At the Super Bowl Black-Jewish Unity Summit, Connection is the Winner
Super Bowl Sunday drew millions of eyes to New Orleans for the biggest football game of the year. That same weekend, at historic Xavier University, well-known athletes gathered with Black, Jewish, and Black and Jewish students for a powerful conversation about their roles in fighting hate.
This Unity Summit was a continuation of the Black-Jewish Unity Dinner series, created in partnership by Hillel International, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), and Robert Kraft’s Foundation to Combat Antisemitism (FCAS). These gatherings, now in their second year, bring together Jewish students and students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), to build on the historical bonds between Black and Jewish communities. In doing so, they create opportunities for a new generation of college students to connect, communicate, and build relationships.
“We know that antisemitism and racism are very real challenges that the Jewish and Black communities face, and by coming together to learn about how we are all impacted, we can work to build a better future. ,” said Dani Levine, director of social impact at Hillel International. “It is crucial that we acknowledge our histories, learn from one another, and unite in our efforts to fight hate and discrimination.”
With a dedicated focus on the power of college athletes to serve as campus leaders, the Unity Summit included a panel discussion with notable sports and media figures, including, Dearica Hamby, WNBA Champion, two-time WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year, and forward for the Los Angeles Sparks, Nancy Lieberman, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer and two-time Olympian silver-medalist, Leonard Fournette, professional football running back and Super Bowl champion, Greg Joseph, NFL place kicker and one of the only active Jewish players in the 2024 NFL season, and Jake Retzlaff, the first-ever Jewish quarterback to play at Brigham Young University. Some other special guests stopped by throughout the event, including Malcolm Butler, Meek Mill, and Gayle King.
Attendees spent time together in small-group conversations, while on-site content creators created real-time content to share with their communities. More than 100 Black and Jewish college athletes were in attendance, representing Xavier University, Tulane University, Dillard University, and Loyola University.
“Athletes have to come together across difference everyday to work towards a shared goal. Student athletics are some of the most diverse spaces on college campuses, and we were grateful that so many student athletes were able to share their experiences with each other and apply the lessons they’ve learned from the sports world to the important work of fighting bias. ” Levine said. ”
The event also highlighted the special microgrant opportunity offered from Hillel International that invests in the ongoing connections and collaborations between Black and Jewish students. Students who attended the Summit or any Unity Dinner were eligible to receive up to $1,000 in microgrants to host a follow-up event of any kind — the only requirement being that it is organized by at least one Jewish and one HBCU student.
As of February 2025, Unity Dinners have engaged hundreds of students throughout Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Houston, and New Orleans. We’re excited to continue the series later this year with students from across the country. Learn more about past Unity Dinners.