RARE’s Year End Reflections – 2024
As the Chair of RARE, I am honored to present our State of Affairs Report for 2024. This year has been a testament to everyone’s collective commitment to RARE – its Values, Principles, Vision and Mission. Through our combined efforts, we are making tremendous strides in advancing our mission and impacting the communities we serve.
It’s not an overnight journey; it will take time, and we still have a ways to go!!
In the Beginning…
RARE started as a result of the frustration and anger over the killing of George Floyd by a white police officer. When the killing of George Floyd was shown on TV, RHS classmate Tony Allison called me to say, “some of the players from our high school basketball team were angry and wanted to do something”. Four and a half years later, that something turned out to be RARE.
https://rhs4racialequity.org/about-rare/
Our mission is to recognize inequities, then to say and do something about them. Our goal is simply to give everyone an equal opportunity to reach their individual potential. The road has been frustrating and tough at times, but we have endured and continue to press forward.
Current Opportunities
#1) Volunteer Recruitment
While 2024 has been a year of growth and remarkable achievements and milestones, we continue to face challenges. The lack of a growing volunteer support base remains a barrier to RARE achieving its goals.
This year we will redouble our efforts to address this challenge. We need volunteers from all groups, who understand the real-world challenges of our mission and have the drive, determination and passion to help us to move forward on this journey.
https://rhs4racialequity.org/help/
#2) Funding
Our biggest assets are the hundreds of RHS Alumni who have and continue to support RARE. We appreciate and thank all of our donors for their support. Some of our donors have generously given more than $20K. But we can’t expect their donations to continue at the same levels in the future.
Our challenge is to diversify our fundraising base by
- Reaching more RHS Alumni Classes to donate. We are at less than .1% now
- Recruiting other individuals outside the RHS Community to donate
- Partnering with organizations and foundations that will commit to donating to a RARE endowment
- Applying for more grant funds
https://rhs4racialequity.org/donate-to-rare/
#3) Marketing/Messaging
RARE has accomplished a lot and has a clear mission statement. Our opportunity is to better communicate our successes, opportunities and goals in a simple and concise manner. Our mission and vision need to be easily understood by our supporters and the community we are looking to serve.
Marketing/messaging is a major opportunity for RARE. We continue to seek individuals with expertise, resources and willingness to help.
https://rhs4racialequity.org/help/
Successes
In just four years, RARE has:
- Incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
- Fully funded an endowment supporting two $5,000 scholarships annually in perpetuity.
- Awarded eight $5,000 scholarships to RHS students of color to support post-secondary education
- Produced a documentary, Roosevelt High School: Beyond Black and White, chronicling Seattle’s efforts to desegregate the city’s schools via voluntary and then mandatory busing. Seen by thousands of students, parents, teachers and community members the film highlights some of the generational root causes which are at the source of many racial equity challenges today. Viewers are encouraged to engage in courageous conversations and to enact change in school culture and the community.
- Sponsored more than 15 Open Discussions virtual events on a variety of topics including:
- Gun Violence and Students
- The State of Racial Equity in Seattle Public Schools
- Mixed Race Students and Adults – Their Paths Traveled
- Published a monthly newsletter to keep our members and supporters informed.
- Supported the RHS PTSA Racial Equity Committee to provide grants supporting student organizations and their efforts to improve the culture and environment at RHS for all students.
- Created the Forrest Ward Racial Equity Award to recognize RHS students and staff who are making a difference
- Pioneering an innovative approach to racial equity, the Connections program is transforming the high school experience by addressing the unique challenges of belonging and inclusion faced by students of color. Developed in strong collaboration with the highly respected Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, with additional support from Seattle Public Schools, including endorsements from principals Hart and Brewer, the program is making a meaningful impact through the following key elements:
- Dedicated Leadership Support: A full-time Youth Engagement Coordinator works at Roosevelt and Garfield High Schools, equipping students with leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.
- Peer-Driven Activities: Students design and lead meaningful activities, such as exploring the history of redlining, volunteering at urban farms, and creating mosaic art that celebrates inclusion.
- Expanding Impact: Designed to reach hundreds of classmates as it scales up, the program creates a ripple effect, fostering a school culture where every student feels valued and connected.
- Equity at the Core: Connections integrates learning with action, ensuring that equity is not just a goal but a lived experience for all students.
Through this collaborative and student-centered approach, Connections is building inclusive school communities and shaping a future where every student belongs.
- Played a key role in establishing and organizing the Seattle Public Schools / RPCC (Restorative Practice Community Coalition) – a coalition of like-minded individuals and organizations to work with SPS to improve the environment in schools, so everyone is treated with respect, regardless of their race, religion, national origin, disabilities, etc.
- Hosted pizza lunch events with RHS BIPOC student organizations to build relationships and learn how RARE can support them. The most recent lunch included more than 60 students and representatives from the RHS PTSA-REC, Urban League, The Breakfast Group and REC.
- Celebrated the college graduations of the first two recipients of RARE’s James A. Davis Jr. Scholarship awards.
- Collaborated with the Social Justice Film Institute and the WA State NAACP Youth Council for Student Community Gathering event at the University Heights Center featuring RARE’s documentary and a follow-up panel discussion.
- Received an “Artists at the Center” grant to show our documentary and a post-film discussion panel at Seattle Center’s Armory Stage. The focus was on equity and social justice.
- Supported The Breakfast Group’s Programs:
- Career development program which focuses on college readiness, career readiness, financial literacy.
- Under Dr. Carter’s (deceased) leadership the career development classes have grown to three different classes of 9th, 10th and 11th grade men. Black and Brown students are recommended. They attend 1-2 days a week.
