RAPP Leaders Go On To Be... AmeriCorps Volunteers!

A couple of years back, we made a couple videos called "RAPPers Go On To Be..." to highlight how involvement in RAPP makes sense for all Bearcats regardless what career you might be headed toward.

In reflecting on encouraging people to apply for formal leadership positions in RAPP, we thought it could be similarly useful to highlight how people have contributed to RAPP and gone on to apply the knowledge they learned in a variety of impactful professions.

Many RAPPers go on to serve in AmeriCorps, a program of the US federal government that engages adults in intensive community service work (including Public Allies).  Here are two recent RAPP leaders who served:

Maika (left) with Steve at the RAPP XXIII Banquet

Maika Arnold (RAPP XXII) was a Peer Leader and Student Worker for RAPP XXIII.  2009-2010, Maika served in AmeriCorps with HomePort in Columbus, OH.

Kevin (right) receives his 2012-13 Social Justice League certificate from Jojo.

Kevin Weber (RAPP XXVI) was a Process Observer with Accelerating Racial Justice 2013. He is currently serving with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps.

RAPP Leaders Go On To Be... Public Allies!

A couple of years back, we made a couple videos called "RAPPers Go On To Be..." to highlight how involvement in RAPP makes sense for all Bearcats regardless what career you might be headed toward.

In reflecting on encouraging people to apply for formal leadership positions in RAPP, we thought it could be similarly useful to highlight how people have contributed to RAPP and gone on to apply the knowledge they learned in a variety of impactful professions.

RAPP & Public Allies have long had a strong overlap in people given our shared work toward a just society and honoring that everyone leads!

Ashley shows off her artwork at the RAPPORT 2009 Retreat.

Ashley Bennet Gray (RAPP XXII) was a graduate assistant and student worker with RAPP XXIII and RAPPORT.  Ashley served in Public Allies in 2009-2010.

Kinsey (2nd from right) leads a group of volunteers in a joint role for Public Allies & RAPP.

Kinsey Brown (RAPP XXIII) was a Peer Leader with RAPP XXIV Sunday.  Kinsey served in Public Allies in 2010-2011 with RAPP.

Marjorie (far left) reps RAPP with several other RAPP alumni who served in Public Allies.

Marjorie Bledsoe (RAPP XXV) was a Peer Leader with RAPP XXVI Wednesday.  Marjorie served in Public Allies in 2011-2012 with RAPP.

Jojo smiles for the camera at Accelerating Racial Justice 2013.

Jojo Azevedo (RAPP XXIV) was a Peer Leader with RAPP XXVI Wednesday, facilitator for RAPP XXVII and Accelerating Racial Justice (ARJ) 2012, and process observer for ARJ 2013.  He is currently serving in Public Allies 2013-2014 with the Academy of World Languages.

RAPP Leaders Go On To Be... National Frame-changers

A couple of years back, we made a couple videos called "RAPPers Go On To Be..." to highlight how involvement in RAPP makes sense for all Bearcats regardless what career you might be headed toward.

In reflecting on encouraging people to apply for formal leadership positions in RAPP, we thought it could be similarly useful to highlight how people have contributed to RAPP and gone on to apply the knowledge they learned in a variety of impactful professions.

Un and her child Anouk at the RAPP XXIV Fall Retreats

Un Kyong Ho was facilitator & graduate assistant with RAPPs XXI & XXII before becoming the Program Coordinator of Diversity Education, coordinating & facilitating RAPP XXIII and coordinating the grant proposal that led to RAPP's restructuring in 2008. She also led the re-development of and facilitated RAPPORT.

Un Kyong is associate producer on the recent documentary Private Violence, which offers a harrowing account of domestic violence from the perspective of two survivors which works to disrupt the oft-asked question "why doesn't she just leave?"  She is also a producer on (and blogger for) the series A Chef's Life, which explores food issues through sharing the story of a family-owned farm-to-table restaurant in eastern North Carolina.

Private Violence Trailer (3 minutes) from Cynthia Hill on Vimeo.

A Chef's Life teaser from A Chef's Life on Vimeo.

RAPP Leaders Go On To Be... Lawyers!

A couple of years back, we made a couple videos called "RAPPers Go On To Be..." to highlight how involvement in RAPP makes sense for all Bearcats regardless what career you might be headed toward.

In reflecting on encouraging people to apply for formal leadership positions in RAPP, we thought it could be similarly useful to highlight how people have contributed to RAPP and gone on to apply the knowledge they learned in a variety of impactful professions.

Several people who held leadership roles in RAPP have gone on toward a career in law!

Steve's self-submitted picture for the RAPP XXIV roster.

Steve Succop was a facilitator with RAPPs XXII, XXIII, and XXIV.  He co-authored the current curriculum for the 9-month intensive.

Steve is currently a law student at CUNY Law School, the country's premier public interest law school. He is a legal intern at Main Street Legal Services in New York, which provides direct services related to citizenship, domestic violence, immigration, and legal services.

Sarvani waved hello to the camera at the RAPP XXV Tuesday fall retreat.

