This institute is named after Olaudah Equiano because, despite being kidnapped, stolen, and trafficked as a child, he continued throughout his life to affirm the humanity and kinship he shared with all peoples, irrespective of their origins.

Equiano’s traumatic loss of family and freedom prompted him to famously document his life story for the cause of abolition. In honor of his efforts, we are equally committed to preserving and advancing all Hebrew peoples’ contributions to human liberation.