ABOUT US
Driven by purpose. Defined by impact.
The Stan Greenspon Holocaust Education Center exists to ensure that the Holocaust is remembered accurately, taught meaningfully, and understood in ways that matter today. Our core mission is to educate about the Holocaust by honoring its history and stories, deepening understanding of Jewish history and culture, and empowering individuals to confront antisemitism and all forms of hate.
Since opening our doors in August 2016, we have partnered with educators, schools, universities, community organizations, and other institutions to make Holocaust education accessible, historically accurate, and relevant to the world our students and communities are navigating today. Through educator certification and professional development, student programs, community education, public programming, and experiential learning opportunities, we equip people with the knowledge and tools to teach the Holocaust well and to recognize and confront antisemitism and hate.
We believe education is one of our most powerful tools for creating a world with less hate and more humanity. We focus on Holocaust education because the Holocaust is more than a chapter in history. It is a story of individuals, communities, choices, courage, indifference, resistance, and the devastating consequences of unchecked hatred. Learning that history gives us the knowledge and perspective to recognize where hatred can lead—and the responsibility to respond when we see it today.
Our work begins with history, but our work does not end with the past. We believe Holocaust education should help people ask difficult questions about the present: How does antisemitism take shape today? What happens when stereotypes and conspiracy theories become normalized? What is our responsibility when we witness hatred directed at others? And how can knowledge of the past help us build communities rooted in dignity, empathy, and respect?
Our goal is not simply to teach what happened. Our goal is to help people understand why it happened, recognize the warning signs of hatred, and feel empowered to act.
Where we are headed next...
We have accomplished a great deal since 2016—but we believe the need for this work has never been greater.
The next chapter is ambitious: The Holocaust Museum of the Carolinas.
We envision a permanent museum and center for learning that will bring the history of the Holocaust to life through artifacts, testimony, technology, immersive experiences, and the voices of those who lived through this history. It will create opportunities for students, educators, families, and community members to engage with the Holocaust in ways that go beyond the classroom and stay with them long after they leave.
The Holocaust Museum of the Carolinas will preserve the historical record while creating space to explore the questions that history asks of us today. It will be a place to learn about Jewish life and culture, understand the Holocaust in its historical context, examine the evolution of antisemitism, and consider our individual and collective responsibility to confront hate.
We envision a museum that serves not only Charlotte, but the entire Carolinas and the broader American South—a regional resource for Holocaust education, Jewish history and culture, antisemitism education, and meaningful dialogue.
We know this mission is bigger than any one organization or any one person. We are a small team with a big vision, and we are inspired every day by the words from Pirkei Avot: "It is not your duty to finish the work, but neither are you at liberty to neglect it."
We may not finish the work ourselves. But we are committed to doing out part and to building something that will continue the work for generations to come.
The Center exists because of one man's conviction that education can counter hate. Here's his story
Stan Greenspon built a distinguished career as an insurance broker, applying his expertise in relationship-building to philanthropic and civic initiatives that have had a lasting impact on the Charlotte community. Recognizing a growing need to expand Holocaust and human rights education, he commissioned a national study in 2013 to assess existing programs and identify opportunities for growth.
In November 2015, his generous endowment led to the establishment of the Greenspon Center —an innovative initiative dedicated to advancing Holocaust education, human rights, social justice, and interfaith understanding. From its inception, the Center was envisioned as a resource not only for academic engagement but for the broader community, underscoring the importance of education in fostering awareness and dialogue. In 2025, the Center sharpened its focus in response to evolving community needs. As demand for education and resources to combat antisemitism and hate intensified, so did the Center’s expertise and reach.
A longtime civic leader, Stan is a former president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte and played a key role in the planning of Shalom Park. He has also served on the founding Board of Directors of the local chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. His philanthropic efforts include significant support for bone marrow transplant patients at Levine Children’s Hospital and at UNC’s Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. His deep commitment to the causes he champions continues to inspire those around him.
Stan takes great pride in the active involvement of his wife, Maureen O’Keefe, and their three sons, Lawrence, Michael, and Keith, along with their families, in advancing this work. He describes the Stan Greenspon Center as “the culmination of a lifelong dream.”
