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Trayvon Martin’s mother, Sybrina Fulton, is scheduled to speak Friday at the National Urban League conference in Philadelphia, the same venue at which U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder appeared Thursday. The conference takes place each year but is expected to be flooded with press this time as racial tensions remain high in the wake of the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Martin, a black teen. The century-old civil rights organization, which advocates on behalf of blacks against racial discrimination, has dubbed this year’s conference “Redeem the Dream: Jobs Rebuild America.” The Associated Press said about 6,000...

The president of the National Urban League plans to tell President Obama on Thursday that he’s worried a deficit deal could end up hurting “social programs.” The NUL chief, Marc Morial, and the NAACP’s president, Ben Jealous, are scheduled to sit down with Obama briefly in the afternoon. "I'm concerned that a false link between raising the debt ceiling and reducing the deficit could result in unnecessary deep budget cuts to social programs," Morial said in a statement. "Deficit reduction is a priority, but reckless budget-cutting in response to a manufactured crisis could sabotage the recovery. What the nation's 14...

In his first extended public apperance since getting out of prison, Plaxico Burress announced Monday in New York City that he has partnered with the National Urban League and the Brady Center to combat gun violence. “I want to see every child have a chance to succeed. I have an opportunity to make a difference,” Burress said via the New York Post. Quickly rehabbing his public image with a partnership like this is a page taken directly out of the Michael Vick playbook. So is the news Monday that Tony Dungy will serve as a mentor to Vick. Magic Johnson...

In Barack Obama's first year as president, African-Americans have struggled to bridge a wide equality gap with whites, in particular in the area of jobs, a report said Wednesday. In the annual "State of Black America" report, the National Urban League (NUL) said black unemployment numbers were nearly double those of whites as "the ravages of the recession" hit minorities much harder than whites. "These are tough times in America and they require a powerful and immediate response," said Marc Morial, president and CEO of the 100-year-old civil rights group. The "already struggling" African-American community risks falling "deeper into poverty...

With overall unemployment now at 9.8 percent and the African American unemployment rate tipping the scales at a whopping 15.4 percent, it would be a tempting but fatal mistake for corporate America to take its eye off the ball when it comes to increasing diversity within its leadership ranks. In fact, I suggest that business take a lesson from the way the NFL has used the "Rooney Rule" in recent years to improve its historically abysmal record of hiring African American head coaches. The Rooney rule, in place since 2003 and named for Pittsburgh Steelers owner and NFL diversity workforce...

The National Urban League has just issued its annual State of Black America report. It provides a troubling statistical snapshot of where blacks stand today in our country. Like Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League, I'm concerned. But after concern, we part company. We have very different ideas of what it is we should be concerned about. Morial, I am sure, sees his organization as part of the solution. From what I see, it is a well-funded symptom of the problem. Shouldn't it embarrass black Americans that one the nation's largest and most prestigious civil rights organizations offers...

On Wednesday, the National Urban League (NUL) released the State of Black America 2009 report that shows that while the entire country is hurting during tough economic times, African Americans are disproportionately hurting worse. The annual report is a barometer of conditions for African-Americans in the United States. It includes the NUL's Equality Index, a statistical measurement of the disparities between Blacks and Whites across five categories: economics, education, health, civic engagement and social justice. Small step back This year's report shows an overall slight decline in the status of Blacks as compared to Whites, moving from 71.5 percent in...

US Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) pauses while preparing to answer a question during the 2008 National Urban League annual conference in Orlando, Florida August 2, 2008. REUTERS/Scott Audette (UNITED STATES) US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN 2008 (USA)

Here is a report on Sen. John McCain's appearance before the National Urban League, a predominantly African-American crowd heavily in favor of Barack Obama. . .(see video)

I do want John McCain to win in November. Consider the alternative. I've personally been told to tread easy and not make the McCain Campaign mad, but there's certain things that need be said, and I'm proud of my tendency of saying things that need be said by those who don't want to make waves. John McCain's overtures to black groups like the NAACP, and now the Urban League may make for well-needed press, but at the same time, why do Republicans continue to ignore the one group of black folk they KNOW will vote for them: black Republicans?

