Widen the Circle is a non-profit organization that has been fighting against hate and prejudice since 2019. It promotes respect and understanding through memorial work and community engagement, particularly in Germany and the USA. Its goal is a better future without prejudice.
Widen the Circle is a non-profit organization, founded in 2019 with the support of the Obermayer Foundation. Our mission is to combat hate and prejudice by promoting a shared understanding of the past. We focus particularly on regions with a history of extreme persecution of one group by another.
Our goal is to expand the circle of respect, reconciliation, and understanding. We believe that confronting the past is crucial to combating modern prejudice and hate. Our work is based on the efforts of individuals and groups who are already actively fighting against prejudice in their communities. We support and amplify their efforts to achieve a broader impact, particularly in Germany and the USA.
Our work is aimed at promoting long-term change. This includes:
Our team is small but highly talented and split between the USA and Germany. Joel Obermayer, the founder and executive director, leads the organization and brings his experience from the board of the Obermayer Foundation. Other key individuals such as Rebecca Richards-Kramer, Craig Bystrynski, and Kristin Böschen contribute to program management, content creation, and social media presence[1][2].
Widen the Circle is passionately committed to a world where respect, reconciliation, and understanding are at the forefront. Through our work, we hope to create a better future where hate and prejudice are pushed back.
