Indianapolis Urban League

08/31/2026

How well do you know the music of legendary funk, soul, and rock band WAR THE BAND? Learn the music you'll be grooving to now before An Urban Affair - Signature Gala: A ’60s Throwback. Don't miss this historic event on Saturday, September 12 at The Indiana Roof Ballroom.

Experience a spectacular black-tie evening celebrating 60 years of service, solidarity, and self-empowerment.

Enjoy a three-course dinner, corporate awards, a raffle, dancing, and entertainment.

Get your tickets and sponsorships now: https://www.indplsul.org/an-urban-affair-signature-gala-2026/

08/30/2026

You're invited to a 60's Throwback: Celebrating 60 years of Service, Solidarity, and Self-Empowerment at The Indiana Roof Ballroom on Saturday, September 12, 2026. Have you purchased your tickets yet?

An Urban Affair – Signature Gala is the Indianapolis Urban League's premier black-tie fundraiser and second-largest annual fundraising event. Enjoy an elegant evening featuring a three-course dinner, corporate awards, raffle, live entertainment, and dancing while supporting more than 20 free programs that empower individuals and families across Marion County.

Featuring a live performance by War. WAR THE BAND is an American funk/soul/rock band from Long Beach, California, formed in 1969. The band is known for several hit songs including: Why Can’t We Be Friends, The Cisco Kid, and Low Rider.

Get tickets and sponsorships now:

08/29/2026

The countdown is on! We are two weeks away from An Urban Affair- Signature Gala at the Indiana Roof Ballroom on Saturday, September 12.

Experience a spectacular black-tie evening celebrating 60 years of service, solidarity, and self-empowerment.

Join us for a three‑course dinner, corporate awards, a raffle, dancing, and entertainment, capped off with an unforgettable performance by the legendary funk, soul, and rock band WAR THE BAND. Enjoy their hits, Low Rider, The Cisco Kid, Why Can’t We Be Friends?, and so much more.

Tickets are moving fast; secure your seats today! https://www.indplsul.org/an-urban-affair-signature-gala-2026/

08/28/2026

“WE ARE STILL HERE AND WE ARE NOT GOING BACK:” NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE PRESIDENT MORIAL URGES VOTERS TO TURN PROTEST INTO POWER AT MARCH ON WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 28, 2026) — National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial delivered a forceful call to action Friday at the commemoration of the historic March on Washington, urging Americans to confront assaults on voting rights, civil rights, and democratic institutions through civic engagement, economic action, and political participation.

Standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech 63 years ago, Morial warned that the nation is experiencing a dangerous erosion of democratic norms masked by political rhetoric.

"Something in the water ain't clean," Morial said. "The corrosion that you can see, the peeling apart at the edges as the masking fades away, is the perfect metaphor for this country today. A country whose values, whose democracy, and very way of life is being eroded by corruption masked as a movement to Make America Great Again." Continue https://ow.ly/HjSS50ZGIz7

08/28/2026

Drum roll, please! 🥁
The Indianapolis Urban League is pleased to announce the 2026 Honorees:

Community Impact Awards
Eastern Star Church and ESC R.O.C.K. Initiative
Lead Pastor Jeffrey Allen Johnson II

Westside Community Development Corporation
President and CEO, Beverly Mukes-Gather

Martindale Brightwood Community Development Corporation
CEO & Executive Director, DeAnna Woodruff, MPA

Judah Ministries' Price Academy
Executive Director, Alisia Jackson

Centers of Wellness for Urban Women
Executive Director, Rhonda L. Bayless

Community Alliance of the Far Eastside CAFE
Chief Executive Officer, Kendra Nowell

Edna Martin Christian Center
President & CEO, Barato

Marion County School District's Superintendents Group - IAAQLI Collective

Beech Grove Community Schools - Superintendent, Dr. Laura Hammack, Beech Grove City Schools

Metropolitan School District of Decatur Township - Superintendent, Dr. Scott Collins, MSD Decatur Township

Franklin Township Community School Corporation - Superintendent, Dr. Chase Huotari, Franklin Township Community School Corporation

Indianapolis Public Schools - Superintendent, Dr. Aleesia Johnson

Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township - Superintendent, Dr. Shawn Smith, MSD of Lawrence Township

