The National Urban League is a historic civil rights organization in the United States with a focus on economic empowerment and social justice for African Americans and other underserved populations. It was founded in 1910 in New York City by Ruth Standish Baldwin and Dr. George Edmund Haynes, among others.

The Urban League's early work centered around helping African Americans migrate from the rural South to urban areas in the North for better economic opportunities. The organization provided job placement assistance, housing services, and education and training programs to support Black communities in urban areas.

Throughout its history, the National Urban League has been at the forefront of the civil rights movement, advocating for equal rights, economic justice, and social change. It has played a significant role in promoting desegregation, voter registration, and fair employment practices.

Under the leadership of influential figures such as Whitney M. Young Jr. and Vernon Jordan, the Urban League expanded its advocacy efforts to address issues such as education equality, healthcare disparities, and criminal justice reform.

Today, the National Urban League continues to be a leading voice for social and economic empowerment in African American communities, working towards creating a more equitable and just society for all.