O

n a picture-perfect Michigan 
summer evening, the 
Coalition of Black and 
Jewish Unity hosted its annual barbe-
que with a packed crowd of friends 
and a warm atmosphere of solidarity 
and goodwill. It was, in the words of 
co-chair Rev. Deedee Coleman, “a 
true festival of love.” 
The event, hosted at the residence 
of Linda and Coalition Co-Founder 
Mark Jacobs, featured a barbeque 
truck, lawn games, music and a pro-
gram that highlighted the Coalition’s 
successful kickoff of its Leadership 
Academy for high school students. 
A number of the students from the 
Academy attended the event, which 
for them was a reunion of sorts, as 
many had not seen each other since 

the “graduation” trip to Washington, 
D.C., last spring. 
Several of the students addressed 
the crowd, explaining how the 
Academy had personally impacted 
them.
“I am forever grateful for this 
organization,” said Aniyah Hinds, 
now a freshman at University of 
Michigan, “so much so that I’m 
now actually taking a class on the 
history of Judaism. That trip was 
amazing, and I have now seen the 
similarities of Blacks and Jews and 
how much we have in common.” 
Aniyah explained she was initially 
skeptical of enrolling in the Academy 
but was urged to do so by her father, 
Pastor Aramis Hinds, a member of 
the Coalition’s Executive Committee. 

But having now gone through the 
classes and the trip, she states that the 
experience had a profound effect on 
her and was “truly mind-opening.”
Spencer Cherrin, a senior at 
Frankel Jewish Academy, was simi-
larly affected by having participated 
in the Academy. He also addressed 
the crowd and explained how the 
Academy enabled him to establish 
new relationships, which have caused 
him to be an “ally” to the Black com-
munity, and he’s certain the feelings 
with his new friends are mutual. 
The visit to the African American 
Museum of History and Culture in 
Washington, D.C. (“my new favorite 
museum”) was the highlight of the 
trip for him. The Coalition, he pas-
sionately told the group, is “the great-

est coalition on earth” — a remark 
that drew a raucous ovation from the 
crowd.
The glowing words from the 
students set the tone for the eve-
ning for everyone. “The event was 
energizing,” remarked Rev. Stancy 
Adams, the chair of the Interfaith 
Leadership Council of Metropolitan 
Detroit. “The integration of the 
young people from the Leadership 
Academy provided an ambiance of 
hope for the future.” 
Many of the attendees were prom-
inent leaders from both the Black 
and Jewish communities. Several 
commented that when they create 
programs for their organizations, they 
are often concerned their message 
can get lost in a one-off event. But all 
agreed that the Academy, as an ongo-
ing educational experience, is entirely 
different and groundbreaking.
Rabbi Marla Hornsten, a co-chair 
of the Coalition, said that watching 
the students at the barbeque and 
feeling the joy of the evening put 
a smile on her face the entire eve-
ning. “This Coalition really is truly 

TOP LEFT: Some students who attended the Leadership Academy. Top Row: Aniyah Hinds, Trinity Pickett-Murphy, Tiffany Orr, Matthew Devaney, Gideon Lopatin, Aryer 
Gamer, Richard White, IV; Bottom Row: Lillian Moss, Elan Rosenberg, Spencer Cherrin, Caleb Starr, Kassidy Moore. TOP RIGHT: Aniyah Hinds addresses the attendees.

Coalition for Black and Jewish Unity lauds its 
Leadership Academy at Annual BBQ.
Energizing Event

JN STAFF / PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARK JACOBS

OUR COMMUNITY
SUB DEPARTMENT

16 | SEPTEMBER 5 • 2024 J
N

