Human beings are members of a whole,
in creation of one essence and soul.
If one member is afflicted with pain,
other members uneasy will remain.
If you have no sympathy for human pain,
the name of human you cannot retain
Humankind by Saʿdī Shīrāzī
In 2017, we began as a group of scholar-practitioners appalled by the inequalities shaping the lives of those in Brownsville’s historically Black community. Witnessing how systemic challenges limited opportunities for human flourishing, we dedicated ourselves to improving the lives of all residents, beginning with our children.
Our work translates complex global changes into local strategies for a thriving community. We develop initiatives designed to foster understanding, health, and resilience:
- Environmental Education: Our programs promote biodiversity and plant-based nutrition to encourage healthier lives.
- Interfaith Dialogue: We facilitate programming between local Jewish and Muslim communities, building bridges of understanding even through contentious global events.
- Historic Preservation: As climate change and economic development alter our city’s social geography, we work to protect our heritage. We successfully led the effort to place the first mosque in Florida on the National Register of Historic Places and are actively preserving the voices of the pioneers who established this community.
Our mission is to tell the stories that are often ignored, promote understanding where it is most difficult, and empower our community to flourish.