Eboo Patel is a civic leader, speaker, and author advancing the notion that diversity is a treasure and cooperation across our difference is the key for everybody to thrive. Recognized as “one of America’s best leaders” by U.S. News and World Report, he is the Founder and President of Interfaith America, the nation’s leading interfaith organization.
Under Eboo’s leadership, Interfaith America has grown into a $20 million-per-year organization that partners with governments, universities, businesses, and civic organizations to transform faith into a bridge of cooperation rather than a barrier of division.
Eboo’s impact extends to serving on President Obama’s Inaugural Faith Council, delivering hundreds of keynote addresses, and authoring five influential books, including We Need to Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy. A Rhodes Scholar and Ashoka Fellow, Eboo earned a doctorate in the sociology of religion from Oxford University.
After the Kirk assassination in Utah and the attack on a Mormon church, the Mormon commitment to serving others emerges as a powerful answer to hate, division, and violence.
The word “crisis” is sometimes overused, but I can’t think of a better way to describe what the nonprofit world is facing right now. Federal funding cuts are decimating institutions ranging from public media to health service to refugee resettlement. Every form of diversity work is under scrutiny, and far too many nonprofits are barely hanging on. This is a bad, bad time for our sector.
American democracy needs more architects and fewer arsonists. The defining challenges of our time, from the crisis of loneliness to the polarization spilling into political violence, are social problems. And these problems have been exacerbated by the erosion of the institutions that once gave people purpose, discipline, community and agency.
Student-affairs staff do important work for colleges. They run mental-health programs, advise campus groups, train student leaders, bring speakers to campus, organize freshman orientation, and staff residence halls. At institutions which principally reward professors for research, student-affairs staff are the primary shapers of campus culture.
We have to make sure that across this country, people of diverse backgrounds are respecting each other’s identities, building relationships across communities and cooperating with one another.
That is the commitment we need to make in our civic institutions now, from small community-based organizations to large research universities. We need to be the people that others can count on to invite diverse instruments to the stage and to teach them to make music together.
Eboo Patel’s publications, interviews, and appearances include the New York Times, Washington Post, and CNN, among many others.
“A blueprint and a guidebook for an inclusive twenty-first-century democracy.” — Van Jones
“A beautifully written story of discovery and hope.” — President Bill Clinton
“A field guide to the critical territory we have traversed in this eventful, young century.” — Krista Tippett
“Eboo Patel is one of the most inspiring and successful interfaith leaders on the national, and even international, scene.” — Paul F. Knitter
“A refreshing, thought-provoking, myth-smashing, and deeply patriotic exploration of American identity and ideals.” — Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright
Media Inquiries
Eboo Patel’s publications, interviews, and appearances include the New York Times, Washington Post, and CNN, among many others. To inquire about media engagements, reach out to Teri Simon.
Teri Simon
Director of Executive Office
Interfaith America
Speaking Engagements
Eboo Patel delivers keynotes for corporations, civic organizations, government, and campuses. To connect about speaking engagements, reach out to Teri Simon.
Teri Simon
Director of Executive Office
Interfaith America
Copyright @ 2024 Interfaith America. All Rights Reserved. Interfaith America is 501 (c)(3) non-profit recognized by the IRS. Tax ID Number: 30-0212534
