American Excellence: The Omni-American Future Gala Celebrates Cultural Unity and Leadership

On November 12, 2024, the Omni-American Future Project held its third annual awards ceremony, American Excellence: The Omni-American Future Gala, at Ginny’s Supper Club in New York City. This event, organized in partnership with the Combat Antisemitism Movement, celebrated the organization’s mission to combat racism and antisemitism while promoting unity through music and cultural expression. Drawing inspiration from the visionary ideas of Albert Murray, as well as the rich traditions of blues and jazz, the gala aimed to create a powerful cultural and political center that fosters pluralism and shared values to counter extremism and division in America.

The evening brought together an impressive array of notables, musicians, community leaders, and intellectuals who gathered to recognize the ongoing efforts to build bridges between communities. The ceremony highlighted the continuing relevance of Murray’s ideas, particularly his belief in the importance of culture over race, and his critique of racial essentialism. By championing culture as a unifying force, the Omni-American Future Project seeks to create a society where divisive ideologies, including antisemitism and racism, can be overcome.

Launched in 2020 by leaders from the American Sephardi Federation, the Jazz Leadership Project, and the Combat Antisemitism Movement, the Omni-American Future Project provides a unique platform for collaboration between the Black American and Jewish communities. Music, as a shared cultural heritage, serves as the foundation for these efforts, with the project emphasizing that the two communities have more in common than their differences.

The term “Omni-American” comes from Albert Murray’s writings, where he and fellow thinker Ralph Ellison emphasized America’s pluralistic culture as a source of strength. By critiquing narrow, divisive notions of race, Murray’s ideas challenge the very ideologies that contribute to antisemitism and racism. At the gala, his vision served as a guiding light for the evening’s celebration of unity.

“Jazz teaches us about the importance of teamwork in creating beautiful harmony, and we believe this message is especially important in the fight against racism and antisemitism,” said Lisa Katz, Chief Government Affairs Officer at the Combat Antisemitism Movement. “The long history of Black and Jewish allyship in America is something we should honor, and by renewing those ties, we can build an ‘Omni-American’ reality where all people can live together in mutual respect, peace, and prosperity.”

The 2024 gala recognized two individuals whose contributions embody the values of the Omni-American Future Project. The first honoree, Roy Niederhoffer, received the Albert Murray Award for Omni-American Excellence in recognition of his lifetime achievements in music and civic engagement. A true Renaissance man, Niederhoffer’s accomplishments span business and the arts. He founded a successful computer game development company at age 13, went on to graduate from Harvard University in 1987, and later launched R. G. Niederhoffer Capital Management in 1993, a leading hedge fund that has been a mainstay in the finance industry for over 30 years. Outside of his business career, Niederhoffer is an accomplished classical and jazz pianist, performing for decades with the Park Avenue Chamber Symphony, including numerous performances at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. His passion for the arts and commitment to community service made him a fitting recipient of the evening’s top award.

The second honoree, Emmet Cohen, was awarded the Omni-American Young Leaders Award. A jazz pianist and composer, Cohen is widely regarded as one of the leading figures in contemporary music. A child prodigy who began playing the piano at three years old, Cohen has gone on to lead his own trio and collaborate with jazz greats such as Ron Carter, Benny Golson, and Christian McBride. His performances are celebrated around the world for their energy, innovation, and charisma. At the gala, Cohen performed with his trio, offering a special musical tribute to the ideals of democratic dialogue and creative expression that the Omni-American Future Project promotes.

The evening’s program began with a red carpet reception and cocktails, followed by a gourmet dinner and the awards ceremony. In addition to Cohen’s performance, the event also featured musical contributions from trumpeter Itamar Borochov and trombonist Coleman Hughes, who performed powerful pieces that underscored the evening’s themes of unity and cultural excellence.

Greg Thomas, co-director of the Omni-American Future Project, spoke passionately about the importance of the event, noting, “This year’s honorees, Roy Niederhoffer and Emmet Cohen, are continuing the high standards of cultural excellence and commitment to democracy exemplified by our previous honorees: Wynton Marsalis, Rep. Ritchie Torres, Coleman Hughes, and Dr. Danielle Allen. In a time of increased political division, antisemitism, and racist rhetoric, this gala highlights the shared cultural values that bind us together as Americans.”

Co-director Aryeh Tepper added, “Albert Murray’s call for unity and focus on rejecting division still resonates today. Whether Democrat or Republican, Black or White, we must all set aside the divisions that separate us and work toward a shared vision of a heroic, inclusive life that fosters respect and mutual understanding.”

The American Excellence: The Omni-American Future Gala was not just a celebration of individual achievement but a reaffirmation of the values that unite Americans across backgrounds and identities—values that continue to inspire the work of the Omni-American Future Project.

Meyer Harroch, New York Jewish Guide