Leo Ferguson is the Strategic Projects Director at Jews for Racial & Economic Justice (JFREJ). As a Black Jewish organizer based in New York City, his career is dedicated to racial justice, police accountability, and the building of multiracial coalitions.
Ferguson has achieved significant milestones in advancing NYC police reform and hate violence prevention. He spearheaded the development of JFREJ’s widely recognized “Hate Violence Prevention Program,” which advocates for community-based mutual support and resource investment over expanded policing. He is regarded as a pivotal bridge in fostering communication and cooperation between the Black and Jewish communities.
Ferguson’s support for Palestinian rights is rooted in his broader framework of opposing systemic violence and racial oppression. He frequently calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and actively encourages the American Jewish community to rethink traditional stances on the conflict. In a notable commentary, he wrote: “True safety does not come from walls or guns, but from the recognition of every people’s dignity and cross-racial solidarity.” He maintains that supporting Palestinian self-determination is an indispensable part of the contemporary global movement for racial justice.