Racial Equity Ambassadors

The 2023-2024 Cohort

The Asheville Six Strategies

REAP students developed the Asheville Six Strategies based on the Equity Collaborative’s Students’ Six Model. The Racial Equity Ambassadors deliver these strategies to their teachers through professional development sessions throughout the school year. REAP’s multi-pronged strategic approach to cultural responsiveness increases program efficacy and includes advocacy by and for youth, applied best-practice research on educational outcomes, leadership development, and training/education.

2023-2024 accomplishments

• In August 2023, October 2023, and March 2024, REAP students presented their data on Racial Equity in the Classroom to a group of teachers at the ACS Curriculum Conferences. The conferences featured fishbowl workshops where students could speak honestly about positive and negative experiences in the classroom.

• In October 2023, REAP senior team leaders presented at the Color of Education Conference. This was a similar presentation to the ones held at the ACS Curriculum Conference and featured several other presenters whose work focused on inclusivity in the classroom.

• The film "Black in Asheville" by Director and Producer Todd Gragg of Branding System Pro is a film about the history of urban renewals’ damaging impact on Asheville's Black Community. REAP students presented the film to their classmates in February 2024.

• #1 New York Times Best Selling Author Jason Reynolds visited Asheville High School/SILSA for a discussion led by REAP students before the ACSF community event, Jason Reynolds: Look Both Ways. REAP students successfully facilitated both events.

• In preparation for the arrival of Author Jason Reynolds, a team of REAP students put together an art and poetry contest, coined the Student Voice Contest: How You See Me vs. How I See Myself. The winners of this contest had their work presented at the Jason Reynolds Community Event.

• A group of senior REAP leaders presented at the Western Carolina Equity in Education Conference. This conference featured national scholars and regional Pre K-12 school community members with a focus on local educational practices that cultivate joy in schools.

• In February and March 2024, REAP held 2 allyship trainings that explored opportunities to use privilege wisely. One session was with Educator Jesse Pitt and Senator Graig Meyer.

• In March 2024, REAP students presented their work in a training session with Asheville Middle School educators.

What students have to say about REAP

“Not only have I met new people, but I've grown on my racial journey by being able to attend out of school programs like the Martin Luther King memory, REI trainings, and equity trainings. Now I have a little bit more of a sense of who I want to be and I have the tools to take opportunities.”

-Tristan, REAP Freshman

“I’ve gotten to be around people like me more and get closer with people I wouldn’t have even talked to before. I also learned valuable things like public speaking skills and about the history of Asheville and our state.”

-Elena, REAP Sophomore

“I this year in REAP I believe that I have changed from being someone who steps back and listens/observes, to someone that engages and teaches. This happened though the countless presentations I presented in, that gave me the opportunity to educate my teachers and city board members.”

-Stella, REAP Junior

What educators have to say about REAP

“This is something every school needs to hear.”

“Amazing student voice!”

“The students were well prepared and I learned a lot more about the program. I look forward to working with this group more this year.”

For questions or more information, please contact:

Copland Arnold Rudolph
Executive Director
copland@acsf.org
(828) 350-6174