Dr. Michael Lomax, President and CEO of UNCF, traces the roots of his advocacy to his upbringing in California, where early relationships with the Jewish community left a lasting impact. Those formative experiences eventually led him to oversee the National Center for Black-Jewish Relations during his tenure as president of Dillard University. His commitment was reignited following the 2017 “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, a moment that shook him out of complacency. In the aftermath, Dr. Lomax recognized the deep parallels between antisemitic violence, such as the Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, and anti-Black hate, including the massacre at Tops Friendly Markets in Buffalo. As President and CEO of UNCF, Dr. Lomax “reaffirms its unwavering commitment to stand against all forms of hatred. We are proud of the bridges built between the Black and Jewish communities; partnerships rooted in resilience and a common dream of freedom. We stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters, not as newly minted allies, but as partners bound by a shared legacy of resilience and a shared dream of liberation. As we raise our voices against the unresolved hatreds that linger from our past, we stand arm in arm, heart to heart, not just as witnesses to injustice but as architects of a future rooted in justice and love. We are resolute in our commitment to build a world where dignity and humanity prevail, knowing that when we fail to speak for others, we risk a future where no one is left to speak for us.” Thank you, Dr. Lomax, for your unwavering friendship with the Jewish people, your steadfast commitment to building bridges between the Jewish and Black communities and for continuously fighting all forms of hate.
