Indianapolis Urban League

SNAP CUTS – 100 MILLION HOOSIER MEALS AND $350 MILLION COST SHIFT TO STATE

Author: K Teague

SNAP CUTS – 100 MILLION HOOSIER MEALS AND $350 MILLION COST SHIFT TO STATE

Posted on by K Teague

SNAP CUTS – 100 MILLION HOOSIER MEALS

AND $350 MILLION COST SHIFT TO STATE

by Matt Christy
Posted:
May 19, 2025 / 04:07 PM EDT Updated:

May 20, 2025 / 10:18 AM EDT FOX 59INDIANAPOLIS — The president and CEO of Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana warned on Monday that President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” would create “a needless, self-inflicted humanitarian and economic disaster for Indiana and the country.”

The GOP-backed spending bill in question, currently heading to the House for a full vote on Thursday, contains a $300 billion cut to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) over the next decade. More than 600,000 Hoosiers rely on the SNAP program to feed themselves and their family.

Gleaners CEO Fred Glass warned this massive cut in federal funding would harm “not only those of us facing hunger, but all Americans.”
Rachel West of the Century Foundation said this nearly 30% cut to the program could cost the average Hoosier on SNAP to lose between $110-$120 in monthly benefits, assuming they aren’t kicked off the program altogether.

“It’s nearly a full week of benefits,” West said. “Indiana families are in a worse position than many American families if these benefit cuts go into effect.”

But the impact of these cuts would affect all Hoosiers, not just those who rely on SNAP to put food on the table. Without federal backing, the cost of SNAP benefits would be shifted onto the states. This means Indiana would be on the hook to provide $356 million in benefits.

“Assuming the state is unable to take this action, Hoosiers in need will lose access to 133 million meals,” Gleaners warned in their statement. “For context, last year Indiana’s 11 food banks, all together, provided 108 million meals to Hoosiers facing hunger. Indiana’s food banks will simply not be able to replace 133 million meals.”

Of the 610,000 Hoosiers who rely on SNAP, roughly 264,000 are children while 82,000 are seniors.

“For many Hoosiers and other Americans, most of whom have jobs to try to make ends meet, SNAP is a key part of them keeping their heads above water,” Glass said. “These proposed cuts would not only plunge them deeper into poverty, but create related economic and societal costs for all Americans.”

While many Republicans continue to defend cuts to federal programs as “eliminating waste,” the Gleaners Food Bank argued otherwise by stating SNAP is “widely recognized as being highly effective and efficient in not only addressing hunger but also generating economic activity.”

The Commonwealth Fund evaluated that the $300 billion cut to SNAP funding would have rippling consequences on state economies and lead to a loss of 143,000 jobs and $1.8 billion in lost state and government revenue across the country in just the first year of the decade-long SNAP cuts.

Deep cuts to SNAP are only part of Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill,” also included is $800 billion in reduced Medicaid spending, $46.5 billion to revive construction of Trump’s border wall and $150 million in new money for the Defense Department.

Hannah Adamson and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

Leading Civil Rights Groups Unite to Defend Black History Books, Art, and Culture

Posted on by K Teague
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LEADING CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS UNITE TO DEFEND BLACK HISTORY, BOOKS, ART AND CULTURE

As the Trump administration expands its efforts to erase Black history and sites of memory, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Civil Rights groups affirm the value of Black Americans and our history to America

WASHINGTON, DC — A coalition of leading civil rights groups has signed an affirmation in defense of Black history, texts and art, as the Trump administration continues to attack the critical civic infrastructure that allows the public to understand that Black history is American history and that empowers all in the fight to protect democracy.

In response to a slew of executive orders targeting the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Department of Education and diversity initiatives across the government, the coalition is sounding the alarm that the attempted mass erasure of Black history and culture is a key pre-condition for our ongoing anti-democratic slide. By affirming the core value of Black history and culture to American life, the group is outlining a path forward in defending valuable artifacts, books and sites of memory across the country and inviting allies to join the fight.

The African American Policy Forum, the National Urban League, National Council of Negro Women, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, the National Action Network, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the Legal Defense Fund, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights all have united to affirm: “Racial inequality remains real; if we are not able to understand it, tell its history, and honor those who have risked everything to solve it, then we lose our capacity to carry the legacy, brilliance and resilience of these freedom fighters in our lives and to future generations. Democracy is a constant struggle, and the erasure of our history prevents us from fighting to preserve it.”

