Yolanda Savage-Narva

Yolanda Savage-Narva (she/her) is the vice president of Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI) for the Union for Reform Judaism. For more than 20 years, Yolanda collaborated with Tribal governments to strengthen public health systems, promoted pedestrian safety and advocacy and coining the phrase, “Walking is a civil right,” and advancing health equity in states and territories. Most recently, Yolanda was the executive director with Operation Understanding DC, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting understanding, cooperation, and respect while fighting to eradicate racism, antisemitism, and all forms of discrimination. Yolanda is an alumna of the Union for Reform Judaism's JewV'Nation Fellowship and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., as well as an immediate past member of the Religious Action Center’s Commission on Social Action.

an image of Martin Luther King Jr. Waving in front of a group of people

Honoring the Legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Yolanda Savage-Narva
Over the past few months, I have been thinking a lot about our country and the world we live in. As I wrestle with the world as it is and hope and work towards the world that I want to see, the kind of world that I want to leave to my children and their children, I have asked myself big questions that I do not have answers to.

The 2024-2025 Eisendrath Legislative Assistant Fellowship Focuses on Racial Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Yolanda Savage-Narva, Jacob Greenblatt
Participants in the Eisendrath Legislative Assistant Fellowship are key to the work we do to educate, inspire and mobilize the Reform Jewish Movement to advocate for social justice. But for many years, the fellowship has not fully reflected the diversity of the Reform Movement and wider Jewish community. Amid today's divided climate, our commitment to racial equity, diversity, and inclusion is more important than ever.
dairy products on wheat field table torah symbols

Favorite Jewish Teachings from Leaders of Color

Yolanda Savage-Narva
In honor of Shavuot and the Giving of the Torah, I have been spending some time reflecting on some of my favorite teachings from Jewish sacred literature, both those that resonate with me, and those that feel most important or most timely.
supreme court builder with words equal justice under law

We Are Witnessing History

Yolanda Savage-Narva
As a Black woman, a Jew, an American, and a human being, April 7, 2022, is a day that I will always remember. I will remember it for the historic event that it was: the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to the Supreme Court.

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