Sarvani Prasad wrote the grant proposal the reshaped RAPP's structure in 2008 as a graduate assistant. She also was a facilitator with RAPPs XXIV and XXV as well as co-authored the current curriculum for the 9-month intensive.

Sarvani is an alumna of UC College of Law where she earned both a JD and an MA in Women's Studies. She is currently a Legal Research Assistant with the Kettering Foundation and previously worked at Legal Aid of Western Ohio and Advocates for Basic Legal Equity.

Rachel showed her favorite pose at the RAPP XXVII Wednesday Winter Retreat

Rachel Berman (RAPP XXV) was a Peer Leader for RAPP XXVI and Facilitator for RAPP XXVII. She also served on the Working Group that created Accelerating Racial Justice.

Rachel is currently a student at Emory University School of Law.  She currently doing an externship with the Fulton County Public Defender and previously was an intern at Georgia Capital Defender.

Why Did You Join RAPP Ep. 4

In an extra special Why Did You Join RAPP, we have The Rebecca Lehman!

We asked a few RAPPORT members why did they initially join RAPP.
Now we learn why Rebecca Lehman, RAPP XXII member and the current RAPP Program Coordinator initially got involved in the program!

Snapshots of RAPP in the City-Wide MLK Events

Despite the cold & snow, Greater Cincinnati came together yet again for the civil rights march on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  Although many Bearcats were spread throughout the city doing service through the Crosstown Help Out, the Red & Black were still out in force at the march - including nearly all UC NPHC chapters (the only one not there was also out doing community service!).

Here are a few pictures from the day:

Waiting for the bus to ride down to the march!

We met up with friends in front of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center for the start of the march.

Marching to Fountain Square

Many of us joined up with NPHC - and the several RAPPers in their leadership! - for a group photo in  front of Cincinnati Music Hall.

Snapshots from RAPPORT 2013 Retreat

Last weekend, 19 RAPP alumni came together in Daniels Hall for the 5th Annual RAPPORT Retreat!

Here are some snapshots of our time together:

Group shot midway through!

Daycia  (XXVII) overcome with excitement!

Jojo thinking quietly during the evening reflection time.

Fun poses with Kevin (XXVI), Megan (XXVII), and Jamieson (XXVII).

DeVorah (XXIV), AJ (XXVI), and Alyssa (XXV) in deep discussion .

Maggie (XXV) and Farooq (XXVII) explain their group's definition of what empathy is not.

Maggie (XXV), Keshar (XXVII), Megan (XXVII), and Jojo (XXIV) working on how to confront ableism!

RAPPORT 2012 baby GemariYah stoppped by for a visit with her mom (DeVorah, XXIV) and the group

Meet the RAPP 2012-13 Leadership in Their Own Words!

Tonight is orientation night for RAPP XXVIII!  What better day to highlight the students who are holding formal leadership positions in RAPP this academic year.

Brice Mickey - RAPP XXVIII Facilitator

Hello RAPPers! I look forward to meeting all of you.  I was a member of RAPP XXV and I'm a student at UC.  If you want to know anything else, JUST ASK!

Farooq Alkhateeb - RAPP XXVIII Peer Leader

Hi RAPPers! I'm Farooq Alkhateeb and I'm going to be one of your Peer Leaders for RAPP XXVIII. I am a graduate of RAPP XXVII and I liked it so much that I decided to be a leader for you all!  I became interested in social justice when I first heard about RAPP two years ago.  I've always enjoyed discussing and sharing my culture with other people.  If there was on thing that I could personally change, it would be people' perceptions of Muslims and Arabs.

My hobbies include playing with computers, weightlifting, swimming, and cooking.  I'm a senior majoring in IT.  I can't wait to meet you!

Jamieson Williams - RAPPORT 2012-13 Facilitator

I am a third year E-Media major.  Part of RAPP XXVII last year.  I will now be taking on the role of Facilitator in RAPPORT for the 2012-2013 school year.  I've always enjoyed learning about social issues in society and since RAPP, learning how to educate and solve them.  Knowing is only half the battle, how you process and share that information is what makes the difference.

 Kristin Myers-Young - RAPP XXVIII Peer Leader

My name is Kristin Myers-Young. I am looking forward to meeting and getting to know all of you.  I am a Senior Communication and Africana Studies Minor.  I have been blessed to work as a Student Orientation Leader in 2009, and currently a Student Orientation Coordinator ever sense then. I am truly honored to be your Peer Leader this year because RAAP has changed my life tremendously and it my way of giving back to this great program by helping you in your journey.  I believe that we have a lot to learn from each other so that we can truly improve our world!

Rebecca Lehman - RAPP Program Coordinator

Rebecca is a proud alumna of RAPP XXII and has been a leader with RAPP since 2007.  She views social justice education as awareness & skill development work that everyone can do.  She is most personally passionate about education and activism around issues of race, gender, sexuality, and the intersections between them.  She greatly enjoys educational program planning and curriculum development.
Rebecca is a second generation Bearcat with degrees in English Literature (BA) and Community Health Promotion & Education (MS). She's a graduate of the UC University Honors Program.  Her hobbies include playing ukulele, reading about communicable diseases, and practicing yoga.

