By Chrissy M. Thornton
Special to the AFRO
Credit: Unsplash / Aarón Blanco Tejedor
On Nov. 14, 2024, Baltimore took a significant step toward bridging historical divides with the launch of its inaugural cohort of the Rekindle Fellowship. This transformative initiative, a collaboration between The Associated, The Elijah Cummings Youth Program (ECYP), Associated Black Charities (ABC) and the Baltimore Jewish Council (BJC), seeks to foster deeper relationships among Black, Jewish and Black Jewish leaders. Rekindle creates an intentional space for dialogue, understanding and mutual growth, providing a critical platform for connection in a city shaped by both shared struggles and historical tensions.
Rekindle is a national program that began in Cleveland and has since expanded to 20 cities across the country. Its mission is to create lasting relationships through honest, often difficult conversations, tackling issues such as intergenerational trauma, race and identity, faith, and allyship. The program’s structure – five cohort sessions, small group cultural exchanges, and one-on-one coffee meetups – ensures that participants don’t just discuss the issues but build relationships that can lead to collaborative action. The success of Rekindle in other cities has demonstrated the power of these relationships, strengthening intercommunity bonds and fostering meaningful social change.
In Baltimore, the inaugural cohort – facilitated by Dr. Susanna Garfein, AVP of lLeadership engagement at The Associated, and Kathleen St. Villier Hill, executive director of The Elijah Cummings Youth Program – consisted of 15 leaders from diverse backgrounds, including Joseph Fink (Morgan Stanley), Adam Frank (Baltimore Center Stage), Reut Friedman (The Joint JDC), Sarah Grebow (nonprofit major gifts consultant), Tzvi Haber (Imadi), Elisha Johnson (Requity), Alaine Jolicoeur (E.L. Haynes Public Charter School), Helene Kahn (Thread), Mikkyo McDaniel (University of Baltimore), Nancy Poole (KIPP Baltimore), Erica Reaves (Health Management Associates), Monyai Stukes (Greenspring Advisors), Khalil Uqdah (Charm City Buyers), Stevie Walker-Webb (Baltimore Center Stage), and Leia Zeitlin (Exelon).
Two particularly compelling members of this cohort are Adam Frank and Stevie Walker-Webb, the managing director and artistic director of Baltimore Center Stage, respectively. Their leadership at Maryland’s state theater represents a powerful symbol of the Rekindle Fellowship’s mission. Frank, who is Jewish, and Walker-Webb, who is Black, both arrived at Baltimore Center Stage within a year of each other, charged with steering the institution into a new era of artistic excellence and social responsibility.
Frank, with a background in nonprofit theater management, has played a crucial role in shaping the business and operational strategies of arts organizations, ensuring their sustainability and relevance in today’s evolving cultural landscape. Before joining Baltimore Center Stage, he worked with several prominent theater organizations, developing strategies that balanced financial sustainability with artistic innovation. Walker-Webb, an acclaimed director and activist, brings a dynamic creative vision, with work that centers on social justice and inclusion. His directorial work, including a Tony-nominated production of “Ain’t No Mo’,” has cemented his reputation as a transformative artist. He has also worked extensively with community-driven storytelling initiatives, using theater as a tool for activism and change. Together, Frank and Walker-Webb are co-leading an institution that has long been a vital part of Maryland’s cultural ecosystem, demonstrating how cross-cultural collaboration can enrich and sustain the arts.
Their participation in Rekindle provides an opportunity to explore some of the deeper questions that shape Black and Jewish relations. What is the relationship between Judaism and Whiteness? Where has there been friction between these communities in the past, and where have they historically aligned? How does intergenerational trauma continue to shape the experiences of both groups? Through these conversations, Rekindle challenges participants to confront history while imagining a future of mutual support and advocacy. These discussions extend beyond the structured sessions, with cohort members engaging in immersive cultural exchanges – hosting Shabbat dinners, visiting each other’s places of worship, attending theater performances, and reflecting on shared experiences over coffee. This relational foundation sets the stage for collaborative action projects that will bring Black and Jewish communities together to tackle shared challenges in Baltimore.
The tragic events of Oct. 7, 2024, in Israel created deep ripples across communities that extended to the Greater Baltimore region, with some retreating into silence while others sought to repair strained relationships. The organizations behind Rekindle chose the latter, leaning into their shared histories of resilience and their commitment to combating hate together. ABC and The Associated have been working together to champion cross-cultural initiatives, including their now annual Dinner, Dialogue, and Diversity event, which encourages open, honest conversations over shared meals and fun – an ethos deeply aligned with Rekindle’s mission.
Baltimore has a long history of both unity and division between its Black and Jewish communities. While there were moments of solidarity, particularly during the Civil Rights Movement, there were also tensions – stemming from economic and social disparities, as well as misunderstandings that festered over time. Programs like Rekindle offer an opportunity to confront these challenges directly, ensuring that the next generation of Black and Jewish leaders engage with one another from a place of knowledge and partnership rather than assumption or historical grievance.
As we look toward the future, it is inspiring to consider what a united Baltimore might look like. The city is now led by Mayor Brandon Scott and newly elected City Council President Zeke Cohen – two leaders who could be a powerful pairing in the next Rekindle cohort. Their collaboration already demonstrates the power of difficult but necessary dialogue in fostering trust, understanding, and a shared vision for the city’s future. Their inclusion in a future Rekindle cohort could further underscore the program’s impact in shaping leadership that is not just inclusive but actively engaged in breaking down barriers. Wouldn’t that be a gift to the city?
The first Rekindle cohort in Baltimore has set the stage for deeper, more transformative relationships between Black and Jewish communities in the city. By prioritizing honest dialogue, cultural exchange and collaborative action, Baltimore is positioning itself as a leader in intercommunal bridge-building. As we anticipate the second cohort’s launch in late 2025, there is hope that these efforts will continue to ripple outward, strengthening the bonds that make Baltimore a more united, resilient city.
Chrissy M. Thornton is the president and CEO of Associated Black Charities.
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