In collaboration with student volunteers, ERASE Racism has designed the Students Partnering to Achieve Racial Equity program. The program seeks to motivate students to make a difference in their communities and in their schools by increasing their understanding of institutional and structural racism and their ability to become racial equity advocates. The first phase focused on High School students in Nassau County and kicked off with a one-day multimedia learning forum that challenged their assumptions about race and ethnicity and increased their awareness of the damaging effects of racism.

Program Information:	Click here to view Program PDF
Event Photo Gallery	Click to view Program Photo Gallery
Leadership:	The program was led by students and adult volunteers (including certified school personnel and ERASE Racism staff)
Objectives:	Build student awareness and appreciation     for diversity Develop understanding of structural and     institutional racism and the impact on     education and community Inspire student activism for social justice in     their schools and communities
Methodology:	Peer learning Multimedia Hands-on learning (debates, games, small     groups, self-reflection)
Student Selection Criteria:	Diverse mix of students Independent thinkers Leadership potential Varying cultures and ethnicities
Program Follow up:	This first day served as a kick-off to an ongoing collaboration with High School students who want to develop leadership skills and be active voices for fairness and equity in their schools and local communities. Other activities are planned throughout the year that will further build knowledge and teamwork among students, such as film forums, community service projects, interactive games, etc.
Outreach:	An invitation letter was sent to all Nassau County Superintendents and High School Principals including an agenda for the November 11th program and a request to identify students who might participate in the forum. Some participating schools included: Friends Academy, Great Neck North, Hempstead, Hicksville, Lawrence, Plainedge, Roosevelt, Waldorf School of Garden City, Westbury and the Wheatley School.
Contact:	Rosemarie Walker by email at rosemarie@eraseracismny.org or by phone at (516) 921-4863.