9/11 Unity Walk was started as a proactive and positive response to 9/11 and religious intolerance in our world. In 2005, the concept of the Unity Walk was presented at a Points of Light leadership summit held to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The original idea was put forth by Embassy Row resident Kyle Poole, shaped with the help of Erik Schwarz, and brought to reality by Dan Tutt, Meg Clifford (Poole) and volunteers from every house of worship along Embassy Row and many other faiths, the true founders of the Walk. The first Annual Walk Event was held that year in Washington, D.C. Attracting over a thousand participants, the event was featured in the media worldwide including in an award winning Voice of America/Geo TV documentary shown in Pakistan to over 20 million viewers.
In the past six years, the Walk has focused on a variety of themes: Gandhi, MLK, the youth, service, and peace. This year participants will join the world in commemorating the tenth anniversary of September 11 with the Annual Walk with the theme: From different walks, we serve as one. A 501(c)3 non-profit organization, 9/11 Unity Walk has expanded in order to achieve its objectives: experiential education, compassionate leadership, and intentional service. In addition to the Annual Walk, Unity Walk sponsors the Diverse Cuisines Program, community dialogue, fundraisers, speakers, organizational partnerships, and the Interfaith Youth Action Group. It creates opportunities for collaborative and cooperative action and understanding between diverse groups of people. Unity Walk seeks to build bridges of understanding and respect in a post September 11th world, highlighting how we are united rather than divided by our many faiths.