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Black and Jewish Leaders of Tomorrow
The Black and Jewish Leaders of Tomorrow (BJLOT) is a 501c3 organization founded in 2021 by Dr. John Eaves, who is an active member of the Black and Jewish communities of Atlanta.
Our organization fosters collaboration, understanding, and empowerment between Black and Jewish college students by creating a supportive and inclusive community where they can engage in meaningful dialogue, learn from each other's experiences, and work together to address antisemitism, racism, and bigotry on campus and beyond.
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Bridging Black and Jewish College Leaders for Unity and Change
Selection Criteria
Interested Applicants:
Eligibility Requirements: Must be a currently enrolled Black and/or Jewish student at participating schools with some leadership experience and a commitment to participate in the full program.
Application Deadline: March 1, 2024
Welcome Message
I am a Black and Jewish American, who is active in the Black and Jewish communities of Atlanta and the State of Georgia. I founded the Black and Jewish Leaders of Tomorrow (BJLOT) in 2021 because the historical relationship of Blacks and Jews that was so prominent during the Civil Rights era was becoming fractured, along with the rise of antisemitism and racism on college campuses across the USA.
With generous support from the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta with partnerships from the Antidefamation League, Hillel International, the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, and the United Negro College Fund, BJLOT is launching a collaborative effort to cultivate bridge building, establish friendships, and provide leadership training to Black and Jewish college students across the nation.
If you are a Black and/or Jewish college student, be inspired by the testimonials of your peers and consider applying to become a BJLOT Fellow so that you can become a part of a growing number of leaders, activists, and advocates who are emboldened to address and eradicate racism and antisemitism on college campuses and local communities.
Dr. John Eaves
Founder & National Director
Welcome Message
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About Us
What are the Leadership Forums?
The Leadership Forum is a 3-day event for 40-50 emerging leaders from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's) and Predominantly White Universities (PWI's). Forum participants engage in a meaningful dialogue to foster inter-group Black - Jewish relations, discuss mutual concerns about hate (i.e. racism and antisemitism) that are directed towards their respective communities, and develop a plan of action to combat hate in their on their college campuses and local communities.
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A sample of the sessions are below:
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Session 1
We are more alike than different: Team Building Strategies to Forge Future Alliances
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Session 2
Our Shared Legacy During the Civil Rights Era
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Session 3
How to Combat Antisemitism and Racism
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Session 4
Myths and Misconceptions of Blacks and Jews
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Session 5
How to Effect Change in the Political Process
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The first Leadership Forum for 2024 will convene in Atlanta on April 5 - 7.
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Unity Dinners
Unity Dinners
The Black and Jewish Leaders of Tomorrow is collaborating with the Anti-defamation League, the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, Hillel International, and the United Negro College Fund will launch a series of Unity Dinners on college campuses throughout the United States in 2024. Through this collaboration, we will organize Unity Dinners in 20 cities to be hosted at 20 colleges and universities by the end of 2024.
Unity Dinners are two-hour events that bring together Black and Jewish students to forge new relationships and understanding, and to spark students’ eagerness to learn more about each other and how the Black and Jewish communities can work together to fight anti-Black racism, antisemitism and bigotries of all kinds.
The inaugural Unity Dinner will be held at Dillard University on January 30, the second will be held at Spelman College on March 21.
Other hosting institutions will be Emory University, Howard University, Morgan State University, and Gratz College.
About the Founder and National Director Dr. John Eaves​
Dr. John Eaves is the Founder and National Director of the Black and Jewish Leaders of Tomorrow. His career is a demonstration of leadership in action. His passion for “service to others” reflects his Jewish ancestry, while being deeply grounded by challenges of racism associated with being a person of African ancestry.
Born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, Dr. Eaves came to Georgia as a Freshman at Morehouse College as a walk-on to the football team and rose to be a 4-year letterman and team captain by his Senior Year. While at Morehouse, John received local and national recognition for his volunteerism in Atlanta Public Schools.
Following his graduation from Morehouse, John served as National Director of the NCAA Volunteer for Youth Program and then the Southeast Regional Director of the Peace Corps. In 2006, he achieved his dream of public service by getting elected as Chairman of Fulton County--Georgia’s most populous county. During his 11-year tenure, Dr. Eaves established a reputation as a staunch advocate on Healthcare, Transportation, Voting, Homelessness, and Criminal Justice Reform.
Our Founder
Dr. Eaves holds a Masters Degree in Religion from Yale University
Dr. Eaves holds a Masters Degree in Religion from Yale University, and a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina. He is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including two (2) Fulbright Awards in Germany and Finland, and an American Memorial Fellow. He has written extensively about the intersectionality of being Black and Jewish, as an active member of the Temple (Hebrew Benevolent Congregation) in Atlanta, and he is the former chair of the Racial Justice Committee of the Rothschild Social Justice Institute.
Dr. Eaves’ passion is helping teach and mentor college students. He currently serves as a “senior instructor” at Spelman College and teaches dynamic young women in the Political Science Department. Dr. Eaves is a devoted father of two adult children. He lives in Atlanta.
Leadership Forum Agenda
Day 1
The Leadership Forum will begin with Leadership Fellows attending a Shabbat Service and dinner at a local synagogue.
Day 2
The Leadership Forum will feature a dynamic array of Black and Jewish elected officials and social justice advocates in a gathering at the Auburn Avenue Research Library.
Day 3
Day 3: The Leadership Forum will feature a dynamic array of Black and Jewish elected officials and social justice advocates in a gathering at the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta.
Leadership Forums
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Participating Schools
Participating Schools
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Partners and Sponsors
"I am interested in participating in this leadership forum because I believe that African Americans and Jewish people have a shared history of oppression, discrimination, and a goal of pursuing justice. Both communities have faced racism and prejudice where discussions in a forum like this can bridge connections and allow for conversations to take place."
Mya D.
Spelman College
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CONTACT US
+1 404-909-3249
215 Piedmont Avenue, Unit 1103, Atlanta, GA. 30308
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