National Urban League President Marc Morial will join the Urban League of Greater Kansas City to celebrate its 100th Anniversary during the organization’s annual Difference Maker Awards and Equal to the Challenge celebration on Tues., Dec. 1, at 11:45 a.m.

The annual event, which usually includes a packed and diverse group of business professionals, is usually the Urban League’s major fundraiser of this year. However, like most things in 2020, the league adapted to the pandemic circumstances and in a great way. They’re taking on important and timely issues, with a heavy hitting panel of experts that will be available for free and to a much larger audience.

In addition to honoring the 2020 Difference Makers, the event will feature a fireside chat, “Protecting Black Lives: 21st Century Policing Reform.” The panel will discuss strategies for policing reform in Kansas City and will be moderated by Morial, who will be joined by:

Dr. Cedric Alexander, CNN/MSNBC correspondent and former law enforcement official,

Chief Brian Evans of the Gary, IN, Police Department, a procedural justice pilot city,

Lee Merritt, civil rights attorney representing the families of Ahmaud Arbery, Cameron Lamb and Donnie Sanders,

Dr. Linwood Tauheed, associate professor of economics at UMKC and president of National Economic Association,

Heather Taylor, spokeswoman for Ethical Society of Police and police reform advocate, and

Ryan X, organizer, activist and co-founder of Black Rainbow.

Even though the event is free, individuals are asked to register at Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.com, search Protecting Black Lives, 21st Century Policing Reform. The event will livestream @ www.ULKCDifferenceMaker.com.