The full statement can be found below.

The affirmation kicks off the #HandsOffOurHistory / Freedom To Learn National Week of Action, which will culminate Saturday, May 3 in Washington, D.C. with a demonstration in defense of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, a crown jewel of the Smithsonian system and an testament to the power of accurate, accessible Black history being recognized as integral to American History.

The coalition also is urging people across the country to join in the demonstration from their communities by visiting their local museums and libraries, seeking out exhibitions and collections that uplift Black Americans and sharing photos online with the hashtag #HandsOffOurHistory.

More details on the activations — online, in-person and nationwide — can be found at https://link.edgepilot.com/s/672dd55e/zwneLPP4eketYU4X2In5iQ?u=http://www.freedomtolearn.net/.The full affirmation is as follows: “We affirm that Black history is American history, without which we cannot understand our country’s fight for freedom or secure a more democratic future. We must protect our history not just in books, schools, libraries, and universities, but also in museums, memorials, and remembrances that are sites of our national memory. The effort to erase Black voices, ideas, art and history is the effort to erase Black lives. Without Black history, we abandon our capacity to accurately assess the state of the republic or imagine a stronger one. Without Black history, we lose the important stories of resistance undertaken to defend our democracy and the tools we need to resist today. Without Black history, we forget how the civil rights movement created opportunities for other marginalized communities to secure equality, and we limit our capacity to organize for justice now. Racial inequality remains real; if we are not able to understand it, tell its history, and honor those who have risked everything to solve it, then we lose our capacity to carry the legacy, brilliance and resilience of these freedom fighters in our lives and to future generations. Democracy is a constant struggle, and the erasure of our history prevents us from fighting to preserve it.”

National Urban League: George Floyd Five Years Later

Posted on by K Teague
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NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE

GEORGE FLOYD FIVE YEARS LATER

Was is at Moment or a Movement?

America stood still when the world witnessed George Floyd’s final breath—and then it moved. Millions marched. Institutions pledged change. A new generation rose up.

But five years later, what began as a reckoning has turned into a battle for the very soul of our democracy.

Marc H. Morial
President and CEO
National Urban League

“All Americans are entitled to live with the confidence that the law enforcement officers and agencies in their communities will live up to our Nation’s founding ideals and will protect the rights of all persons. Particularly in African-American communities, we must redouble our efforts as a Nation to swiftly address instances of misconduct.” — Presidential Executive Order on Safe Policing for Safe Communities, June 16, 2020

None of us can forget the moment we saw the murder of George Floyd unfolding before our very eyes.

The sight of a white officer’s knee squeezing the life from a helpless Black man in handcuff as he begged for mercy shocked the nation – a nation that had already seen police kill at least 17 other unarmed Black people just five months into the year.

I know what I felt at the time, and I’m sure you know how you felt. But let me share the immediate reaction of someone else:

“It should never happen, should never be allowed to happen, a thing like that. I understand the hurt. I understand the pain. The family of George is entitled to justice, and the people of Minnesota are entitled to live in safety … Americans will honor the memory of George and the Floyd family … It’s a horrible, horrible situation.

Those were the words of President Donald Trump.

In the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, President Trump issued an executive order to reform policing. It included a directive to create a publicly searchable database of substantiated misconduct and excessive force claims against federal police officers. It tightened use-of-force rules, banned chokeholds, and encouraged law enforcement to better address the needs of vulnerable populations.

Five years later, with Trump once again in the Oval Office, that commitment to accountability not only has dried up, but reversed itself with a vengeance. Last month he issued an executive order to “unleash” violent police, and his supporters are urging him to pardon George Floyd’s murderer.

At this critical moment, the nation must ask itself the essential question: Did we seize the moment to build a lasting movement, or did we squander the chance for transformative change?

The National League’s new report, George Floyd Five Years Later: Was It A Moment, Or A Movement? examines the ways in which government, institutions, advocates, and the business community mobilized in the five years since George Floyd’s death to advance policing reform and racial justice.

It also traces the rise of political and cultural backlash that has challenged, and in some cases reversed, that progress.

During the first year after the murder, corporations pledged more than $66 billion to racial justice. These commitments included increased funding for minority-owned businesses, supplier diversity programs, and DEI initiatives. S&P 100 companies grew their U.S. workforce by more than 323,000 in 2021 – and 94% of their new hires were people of color.

