Urban League of Union County, Inc.

02/28/2026

Today is the day!

We’re looking forward to seeing families, scholars, and community members for our Black Children’s Book Week activation, Creating Young Authors: The Writing and Reading Lab.

We are living in a time when Black books are being challenged and removed from shelves, and when our stories are too often questioned, minimized, or suppressed. That is exactly why this work matters. Our stories deserve to be written, read, protected, and passed down.

Legacy does not start in adulthood. It starts with our youth.

This interactive experience is designed for students to learn, engage, imagine, and create. We are not only encouraging children to read powerful stories. We are empowering them to become authors of their own.

We are grateful to partner with the Township of Hillside and the Hillside Public Library to bring this free opportunity to children ages 5–12. When local government, public institutions, and community organizations come together, impact multiplies.

Join us later today at the Hillside Recreation Center from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. as we culminate Black History Month and honor 100 years of celebrating Black history with action, ownership, and creativity. 📚

We look forward to seeing you there.

02/27/2026

HILLSIDE, NJ — Young readers and writers in Hillside will have the opportunity to tap into their creativity later during a special literacy celebration at the Hillside Recreation Center.The Urban...

02/27/2026

Scholarship season is here, and if you are a high school senior, this is not the time to sit back.

College costs are real. Student loan debt is real. But so are scholarships. And there is no such thing as too much scholarship money. Every award reduces the burden. Every application increases your odds. Every deadline you meet keeps options open.

Education still shifts trajectories for families and communities. The question is not whether you should apply. The question is how many you can submit before the deadlines hit.

Here are current opportunities listed in order of deadline:

February 27, 2026
North Jersey Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Scholarship
• High school seniors residing in Essex, Union or Hudson Counties
• 3.0 GPA (4.0 scale) or 80 QPA
• Planning to attend a four-year college or university

March 3, 2026
Hartz Foundation, Inc. Scholarship
• High school seniors in Middlesex or Union County
• Minimum 2.7 GPA

March 15, 2026
HACE Scholarships
• YouthBuild Scholarship
• John Robert Rumola Scholarships
• William D. Jones HBCU Scholarship
• Commissioners Scholarships

March 21, 2026 (11:59 PM)
Ivy Dream Foundation 2026 Scholarships
• Open to male and female high school seniors in Union County, New Jersey
• Includes General Scholarship, HBCU Scholarship, Book Award and named scholarships

April 15, 2026 (5 PM EST)
UNCF STEM Scholars Program (2026–2027)
• High school seniors entering college in Fall 2026
• Pursuing STEM majors
• Tiered scholarship funding up to $25,000 plus mentoring and academic support

April 17, 2026
Omicron Chi Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Scholarship
• Graduating seniors planning to attend a four-year college or university
• Special interest in STEM majors

April 17, 2026
Bayway Complex Community Advisory Panel Scholarship
• Seniors residing in Linden, Rahway, Elizabeth or Staten Island
• Pursuing Industrial/Process Technology, Computer Science or Engineering
• $2,000 awards

Ongoing / See Website
My HBCU Network Scholarships of the Week
• Multiple Divine Nine organization scholarships
• Visit www.myhbcunet.org for links!

Students: do not self-reject. Be encouraged and APPLY!
Educators and counselors: forward this to your seniors today.

Deadlines move quickly. Opportunity moves with them.

02/24/2026

This week, we proudly join the celebration of Black Children’s Book Week.

Representation in literature shapes imagination, confidence, and identity. When Black children see themselves reflected in stories, as dreamers, creators, leaders, and heroes, it reinforces that their voices matter and their stories deserve space.

In honor of Black Children’s Book Week, the Urban League of Union County, in partnership with the Township of Hillside and the Hillside Public Library, is hosting:

Creating Young Authors: The Writing and Reading Lab
Saturday, February 28, 2026
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Hillside Recreation Center
274 Hillside Avenue, Hillside, NJ

This free program is designed for children ages 5–12 and will provide a space for young minds to read, write, imagine, and create. It is an opportunity to nurture literacy, creativity, and confidence- all foundational tools for long-term academic and personal success.

As we celebrate Black children in literature this week, we are also investing in the next generation of authors, storytellers, and thinkers right here in Union County.

If you are a parent, educator, community partner, or volunteer looking to support youth development and literacy, we invite you to register or get involved at www.uloucnj.org.

Let’s continue building spaces where every child’s story is valued and amplified.

