Rise & Organize
Urban League Community Action Breakfast Brings New Jersey Leaders Together Around Civic Participation, Literacy and Voter Education
Rise & Organize, the Urban League’s community action breakfast on June 9, 2026, sparked crucial conversations among community leaders, advocates, faith partners, and engaged residents. All shared a collective responsibility to strengthen civic participation and ensure every voice is heard.
At a moment when many people are feeling discouraged, disconnected, or overwhelmed by the political climate, the gathering served as a powerful reminder that civic engagement is not optional. It is one of the most important tools available to protect communities, advance opportunity, and ensure the voices of those most affected by public policy are heard.
Lieutenant Governor Dr. Dale G. Caldwell delivered a compelling message about the connection between culture, literacy, and voting. He reminded us that civic participation is deeply tied to whether people understand their history, their power, and the stakes of the moment. Literacy is not only about reading words on a page. It is about being able to read the world around us, understand the systems that shape our lives, and act with confidence and purpose.
That message was especially important as we discussed the growing threat of misinformation. Marc H. Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, shared examples of fake social media messages being used to discourage people from voting. These messages are designed to confuse, suppress, and divide. They remind us that voter suppression today does not always look like the tactics of the past. Sometimes it appears as a text, a meme, a fake announcement, or a misleading post designed to convince people their vote does not matter.
“Literacy is not only about reading words on a page. It is about being able to read the world around us.”
That is why trusted messengers matter. That is why community-based organizations matter. That’s why trusted media like The Positive Community matters. And that is why the Urban League’s role remains so essential.
Now Is The Time For Action
Register to Vote
Make sure you’re registered, update your voter information, and help others do the same.
Volunteer
Join voter registration drives, community outreach efforts, phone banks, canvassing events, and Election Day activities.
Spread the Word
Share important election information with your friends, family, neighbors, and social networks using #ReclaimYourVoteNJ.
Make a Donation
Support voter engagement, civic education, and community outreach programs across New Jersey.
Attend Events
Participate in voter education workshops, candidate forums, town halls, and community conversations.
Become a Community Ambassador
Help connect residents to resources, encourage civic participation, and strengthen voter engagement in your neighborhood. These six participation options also appear on the Urban League of Essex County’s Reclaim Your Vote NJ page.
The Urban Leagues of Essex County, Greater Philadelphia, Hudson County, and Union County invite residents to participate in the #ReclaimYourVoteNJ initiative.
“That is why trusted messengers matter. That is why community-based organizations matter.”
