The genesis of the Capital Unity Council was violence-the 1999 firebombing of three synagogues, the murder of a gay couple, and the burning of a women's health center.

In the aftermath of these hate crimes, thousands of people gathered in rallies in downtown Sacramento to show solidarity and to raise funds-resources that would be used both to rebuild the fire-ravished synagogues and to establish an organization dedicated to transforming human hate, intolerance, and ignorance into mutual understanding and respect for humanity. From this grassroots initiative, the Capital Unity Council was born.

Committed to investing in the future of California's youth, the Council resolved to create a center that would be a catalyst for uniting diverse people. Declaring that the time for preaching tolerance was over, the Council advocated teaching inclusion. Rather than adapting to social antagonism, bigotry and ignorance, they said let us establish a place where we can come together and work toward elimination of these divisive social ills.

Thus, the Council began development of the California Unity Center with the support of its broad community network and with investments from private donors, the City of Sacramento, and the State of California. Collaborating with the Council on the project are two invaluable partners-the Sacramento City Unified School District and the Los Rios Community College District.

Envisioned as a statewide resource, a gathering place and an interactive learning experience, the Center will engage youth and visitors with programs and activities that embrace inclusion, honor California's diversity, and motivate people to be play an active role in building unity in their communities.