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RARE’s Film Sparkles at Artists at the Center Event

/ January 13, 2025

RARE’s Documentary Roosevelt High School: Beyond Black and White Featured at Seattle Center Pop-up Performance

It was by far the largest space, the biggest stage and screen and the most people in the room for a showing of RARE’s signature documentary, Roosevelt High School: Beyond Black & White, in early December 2024.

The crisp images and clear audio of Seattle Center’s Armory Stage caught the eyes and ears – and hearts – of more than 250 individuals and families enjoying Seattle Center’s annual Winterfest event.

Many were captured by the film and compelled to stop and sit, to listen and watch, as the story of Seattle’s efforts to desegregate its schools more than 50 years ago unfolded in the context of racial equity challenges present both then and now.

Students from Baile Dior Studios kicked off the afternoon event incorporating an energizing combo of small ensemble and individual dance choreographed to Michael Jackson’s They Don’t Care About Us.  Dancers returned to the stage and closed the show with a moving performance to Rihanna’s What Now, an appropriate query of all who experienced the event. Truly, figuring out What Now is your response to this information?

Many thanks to Baile Dior Studios’ director, TiQuida Spellman, for her supportive and personal comments about RARE’s efforts to impact racial equity. She shared about her own challenges of attending Seattle’s African American Academy in the 1990’s when it was located in Magnolia.

Students from the WA State NAACP-Youth Council** (N-YC) joined two of RARE’s Board members for a post-film panel discussion to address the current state of racial equity, especially in schools. Both N-YC students shared about demands of the organization that are especially meaningful – the needs for increased access to mental health and for more BIPOC educators in the schools.

RARE’s Film Outreach Coordinator, a graduate of Nathan Hale HS and Pacific Lutheran University, moderated the lively panel interaction and engaged with the audience, inviting their comments and questions.

Also included, Beyond Barriers, a short-film created and directed by a Garfield High School student. This impactful response to the documentary gave voice to her own racial equity school experiences.

RARE continues to spotlight the documentary as a catalyst for courageous conversations for those who view it. Learning about the not-often-discussed negative elements of Seattle’s history is informative – and shocking! And, it’s real. So the hope is that those who view the film will take some action because of it.

Our question to you:  What now?  What action(s) will you take?

Please reach out to RARE with your interest in volunteering and/or donating to support racial equity in the Seattle area!

Want to watch “RHS: Beyond Black & White”? Interested in hosting a screening? It’s always available on RARE’s film page, in addition to discussion questions and guides for curriculum related supports.

Learn more about all of RARE’s programs: Scholarships, Connections and Open Discussions events. Sign up for RARE’s monthly newsletters.

Be sure to Contact Us with your comments and questions.  We’d love to hear from you.

** More info about N-YC:  The NAACP Youth Council is a Seattle-based organization that advocates for racial equity and sensitivity policies in the Seattle Public School System. We were founded in 2017, with the goal of bringing youth voices into discussions on issues that affect them. We now represent over ten high schools in Washington State, with our members representing many ethnicities across those schools.

Seattle Center Event Film credits: Sunny Martini


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