02/24/2026

Due to inclement weather, our offices will remain closed today, Tuesday, February 24. Our team is still available via phone and email to assist you. Please stay safe and contact emergency services for any urgent matters.

02/23/2026

Due to the state of emergency declared in New Jersey related to severe weather conditions, our office will be fully closed today and Monday, February 23.

The safety of our community is our top priority. Please continue to stay safe and follow guidance from local emergency officials if assistance is needed.

We will provide updates regarding our reopening as soon as more information becomes available.

Take care and be well.

02/20/2026

In recognition of National Entrepreneurship Week currently being observed, we are proud to highlight the impact of our 2026 Black Business Expo, held at Shiloh Baptist Church in Plainfield, NJ.

The Expo convened over 40 Black-owned businesses alongside entrepreneurs, elected officials and community leaders for a day centered on networking, innovation and economic empowerment.

This year’s event featured a Business Pitch Competition in place of the traditional panel discussion, providing entrepreneurs with a competitive platform to showcase their ideas and secure funding. Sponsored by the Urban League of Union County with support from MGL Consulting Group and Murdochee Louis, contestants submitted pitch videos reviewed by CEO Crystal Orr, Mayor Adrian Mapp and Rev. Dr. Danielle Brown.

Two finalists were selected to present live at the Expo. Danielle Cole received first place and a $1,500 award, while Akira Wood earned second place and $500.
Entrepreneurship plays a critical role in boosting Union County’s local economy. When small businesses thrive, they generate jobs, circulate revenue locally and help families build long-term economic stability.

We extend sincere gratitude to Shiloh Baptist Church and our community partners Mayor Adrian Mapp, Rev. Dr. Danielle Brown, Pat Fields, Ty Gaines, Michele Tucker, the City of Plainfield and the Plainfield Cultural & Heritage Commission for their continued commitment to uplifting Black-owned businesses and fostering economic growth.

Advancing economic self-reliance remains core to our mission, and we will continue creating platforms that move entrepreneurs forward.

02/20/2026

More coverage of our upcoming You Be The Solution competition happening tomorrow!

The You Be The Solution™ New Jersey Regional Challenge 2025 (formerly the You Be The Chemist Competition)—organized by the Urban League of Union County and BASF—will take place on February 21.

02/16/2026

Homeownership remains one of the strongest pathways to building generational wealth, yet many families never receive clear guidance on where to begin.

Our First-Time Homebuyer Class is designed to change that.

Over three virtual sessions, participants will learn:
• The 15 steps to homeownership
• How credit scores and reports impact your buying power
• Loan products including VA, FHA, and Conventional
• Down Payment Assistance programs
• Key documents such as the Loan Estimate and Closing Statement

Classes will be held:
Thursday, February 19 | 6:00–8:00 PM
Friday, February 20 | 6:00–8:00 PM
Saturday, February 21 | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM

Participants must attend all three sessions.

Registration closes Tuesday, February 17.
Contact 908-351-7200 or UrbanLeague@ULOUCNJ.org to register.

02/12/2026

One of our most anticipated youth events of the year is back!

The 2026 New Jersey Regional You Be The Solution Challenge is returning to Union County, and every year the turnout grows. Middle school students from across the region come ready to compete, experiment and demonstrate their STEM knowledge in an atmosphere filled with pride and excitement.

This event reflects our commitment to education, opportunity and building pathways for long-term success. When our youth are given the tools, exposure and encouragement to explore science and innovation, they rise to the challenge every time.

We invite you to join us on Saturday, February 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Rahway Recreation Center. Admission is free.

We are also seeking dedicated volunteers to help make this event seamless and impactful. From welcoming families to supporting logistics throughout the day, your time and presence matter.

If you believe in empowering young people and strengthening our community, step forward. Register to attend or sign up to volunteer at uloucnj.org.

02/10/2026

Did you know?

Literary icon Zora Neale Hurston has ties to Union County.

During the 1930s, Hurston was a resident of Westfield, New Jersey, where she continued her work as a writer, anthropologist, and cultural preservationist. She was best known for Their Eyes Were Watching God, but she was a leading figure of the Harlem Renaissance and one of the most important voices in Black literature.

Her work centered Black life, Black language, and Black culture at a time when those stories were often dismissed or erased. Beyond her novels, Hurston made lasting contributions through her research documenting African American folklore, oral histories, and traditions across the South and the Caribbean.

As you see, Black history lives here, too, and Union County has played a role in shaping some of our most influential voices.