But in the backlash that followed, DEI job postings declined 44% from 2022 to 2023. Major companies like Google and Meta cut DEI programs supporting Black talent.

Anti-DEI rhetoric gained traction, and anti-equality activists like Edward Blum mounted successful challenges to racial equity programs.

Federal policies followed a similar trajectory. President Joe Biden issued an executive order immediately upon taking office, directing all agencies to create racial equity plans. The administration partnered with the National Urban League and other civil rights groups to not only to develop specific policies to address racial inequities, but to ensure fairness in initiatives like American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS and Science Act.

Under Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen Clark, the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice convicted more than180 police officers for civil rights violations and investigated 12 police departments and launched prison abuse investigations. President Biden issued an executive order to track police misconduct, ban chokeholds, and strengthen de-escalation training.

The second Trump Administration eliminated all DEI initiatives across the federal government on Day One. It rescinded Biden-era executive orders, including those advancing voter registration and equitable Census outreach. It froze all open DOJ civil rights investigations.

It is of the utmost urgency that we rise to defend not only the progress made in the years immediately after George Floyd’s murder, but of the last 60 years.

The National Urban League met the moment in 2020 by establishing a new division, Equitable Justice and Strategic Initiatives, to advocate for a fair justice system and equal access to participation in democracy and civic processes.

We developed “21 Pillars for Redefining Public Safety and Restoring Community Trust” as a national framework for police reform.

We developed a new phase of civil rights and social justice advocacy and activism, “D3,” based on three guiding principles — Defend Democracy, Demand Diversity, and Defeat Poverty.

Immediately after Inauguration Day this year, the National Urban League convened the Demand Diversity Roundtable, an emergency strategy session to confront immediate threats posed by the new administration’s anticipated attacks on civil and human rights.

Represented by the Legal Defense Fund and Lambda Legal, we and our co-plaintiffs National Fair Housing Alliance and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago filed a lawsuit challenging the administration’s unconstitutional anti-equity executive orders.

We launched the Fair Budget Coalition to advocate for an inclusive federal budget.

History will judge us – not by how we responded in the days after George Floyd’s death, but by what we are building five, ten, and twenty years later. The fight for justice, safety, and dignity is far from over—and the stakes for our democracy could not be higher.

The National Urban League Mourns the Passing of Alexis Herman

Posted on by K Teague
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NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE MOURNS THE PASSING OF BOARD VICE CHAIR ALEXIS HERMAN

NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE MOURNS THE PASSING OF BOARD VICE CHAIR ALEXIS HERMAN

NEW YORK (April 25, 2025) — National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial issued the following
statement regarding the death of Alexis Herman, Senior Vice Chair of the National Urban League’s Board of Trustees
and former U.S. Secretary of Labor:

“The entire Urban League family is grieving the loss of a gifted public servant, esteemed colleague, and cherished friend.
“A lifelong champion for working Americans and underserved communities, she blazed a trail for women of color as
the youngest director of the Labor Department’s Women’s Bureau in history and the first Black Labor Secretary.  She led the
effort to institute a global child labor standard; moved people from welfare to work with dignity; and launched the most
aggressive unemployed youth initiative since the 1970’s. She presided over a period of record-low unemployment and
successfully advocated for a pivotal hike in the federal minimum wage.

“Her expertise and leadership have been invaluable in steer the National Urban League toward record growth,
professionalism, and impact.  She was instrumental in driving the development of the National Urban League
Empowerment Center, our soon-to-be new headquarters and the most significant economic development project
in recent Harlem history.

“Her commitment to empowering underserved individuals and marginalized communities was fierce, genuine,
and unwavering. From a young age, she challenged the injustices of  racial segregation and never strayed from
her deeply-held principles and high standards of integrity.

“We are devastated by the loss of an irreplaceable champion, stalwart leader, and compassionate friend. Our heartfelt
condolences are with her family, friends, and all those who have been touched by her kindness. “

National Urban League Denounces Congressional Effort to Dismantle Democracy with the SAVE ACT

Posted on by K Teague

NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE DENOUNCES CONGRESSIONAL EFFORT

TO DISMANTLE DEMOCRACY WITH THE SAVE ACT

Washington, D.C. (April 1, 2025) –The National Urban League today denounced the proposed Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act), an extremist effort to dismantle democracy and disenfranchise millions of American citizens.

