On May 18, 2026, BELL Academy at The Paul Vallone Community Campus in Bayside, Queens, hosted the premiere of “Names, Not Numbers,” a student-led project dedicated to preserving the stories of people who lived through the Holocaust and ensuring that their experiences continue to be remembered by future generations.
David M. Abbott, Principal of BELL Academy, invited IFC CEO Erio W. Cavalieri to attend this meaningful event. IFC participated as both an attendee and community supporter, joining an initiative centered on education, historical memory, resilience, respect, and human dignity.
Through the project, students helped bring visibility to the stories of individuals who endured some of the most difficult chapters of history. Many of them later found the opportunity to rebuild their lives in the United States, where they formed families and moved forward with humility, strength, and determination.
For IFC, being part of this event reflects the company’s commitment to supporting initiatives that create a positive impact on younger generations. By helping preserve historical memory and encouraging spaces for education and reflection, experiences like “Names, Not Numbers” reinforce the importance of learning from the past while carrying its lessons into the future.
The message at the heart of the event was one of resilience. Even after experiencing profound pain and adversity, the people whose stories were remembered transformed those experiences into lessons of perseverance and hope. Their lives remind us that while circumstances can test the human spirit, dignity, hope, and the will to continue can endure.
By preserving names, voices, and personal stories, “Names, Not Numbers” helps ensure that history remains human, personal, and impossible to forget.