 Tianshu Lu - RAPP XXVIII Peer Leader

Tianshu is a senior Accounting student at UC. She is a RAPP XXVI alumn.  Her currently favorite quotes are "anything you can imagine is true" and "nothing happened by chance."  Her hobbies include photography, random drawing, and cooking.  She likes RAPP because it's very diverse.  She thinks that "Each One Teach One" is a good way to learn.

2012-13 RAPP Leaders Pre-Service Training

The behind-the-scenes leaders of RAPP XXVIII and RAPPORT 2012-13 started our pre-service training last night!  Each year, the team of folks who guide the implementation of the RAPP & RAPPORT curricula undergo several evenings of training to develop as a team and prepare for the year ahead.

More detailed biographies will come later, but in the meantime meet the 2012-13 team:

Brice Mickey (back row, center) - RAPP XXVIII Facilitator, RAPP XXVI Peer Leader, Social Justice League 2010-2012, RAPP XXV alum
Farooq Alkhateeb (back row, left) - RAPP XXVIII Peer Leader, RAPP XXVII alum
Jamiesone Williams (front row, center) - RAPPORT 2012-13 Facilitator, RAPP XXVII alum
Kristin Myers-Young (back row, right) - RAPP XXVIII Peer Leader, RAPP XXV alum
Rebecca Lehman (front row, left) - Program Coordinator, RAPP XXII alum
Tianshu Lu (front row, right) - RAPP XXVIII Peer Leader, RAPP XXVI alum

Snapshots from WorldFest Week International Festival!

Over the years, I've taken to calling the WorldFest Week International Festival "the start of tabling season" because our table at the event is always a fun time and marks the beginning of many more days at tables.

The weather held out and the staff of UC International put on a great event!  Here are some snapshots from it:

Keshar (XXVII) waving the WorldFest Week flag!

Laura (XXVII) and Nece (XXV) enjoyed delicious food!

Jamieson (XXVII), Marjorie (XXV), and Jojo (XXIV) doing a subtle promo for Sun Drop!

Asuka (XXVII), Jamieson, and Farooq (XXVII) having fun!

Kayla (XXVII) and Shanea (XXVII) show off our new group sign!

Jalisa (XXVII) confirming that the Oreo cookies were a good choice!

Dominique (XXVI) thankfully laughing with Farooq and the gang about the video he was infamously in.!

RAPP XXVI reunion for Kevin & Sarah K!

Jackie (XXVI) took a break from studies for some WorldFest Week fun!

Matthew (XXVI) helped at the RAPP table AND the UC Arabic Club table!

RAPP XXII reunion for Rebecca & Chantal!

Kiki (XXV) stopped by with good news!

Krystal (XXIV) trying her best to hate - good thing she's really full of love!

Busy graduating senior Danielle (XXV) stopped by!

RAPP Working Group Up & Running

This past Thursday, March 15th, a group of Bearcats from throughout UC's community came together for the first of four Working Group meetings to guide RAPP through our upcoming programming transition.

The group got acquainted, spent time defining racial justice & inclusive leadership, then tackled some big questions for our work over the next few meetings.

This working group is laying the foundation for RAPP's 2012-13 programming transition.  We'll continue offering our core 9-month program but with only one group of 35 students (for the last four years we've offered two concurrent groups of up to 35).  Instead of that second 9-month group, RAPP will offer a 5-day racial justice & inclusive leadership intensive - hopefully running the pilot program of it this August.

The next Working Group meeting is tomorrow, March 20th, from 5:30-7:30.  Please contact Rebecca if you're interested in joining us!

About half of the working group posed for a post-meeting picture.

RAPP Participates in Cincinnati Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Activities

As is now our annual tradition, RAPP encouraged the UC community to participate in the city-wide events recognizing Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Here are some snapshots from Monday's rally, march, and commemorative celebration:

RAPPers representing RAPPs XXII-XXVII (and other organizations) paused for a snapshot before the march!

The growing crowd at the Freedom Center before the march kick-off.

Marching from Fountain Square to Music Hall, singing songs and talking about the day.

Many RAPPers and friends stayed for the 37th Annual Commemorative Celebration at Music Hall organized by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Coalition.

Many thanks to all the UC community members who joined us on Monday!

Snapshots from Outreach: What's @ UC?

One of the three key ways RAPP works on campus is providing free workshops, trainings, and retreats to the campus and community.

Last week was our first in Stratford Heights for the year.  RAPP members, RAPPORT folks, and community members joined in for a program organized by Kevin W (XXVI), resident advisor in Stratford Heights.

We played "What's @ UC?" - a game that challenges and educates Bearcats about demographics and resources around race, gender, sexuality, ability, and religion.

Many thanks to all who came out and played & discussed!

If you're interested in scheduling a workshop, check out our Outreach page!

Wil P (XXV) joins two community members in discussing a round.

Adolphe (XXVI), Brice, (XXV), and Jojo (XXIV) made up the team "The 3 Gents"!

Cassie (XXVI), Lulu (XXII), and Keshar (XXVII) figuring out the answers to a round!

Kevin & Matthew (XXVI) were joined by community members in their team!