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American Ethical Union Celebrates 150 Years of Ethical Culture at the 111th Assembly
Historic Gathering at the Founding Society to Honor Dr. Arthur Dobrin and PBS with National Awards
New York, NY – The 111th American Ethical Union (AEU) Assembly will take place July 23–26, 2026, under the theme “150 Years of Eliciting the Best: Then, Now and Always.” This year’s Assembly marks the 150th (Sesquicentennial) Anniversary of the Ethical Culture Movement, commemorating a century and a half of advancing ethical action, social justice, education, and human dignity.
The American Ethical Union is the national federation of Ethical Societies across the United States, bringing together individuals and communities committed to ethical living, human flourishing, and the belief that people can build a better world through reason, compassion, andresponsible action. Each annual Assembly serves as an opportunity for members and friends of the Ethical Culture movement to engage with inspiring speakers, educational workshops, governance, fellowship, and celebrations of ethical leadership.
New York Society for Ethical Culture
The 2026 Assembly is especially significant as it is hosted at the New York Society for Ethical Culture, the founding Society of the Ethical Culture movement established in 1876 by Dr. Felix Adler. Located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, the Society stands as thebirthplace of a movement that has spent 150 years advancing the principle of “deed before creed” and striving to elicit the best in others and thereby in ourselves.
One of the highlights of the Assembly will be the Awards Banquet on Saturday, July 25, recognizing individuals and organizations whose lives and work exemplify the highest ideals of Ethical Culture.
Honoring a Lifetime of Ethical Leadership
Dr. Arthur Dobrin
The Felix Adler Lifetime Achievement Award, the American Ethical Union’s highest individual honor, recognizes those whose lifetime of service has significantly advanced Ethical Culture and ethical humanism.
This year’s recipient is Dr. Arthur Dobrin, Leader Emeritus of the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island, whose remarkable career has spanned more than five decades of leadership, scholarship, education, and public service.
Dr. Dobrin became Leader of the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island in 1968, serving for more than thirty-three years before becoming Leader Emeritus in 2001. During his leadership he created the Colloquy, a reflective Ethical Culture discussion protocol now embraced by numerous Ethical Societies throughout the movement.
An accomplished educator and scholar, Dr. Dobrin earned his undergraduate degree in history from the City College of New York, a master’s degree in Human Relations from New York University, and a doctorate in Social Welfare fromAdelphi University. Alongside his wife, Lyn, he served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Kenya, an experience that profoundly influenced his lifelong commitment to global human rights and social justice.
Following more than two decades on the faculty at Hofstra University, where he retired as Professor Emeritus, Dr.Dobrin taught courses ranging from moral development and business ethics to African literature and religious ethics. He also served as an exchange professor at Claflin University, an Historically Black College and University (HBCU), and lectured internationally in China, Kenya, and Uganda.
A prolific author of more than thirty books, Dr. Dobrin’s writings span philosophy, ethics, fiction, poetry, children’s literature, and social commentary, with works translated into numerous languages. Beyond academia, he has remained deeply engaged in civic life, serving on community advisory councils and continuing to mentor, write, and advocate for ethical living.
His lifetime of scholarship, compassionate leadership, and commitment to human dignity embodies the enduring vision of Dr. Felix Adler and the Ethical Culture movement.
Recognizing Ethical Leadership in Public Media
The Elliott-Black Award is given by the AEU to recognize an individual or organization outside the Ethical Culture movement whose work has made a significant contribution toward advancing ethical ideals and social justice. Named in honor of longtime Ethical Culture leaders John Lovejoy Elliott and Algernon Black, the award celebrates those who demonstrate exceptional courage, integrity, and commitment to the common good.
The 2026 Elliott-Black Award will be presented to Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in recognition of its longstanding commitment to education, civic engagement, and the pursuit of an informed democracy.
For decades, PBS has provided free, accessible, and trusted programming thatencourages critical thinking, elevates diverse voices, and explores the social, historical, and cultural issues shaping our nation.
Through award-winning documentaries, local journalism, educational programming, and thoughtful public affairs content, PBS has consistently fostered dialogue, understanding, and civic responsibility.
The New York Society for Ethical Culture has experienced this commitment firsthand through its partnership with PBS FRONTLINE on a multi-part civic engagement initiative that brought together New York City public school students to view documentary excerpts, engage in meaningful discussions, and amplify their own voices on issues affecting theircommunities. The collaboration demonstrated PBS’s belief that young people are not simply audiences, but active participants in democracy and civic life.
At a time when misinformation and polarization challenge public discourse, PBS continues to exemplify integrity, inclusion, ethical inquiry, and service to the common good—values that closely reflect the legacy of Elliott and Black and the mission of the Ethical Culture movement.
Accepting the award on behalf of PBS will be Erika Howard, Director of Impact Strategy and External Relations for PBS FRONTLINE.
Erika Howard
Erika Howard is an accomplished impact strategist and public engagement leader with more than fifteen years of experience connecting documentary storytelling with civic action. At FRONTLINE, she leads the strategy and implementation of public engagement initiatives surrounding investigative journalism and documentary films addressing some of the most pressing issues facing society.
Her work includes leading the Emmy Award-winning impact campaign Un(re)solved, a groundbreaking multimedia project examining America’s history of racial violence, as well as collaborating with organizations including the U.S. State Department,
Harvard University’s Shorenstein Center, the Council on Foreign Relations, Tribeca Festival, and numerous educational, cultural, and civic institutions. Prior to joining FRONTLINE, Howard led national audience engagement initiatives for POV/American Documentary, helped expand the reach of Women Make Movies, and developed innovative community engagement strategies through film and public programming.
Howard’s career reflects a deep belief in the power of documentary storytelling to educate, inspire dialogue, andstrengthen democratic participation, making her an ideal representative to accept this honor on behalf of PBS.
Continuing a 150-Year Legacy
As members of the Ethical Culture movement from across North America gather in New York City, the 111th American Ethical Union Assembly will celebrate not only the remarkable accomplishments of these distinguished award recipients but also the enduring vision of a movement that has spent 150 years working to build a more just, compassionate, and ethical world.
The Awards Banquet will be held Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 7:00–9:30 p.m. at the New York Society for EthicalCulture, featuring dinner, live music, and the presentation of the Felix Adler Lifetime Achievement Award and the Elliott-Black Award.
