Supporting Black Male Students Across Seattle Public Schools

Seattle Public Schools is proud to provide several elective programs for Black male students through the Office of African American Male Achievement.

Kingmakers of Seattle Extended and Rising Son Extended support the cultural, historical, social, and emotional needs of young Black boys and teens, referred to as Kings.

Kingmakers of Seattle Extended for Middle and High School Students

SPS is opening applications for Kingmakers of Seattle Extended (KOSE), an out-of-school time virtual program for Black male middle school and high school students taught by Black male facilitators. KOSE offers a fall/winter or spring series of virtual affinity groups for students.

Through KOSE 6th grade and KOSE 7th – 12th grade, the AAMA is serving SPS African American boys and teens across the district who don’t have access to affinity space. The groups help place young Kings on an upward pathway to mastering their cultural identity.

During these sessions, the KOSE educators engage, empower, and encourage these young Kings by creating opportunities within these brotherhood-centered cohorts to make conscious, positive identity choices. KOSE aims to support the elevation of their voices in advocacy for their educational justice.

Kings will have a safe space to express, channel personal will, develop a positive sense of purpose in their roles in family and community, and develop important networks both in school and out of school to ensure academic achievement and develop life-long leadership skills.

Rising Son Extended for Elementary Students

In response to many requests from the African American community, the office of AAMA is excited to offer a valuable opportunity to serve our African American boys in 3rd – 5th grade across the district in partnership with Rising Son.

Rising Son Extended (RSE) is a one day-a-week affinity group that will focus on the cultural, historical, social, and emotional needs of young Black boys as it relates to their identity. RSE will engage, empower, and encourage these young Kings by creating opportunities within brotherhood-centered cohorts to make conscious, positive identity choices, thus supporting the elevation of their voices in advocacy for their educational justice.

Kings will learn how to manage their emotions, channel personal will, develop a positive sense of purpose in their roles in family and community, and develop important networks both in school and out of school to ensure academic achievement and develop life-long leadership skills.

About Kingmakers and Rising Son

The Kingmakers and Rising Son Extended directly supports the work of AAMA and Seattle Excellence, the district’s five-year strategic plan.  

Seattle Excellence, through the work of AAMA, is reconstructing the district’s educational environment across the system to support the brilliance and excellence of Black boys and teens. AAMA is a systemic driver of change – not just one program.  

By building capacity and supporting programs like these, AAMA is working to center the social, emotional, and educational needs of Black male students and provide the resources for students advance a successful career, actively participate in their community, and build a meaningful life and relationships. 

How to Apply

If you know a African American boy and teen who would be interested in applying, please contact William King, AAMA mentoring program coordinator, at 206-561-8799 or wrking@seattleschools.org.

Learn more about the Kingmakers of Seattle Program.  
Learn more about the Office of African American Male Achievement.