Perry Township Schools - Superintendent, Dr. Pat Spray

Metropolitan School District of Pike Township - Superintendent, Dr. Larry Young, MSD of Pike Township

Metropolitan School District of Warren Township - Superintendent, Dr. Tim Hanson, MSD Warren Township

Metropolitan School District of Washington Township - Superintendent, Dr. Sean Taylor, Washington Township Schools

Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township - Superintendent, Dr. Shenia Suggs, MSD of Wayne Township

Marion County Superintendent's Group - Consultant, Dr. Nikki Woodson

Funder & Strategic Partner Award
EmployIndy

20+ Years of Service

Maria Wiley, Vice Chair, Indianapolis Urban League Board of Directors (Indianapolis Airport Authority)

We invite you to join us in a night of celebration at An Urban Affair - Signature Gala: A ’60s Throwback Saturday, September 12th, at the legendary Indiana Roof Ballroom.

Experience a spectacular black-tie evening celebrating 60 years of service, solidarity, and self-empowerment.

Enjoy a three-course dinner, corporate awards, a raffle, dancing, entertainment, and get ready to groove with legendary funk, soul, and rock band WAR, performing hits like Low Rider, The Cisco Kid, and Why Can’t We Be Friends?

Secure your seat today! https://www.indplsul.org/an-urban-affair-signature-gala-2026/

08/28/2026

Witness a live performance from the legendary funk, soul, and rock band WAR THE BAND during An Urban Affair - Signature Gala: A ’60s Throwback at the The Indiana Roof Ballroom on Saturday, September 12. The performance may feature their greatest songs like Low Rider, The Cisco Kid, Why Can’t We Be Friends, and Slippin Into Darkness.

Experience an elegant black-tie evening celebrating 60 years of service, solidarity, and self-empowerment. Enjoy a three-course dinner, corporate awards, a raffle, dancing, and entertainment.

Get your tickets now: https://www.indplsul.org/an-urban-affair-signature-gala-2026/

Listen to a live performance of "Slippin Into Darkness": https://youtube.com/shorts/aaiz_lyJR5g?si=3Rzt-GQenRB1wBSv

Lonnie shows his powerhouse vocals performing Slippin Into Darkness...

08/27/2026

Get ready to dance the night away with WAR THE BAND. You're cordially invited to step back into the 60's for An Urban Affair - Signature Gala: A ’60s Throwback Saturday, September 12th, at the legendary Indiana Roof Ballroom.

Experience a spectacular black-tie evening celebrating 60 years of service, solidarity, and self-empowerment.

Enjoy a three-course dinner, corporate awards, a raffle, dancing, entertainment, and groove with legendary funk, soul, and rock band WAR, performing hits like Low Rider, The Cisco Kid, and Why Can’t We Be Friends??

Secure your tickets: https://www.indplsul.org/an-urban-affair-signature-gala-2026/

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TAhSXi4w82k

This past November, Playing For Change brought together the origina...

08/26/2026

Check out the new lyric videos for some of the greatest songs from WAR THE BAND Featuring hits such as Summer, Slippin' Into Darkness, Gypsy Man, and Low Rider. Witness WAR live during An Urban Affair - Signature Gala at the The Indiana Roof Ballroom on Saturday, September 12, 2026!

Grab your tickets now: https://www.indplsul.org/an-urban-affair-signature-gala-2026/

https://ow.ly/3uwP50ZFRUx

08/26/2026

Get back into shape with free fitness classes led by Ilesha of Fusion_Fit_Warrior! In this fitness-friendly environment, participants are led through a full-body cardio workout for all fitness levels. Join and begin the transformation journey - inside and out! Join us tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. at the Indianapolis Urban League.

This class is for adults (18 years or older). Reserve your space today.
Register now: https://ow.ly/AU7Q50Zx0L6

08/26/2026

Join us tomorrow morning at 11:00 am for our Saving Our Sons Program at the Indianapolis Urban League. Young men ages 18-24 are encouraged to come, enroll, and receive the tools and services to define your success. For more information contact [email protected] or call (317) 693-7603.

Learn more: https://www.indplsul.org/family-services/