Urban League of Alabama

The Urban League of Alabama is deeply saddened by the tragic shooting that occurred in Birmingham, resulting in the loss of two lives and leaving several others injured.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones affected by this devastating act of violence. As a community, we grieve alongside those impacted and stand in support of all who are hurting during this difficult time.

Incidents like this are a painful reminder that gun violence continues to affect families, neighborhoods, and communities across our city. While we mourn this loss, we must also remain committed to addressing the conditions that contribute to violence through prevention, intervention, and community engagement

The Urban League of Alabama is dedicated to working alongside residents, community partners, and local leaders to create safer, healthier communities where every person has the opportunity to live, work, and thrive free from violence.

We ask the community to keep the victims, their families, and all those impacted in your thoughts and prayers.

Today, we remember Breonna Taylor, who would have turned 33 years old on June 5. What should have been a celebration of life continues to serve as a painful reminder of a life taken too soon and the ongoing conversations surrounding justice, accountability, and equity within our communities.
Breonna Taylor’s death sparked national outrage and became a defining moment in the fight for social justice and police accountability across the country. Her name continues to represent the importance of protecting Black lives, advocating for systemic change, and ensuring communities are heard when demanding fairness and justice.

Urban League of Alabama President and CEO William Barnes recently joined the Chris Coleman Show on V94.9 alongside Truman Fitzgerald to discuss the importance of civic engagement, voting, and community involvement as Alabama communities prepare for changes resulting from recent redistricting decisions.

During the conversation, Barnes emphasized that the challenge facing many communities is not voter registration, but voter participation. The importance of understanding how younger generations communicate, engage, and receive information in order to strengthen civic involvement and increase voter turnout.

Truman Fitzgerald touched on communities, particularly Black communities, cultivating a stronger sense of unity and collaboration, encouraging one another to work together and create opportunities for meaningful engagement.

Thank you to V949 and Truman Fitzgerald Law for creating space for this important conversation. As communities across Alabama continue to navigate change, informed participation remains critical to building stronger communities and creating lasting impact.

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Yesterday, the Urban League of Alabama was proud to stand alongside Birmingham City Councilor and Public Safety Chair LaTonya Tate, along with community partners, at a press conference recognizing June as Gun Violence Awareness Month.

Gun violence continues to impact families, neighborhoods, and communities across Birmingham, making this issue a priority for the Urban League of Alabama. Through our Community Violence Intervention efforts, we work every day to reduce violence through conflict mediation, outreach, mentorship, resource connections, and community engagement. We believe addressing violence requires more than enforcement; it requires investment in people and opportunities that help create safer communities.

Our Executive Vice President, Kelli Solomon, shared the Urban League of Alabama's commitment to working alongside city leaders, residents, law enforcement, and community organizations to identify meaningful solutions that address the root causes of violence and create lasting change throughout Birmingham.

We are grateful for the leadership of our President and CEO, William A. Barnes, whose continued commitment to community empowerment and violence prevention helps drive this work forward. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the City of Birmingham as we work together to build safer, healthier, and more resilient communities.
Thank you to Councilor Tate for including the Urban League of Alabama in this important discussion and for bringing attention to an issue that impacts families and communities across Birmingham.
Council President Pro Tempore LaTonya A. Tate

Urban League of Alabama has been awarded $100,000 through Progressive Insurance’s UpPayment Down Payment Assistance Program Grant to help expand homeownership opportunities for families across Alabama . This investment represents more than funding — it represents opportunity, stability, and the ability to help more families move closer toward achieving homeownership. Funding is available for those that qualify, please contact the housing department at 205.326.0162 or email [email protected] or [email protected] to learn more information.

Hey Montgomery! Meet Dr. Avis Williams — Senior Vice President of the Urban League of Alabama. Dr. Williams is a nationally respected executive leader, strategist, and change agent with a proven track record of driving organizational growth, strengthening cross-sector partnerships, and improving outcomes for communities.
She brings deep expertise in stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, and systems-level change, working closely with civic leaders, nonprofit executives, corporate partners, and public officials to create lasting impact and meaningful opportunities for underserved communities.

Dr. Williams is also the CEO of The Joyful Collaborative, LLC, where she provides executive coaching and strategic advisory services focused on building thriving organizational cultures, strengthening leadership pipelines, and supporting continuous improvement.

Through her work, the Urban League of Alabama continues to be a driving force for change, bridging gaps, uplifting underserved communities, and building a more inclusive and economically strong future.

Today is your opportunity to make your voice heard and participate in decisions that will impact our communities, neighborhoods, and future. The Urban League of Alabama encourages all eligible voters to get out and vote in today’s primary election.
Every vote matters. Every voice matters. Do not sit this election out.