Who We Are

What We Do

Since 1993, Operation Understanding DC (OUDC) has worked with youth in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia (DMV) with the goal of empowering a generation of social justice leaders who will promote respect, understanding and cooperation while fighting to eradicate racism, anti-Semitism and all forms of discrimination. OUDC’s signature program is the Social Justice Fellowship, a transformational year long program for high school juniors. Our Fellows are dedicated to learning how to recognize, confront and challenge racism, anti-Semitism and discrimination where they find it and educating their communities on how to do the same. They build bridges and use their skills to bring together people of different races, ethnicities, religions, socio-economic backgrounds, sexual orientations and gender identities.

In addition, OUDC serves as a thought leader in the DMV on issues of racial equity and social justice, serving in a number of leadership roles to advance change. Through various community engagements, we also facilitate critical dialogue to propel change toward social justice and promote young people as key assets in the movement.