- Students from RHS toured local companies to learn about internship programs (i.e. Microsoft)
- Sponsored a trip of 32 students (13 from RHS) to tour 21 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)
- Worked with The Breakfast Group to support 12-15 students in the RHS Intervention Program (with Erin Bailey) for high-risk students
- Leading the effort toward building a Literacy Movement Community Coalition
- Six of RARE’s Founders and Board members received the RHS Centennial Award for their outstanding achievements.
Future Plans
RARE has grown from its RHS founding members in 2020 to a board and volunteer group that includes multiple schools, organizations, and communities in the Seattle area.
It is our goal to be a multi-racial organization and the most diverse organization of its kind. Our programs will not only include Roosevelt High School Students, but North and South Seattle Schools, too.
RARE Values, Principles and Vision for the future will not change
Strategy
Like most non-profit organizations, RARE is limited in what it can do because of lack of funds or resources. A major part of our strategy going forward is to build relationships, establish coalitions and to collaborate with other non-profit organizations when we have a common purpose and alignment of objectives.
This is not meant to be an invitation to start new programs, it’s a call to unite multicultural organizations with a common purpose to work together, share ideals and to support each other.
When we work together and speak with a united voice on important issues, we can and will be successful.
As we move forward in our strategic plan, we will continue to include a community engagement process, which includes soliciting feedback from students, parents and teachers. Out of these engagement efforts and our strategic planning process, a clear vision, mission, and set of values will continue to propel RARE into the future.
RARE’s Six Areas of Focus:
#1) Academic Achievement
We must open the doors of opportunity, but we must also equip our students to walk through those doors.
Initiatives
- Literacy Program-Support reading tutors for Pre-K to 4th grade students
- RHS Kettle program- Tutors and mentors are available for students with GPA below 2.5
#2) Improve School Environments
Create an environment where Students and Teachers are respected, feel safe, have a sense of belonging and are free to express themselves as individuals. RARE’s goal is to inspire collective change across all school communities.
Initiatives
- Connections: A program to bring together students of different backgrounds for fun, meaningful experiences outside of school. https://rhs4racialequity.org/connections/
- SPS RP-RPCC (Restorative Practice Community Coalition) https://www.seattleschools.org/departments/restorative-practices-program/
- -Tier I – allow students to build and strengthen relationships through moderated conversations.
- Work with SPSD Racial Equity Teams (RET)
#3) Career Planning
Create the condition for success for all students through career counseling, mentorships, and internships.
Initiatives
- High School and Beyond Plans (HSBP) are a state graduation requirement designed to support students’ career and college exploration throughout middle and high school.
- The High School & Beyond Plan revolves around three questions:
- Who am I? What can I become? and How do I become that?
https://www.seattleschools.org/departments/high-school-college-career/hs-beyond-plan/
It is RARE’s goal to make sure the plan is implemented for all students.
- The High School & Beyond Plan Execution
- BG KEEP program
- Financial Literacy with Bank of America
- Internship Fairs
- BG Career Fairs
#4) Racial Inequities Awareness
“We have been too quiet for too long. There comes a time when you have to say something. You have to make a little noise. You have to move your feet. This is the time.” -John Lewis
Change does not happen until people become aware of the damage being done, the root causes of the problem and are then motivated to take action.
Initiatives
- Open Discussions- https://rhs4racialequity.org/open-discussions-on-racial-equity/
- Film Outreach-Showing the documentary https://rhs4racialequity.org/roosevelt-high-school-beyond-black-white/
- Support of workshops by other non-profits and equity focused organizations
Notes:
- RARE’s goal is to have the film shown to every freshman student, during their high school orientation.
- We will explore the possibility of creating a second RARE documentary or a series of mini documentaries over the next 2-4 years.
#5) Community Outreach
We will build collaborative and supportive community relationships and advocacy groups relationships
We will leverage our goodwill and relationships with individuals, organizations and alumni to move our mission forward in the most productive and efficient way. Implementation of these ambitious and creative endeavors will make a difference in the betterment of our community in the near future and beyond.
#6) RARE Internal Growth
RARE cannot accomplish its mission as an organization without having an environment where its members have an opportunity to share their personal experiences, participate in courageous and sometimes competing conversations and have an opportunity to work toward their own individual racial equity journeys.
For RARE to grow, its members must grow as individuals.
Initiatives
- Board Open Discussions
- Surveys-RARE Board Members and Supporters
- Social events
- 5th Anniversary Celebration
Organizations
I would like to thank all of the organizations listed below, who have supported RARE in the past. The goal is to continue to build on our relationship and together, move each of our missions and objectives forward for a better future.
- RHS PTSA and REC
- Stemtac Foundation
- School Connect WA (Literacy Movement)
- The Breakfast Group (BG)
- Career Development (BG-KEEP) Program
- BG Intervention Program
- Career Fairs at RHS
- Urban League Metro Seattle
- Seattle Council PTSA
- WA NAACP Youth Council
- SPSD (Racial Equity Team)
- SPSD (Restorative Practice)
- Seattle School Board
- Seattle City Council
- King County Council
- UW Education Dept
- Seattle Student Union
- Shoreline Community College
- El Centro Del La Raza
- Seattle Teachers Union (SEA)
- Urban Native Education Alliance (UNEA)
- RHS Kettle Student Academic Program
- TAF-Convening Event. Network for EdWork’s Convening
- Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) Seattle Chapter
- League of Education Voters (LEV)
- Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity-Club Alpha Mentorship Program
Closing
As we close the chapter on 2024, we do so with pride in our accomplishments and optimism for the future. Together, we will continue to remember the damages done in the past, learn from the lessons of the present and look to empower and motivate the next generation to help shape a brighter future.
“When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. …” – John Lewis
Thanks for your support and for being a vital part of RARE’s journey.
Joe Hunter Jr.
RARE Chair