Freedom of Expression Award: Daveed Diggs

Daveed Diggs expected to attend
Conversation moderated by Ilana Kaufman, Chief Executive Officer of the Jews of Color Initiative

Accompanied by a screening of Magic Hour

The Freedom of Expression Award honors the unfettered imagination, which is the cornerstone of a free, just, and open society. The 2025 Freedom of Expression Award celebrates Daveed Diggs, known for his versatile work across film, television, music, and stage.

An Oakland native, Diggs channels identity, justice, and imagination into bold, genre-defying work. Having earned a Tony, an Emmy, and a Grammy for his work in Hamilton, Diggs’s range continues to shine through performances on television—such as Black-ish—as a member of the band clipping., and in other projects including Blindspotting, Extrapolations, and A Puppy for Hanukkah. Most recently, he appears in the film Magic Hour.

About the Moderator
Ilana Kaufman is the Chief Executive Officer of the Jews of Color Initiative. Her work sits at the center of Jewish community, racial equity and justice, and is anchored by the voices and experiences of Jews of Color. The Jews of Color Initiative is a nonprofit that focuses on grantmaking, research and field building, and community education. Ilana has been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered and Code Switch, eJewish Philanthropy and the Foundation Review, and an Eli Talk titled “Who Counts? Race and the Jewish Future” with over 50,000 views. Ilana is most passionate about the intersection of Jewish community, racial justice, Jews of Color, education, and philanthropy. Ilana was previously the Public Affairs and Civic Engagement Director, East Bay, for the San Francisco Bay Area Jewish Community Relations Council. Ilana is also a Senior Schusterman Fellow and enjoys engaging with Jewish text for discussion of equity and justice.

Daveed Diggs (b. 1982) is an American actor, rapper, and writer known for his versatility across stage, screen, and music. Born in Oakland, California, he graduated from Brown University with a degree in theater arts. Diggs rose to prominence for originating the dual roles of Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson in the Broadway musical Hamilton, earning a Tony Award and a Grammy Award in 2016. He is the lead vocalist of the experimental hip-hop group clipping., blending avant-garde sound with incisive lyrics. Diggs has also gained acclaim for co-writing and starring in the 2018 film Blindspotting, exploring themes of race and gentrification in Oakland. His work spans film, television, and theater, consistently reflecting his commitment to social commentary and artistic innovation.