“Not satisfied with giving up Congress’s power to be a check on the President, House Republicans are now attempting to undermine the foundation of our democracy, our fundamental right to vote,” National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial said. “Under the guise of combatting so called voter fraud—a problem that does not exist —the SAVE Act will make it harder for millions of American citizens to vote.”

The SAVE Act requires all voters to show documentary proof of citizenship, like a birth certificate or passport, any time they register to vote or make changes to their voter registration. More than 21 million eligible voters do not have these documents readily available, including two-thirds of Black Americans who do not have a valid passport and 69 million women and 4 million men who do not have birth certificates that match their name.

“This administration has already been permitted to usurp Congressional power to declare that the U.S. is in a war with Venezuela in order to disappear people off the street without due process, use tariffs to threaten our close allies like Canada and Mexico, and shutter agencies like the Department of Education that have congressional authorization,” Morial said. “The National Urban League will not be quiet as Congressional Republicans allow this illegal power grab to strip away the right to vote. We urge all Members of Congress to vote against this transparent effort to silence the voices of the people.”

The National Urban League is mobilizing its volunteers, allies, and partners across the country to contact their Congressional representatives and implore  them to defend democracy and protect voting rights.

African American Coalition (AACI) of Indianapolis Statement on Education Funding

Posted on by K Teague

THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COALITION OF INDIANAPOLIS

STATMENT ON EDUCATION FUNDING

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release
Monday, March 24, 2025

 African American Coalition of Indianapolis Statement on Education 

Indianapolis, IN – March 24, 2025 – Taking funds from one group of children to give to another group of
children is not improving funding for education of children—it’s a failure to provide the resources that
all children need.

Unfortunately, our public policy debate has missed this fundamental truth pitting education reform
objectives against IPS and the community instead of advocating for better funding of education for all
students.

In both SB 1 and SB 518 the Indiana General Assembly is considering legislative proposals that would
substantially impact K-12 education in Indiana.

While SB 1 seeks property tax relief we note that public schools will be negatively impacted as they rely
on these dollars.

SB 518 as it left the Senate, is a proposal supported by education reform organizations that also diverts
property tax dollars from IPS traditional schools and redistributes it to charter schools.
The SB 518 proposal and its endorsement by education reform organizations is striking in both its
radical impact on IPS and the lack of community engagement that occurred with entities that purport to
be partners with IPS.

IPS has estimated that approximately 20-25 schools would close due to the impact of SB 518.

The community engaged in a series of public meetings and conversations around Rebuilding Stronger, a
plan that was presented to the community for review and input.

Once engaged the community strongly supported the IPS Rebuilding Stronger referendum with 59% of
voters approving a plan for moving the district forward.

Education reform organizations did not engage in a similar level of community outreach and are seeking
to advance proposals that are ultimately harmful to traditional public and innovation charter schools.

They are doing this to the community instead of with the community.

Tactics by any group to intimidate IPS into acquiescing to demands that would destroy it are
unreasonable and can’t be tolerated. The community stood with IPS when it supported the IPS
Rebuilding Stronger referendum and further supports its efforts to change.

We note that part of the reason charter schools were added to the education landscape was that
proponents agreed to receive less money than traditional public schools.

Charter schools were supposed to provide better educational outcomes for less dollars forgoing both
building and transportation funding. We note that the wide variation in performance of charter schools is
similar to that of traditional public schools.

And while there have been misleading attempts to suggest one system is better than the other, the reality
is that the educational landscape has not been improved by the experiment with charter school
saturation.

Indianapolis is known for innovation not superior education outcomes.

There has been a concerted effort to confuse and mislead the community by focusing on growth and
other metrics.

Parents should expect that if they send their child to a traditional public school, charter school or private
school for 180 days that their child should be proficient—or able to pass state English Language Arts
and Math tests.

Parents must do their part to ensure accountability toward proficiency, but we must stop confusing the
goals of public education.

Parents should also expect the Indiana General Assembly to properly fund education with funding that at
a minimum meets inflation if not exceeds inflation. Paltry increases of 2% when inflation has been as
high as 9% in recent years is not fiscally responsible.

SB 518 is a radical proposal whose consequences have not been fully considered because proponents
seek to impose their will on the community instead of working with the community to arrive at a
solution that works for all schools.

