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