Black and Jewish College Students Coming Together for UNITY Dinner at Coppin State University to Forge New Relationships and Understanding
BALTIMORE — Black and Jewish students will gather for a UNITY Dinner on Tuesday, April 8, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at J. Millard Tawes Center Ballroom, Coppin State University, 2500 W. North Avenue, Baltimore, MD. The aim of the dinner is to highlight shared values and forge new relationships and understanding between communities.
In addition to deepening education and dialogues, the dinner will also focus on how the Black and Jewish communities can work together to fight anti-Black racism, antisemitism and bigotry of all kinds.
Students, faculty and administrators will be participating from Bowie State University, Coppin State University, Goucher College, Johns Hopkins University, Morgan State University, Towson University and University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
The UNITY Dinner at Coppin State University is one of a series of events involving Black and Jewish students. Created in partnership by UNCF, Robert Kraft's Foundation to Combat Antisemitism (FCAS), Black and Jewish Leaders of Tomorrow (BJLOT), and Hillel International, UNITY Dinners aim to rebuild the historical bonds between Black and Jewish communities.
Funded by Robert Kraft, UNITY Dinners bring together Jewish students at Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs) and students from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to create a unique and critical opportunity for a new generation of college students to connect, communicate and build relationships, in the hopes of creating a more just future for themselves and their communities.
Students have the opportunity to engage in courageous conversations, identifying issues of shared interest and concern while building future alliances to fight racism and antisemitism through activism and advocacy. Previous dinners have been held in Atlanta, Washington, DC., Houston and New Orleans, with an upcoming dinner to be held in New York City.
Dr. John Eaves, founder and national director, Black and Jewish Leaders of Tomorrow, said: “The UNITY Dinners Nationwide Tour will become a catalyst for change on college campuses across the country by inspiring a critical mass of Black and Jewish college students to address antisemitism and racism.”
Adam Lehman, president and CEO of Hillel International, said: “At a time of deepening divisions in our world and on college campuses, having Jewish students and leaders coming together in unity with Black students and leaders is more important than ever. We are honored and excited to partner with BJLOT and UNCF on this new initiative. These dinners provide a unique forum for the types of open conversation, relationship-building and cross-community dialogue that our campuses desperately need right now.”
Dr. Anthony L. Jenkins, president, Coppin State University, said: “The UNITY Dinner exemplifies the power of students coming to together to share their experiences and values. Fostering a safe environment of mutual respect and understanding is essential combating the issues that each community faces individually and as a collective.”
Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF, said: “I envision these dinners as a space for dialogue, education and empowerment, where young minds can learn from each other’s experiences and build a brighter, more inclusive future. Together, these students will lay the foundation to create a society that celebrates diversity and stands against discrimination.”