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Facing a tough crowd, Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain opened with an attack on his opponent Friday before a polite but unenthusiastic audience at the National Urban League's convention. "(Sen. Barack Obama's) ideas are not always as impressive as his rhetoric," said McCain in the opening sentences of his 11 a.m. speech. The presumed Republican presidential candidate spoke to a crowd of about 1,500 in the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort and Convention Center. McCain also slammed Obama's failure to support school vouchers and school choice for parents, Local 6 News partner Florida Today reported. "Where...

ST. LOUIS -- More than any other debate thus far, the National Urban League's presidential forum illustrated how sharply the Democratic primary is dividing the African-American community's political allegiances. Although the National Urban League doesn't endorse political candidates, the presidential forum gave the front-runners -- Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and his closest rival, Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) -- their best chance yet to compete head-up for the urban black vote. There were a lot of signs that many of the Urban Leaguers -- who tend to be solidly middle-class entrepreneurs and professionals -- haven't made up their minds about whom...

The Talk Shows Sunday, July 29th, 2007 Guests to be interviewed today on major television talk shows: FOX NEWS SUNDAY (Fox Network): Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis.; former House Speaker Newt Gingrich; former Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr.MEET THE PRESS (NBC): Dan Balz and Eugene Robinson of The Washington Post; Andrea Mitchell and Chuck Todd of NBC News; Ron Brownstein of the Los Angeles Times and John Harwood of CNBC. FACE THE NATION (CBS): Sens. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and Arlen Specter, R-Pa. THIS WEEK (ABC): Sens. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.; Bob Dole and Donna Shalala, co-chairs of...

ST. LOUIS - The leading Democratic presidential contenders on Friday endorsed a National Urban League agenda that calls for mandatory early childhood education and universal health care for children. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards each promised support for the Urban League's plan, which favors extending childhood education programs to children as young as age 3 and guaranteeing access for all to attend college. Sens. Clinton and Obama have engaged in a weeklong feud precipitated by Monday's debate exchange over whether a president should meet with leaders of rogue nations without preconditions. The two did not share the...

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Civil rights leader Al Sharpton said Thursday black voters should punish Republicans who fail to show for presidential candidates' forums hosted by the National Urban League and the NAACP. ``We can only assume you weren't courting us,'' Sharpton said. ``Republicans have to lay out their policies and court the African-American vote. We need to have our interests debated in the market place.'' Sharpton noted there won't be another NAACP or Urban League conference before the presidential primaries. ``When I was in high school, I may not have gone to the prom with the girl I wanted,...

The President spent the weekend in Washington attending Church on Sunday with the First Lady. Today the President delivered remarks on 'The Global War On Terror' at the John Hopkins University's Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies in Washington. The First lady participated in Urban League events and a lunch with Gulf Coast Educators in New Orleans. Tomorrow Vice President Dick Cheney will throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Washington Nationals at RFK Stadium at tomorrow afternoon's game against the New York Mets. Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island

Former Democratic presidential candidate Al Sharpton blasted blacks Thursday for what he described as their blind support of the Democratic Party without demanding anything in return. Sharpton, during his remarks at the National Urban League's annual conference in Washington, noted that his fellow Democrats, including former President Bill Clinton, have taken African-American voters for granted and failed to act in the best interests of the black community. "The whole network of incarceration (of African-American men) happened under this president and the last president. So it wasn't just George Bush. Bill Clinton -- I wish Hillary had hung around -- Bill...

Sharpton, during his remarks at the National Urban League's annual conference in Washington, noted that his fellow Democrats, including former President Bill Clinton, have taken African-American voters for granted and failed to act in the best interests of the black community.

Washington, DC - Democratic Leader Harry Reid made the following statement today announcing the launch of his new website - A Word to the Faithful: ”As Democratic Leader, I’ve made outreach to the faith community a top priority and have had the great privilege of meeting with leaders of many faiths. I’ve talked with Protestant ministers about the immorality of a budget that cuts programs for the neediest among us while rewarding those with the most. I’ve discussed immigration and poverty with Catholic Bishops, and I’ve met with Jewish leaders to discuss ways we can help hardworking families across this...

IT'S THE apology, stupid. NAACP board Chairman Julian Bond took to the podium Sunday to address the organization's 96th convention in Milwaukee. Once again, Bond pretended to bemoan President George W. Bush's decision not to address the convention. ... Bond proceeded to bash Bush, saying "the president likes to talk the talk, but he doesn't walk the walk" on civil rights. That's because Bond's definition of "civil rights" flies in the face of the very language of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The law calls for things to be done without regard to race, color or creed. So do...