For more than 25 years, Operation Understanding DC has been gathering a group of Black and Jewish youth designed to foster leaders who will fight racism, antisemitism, and other forms of discrimination. In recent years, youth who do not identify as Black and/or Jewish but have a commitment to these goals have joined some cohorts.

Covid-19 and has altered specific learning opportunities available to students as well as the ways in which students “meet” and interact with one another, says Executive Director Yolanda Savage-Narva. The program’s basic focus remains on self-reflection and learning to be curious, and willing to understand, people from different backgrounds. But the pandemic has created new challenges and opportunities, Savage-Narva explains, for students to learn about one another and their home communities.

Tune in for more on the pandemic and Operation Understanding DC. This segment begins at about 31:00. Audio here, and video below —