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

NAN's Rev. Al Sharpton and Activists to meet with Jeff Sessions Tuesday, March 7, 2017

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson
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Hello All:

Just received this information two seconds ago and thought you should be aware that Rev. Al Sharpton and other civil rights leaders and activists will be meeting with Jeff Sessions, the ersatz Attorney General on Tuesday, March 7.

Rev. Al Sharpton - NATIONAL ACTION NETWORK

Given the track record of the T-rump appointee, I think we should all make it known that we are supporting the committee in their efforts to send a clear message that the rights of Black Americans will not be compromised or violated under the current regime - and that we are prepared to back them should it continue to be placed on the sacrificial alter of political pandering.

I would also like to recommend that the latest effort to legalize open carry of guns in the streets and cities of this nation be rescinded. 

We will of course be monitoring the meeting and the results, and forward any updates to you as soon as they are available.

REV. SHARPTON ALONG WITH OTHER CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS TO MEET WITH ATTORNEY GENERAL JEFF SESSIONS ON TUES MARCH 7 IN WASHINGTON, DC

Rev. Sharpton along with Civil Rights Organization Leaders to Meet To Discuss Key Issues Impacting Civil Rights 

Monday, March 6, 2017 (New York, NY)—Civil Rights leader and National Action Network (NAN) President and founder Rev. Al Sharpton will meet with Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 along with other leading civil rights group principals.

Attending the meeting along with Rev. Al Sharpton will be Marc Morial, CEO of the National Urban League, Wade Henderson, President and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Melanie L. Campbell, President and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and convener of the Black Women’s Roundtable Public Policy Network, Sherilynn Ifill, President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, and Kristen Clarke, President of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

Among the issues that will be discussed are the DOJ and the Voter ID law currently in the courts in Texas. Last week, the DOJ announced it will withdraw from the position that Texas lawmakers purposefully discriminated against voters of color by passing the nation’s strictest voter identification law in 2011. The laws were found to be discriminatory in the previous administration under President Barack Obama and Attorney General Loretta Lynch. 

Attorney General Sessions has supported the gutting of the Voting Rights Act., and Rev. Sharpton and NAN will state that voting rights should not be in any way compromised. They will also discuss criminal justice reform and specific issues that are before Congress, including the federal indictment of the policeman that killed Walter Scott by shooting him in the back, and the status of the investigation of the Eric Garner chokehold case. The National Action Network will make clear that the Justice Department must move forward in exploring both instances and take a firm stance on other issues of discrimination as well.

NOW THAT YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

STAND WITH NAN

STAY BLESSED & 

ECLECTICALLY BLACK

Gloria 

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EVENT ALERT: NACA AND NUL IN PHILLY AT CONVENTION CENTER JULY 25-29

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Well after a rousing keynote speech by Marc Marial President of the 103 year old venerable National Urban League (NUL), there can be no doubt in any one's mind that they are in Philly to take care of business.  The next three days will be jammed with activities and workshops that will leave the participants reeling.  But they appear to be up to it, as evidenced by the applause he received during his keynote speech - themed on the basis that Philadelphia has been the Black music capital for decades.  He used excerpts from famous songs to depict the thrust of the organization over the next year; and ended by saying that the murder of young Black males will not be tolerated; nor will the evisceration of the Voting Rights Act by the Supreme Court (I call them the subprime court) go unchallenged.

If you are in or around the East Coast - or if you're on the moon - it makes sense that you take this opportunity come and support this organization that has stood for jobs, quality of life, education, training and civil/human rights of Black people for over 100 years; and they've not slowed down since their inception.  For more information, log on to www.nul.com.

Simultaneously, and coincidentally, the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America, more popularly known as NACA is also at the Philadelphia Convention Center for a 5 day stint to help make renters into home owners; and help save those homeowners who were victims of predatory lenders from foreclosure; or overly high monthly mortgage payments.

Having just left New York City where they worked with thousands of New York families, NACA is doing an East Coast sweep to try and shore up those families that are still struggling to make ends meet, maintain their families, keep a roof over their heads; or own a quality home in a good neighborhood without it costing them half their souls.  Bruce Marks, who founded the organization 25 years ago is a hands on activist as well as the genesis behind the world's best mortgage package.  In addition to no down payment, no closing costs; not predicated on your credit scores, the mortgage is always 1% below the current prevailing mortgage rate.  It also offers buy-down opportunities, so you can practically reduce your interest rate to 0.   Because they deal with more than 80 banks, those facing foreclosure also have the advantage of getting same day solutions, often seeing mortgage reductions of between $500  to $1,000 or more per month!

It seems to me that there is some sort of synchronicity here - having both organizations in the same place - the Philadelphia Convention Center - at the same time.  There would, to me, appear to be opportunity for cross pollination - there are bound to be those among the Urban League who would like to own their own homes, but don't have the down payment or closing costs (yet) to do so.  Why wouldn't they take advantage of the proximity and spend some time in a FREE NACA workshop?  And concomitantly there are bound to be some NACA participants who would benefit from the job fair that the National Urban League is presenting at the Philadelphia Convention Center; why not bring resumes and avail yourselves of the opportunity.

Both organizations are national in scope, so regardless of where you're from, there is relevance and applicability in both arenas.

Let's hope the particpants and conveners both see the wisdom in this and make avenues for synchronicity to work for both of them.

The Philadelphia Convention Center is conveniently located in downtown Philadelphia on Arch Street between 11th and 12th Streets and can be reached either by subway or bus.

If you do attend both events, you will come out the winner.  Look forward to seeing you there.

Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson



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