We are not opposed to choice. But we do expect accountability. We are not opposed to charter or private
schools but there must be a public education system that holds all schools equally accountable to better
serve all students.

We must figure out how to fund all children instead of picking winners and losers—because in picking
winners we all lose.

Baptist Minister’s Alliance
Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis
Exchange at the Indianapolis Urban League
I Am Health Education
Indiana Black Expo
Indianapolis Urban League
Indy Black Chamber of Commerce
Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance
Interdenominational Ministers Alliance
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. Alpha Alpha Omega Indianapolis Alumni Chapter
National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Indianapolis Chapter Inc.
Purpose 4 My Pain
The Black Church Coalition
The Father’s Foundation
The Ross Foundation

Related articles:

The Indianapolis Urban and the African American Coalition of Indianapolis Request a Response from the Indianapolis Public School Board of Commissioners

The Indianapolis Urban League Joins Forces to Protect Traditional Public Schools

The AACI and the Indianapolis Urban League Further Question Devasting Public Education Legislation and Education Reformers

Posted on by K Teague

THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COALITION OF INDIANAPOLIS

AND THE INDIANAPOLIS URBAN LEAGUE

FURTHER QUESTION DEVASTING PUBLIC EDUCATION LEGISLATION

AND EDUCATION REFORMERS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release
Tuesday, February 18, 2025

 African American Coalition of Indianapolis further questions devastating public education legislation and education reformers

Indianapolis, IN (Tuesday, February 18, 2025) – The African American Coalition of Indianapolis (AACI) is now directing questions of concern to education reformers as legislation that would dismantle Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) moves forward at the statehouse. Previously the AACI asked IPS board of directors to weigh in and they have cooperated with the community to get answers, while organizations that would seemingly benefit from this legislation have remain silent. AACI is a pillar in the community and a collective of over 20 civic-minded organizations and prioritizes these key questions and providing comprehensive information to the community and lead communication with legislators.  The AACI is asking the below questions to the education reformers and legislators who are advocating for these bills.

  1. Proficiency scores on English Language Arts and Math for all schools are concerning. How will taking money from Black and Brown IPS and affiliated innovation and charter schools improve the system? Shouldn’t the advocacy be focused on more funding for all students instead of taking funding from IPS schools and its affiliated innovation and charter schools?
  2. Education reform organizations like Rise Indy, Hoosiers for Quality Education, and Stand for Children have made substantial contributions to IPS school board races. What is the goal of these contributions?
  3. Charter schools in Indianapolis seem to close frequently with a third closing in Marion County. What actions are being taken to prevent school closures, or do you believe school closures are a benefit to the students and the system as a whole?
  4. Where do the tax dollars go when charter schools close?
  5. One authorizer has approved 5 schools that have yet to open. Why are schools approved without having the necessary funding for transportation and facilities to sustain operations identified?
  6. IPS has a long history of collaborating with education reform initiatives. When did your organizations engage IPS on proposals that would dissolve the board?
  7. It is our understanding that the Mind Trust has attempted to negotiate a deal with IPS to agree to a host of changes. Why does the Mind Trust have standing to negotiate this matter? Why is the Mind Trust involved in these negotiations when the discussions should be between IPS and the legislature?

Related articles:

The Indianapolis Urban and the African American Coalition of Indianapolis Request a Response from the Indianapolis Public School Board of Commissioners

The Indianapolis Urban League Joins Forces to Protect Traditional Public Schools

DEMAND DIVERSITY ROUNDTABLE CALLS FOR URGENT MEETING WITH CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS

Posted on by K Teague

DEMAND DIVERSITY ROUNDTABLE CALLS FOR URGENT MEETING

WITH CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS

February 12, 2025

The Honorable Chuck Schumer                                             The Honorable John Thune
U.S. Senate                                                                                  U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510                                                            Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Hakeem Jeffries                                            The Honorable Mike Johnson
U.S. House of Representatives                                               U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515                                                            Washington, DC 20515

Dear Leader Schumer, Leader Thune, Speaker Johnson, and Leader Jeffries:

As leaders of the Demand Diversity Roundtable, a coalition of over 20 civil and human rights organizations representing more than 100 million Americans, we are united in our commitment to ensure equal opportunity for all and protect the core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Consequently, we are deeply concerned about the recent executive actions by the Trump Administration that seek to undo decades of bipartisan support for civil and human rights. These actions undermine equal opportunity, jeopardize America’s economic growth and global competitiveness, and threaten the foundational principles of our democracy.

