Issued: December 16, 2022
The Urban League of Louisiana commends Union Parish District Attorney John Belton and the Grand Jury for its decision to indict five of the law enforcement officers involved in the death of Ronald Greene on May 10, 2019. We especially applaud Union Parish District Attorney John Belton for his decision to empanel a grand jury to review the evidence and facts in this case. District Attorneys have incredible discretion on charges to pursue in any case, and DA Belton’s action should be underscored. This indictment is another very important step in our collective pursuit of justice for Ronald Greene and his family. We now call on the related law enforcement agencies to take the appropriate action of terminating and arresting the indicted officers pending trial.
So often matters of injustice happen in African American and other underserved communities, without accountability for those responsible. This indictment by the Union Parish grand jury is a step towards the type of accountability underserved communities deserve and proof that we should all continue to speak out and provide advocacy in the face of injustice. This is also a reminder of the incredible power and discretion of prosecutors we elect.
On May 19, 2021, upon the release of the leaked footage of the death of Ronald Greene, the Urban League of Louisiana joined together with like-minded partners to express the urgent need for a deeper federal investigation due to the apathetic response by the Louisiana State Police, sent letters to federal and state officials requesting action, and secured over 27,000 signatures in a petition demanding justice for Ronald Greene. This advocacy helped contribute to the United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division opening a civil rights pattern or practice investigation into Louisiana State Police earlier this year. While we recognize these measures of progress, we still strive for the day where African Americans and other marginalized communities are not victims of discriminatory policing and systemic racism by law enforcement.
The Urban League of Louisiana will continue to fight with the Ronald Greene family and other advocates to make sure justice is secured. We will continue to fight for additional action to be taken to address the systemic patterns and practices of police brutality throughout our state. And the Urban League of Louisiana will always fight for African Americans and other communities seeking civil rights.
“So often the work of black-led, community-serving organizations goes unnoticed and under-resourced. Ms. Scott’s incredibly generous gift is not only transformational for our organization, it makes a powerful statement about the significance of the Urban League of Louisiana’s efforts to promote and advance economic self-reliance, equity, power and civil rights for those who have been historically underserved,” said Urban League of Louisiana President and CEO Judy Reese Morse. “Ms. Scott’s spirit and conviction to address historic disparities by supporting organizations that prioritize and engage the community inspires us to remain unwavering in our commitment to deliver even more for black and other underserved communities in Louisiana.”
In 2019 Ms. Scott signed The Giving Pledge, a promise by the world’s wealthiest individuals and families to dedicate the majority of their wealth to charitable causes. Since then she has wasted no time donating over $12 billion to important causes and organizations.
Ms. Scott recently wrote that she is guided by a desire to support the needs of the underrepresented. She said, “When our giving team focuses on any system in which people are struggling, we don’t assume that we, or any other single group, can know how to fix it. We don’t advocate for particular policies or reforms. Instead, we seek a portfolio of organizations that supports the ability of all people to participate in solutions. This means a focus on the needs of those whose voices have been underrepresented.”
The Urban League of Louisiana shares Ms. Scott’s commitment to equity and amplifying the voice of the underrepresented as we craft solutions that lift all people.
]]>The SBA Community Navigator Pilot Program is an American Rescue Plan initiative designed to reduce barriers that underrepresented and underserved entrepreneurs often face in accessing the programs they need to recover from a disaster or economic crisis, grow, or start their businesses. Launched in 2021, the program aims to provide a total of $100 million in funding to 51 organizations that are working with hundreds of local community groups to improve access to SBA and government resources for America’s entrepreneurs.
“I applaud the Urban League of Louisiana for reaching out for advice from small businesses and organizations who support disadvantaged small businesses and learning more about how Community Navigators can connect them to U.S. Small Business Administration programs and services to help them start, grow and thrive,” said Region 6 South Central Regional Administrator Ted James. “We need everyone’s help to move toward equity in all of government, which is the goal of the Biden/Harris Administration.”
