The White Rose Society Honors Dr. Michael L. Lomax

In a powerful affirmation of moral courage and cross-cultural solidarity, the White Rose Society honored Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF for his leadership in strengthening the historic bond between the Black and Jewish communities and for his enduring stand against hatred in all its forms.

The award was presented during a special ceremony at UNITE, UNCF’s flagship summit on higher education, hosted by its Institute for Capacity Building.

“I am deeply humbled by this recognition from the White Rose Society,” said Dr. Lomax. “To be honored in the name of those brave students who stood against hatred with nothing, but truth and conviction is a profound privilege. I accept this not for myself alone, but on behalf of the many Black and Jewish leaders, past and present, who’ve dared to believe in a freer, fairer world.”

With support from Robert Kraft, chairman and CEO, the Kraft Group and founder of the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism and in partnership with Hillel International, UNCF launched a series of Unity Dinners across the country to bring Black and Jewish college students together to help restore and strengthen the historic relationship between the communities. Under Dr. Lomax’s leadership, the initiative creates space for students to come together, learn from one another, and build lasting bonds rooted in shared values. It is a bold step toward nurturing a new generation of leaders committed to unity, justice and mutual respect.

The name “The White Rose Society” pays homage to the Weiße Rose (White Rose), a non-Jewish resistance group founded by students at the University of Munich in 1942. This courageous group took a stand against the injustices faced by the Jewish people during World War II, calling on their fellow students and the German public to resist the Nazi regime. Their legacy serves as a powerful reminder to break the silence and boldly advocate for freedom and against evil and prejudice in all forms.

Today, The White Rose Society honors individuals who have become beacons of hope for the Jewish people by recognizing those who make a difference through their actions. Past recipients of the award include Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and CNN host Van Jones.

“The White Rose Society extends its heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Lomax for his steadfast commitment to building bridges between the Jewish and Black communities and for his continuous fight against all forms of hate. His dedication serves as an inspiration to many, reminding us of the importance of standing together in the face of injustice,” said Julie Rau, executive director, The White Rose Society.

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About UNCF

UNCF is one of the nation’s largest and most effective supporters of higher education and serves as a leading advocate for college-bound students. Since its founding in 1944, UNCF has raised more than $6 billion to support students’ access to higher education, provide scholarships and strengthen historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Each year, UNCF supports more than 50,000 students at more than 600 colleges and universities across the country including 37 UNCF-member HBCUs. Through its efforts, UNCF has helped generations of students to get to and through college. We believe a college education plays a vital role in fortifying the pipeline of leaders and professionals who contribute to the advancement of our society. Our logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and our widely recognized trademark is, ‟A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”® For continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Instagram.