Dear Friend,

Imagine trying to climb a ladder where crucial steps are missing or broken. That is the reality many Black Americans face today - with gaps in education, housing, healthcare, and employment creating nearly impossible barriers to economic mobility.

Here at National Urban League, we serve as economic first responders, building those missing steps one by one. Just ask Brent Shreve.

When Brent relocated to Dayton in 2022, he found himself working tireless hours just to make ends meet. Like many young Black Americans, he faced barriers to employment that kept those higher steps on the economic ladder out of reach.

Through National Urban League's SOAR program and Pardon Clinic for Ex-Offenders, Brent found the support, training, and opportunities he needed. Today, he has a career position at Eastway Behavioral Health.

Next week on Giving Tuesday, December 3rd, you can help build these crucial missing steps for more people like Brent. While the world around us may shift and change, one thing remains constant: our unwavering dedication to economic justice and empowerment for Black Americans.

For over 110 years, we've stood firm in our mission, and we will continue to stand firm – serving as economic first responders in communities across America, no matter what challenges arise.

The statistics are stark: Our State of Black America report shows Black Americans are missing about 24% of the economic pie. But together, we can change that reality.

Stand with us in this fight. I promise you this: we will fight until hell freezes over, and then we will fight on the ice. Because we won't stop until every child of color has a ladder where no steps are broken or missing.

Thank you for being an economic first responder for Black America.

Sincerely,
 
Marc H. Morial
President and Chief Executive Officer

P.S. There are several ways you can empower Black and Brown individuals both now and in the future. Consider signing up for stock options or making a donation through your DAFs (Donor Advised Fund) or QCDs (Qualified Charitable Distributions).