Community Navigator grantees serve as “hubs” — centralized, lead organizations, which incorporate “spokes,” organizations that have built trust in their local communities and are the ‘boots on the ground’ that will connect small businesses to critical resources and assistance.
The National Urban League is one of 8 Tier 1 “Hubs” overseeing 25 Urban League affiliates across the country as trusted community navigators delivering technical assistance and providing resources to businesses in their respective communities during economic recovery, including: financial assistance and access to capital; contracting and procurement; marketing, operations, and business development; and industry-specific training.
The Urban League of Louisiana serves as a Tier 1 Spoke for the National Urban League Hub. Through the CNPP, the Urban League of Louisiana is expanding its catchment area to provide entrepreneurial training, counseling services and access to resources for businesses in Shreveport, Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and other areas.
“Small businesses across Louisiana have been met with overwhelming obstacles over the past few years. The Covid-19 pandemic, Hurricanes Laura and Ida, and other events, have made small business ownership a test of survival. For those businesses who are still standing, the Urban League of Louisiana is committed to ensuring increased access to the right resources and services to support small business recovery and growth”, says Judy Reese Morse, President & CEO of the Urban League of Louisiana. “As we continue to expand our footprint across the state, the SBA Community Navigator Pilot Program enhances our ability to provide more services and reach more clients in our most vulnerable communities.”
To support the Community Navigator Pilot Program, ULLA has assembled the Small Business Advisory Council to gain insights on the community-specific business needs, challenges, opportunities, and ecosystem gaps that exist for Black-owned businesses in Louisiana. The committee will meet quarterly and include a select group of Black small business owners from Shreveport, Lafayette, Hammond, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans. Representatives from other cities will be invited to join at a later date.
The inaugural Council members will serve a term starting in August of 2022 and ending in November of 2023. The 2022-23 ULLA Small Business Advisory Council includes:
- Drayden Dunn, Envision Media (Shreveport)
- James Thrower, Life Changing Solutions (Shreveport)
- Iam Tucker, ILSI Engineering (New Orleans)
- Julie Vaucresson, Vaucresson’s Café and Deli (New Orleans)
- Andre Lewis, VPG Enterprise (New Orleans)
- Nenette Gray, Lemonade Creative Marketing (Baton Rouge)
- Dr. Lawrence Salone, Post-Trauma Institute (Baton Rouge)
- Dr. Jennifer Jackson, RD, LDN, Keystone Nutrition (Lafayette)
- Brandi Wells, Urban Market Experience (Hammond)
“We are so excited to launch the Urban League of Louisiana’s inaugural Small Business Advisory Council”, says Klassi Duncan, Vice President of the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the Urban League of Louisiana. “We know that hearing and learning from the voice of Black business owners is critical as we seek to address the right challenges, galvanize the right resources, and mobilize the right programs and partners to achieve equitable economic development across the state. We want to do this in a very deliberate, responsive, and innovate way. This Council will help us to do just that!”
To learn more about the Urban League of Louisiana Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, please visit www.urbanleaguela.org/cei or email us at cei@urbanleaguela.org.
NEW ORLEANS (February 3, 2022) — Today, the Urban League of Louisiana, in partnership with the Lower 9th Ward Economic Development District, Wells Fargo, and Louisiana Economic Development, announces its fifth cohort of Scale Up! Louisiana for small businesses in the New Orleans Lower 9th Ward.
Scale Up! Louisiana is a statewide entrepreneurial education intensive hosted by the Urban League of Louisiana’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. The program provides early-stage entrepreneurs with the education and resources that are critical to creating a scalable and profitable business. This is a transition program that guides existing, early-stage small business owners in the L9 towards becoming high-growth, sustainable ventures.
“The Lower Ninth Ward Economic Development District (L9EDD) is thrilled to partner with the Urban League to host the Scale Up! program for entrepreneurs in the Lower Ninth Ward, said Jean Morris, Chairperson of the Lower Ninth Ward Economic Development District. “We are excited to bring business growth opportunities, employment and economic development to the area. Businesses will receive planning strategies, implementation of processes to be sustainable, and discover innovative solutions to improve the quality of life for all.”
