It’s Complicated: Antisemitism and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion with Yavilah McCoy, April Powers, Eric K. Ward and Nadine Epstein

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives have been around for decades but only in recent years have they become a hot-button issue with many groups and government officials banning them. Since October 7, many Jews have jumped on the bandwagon, seeking to remove DEI offices from educational settings like colleges and universities, asserting that DEI excludes Jewish students and breeds antisemitism.

DEI experts Yavilah McCoy, CEO and founder of the non-profit DEI group Dimensions Educational Consulting, and April Powers, Vice President of DEI for Project Shema, join Wide River Project hosts Eric K. Ward and Nadine Epstein for a conversation about what DEI really is. They discuss how DEI has become a wedge issue dividing some in the Black and Jewish communities, why Jewish concerns, like fighting antisemitism, should and can be a part of DEI, and the importance of communicating with one another to bring about understanding and bridge divides.

This program is part of The Wide River Project which takes a deep dive—and fresh look—into the art, history and issues that both unite and divide the Black and Jewish communities.

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