Tikkun Olam Initiative
The Tikkun Olam Initiative, a collaboration between UNCF, the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism (FCAS) and Hillel International, connects students from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and from Hillels at predominantly White institutions (PWIs). Launched in 2024, the program builds cross-cultural understanding and cultivates a new generation of leaders committed to social justice and equity.
“Tikkun olam,” a phrase in Hebrew that means repairing the world, is a Jewish concept of responsibility to transform and address systemic issues and promote social justice. The Tikkun Olam Initiative fosters meaningful relationships between Black and Jewish students at HBCUs and PWIs. The program engages students in immersive experiences that encourage dialogue and collaboration as well as raise awareness of the historical and contemporary challenges faced by both communities. By confronting legacies of hate and discrimination, Tikkun Olam Initiative participants explore narratives of resilience, advocacy and the intertwined struggles for justice.
During the 2025-2026 school year, the Tikkun Olam Initiative seeks to bring together students from 80 American colleges and universities, creating a foundation for empathy, collaboration and social change.
Unity Dinners
An integral part of the Tikkun Olam Initiative is its Unity Dinners, which bring together students from HBCUs and from Hillels at PWIs. These powerful evenings create a space for students to connect, share experiences, form meaningful relationships that transcend cultural divides and develop social change initiatives to improve the Black-Jewish alliance.
This year, Unity Dinners will be held in 14 cities across the country:
New Orleans
September 15
Hosted by Dillard University, Tulane University, Loyola University and Xavier University of Louisiana
Baltimore
September 17
Hosted by Bowie State University, Coppin State University, Morgan State University, Towson University, Johns Hopkins University, The University of Maryland, Baltimore and Goucher College
Philadelphia
September 28
Hosted by Cheyney State University, Lincoln University, University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University and Temple University
Washington, D.C.
November 4
Hosted by Howard University, George Washington University, Georgetown University, American University, George Mason University, The Catholic University of America and Gallaudet University
New York City
November 12
Hosted by Baruch College, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Medgar Evers College and Hunter College
Atlanta
November 17
Hosted by Clark Atlanta University, Agnes Scott College, Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University, Morehouse College, Morris Brown College, Spelman College, University of Georgia
Los Angeles
February 6
Hosted by Hampton University, North Carolina A&T University, UCLA, and the University of Southern California
San Francisco
February 11
Hosted by Stanford University, San Francisco State University, and the University of San Francisco
Charlotte
February 24
Hosted by Davidson College, Queens College, Johnson S. Smith University, Livingston College, and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Houston
February 25
Hosted by Rice University, Texas Southern University, and the University of Houston
Memphis
February 26
Hosted by LeMoyne-Owen College, Rhodes College, Rust College, and the University of Memphis
Tallahassee
March 4
Hosted by Florida A&M University and Florida State University
Tuscaloosa
TBA
Hosted by Stillman College, Shelton Community College, and the University of Alabama
Nashville
TBA
Hosted by Fisk University, Tennessee State University, and Vanderbilt University
Montgomery: TBA
Unity Summit
In addition to Unity Dinners throughout the year, the Tikkun Olam Initiative also holds an annual Unity Summit, organized by UNCF, FCAS and Hillel International, creating space for expanded conversations and actions that meaningfully bridge divides and create a more unified future. These summits bring together Black and Jewish college students as well as current and former professional athletes.
The second annual Unity Summit will be held in Los Angeles, during the NBA All-Star Weekend on Feb. 13-15, 2026. Last year’s summit was held at Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans during Super Bowl LIX, connecting more than 100 students.
For more information, contact:
John H. Eaves, Ph.D., Program Director, Tikkun Olam Initiative and Social Innovation Fund: Black – Jewish Partnerships for Social Justice Program