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With DEI out of favor, advocates push to honor the Jewish philanthropist who built 5,000 schools for Black children

JL;DR SUMMARY The rediscovery of Julius Rosenwald's legacy highlights his pivotal role in funding nearly 5,000 schools for Black children during the Jim Crow era, an effort that is being revered amid current anti-DEI sentiments. A way out west there was a fella, fella I want to tell you about, fella by the name of Jeff Lebowski. At least, that was the handle his lovin' parents gave him, but he never had much use for it himself. This Lebowski, he called himself the Dude. Now, Dude, that's a name no one would self-apply where I come from. But then, there was a lot about the Dude that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. And a lot about where he lived, likewise. But then again, maybe that's why I found the place s'durned innarestin'.

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Tags

Jewish PhilanthropyCivil RightsJewish Black RelationsJulius RosenwaldAviva KempnerBooker T. WashingtonRosenwald SchoolsBlack EducationFisk UniversityNational Historic Park

Places mentioned

Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, United States
"More than a decade ago, she attended a talk on Marthas Vineyard by civil rights activist Julian Bond, who spoke about Julius Rosenwald, the Jewish businessman and head of retailing giant Sears, Roebuck."
Illinois, United States
"Aviva Kempner makes films about what she calls underknown Jewish heroes. More than a decade ago, she attended a talk on Marthas Vineyard by civil rights activist Julian Bond, who spoke about Julius Rosenwald, the Jewish businessman and head of retailing giant Sears, Roebuck."
Maryland, United States
"The bill calls for a Chicago site that once included the Sears merchandising complex, as well as sites of schools in rural Maryland, South Carolina and Virginia."
South Carolina, United States
"The bill calls for a Chicago site that once included the Sears merchandising complex, as well as sites of schools in rural Maryland, South Carolina and Virginia."
Virginia, United States
"The bill calls for a Chicago site that once included the Sears merchandising complex, as well as sites of schools in rural Maryland, South Carolina and Virginia."
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
"But Durbins bill is landing as the administration has moved to take down slavery exhibits at the Presidents House in Philadelphia; ordered the Smithsonian Institution to remove what it deems divisive narratives; removed the LGBT Pride flag"
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
"At Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, scholars and archivists have recently opened a major new window into Rosenwalds legacy."
Washington, Washington DC, United States
"At the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., an exhibition titled A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools that Changed America is on view through January 2027."
Dallas, Texas, United States
"And yet this remains hidden history, and its scope and sweep is largely unknown. Kempner, who has screened her film for Black and Jewish audiences, thinks the current commemorative efforts are long overdue. Its a great story of solidarit"

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Retrieved 2026-04-15 18:00:19 UTC
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