Roosevelt Alumni for Racial Equity (RARE)

As we look forward to celebrating RARE's 5th birthday, we want you to know that RARE continues to STAND UP for racial equity. We invite you to join us - and express your commitment to racial equity and donate today!

RARE's programs teach students to live and work in a community filled with people of all races, religions, and ethnicities. Your generosity funds RARE's programs which impact those in and around the Seattle area - and across the nation!

rhs4racialequity.org

Roosevelt Alumni for Racial Equity (RARE) formed in 2020 following George Floyd's killing and our national reckoning. A racially diverse group of high school alumni from Seattle's 1970's era of voluntary busing joined together to impact racial equity through the creation of a series of education related programs.

 Documentary Film  The documentary “Roosevelt High School: Beyond Black and White” continues to shine as one of RARE’s major accomplishments. Exploring past and present issues of race at Roosevelt High School in Seattle, it sets them in a larger historical context of Seattle's efforts at desegregation. The story is told through vivid personal experiences and reflections of RHS alumni, current students, staff, and parents, as well as through archival documents and the testimony of education and race experts.  Watch 3 minute film trailer

Since it's release in Jan 2022, the film has been shown at more than 35 Seattle area schools and community organizations and to more than 4,000 individuals. PBS aired it five times and it was selected for the Seattle Social Justice Film Festival in Oct 2023. Most recently the film was screened at Seattle Center's Armory stage and in February 2024 by The Funders Network, a national granting entity. RARE board members and Seattle's NAACP-Youth Council students regularly host moderated post-film discussions.

"Beyond Black and White" and post-film discussion questions are available on demand on RARE's website. RARE plans to update the Teachers’ and Curriculum Guides for use by educators/parents after showing the documentary, as well as to continue to show the documentary in as many schools, PTSA groups and community organizations as possible.  Learn more about RARE's Documentary Film.

 Connections  The purpose of the Connections program is to create student leaders who share a vision of inclusion and work together towards a welcoming and positive school culture, where all students feel that they belong, are appreciated for who they are, and have equal access to educational resources. The program consists of workshops, meetups, and adventurous activities — inclusive experiences where students learn and practice valuable skills that help remove “barriers to belonging” for their classmates.

RARE is thrilled to collaborate with Urban League of Metro Seattle, one of the most respected civil rights organizations in the country. After joining the Connection Crew students report an increased sense of belonging and ability to participate in their school community. Connections hired a full time Youth Engagement Coordinator serving programs at Garfield and Roosevelt.   Learn more about Connections

 Open Discussions  One of RARE’s hallmark programs offering moderated and lively on-line discussions related to racial equity issues and a newly produced Reading List! 

Explore RARE's past inspiring and informative Open Discussions. 

• “The State of Racial Equity in Seattle Public Schools” - Blog post
• “Mixed Race Students and Adults – Their Paths Traveled” - Blog post
• “Breaking the School to Prison Pipeline” - Blog post

 Scholarship & Awards   RARE prioritizes academic scholarship and is excited to announce its seventh and eighth $5K James A. Davis Jr. Scholarship recipients! In its founding year, RARE established funding for two annual $5,000 scholarship awards. Funds support two Roosevelt students of color in need each year to reach their post-secondary educational goals. Applications are welcomed from graduating students of color who plan to attend college, trade school, or a professional training program.

RARE also celebrates staff and students efforts with Forrest Ward Racial Equity Awards.

 Restorative Practice  (RP) is one of the biggest single endeavors of the Seattle Public School District (SPSD). Restorative Practice empowers students to resolve conflicts on their own and in small groups, and it’s a growing practice at schools around the country. RP has the potential of changing the climate and culture in Seattle schools. The goal is to guide people to respect themselves and others regardless of their differences. RARE joins the Restorative Practice Community Coalition (RPCC), to support SPSD’s implementation of Restorative Practice in schools, networking with professional RP organizations in the community.

DONATE, VOLUNTEER, AND ADVOCATE FOR RACIAL EQUITY

If you are interested in volunteering with RARE, please see our volunteer opportunity page or let us know what you’re interested in via our contact us page.