NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE to Release their Annual State of Black America 2017 on Tuesday May 2, 2017

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson
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Hello All:

Each year The National Urban League (NUL) releases its State of Black America Report.  And this year it's vitally important that we pay the utmost attention to the information that has been garnered for us - because, as we all well know we are in a state of emergency!  We should/must be in a mode of not only Protecting our Progress (which is the theme for this year's report), but we have to also be in a mode of building our communities.  

It is just as essential that we learn to do both effectively - using our own power, strength, intelligence, ingenuity, creativity, unity and tenacity.  We have to be working on all fronts.  We also have to realize that we are long overdue in terms of having made that quantum leap into autonomy and self empowerment.  Other groups have been using all that we have pioneered, and applied it to their own circumstances, while we continue to flounder around trying to figure out what's the next step, and "reposition" ourselves so that we are in the right place at the right time as individuals, not realizing that that is exactly how we get picked off and undermined.  We've spoken of unity in the community for quite some time, but what we've not done is make it a reality.  And now, if we don't get serious about this - quick, fast and in a hurry - we will have no community to unite at all. 

Having just returned from Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network, I am encouraged that this will not be the case - at least for those of us who are enlightened and have come together from our disparate backgrounds, to take the challenges on united, informed and resolved.   

So, don't just read this as a report, shake your head and throw your hands up in despair.  There are action items of which you should  not only be aware, but should make sure you do your part.  And, of course, if you have other solutions to offer, speak up!  No one has all the answers. We have to build this together.  Because that's how we have to move - TOGETHER.

Stay Blessed & 

ECLECTICALLY BLACK 

Gloria 

May 1, 2017 View e-mail online. THIS ISSUE • ReMARCs  • To Be Equal  • Protect Our Progress  • In The News  • Events  • Partner Spotlight  •  Jobs  •  Affiliates  • Washington Bureau Opening ReMARCs - State of Black America Coming Tomorrow!  The National Urban League’s highly-anticipated annual publication, the State of Black America, will be released tomorrow, May 2, at 11 a.m. Eastern Time, via a live webcast from the National Urban League’s Washington, D.C. bureau. This year’s edition, “Protect Our Progress,” focuses on current threats to the economic, social, and economic gains of the last few years. Log onto StateOfBlackAmerica.org to watch the live release of the report, and follow the conversation on social media with the hashtag #ProtectOurProgress.   To Be Equal “Bill O’Reilly has helped set the bar for the normalization and dissemination of right-wing hatred, offering incendiary commentary about sexual harassment and assault, gender, race and ethnicity, low-income people, the LGBTQ community, Muslims and refugees, immigrants, and reproductive rights.” – Media Matters for America Forced Out at Fox: The King of Cable News Gets Canceled  Bill O’Reilly’s public downfall was a long time in the making — set in motion by a string of sexual harassment claims and the hemorrhaging of high-profile advertisers from “The O’Reilly Factor,” a Fox News channel mainstay and money maker. PROTECT OUR PROGRESS Tell Congress to Vote No on Budget Cuts!  Please ask your member of Congress to support the work of the National Urban League and vote against the proposed budget cuts that would destroy successful, life-changing programs. Here’s a sample letter! IN THE NEWS NUL and AHA Announce Alliance to Advance Health Equity and Diversity  The organizations will collaborate on efforts to connect hospital and health system CEOs with local Urban League leaders interested in opportunities to serve on governing boards at hospitals and health systems, develop resources for the field and share best practices on community health worker programs, and promote shared policy solutions to persistent challenges that affect the health of vulnerable communities. UPCOMING EVENTS 2017 National Urban League Conference is a Top 10 Gathering for Black Entrepreneurs!  The National Urban League Conference is on Blavity's list of top 10 conferences every Black entrepreneur should attend in 2017! Don’t miss out – save money on registration and hotel when you book your spot early. It’s time to start planning for four power packed days of networking, professional development, and entertainment.  PARTNER SPOTLIGHT NUL Co-Hosts People & Places 2017 Featuring Angela Rye   Just named one of the "Woke 100 Women" by ESSENCE, Angela Rye will keynote People & Places 2017. This national community development event showcases what's working to strengthen places and advance racial equity around the country. Check out the lineup and register to attend, May 31-June 2 in the Washington, D.C. area!    Digital Career Success Entrepreneurship Series  Join the National Urban League Jobs Network for the Digital Career Success Entrepreneurship Series. Join us May 10th to talk about how to Find Success In Failure. Learn how to build on each mistake and every rejection and climb closer to your dreams! You can get a thousand No's but you just need one YES!   Fort Wayne Urban League's Accessories Fair Helps Women in Local Shelters  You can have a nice dress. But you feel and look so much better when you have the accessories to make the outfit really pop, Kathryn Mbwelera said. That's why she and volunteers at the Fort Wayne Urban League will host an invitation-only Accessories Fair for women at local homeless and recovery shelters.   Advancing Affordable Housing Policy in a New Administration and Congress  This week, as the National Urban League Washington Bureau gears up for our 2017 State of Black America Empowerment Summit featuring the 14th annual Legislative Policy Conference, we convened a panel to discuss the ways that we can advance affordable housing policy in this new Administration and Congress. 120 Wall Street New York, NY 10005 ph: (212) 558-5300 fax: (212) 344-5332 nul.org iamempowered.com Click here to unsubscribe from future emails.

NOW THAT YOU KNOW

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

STAY BLESSED & 

ECLECTICALLY BLACK 

Gloria Dulan-Wilson