Our History

For nearly 80 years, we have been at the forefront of the national effort to eradicate discrimination of all kinds, helping to bring about a more just and inclusive society. We are proud of our long history and solid reputation, as demonstrated below by some key milestones.

Until the end of the year 2005, Community Tampa Bay was known as the National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ) of Tampa Bay.

1927: The National Conference of Christians and Jews is founded in New York by prominent leaders concerned about growing religious intolerance in the United States. Prominent founders include Theodore Roosevelt, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Charles Evans Hughes, social activist Jane Addams and jurist Benjamin N. Cardozo. At a time when the KKK and other hate groups were growing rapidly in popularity and strength, the founders envision an organization that will bring together the widest possible spectrum of Americans to speak out and act against campaigns of hatred.

1949: The Tampa Bay region of NCCJ opens its doors. Soon after, the organization starts its tradition of awarding Silver Medallion Humanitarian Awards to individuals in our community who have made special contributions to a more just society.

1961: NCCJ is recognized by President John F. Kennedy for “doing more than perhaps any other factor in our national life to provide for harmonious living among our different religious groups.”

1969: African-American baseball legend Jackie Robinson films a series of public service announcements (PSAs) on behalf of NCCJ.

1977: NCCJ leads a series of nationwide Institutes on the Holocaust, culminating in an Act of Congress establishing the National Holocaust Remembrance Week.

1989: H. Roy Kaplan, Ph.D. becomes the Tampa Bay region’s Executive Director, growing the organization over the years and making history in the community as a conflict mediator for the next 15 years, until his retirement in September 2004.

1991: Launch of the Anytown program, one of the organization’s signature youth leadership and diversity awareness programs.

1995: Launch of the Youth As Resources (YAR) and Youth Congress programs.

1998: The organization changes its name to the National Conference for Community and Justice (but keeps the NCCJ initials) to more accurately reflect its mission of building whole and inclusive communities, free from all forms of discrimination.

2001: NCCJ Tampa Bay launches a CommUnity Campaign under the slogan “Raise Your Standards, not Your Fists.”

2002: NCCJ Tampa Bay is named Organization of the Year by Leadership Florida.

2003: NCCJ Tampa Bay launches a new CommUnity Campaign entitled “Use your voice to Eliminate Hate!”

2004: NCCJ is featured on the cover of the Maddux Business Report, receiving praise for its corporate diversity initiative.

2004: Board members thank Dr. Kaplan upon his retirement after 15 years of dedicated leadership at the helm of NCCJ-Tampa Bay

12/2005: The organization adopts Community Tampa Bay as its new name to better reflect its regional scope of activities and its ties to the local community. The mission, of course, remains the same.

3/2006: Community Tampa Bay is nominated for Tampa Bay Business Journal's 2006 Nonprofit of the Year Award.