Dean of the School of Social Work. Just a few short years later, Young would take the helm of the National Urban League and ask John to lead the affiliate in Flint, Michigan.

Black Entertainment Trailblazer: The Legacy of Debra Lee
EntertainmentMarc MorialOpinion

Black Entertainment Trailblazer: The Legacy of Debra Lee

Marc Morial, President and CEO National Urban LeagueJune 7, 2018

BET’s evolution also included the launch of its website, BET.com, and the launch of the network’s sister channel, BET Her, the first network designed to target African-American women. Lee acquired the television rights to the annual award show Black Girls Rock! and continued to elevate the prominence and prestige of the BET Awards. Lee recently launched Leading Women Defined, an annual gathering of thought leaders that convenes notable African-American woman, including former First Lady Michelle Obama, Venus Williams and Issa Rae, to discuss issues that have a direct impact on the Black community.

Black Panther is the Superhero – and Heroines – We Deserve
Marc MorialOp-EdOpinion

Black Panther is the Superhero – and Heroines – We Deserve

Marc H. Morial President and CEO National Urban LeagueFebruary 22, 2018

the blockbuster superhero film Black Panther, which opened this week, is such a significant milestone.
Few films have been more joyously anticipated, with advance ticket sales breaking records. The character, created for Marvel Comics by Stan Lee in 1966, already had generations of fans.

The Digital Revolution Will be Powered by Black Millennials
Marc MorialOpinion

The Digital Revolution Will be Powered by Black Millennials

Marc H. Morial, President and CEO National Urban LeagueNovember 2, 2017

The presence and influence of Black millennials on our shared digital frontier can neither be denied nor dismissed. From viral memes that catch celebrities at their best-and worst, to trending hashtags like #BlackLivesMatter and #OscarsSoWhite with the power to spark social awareness and compel offline action, Black millennials are digital pioneers.