The gravity of these efforts was underscored by President Trump’s deplorable comments following the tragic plane crash in Washington D.C., where he used diversity, equity, and inclusion as a racist, sexist, ableist dog whistle to inflame division and hate further instead of focusing on the needs of victims and their families.

The Trump Administration’s Executive Orders to dismantle federal programs that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to remove enforcement of protections against discrimination for millions of Americans working for contractors receiving federal funds, are deeply disturbing. These actions, combined with threats targeting hardworking and qualified American workers who have dutifully served this nation, alongside Department of Justice memos pausing civil rights cases and threatening to investigate and penalize private sector and educational institutions for protecting diversity and equal opportunity, are unconscionable and contrary to our American values.

Diversity is and will always be one of America’s greatest strengths because a diverse America is an innovative and prosperous America. Diversifying our institutions, providing opportunities, and working to ensure that everyone is included are not partisan values. These values strengthen our nation and are rooted in our country’s history of advancing equal opportunity and “liberty and justice for all.” The majority of Americans support diversity, and research underscores this truth: 81 percent of Americans believe that companies should reflect the nation’s racial diversity. Yet, these misguided actions by the Trump Administration seek to erode progress and stifle opportunity for all.

Numerous studies highlight how equal opportunity and diversity benefits the whole of our nation:

  • A 2020 study by Citi estimates that the United States would have gained $16 trillion dollars in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) if we closed racial gaps in wages, access to higher education, lending, and mortgage access between 2000 and 2020.
  • Similarly, a 2021 Brookings study found that the S. GDP would have been $22.9 trillion higher from 1990 to 2019 if opportunities and outcomes were more equally distributed by race and ethnicity.
  • McKinsey’s latest research (2023) showed that the bottom 25% of large firms in terms of ethnic diversity underperformed their peers by 24%, and the top 25% overperformed by 27%. Furthermore, the bottom 25% of firms by gender diversity underperformed their peers by 31%, and the top 25% overperformed by 18%.

America’s strength and leadership in an increasingly diverse and competitive world depends on our ability to be an inclusive society. As the world’s largest economy, America’s success means ensuring equal opportunity for everyone, unlocking the full potential of our diverse talent and perspectives to drive progress well into the 21st century. Diversity, equity, and inclusion policies aim to eliminate recognized disadvantages, not create them. History has shown that without clear and specific guidelines that encourage these core values, institutions continue discriminatory and exclusionary patterns that hold us all back.

  • In Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023, the S. Department of Education reported the most civil rights complaints in its history, most of which allege discrimination based on race, sex, or disability.
  • Black, Hispanic, and Asian American-owned businesses continue to face discrimination and bias in lending, are charged higher interest rates (3.09%, 2.91%, and 2.88%, respectively), and on average, Black, Hispanic, and Asian American-owned businesses paid $8 billion more in annual interest than white-owned firms.

The Demand Diversity Roundtable is committed to fighting back against all efforts that seek to limit economic and social mobility for any American, regardless of race, sex, gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, or disability status. We believe that congressional leadership and action are integral in this moment to protect civil and human rights. Therefore, we respectfully and urgently request a meeting with you to discuss actionable steps to protect diversity, equity, and inclusion programs to ensure equal opportunity for all Americans.

We kindly ask your teams to contact Tara Murray, Executive Director of the National Urban League Washington Bureau, at tmurray@nul.org to arrange a meeting at your earliest convenience. We look forward to collaborating with you to protect and advance civil and human rights for all Americans.

Sincerely,

Marc H. Morial
President & CEO
National Urban League

Reverend Al Sharpton
Founder & President
National Action Network

Melanie Campbell
President & CEO
National Coalition on Black Civic Participation

Reverend Shavon Arline-Bradley
President & CEO
National Council of Negro Women (NCNW)

Maya Berry
Executive Director
Arab American Institute (AAI)

Brenda Victoria Castillo
President & CEO
National Hispanic Media Coalition

Kimberlé Crenshaw
Co-Founder and Executive Director
African American Policy Forum

Alphonso David
President & CEO
Global Black Economic Forum

Fatima Goss Graves
President & CEO
National Women’s Law Center

Margaret Huang
President & CEO
The Southern Poverty Law Center & SPLC Action Fund