In response to COVID-19-related safety measures, this modular program will be delivered completely online via 11, 3-hour web sessions, and 5 pre-recorded videos. Participants will receive technical assistance and other support services throughout the program.
“The Urban League of Louisiana is excited to host Scale Up! Louisiana in the Lower 9th Ward”, said Judy Reese Morse, President and CEO of the Urban League of Louisiana. “The Lower 9th Ward is one of New Orleans’ most treasured communities and supporting our small businesses in the area is a strategic imperative to the economic growth of the New Orleans economy. We recognize the need for small businesses in the Lower 9 to focus on scalability, profitability, and resilience. The Urban League of Louisiana is committed to providing the education, support services and resources needed to scale to the next level.”
Interested entrepreneurs must apply for the Scale Up! Louisiana program by completing an online application. Eligible entrepreneurs must meet the following criteria:
- Must be located in the Lower 9th Ward
- Have at least $40,000 in documented revenue from the previous tax year
- Have been in business for at least 2 years
- Have at least 2 employees (including the owner)
- Must have a desire to scale or expand their business operations
Up to 30 business owners from the area will be selected for the spring 2022 cohort. Participants will be chosen based on 1.) the applicant’s ability to meet the eligibility requirements; 2.) the growth potential of the business; and 3.) the applicant’s desire to learn and grow in an interactive, online environment.
Classes begin on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, and will be held online via GoToTraining. The application deadline is Friday, February 18, 2022 at 5:00p.m. CST and must be submitted online at https://tinyurl.com/yndfsjna. To learn more about the Urban League of Louisiana’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, please visit www.urbanleaguela.org/cei.
“As Director of Baton Rouge Operations for The Urban League of Louisiana, Ted James has proudly served the organization in its missionof assisting African Americans and others seeking equity to secure economic parity, power, and civil rights,” said Judy Reese Morse, President and CEO of the Urban League of Louisiana. “His work and leadership have been invaluable in our efforts to reach those we serve statewide and his dedication and outreach has been instrumental in helping the organization reach new heights.”
Following the historic 2016 Baton Rouge floods, James led the establishment and launching of The Urban League of Louisiana Red Stick Store in the Cortana Mall, galvanizing resources including brand new clothing, shoes, and household goods to help over 4,000 impacted residents. James also led the implementation of the first Criminal Justice cohort of Urban Leaders for Equity and Diversity (ULEAD) following the senseless killing of Alton Sterling at the hands of the police. James was an integral part of the creation of The Urban League of Louisiana Empowerment and Policy Conference, a statewide conference focusing on policy issues impacting African Americans.
While his voice and presence with The Urban League of Louisiana will be missed, we know James will do a tremendous job serving in his new position and will continue to passionately advocate for our state.
]]>The Urban League of Louisiana condemns the racist remarks made by Lafayette City Court Judge Michelle Odinet that were recently captured on video.
Remarks like these are unacceptable in any circumstance, but it is abhorrent to hear it come from an official who is entrusted to serve her community. Her position of power and authority requires a level of decency, and the people of Lafayette should be able to expect any judge that has been elected to serve be unbiased and respectful of those who come before them. Her display of blatant racism goes against the most basic qualities that should be expected from a sitting judge.
Unpaid leave was one obvious and immediate step, but it does not address the deep fears that Black people have about her judgement and racism. Judge Odinet should be ashamed of her reprehensible remarks and the Urban League of Louisiana calls for her immediate resignation. We also call upon the Judiciary Board of Louisiana to investigate this matter further and remove Judge Odinet from her position in the interest of fairness should she not resign.
Racial bias has no place in our world, especially from people responsible for protecting civil and human rights. The Urban League of Louisiana will continue to advocate for a more fair and just system that is free from racism and prejudice.
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