Seattle Public Schools

African American Male Achievement (AAMA)

Mentorship Programs

AAMA Mentorship Programs

In partnership with local philanthropic organizations, we are able to offer Black-male mentorship and leadership opportunities at select schools in grades 3-12. See below for offerings for your student!

Rising Sons Extended

  • Grades 3rd-5th
  • Meets online weekly
  • Schools: Any SPS Elementary and K-8 School

Kingmakers of Seattle

  • Grades 6th-12th
  • Offered as a school elective
  • Middle schools: Aki Kurose, Asa Mercer, Denny International
    High schools: Cleveland, Franklin, Interagency

WHOLE Mentoring

  • Grades: 9th-12th
  • Meets after school
  • High schools: Chief Sealth International, Cleveland, Franklin, Garfield, Ingraham, Nathan Hale, Rainier Beach

Rising Sons Extended

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.

Kingmakers of Seattle

Kingmakers of Seattle Logo

Kingmakers of Seattle is an elective program for Black male middle school and high school students, referred to as Kings, taught by Black male facilitators. Kingmakers supports the cultural, historical, social, and emotional needs of young Black boys and teens as it relates to their identity.

The program is offered at six SPS schools: Aki Kurose, Asa Mercer, and Denny International, Cleveland, Franklin, and Interagency Academy.

WHOLE Mentoring Logo

WHOLE Mentoring

WHOLE (With Hope Our Lives Excel) Mentoring is a plan of action focused on ensuring Black male 9th and 10th grade students are successfully transitioning into high school as well as supporting all high school black males in their postsecondary success. Whether it’s early exposure to college, or careers WHOLE Mentoring seeks to mobilize students with tools, and connections to support them for their days after high school.