Launched in 2021, The Wide River Project (WRP) is a groundbreaking initiative of the Moment Institute dedicated to deepening understanding of the rich, complex history and evolving relationship between Black and Jewish communities in America. Through conversations, educational programs and creative collaboration, WRP explores the many “currents” that shape this shared history.

We are thrilled to announce a new initiative of The Wide River Project: The Wide River Collective. This four-day convening will bring together artists, educators, scholars, writers and community leaders who are deeply committed to strengthening Black-Jewish relations. Together, participants will imagine new ways to engage people through the arts, storytelling and creative expression. They will collaborate to create artistic, educational and multimedia projects—from music, theater and visual art to film, writing and digital media—that will deepen understanding, spark dialogue and foster lasting connections across Black and Jewish communities.

Following the convening, these ideas will continue to be refined and developed through ongoing collaboration before being piloted in communities across the country. The goal is to create arts-based approaches and innovative resources that can be adapted for a variety of educational, cultural and civic settings.

The convening will take place December 7-10, 2026, in Washington, DC.

The Wide River Project hosts include Nadine Epstein, Editor-in-Chief & CEO of Moment, Eric K. Ward, Executive Vice President of Race Forward and Suzanne Borden, Moment’s VP of Public Affairs. The Wide River Collective is made possible by generous grants from The Covenant Foundation, the Jewish Community Foundation, the Greater Washington Community Foundation and the InSolidarity Project. 

The Wide River Collective Advisory Council includes Joe Alterman, jazz musician and executive director of Neranenah Concert & Culture Series; Sara Brenner, executive director of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Washington; Ilana Kaufman, founder and CEO of the Jews of Color Initiative; Aleta Margolis, founder and president of the Center for Inspired Teaching; Yolanda Savage-Narva, vice president of Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI) at the Union for Reform Judaism; and Tonia Wellons, president and CEO of the Greater Washington Community Foundation.

For more information contact sborden@momentmag.com.

African American Roots and Resilience with Dr. Lillie J. Edwards

Join Dr. Lillie J. Edwards for a four-part lecture series exploring the broad landscape of African American history from its African origins to the 21st century. The class will highlight how African Americans shaped and defined America while resisting white supremacy and systemic dehumanization based on race, gender and class.

Dr. Edwards is Professor Emerita of History and African American Studies at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. She was the founding Director of Pan-African Studies and received awards for excellent and distinguished teaching. 

Watch and learn at your own pace! This class is for anyone interested in learning more about African-American history.

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