Odyssey of Humanity was inspired by and eventually born from the personal experiences of its founder, Robert and Debbie Rosenfeld. Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, Robert Rosenfeld lived through the nation’s civil rights movement and was personally impacted by the race riots in Manhattan and throughout the global metropolis. Debbie Rosenfeld, a direct descendant of a Jewish Holocaust survivor and a native of Haifa, Israel, immigrated to New York City as a young teen. She also witnessed and experienced the Civil Rights Movement in the Americas and beyond. These events, along with the broader civil rights struggle and the assassinations of civil rights leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., profoundly influenced the Rosenfelds, fueling their personal commitment to combat systemic racism and prejudice. 

Earnest Work Healing Racism

As parents of interracial children, lifelong embracers of diversity, and devout practitioners of faith, the Rosenfelds are driven by a vision for a more equitable and harmonious society–especially along interracial lines and within communities.  Robert Rosenfeld and the Rosenfeld family hold a deep-rooted belief that it is everyone’s duty or calling to earnestly work toward healing racism and prejudice within our families, communities, society, and the world.

Robert Rosenfeld as an innovative chemist, understood that this is no easy task.  He realized that truly helping to heal society and eradicate the forces upon which prejudice, racism, and segregation depend requires recognizing invisible forces and shifting hearts and preconceived notions.

Robert and  Debbie Rosenfeld, residents of Rochester, New York, together with community friends decided to brainstorm how to truly manifest a kinder, more harmonious and unity-filled community, nation, and world.  This was a watershed moment, and in 2004, Odyssey of Humanity was created by the Rosenfelds.  

Starting in 2006, Odyssey of Humanity achieved 501(c)(3) status, marking the beginning of their official journey as a non-profit organization.   Here is where their work began in earnest;  a pivotal moment that marked the start of a transformative era in community engagement and social justice.

Odyssey of Humanity embarked on a mission to foster interracial unity and heal societal divides. This led to the creation of innovative initiatives such as the Bi-Racial Partnership Program, which aimed to bridge gaps between communities of different racial backgrounds.

The Rosenfelds, along with many industry experts, continued working on developing a program designed to eradicate racism and actively solicited the aide of local business leaders and community leaders.  This work saw the inception and evolution of the Biracial Partnerships Program, initiated in 2007 by Mayor William A. Johnson of Rochester, New York. This program, conceived to combat racism, began by bringing together leaders from various sectors to foster a prejudice-free community. Its overwhelming success and subsequent expansion in 2008 included partnering with both Muslim and non-Muslim communities post-9/11. Later, it evolved to facilitate deeper cultural and interpersonal understanding through shared experiences like traditional dinners and cultural exchanges.

Building Bridges Beyond Racial Barriers

Rochester Community Leaders, Business Leaders and Academic Leaders, who all participated in and still actively endorse the Biracial Partnerships Program continue to share the impact this program has on their communities, workplaces and personal lives.   More cities sought to benefit from the success of this program and looked to have their own success stories. 

This led to the evolution of the name from the Biracial Partnerships Program to Mosaic Partnerships Program.  Mosaic Partnerships charters were created in more cities and continues to be adopted across the nation. 

In recent years, we have witnessed a resurgence of social and racial injustices, bringing to light the enduring challenges of hate and prejudice.  The rise of hate and prejudice, fueled by political division, has only reinforced the need for organizations like Odyssey of Humanity.  The spread of race supremacy and unabashed  racism and violence towards people of color,  LGBT+ communities, and other marginalized populations  remind us that our work is far from over, and that each of us has a role to play in healing our society. In this context, the mission of Odyssey of Humanity has become more crucial than ever. Their efforts to foster interracial unity, social unity and to heal society are a beacon of hope in these trying times.  As we expand our reach, engaging with communities across the nation, Odyssey of Humanity continues to champion the cause of eradicating racism.

Approaching Our 20 Year Anniversary

Today, Odyssey of Humanity continues to grow, expand, and educate with our activities to Sponsor and Partner with organizations and initiatives that are aligned with the Mission and Values of which this organization was founded upon.