The Charlotte Jewish News- November 2026- Page 13
Circle of Humanity: Charlotte’ s New Holocaust Memorial and Shared Legacy
By Rabbi Judy Schindler and Minister Corine Mack
Charlotte’ s vision for a Circle of Humanity urban plaza will unite a new Holocaust Memorial Sculpture with our city’ s existing Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Statue, creating a one-of-a-kind space found nowhere else in the world. It is a vision made possible through deep relationships.
For decades, Minister Corine Mack, president of Charlotte-Mecklenburg NAACP, and Rabbi Judy Schindler have been in conversation about the historic partnership between the African American and Jewish communities.
Together, Blacks and Jews helped found the NAACP in 1909. Together, philanthropist Julius Rosenwald and educator Booker T. Washington built more than 5,000 Rosenwald Schools across the South, expanding educational opportunities for Black students. Together, civil rights leaders marched, organized and were jailed in the struggle to dismantle the segregation of the Jim Crow South. They also confronted antisemitism and racism, recognizing both as manifestations of the same poisonous ideology of white supremacy. Many took extraordinary risks and, in some cases, gave their lives in pursuit of justice.
History is filled with stories of this partnership. Jewish refugees from the Holocaust found refuge teaching at historically Black colleges and universities throughout the South when other institutions closed their doors to them. Black soldiers serving in World War II helped liberate concentration camps, rescuing Jews who stood at the edge of death.
Two years ago, the conversation between Minister Mack and Rabbi Judy took a new turn. Plans for the redevelopment of
Marshall Park meant that Charlotte’ s modest Holocaust Memorial and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Statue would be impacted. Rather than addressing the status of the memorials separately, Minister Mack asked a transformative question: What if they were brought together?
Rabbi Judy had long heard
The team celebrates a successful County Commission meeting.
calls from Charlotte’ s Jewish community for a Holocaust Memorial worthy of the dozens of survivors who made Charlotte their home, many of whom have since passed away. The existing Martin Luther King Jr. statue, meanwhile, sits in a location that is inaccessible to many visitors, surrounded by mulch. It overlooks the historic Brooklyn neighborhood, a once-thriving Black community destroyed in the name of“ urban renewal.”
Minister Mack envisioned something larger. What if Charlotte created an educational plaza where the stories of the Holocaust, the Civil Rights Movement, and the enduring Black-Jewish partnership could be told together? As plans for Marshall Park or the“ People’ s Park” continue to evolve, the sponsors of the Circle of Humanity believe it will be the perfect setting for the monuments. For decades, it has been where Charlotteans gathered to honor Dr. King, marched for justice, protested injustice, and dreamed. It could become a destination where students, residents, and visitors learn not only about history’ s darkest chapters, but also about the power of communities standing together. With this, Circle of Humanity: Monuments for Unity and Remembrance was born.
Circle of Humanity will ultimately serve to honor the victims and survivors of the Holocaust while celebrating the achievements of the Civil Rights Movement. It will tell the story of multicultural collaboration that has strengthened our community and invite future generations to continue building a more just society. The Vision Takes Hold To bring this to life, a remarkable partnership quickly emerged among Queens University of Charlotte, the NAACP, the Stan Greenspon Holocaust Education Center, the Charlotte Black / Jewish Alliance, and Charlotte-Mecklenburg County. Diverse community-based committees were established to guide urban design, memorial selection, education, fundraising, and community engagement.
Circle of Humanity supporters gather at the June 17 Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners meeting ahead of a unanimous vote advancing plans for the Holocaust Memorial at Marshall Park.
On June 17, 2025, the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners unanimously authorized the County Manager to negotiate and execute a Memorandum of Understanding recognizing the future donation of a new Holocaust Memorial and the accompanying Circle of Humanity improvements at Marshall Park. Designing Memory A national design competition followed and Urban Design Partners, working with Groundworks Studio, was selected to create the educational plaza with a design called Woven Histories. Every aspect of the design from the pathways to the contemplative space symbolizes the unique and interconnected histories of Charlotte’ s communities and invites reflection, learning and dialogue.
Fifty-seven sculptors from across the country submitted proposals for the Holocaust Memorial. Eight semifinalists were selected based on artistic excellence, experience, feasibility, and connection to the project. Two finalist teams developed complete concepts, and twelve community engagement
sessions held across the county brought together more than 850 Charlotte residents to share their perspectives. The response was overwhelmingly positive.
Participants consistently expressed a desire for a memorial that was emotionally powerful, historically accurate, and accompanied by meaningful educational programming. By a significant margin, the community selected“ In Transit: The Weight of Absence,” designed by Durham, North Carolina, sculptors David Wilson and Stephen Hayes.
Their moving design depicts a railcar with seven members of a family being separated from one another, reflecting the countless individuals who were stripped of identity, autonomy, and human connection long before arriving at the concentration camps. It is a memorial not only to loss but also to the devastating human consequences of forced displacement and dehumanization.
Education remains at the heart of the project. Plans now include a digital learning hub and interactive educational experiences that explore Holocaust history, Civil Rights history, the shared Black-Jewish legacy, and the universal lessons of our common humanity. A Chorus of Support On June 16, 2026, Minister Mack, Rabbi Judy, David Wilson, and Stephen Hayes presented the project to the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center. Remarks by the commissioners reflected broad enthusiasm for the vision.
Commissioner Vilma Leake pledged,“ Whatever I can do to help, I’ m going to do it. I’ m here to help.”
Commissioner Leigh Altman shared her family’ s Holocaust story and reflected on the shared belief that every person is created in the image of God. She described Circle of Humanity as a lasting reminder that confronting hatred begins with recognizing our common humanity.
Commissioner Arthur Griffin spoke of growing up in Charlotte and witnessing the long-standing partnership between the African American and Jewish communities. He said Circle of Humanity will help students at the new Second Ward High School, opening in 2028( after being closed for 59 years) just blocks away, better understand both the destruction of the Brooklyn neighborhood and the promise of reconciliation.
Board Chair Mark Jerrell praised the project’ s vision, artistry, and symbolism, noting at a time of increasing division, Circle of Humanity demonstrates what is possible when leaders from different communities choose partnership over separation. The Path Forward The project budget is in the process of being finalized. The leadership team is committed to responsible stewardship, ensuring donor support funds both the memorial’ s long-term care and educational programming while investing in North Carolina artists and Charlotte-based businesses. Queens University is providing the fundraising support for the project.
The objective is to dedicate the Circle of Humanity around Yom HaShoah and the anniversary of Dr. King’ s assassination in April 2028.
Construction can begin once the necessary funds are pledged and raised. In turn, this ambitious timeline now rests in the hands of the community. Our leadership team is happy to visit with your organization or business to share the vision or to speak with you about naming opportunities.
Why Does the Circle of Humanity Matter? Because antisemitism continues to threaten Jewish communities. Because racism continues to threaten Black communities. Because history reminds us we are strongest when we stand together. And because Charlotte has an extraordinary opportunity to tell a story that inspires future generations to choose courage over hatred, partnership over division and our shared humanity over fear. To learn more or support the vision, contact Rabbi Judy Schindler, schindlerj @ queens. edu or Corine Mack, naacp @ charlotte-naacp. com.