Damon Hewitt
President & Executive Director
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

Derrick Johnson
President & CEO
NAACP

Shelia Katz
CEO
National Council of Jewish Women

Janet Murguia
President & CEO
UnidosUS

Janai Nelson
President & Director-Counsel
Legal Defense Fund

Virginia Kase Solomon
President & CEO
CommonCause

Gregg Orton
National Director
National Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans
(NCAPA)

Juan Proaño
CEO
League of United Latin American Citizens
(LULAC)

Kelly Robinson
President
Human Rights Campaign Foundation

Amy Spitalnick
CEO
Jewish Council for Public Affairs

Amy Wiley
President & CEO
Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

John C. Young
President & Executive Director
Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC)

Ahead of Senate Vote on Anti-DEI Bill in Education, Indiana Coalitions Sound Alarm on Censorship & Discrimination

Posted on by K Teague

Ahead of Senate Vote on Anti-DEI Bill in Education,

Indiana Coalitions Sound Alarm on Censorship & Discrimination

Republican-led S.B. 289 absorbed S.B. 235 narrowly before its 2nd reading,

rendering 235 amendments obsolete according to ‘germane’ rule

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Senate is set to vote Thursday on Senate Bill 289,‘Nondiscrimination in employment and education.’ This bill regurgitates proposed federal, anti-DEI legislation and would impact state agencies, school corporations, and universities by increasing the administrative burden for nondiscrimination programs, prohibiting requiring certain kinds of training, and eliminating their DEI programs and practices. Additionally, if enacted, this bill would limit how companies who receive state contracts can pay for DEI training and limit DEI programs at certain health organizations.

In a last-minute, legislative sleight-of-hand, the Indiana Senate merged S.B. 235 into S.B.289, creating a single sweeping bill that eliminates DEI programs, censors discussions on race and gender, and shuts down efforts to address systemic discrimination. By invoking procedural rules, they silenced amendments for S.B. 235, forcing the Senate into an all-or-nothing vote on a radical censorship measure.

During discussion, Senator Shelli Yoder condemned the merger, stating: “It is a bad precedent to take a bill and amend it into another bill when other amendments addressing both were already proposed,” Senator Yoder explained. “The amendments for 235 will now most likely never be heard and we wanted to be able to debate both policies and good policies for the state of Indiana.”

Senator Andrea Hunley, who proposed amendments to make the bill less burdensome on teachers, implored her Republican colleagues to hear the extremism of the bill as written. “Our educators would have to post all instructional and curriculum materials that deal with nondiscrimination, diversity, equity, inclusion, race, ethnicity, sex, and bias – which are not defined in this bill – already causing confusion.”

Senator Hunley continued by citing an example of an existing state standard in Indiana.

One of the required lessons in high school History is to be able to describe and assess President Benjamin Harrison’s contributions to national policies on environmental protections, business regulations, immigration, and civil rights…How can you teach that standard without talking about race?

This misguided piece of legislation would impact a wide range of Hoosier community members, including faculty, staff, and students of universities, school corporations and charters, as well as employees of state agencies. The choice to combine S.B. 235 and S.B. 289 shut Hoosier citizens’ out of the civic process, with many of the constituents opposing the legislation citing concerns over extreme censorship the bill would cause in the state’s struggling education system.

“Erasing discussions of systemic inequality dismantles efforts across Indiana to move toward inclusive, culturally responsive environments for our youth, perpetuating negative representations of our history and hides uncomfortable truths,” Meisha Wide, Executive Director of the Children’s Policy and Law Initiative of Indiana (CPLI) said. “It is a blatant attempt to take Indiana backward by silencing the voices that support marginalized members of our community.”

“The bill combines the worst aspects of its predecessors – it’s not about fairness or neutrality—this is state-sanctioned censorship,” Dr. Russ Skiba, leader of University Alliance for Racial Justice (UARJ) added. “Banning discussions about systemic racism and oppression sends a clear message from lawmakers to their constituents: they do not want an informed, inclusive, or honest Indiana.”

States that have passed similar laws—like Florida and Texas—have already faced corporate backlash, faculty resignations, and lawsuits. Indiana is now on the same path. Business leaders have warned that suppressing diversity makes the state less competitive, pushing away talent, investments, and economic growth.

“Our mission is to cultivate and maintain that world-class environment for businesses to operate and contribute to that economic growth and prosperity for the state,” Indiana Chamber’s President and CEO Vanessa Green Sinders said in a June 2024 Inside Indiana Business interview. “We prioritize attracting, retaining, training, (and) supporting our workforce. Having a diverse workforce and thinking through these issues is something[our members] care a lot about.”

The Indy Chamber’s 2025 Legislative Priorities cites sobering statistics for the already-dwindling state of Hoosier labor resources.

Indiana faces a critical talent gap, with 140,000 unfilled jobs today and only 110,000additions to the skilled workforce projected between 2025 and 2050. Despite being a top 10 importer of college students, the state struggles with retention, losing34,000 graduates annually within a year of degree completion, placing it in the bottom 10 nationally.

Senate Bill 289 will receive its third and final reading this Thursday, February 6, 2025 at1:30 PM—and it could pass if Hoosiers don’t take action. Indiana cannot afford to be on the wrong side of history—again. Here’s what Hoosiers can do now:

  • Call your legislators and demand they vote NO on this dangerous bill.
  • Show up to the Statehouse Thursday to protest the final vote.
  • Spread the word on social media – share why this bill is bad for Indiana.

The time to act is now. Indiana cannot afford to be on the wrong side of history – again.

National Urban League President Marc H. Morial comes to Indy for Economic Club Luncheon

Posted on by K Teague

Join the Indianapolis Urban League for an engaging event at

The Economic Club of Indiana luncheon series.

This month’s speaker is the

President of the National Urban League, Marc H. Morial.


Save the date!

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Get ready for a luncheon filled with stimulating conversations and delicious food.

Reserve your seat, tickets and more info at: https://ow.ly/QBE350UOQBp

#EconLunch #EconClubIN #Indianapolis #Indiana #CivilRights

Marc H. Morial – President, National Urban League

About this month’s speaker:

As President of the National Urban League since 2003, Marc H. Morial has been the primary catalyst for an era of change and a transformation for the 100-plus-year-old civil rights organization. His energetic and skilled leadership has expanded the League’s work around an empowerment agenda, redefining civil rights in the 21st century with a renewed emphasis on closing the economic gaps between Whites and Blacks and rich and poor Americans.

Under his stewardship, the National Urban League has had record fundraising success and secured the Better Business Bureau nonprofit certification, establishing the National Urban League as a leading national nonprofit organization. He presided over the League’s centennial celebration in 2010, ushering in a new century of service and establishing empowerment goals for every division across the League and its affiliates. Morial’s creativity has led to initiatives such as the Urban Youth Empowerment Program, which assists young adults in securing sustainable jobs, and Entrepreneurship Centers in five cities to help the growth of small businesses. He also created the National Urban League Empowerment Fund, which has pumped almost $200 million into urban impact businesses, including minority businesses, through debt and equity investments. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Morial led the Urban League in sounding the alarm about the racially disparate impact of the burgeoning coronavirus crisis, commencing an intense advocacy and direct relief campaign later to be called The Urban League Fights For You. Under his leadership, NUL also responded to the murder of George Floyd with advocacy, organizing, and policy actions, including 21 Pillars for Redefining Public Safety and Restoring Public Trust, a framework for criminal justice advocacy.

Perhaps one of Morial’s most significant contributions to the National Urban League’s legacy is the Urban League Empowerment Center in Harlem. The $242 million, 414,000-square-foot Urban League Empowerment Center is one of the most significant economic development projects in Harlem’s recent history – and a return home for the League that was founded in Harlem in 1910. The Center will serve as the headquarters for the National Urban League and be home to the Urban Civil Rights Museum Experience, New York City’s first civil rights museum, and the National Urban League Institute for Race, Equity, and Justice. The Center will also bring 170 affordable housing units to Harlem, below-market office space for nonprofits and community groups, including One Hundred Black Men of New York, United Negro College Fund New York, and the Harlem-based Jazzmobile, and retail space featuring Target and Trader Joe’s.

To Be Equal is a syndicated weekly opinion column distributed by the National Urban League to news outlets across the nation since 1963, when it was started as “the Voice of Black America” by National Urban League President, Whitney M. Young, Jr. The column has been authored by Marc H. Morial since 2003.

Biography Source: https://nul.org/

Purchase your ticket, mark your calendar, and plan for a stimulating conversation, and network during a delicious lunch.