Rachel Rosekind, PhD, MLIS

I foster personal, social, and systemic change through education, advocacy, amplification, collaboration, and direct service. I work across silos and sectors to fuse intermingled issues and bring awareness to their intersectionality. At root, my life has revolved around advancing racial and economic Justice, transformative social movements, and community belonging. Its branches have served to amplify underrepresented voices in print and in public and to elevate marginalized individuals to positions of power and underserved communities to the centers of social and political concern. I promote equity and abundance agendas to expand the multiplicity of voices in institutional spaces, civic forums, print culture, and individual consciousness. Please reach out if you see opportunities where I can be impactful in these domains or add volume and value to your efforts. I am always looking for new and more ways to contribute and collaborate, to be engaged and to engage others.

This resume enumerates some of my positions, affiliations, and responsibilities, past and present. It includes some of the compensated positions I have held; through summarization, they provide a sketch rather than the specifics. Like most stories, the one presented in this resume is marked as much by omission as it is by inclusion. If you were able to read between the lines, you would see that most of my work lies behind the scenes and that many of my contributions have been/are inherently supportive in nature —driven by passion and purpose rather than pursuit of wealth or status. Because I’ve been doing this work for several decades, the arc is wide and deep, and omission represents the necessity of consolidation and the limitations of memory. Many of my contributions are either short-term, targeted entry/spot-check, or long-haul, none of which bear enumeration on a compact resume that is by its very nature selective and summative. Some of my pro bono work is reflected in the current service roles and affiliations I list; much of it is not.

VIEW RESUME IN PDF

EDUCATION

MLIS, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA December 2016. Focus on intersection between libraries and social, racial, and economic justice and community inclusion; radical reference; public and school libraries; readers advisory; innovative community engagement; and information literacy, equity, and ethics

Dual PhD, Yale University, New Haven, CT, African American Studies and American Studies, 2006. Dissertation: Between the Country House and the Kitchenette: Literary Excavations of Space and Self in the Work of Henry James and Gwendolyn Brooks. Advisor: Hazel V. Carby

M.Phil., M.A., Yale University, Honors, African American Studies and American Studies, 2003

B.A., Gallatin School for Individualized Study, New York University, New York, NY, Summa Cum Laude, Literature and Social Theory, 1997. Focus on the navigation of public, urban, and political space as defined by gender, race, and class and as represented in literature and the visual and applied arts. Larger research area: relationship between self and space / race and place.

SELECTED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Founded Root and Bloom (formerly Write You Are) as an independent firm providing writing instruction & coaching, strategic communications and consulting, editorial services, transformative policy research & political advocacy, mentorship, public education & arts workshops, college & graduate school advising

Provide editorial oversight, including developmental, substantive, and line editing, to a range of clients, organizations, and institutions, e.g., poets, essayists, fiction and non-fiction authors; Yale University; University of California, Berkeley; University of Virginia; Duke University; John Jay College and other CUNY institutions; San Jose State University; Tongji University; University of Miami; Texas A &M; National University of Singapore; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; King’s College London; and local and national nonprofit organizations and private foundations.

Lead classes, discussions, book talks, and workshops for all ages at community centers, libraries, private homes, and virtual spaces. Activities/topics include: liberation movements and racial justice; African American history and culture; economic inclusion and mutual aid; creative writing and multimedia art-making; community responsiveness and engagement in US public libraries; crafting college admissions essays; guaranteed income; abolitionism; equity and participatory budgeting; resume building; intergenerational and multicultural feminisms; homeschooling resources and alternative educational models; diversifying curriculum and collections; peer-to-peer youth mentorship; US imperialism at home and abroad; intersection of mass incarceration and homelessness.

Help mission-driven and vision-aligned organizations, institutions, and individuals craft and hone messaging, amplify reach, deepen engagement, construct policy campaigns, create public presentations, and advance their work. Clients include philanthropic foundations, elected officials and civic leaders, nonprofits, community-based organizations, university faculty and administration, and businesses.

Prepare research briefs, reports, and data analyses for independent and university-affiliated scholars, nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies and bodies, and private sector clients. Areas of expertise include social welfare, economic inclusion, racial equity, criminal legal system, social justice, international relations, arts equity and impact, and educational policy and reform.

Create public-facing content on social, racial, economic, immigrant, gender, and global justice for elected officials, governmental bodies, local organizations, and national coalitions.

Inspire students and clients through discussions of exemplary poetry and prose, exciting writing prompts, and thoughtful individualized feedback

Provide coaching to discuss and hone craft and to generate, refine, and discuss works-in-progress

Mentor organizers and activists to advance their political and social agendas, sustain their stamina, and strategically calibrate their work

Collaborate with individual, organizational, and institutional clients to incubate, develop, and revise manuscripts and projects across diverse areas of intervention and inquiry, genre, and field of study

Broad range of expertise in academic editing, including monographs, dissertations, theses, articles, and other nonfiction material; extensive background in literary genres and forms, including poetry, novels, novellas, short stories, flash fiction, creative nonfiction, and essays

Create dynamic, informative, and innovative content for individual, institutional, corporate, and organizational clients in both print and digital media platforms

Research and write grant proposals for varied client base; have secured funding from arts and educational organizations, governmental agencies, charitable foundations, family trusts, and others for a range of causes, projects, and programs

Lead Organizer, Abolitionist Visions and Intersections Summit & Building Spaces of Solidarity and Connection: A Historical, Theoretical, and Practical Lens on Libraries’ Commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, and Justice, Social Responsibilities Round Table, American Library Association, March 18–19, 2024 & April 7, 2025

Conceived and organized nationwide convening featuring speakers on information access and censorship in carceral settings, creative arts programming in prisons, archival stewardship, financial divestment and community organizing, innovative public library programming, solitary confinement, public safety, the interface of immigration and policing, and more. This conference centered Lived Experience Expertise and abolitionism as a guiding framework for individual change and collective liberation.

Conceived and organized nationwide convening exploring the lineage and landscape of libraries’ engagement with minoritized, vulnerable, and structurally marginalized communities.

Data Lead, Consulting Editor, Communications & Grants Consultant, San Jose State University, School of Information, November 2019–Present

Serve as primary point person for 25+ team members and 125+ faculty to strategize, mine, streamline, and synthesize significant amounts of data to support the iSchool’s re-accreditation process and final report submission

Assist with content, structural, and copyediting of accreditation report

Create and edit content for school’s marketing, communications, and external/internal stakeholder reporting

Help develop and edit content for faculty articles, monographs, grant applications, and other projects

Research Intern, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, April 2016–May 2017

Research and create a bibliographic digital archive chronicling the history of Blacks in Oakland 1945–2015

Research Intern, Wikimedia Foundation, January 2016–September 2016

Research the intersection between and application of Wikimedia projects to: cultural preservation and knowledge dissemination in the developing world; academic, public, research and special collections libraries; information literacy instruction; and innovative technological platforms

Design and tag a Zotero bibliographic collection to collocate and disambiguate the data

Write a comprehensive literature review documenting the evolution of Wikipedia’s role in information literacy frameworks and instruction throughout the world

Farmers Market Lead, New York and Bay Area, 1994–2008

Operated market stand for various organic farms and bakeries in some of the busiest markets in the United States, including Union Square in New York City and Marin Civic Center in California.

Served on task force to conduct expansive community outreach, particularly to underserved populations and those with lived experience of homelessness, in an effort to make the market a more welcoming space for all community members

Advocated for more intentional recruitment of BIPOC farmers and vendors and more signage and publicity promoting use of SNAP benefits in the markets

Built strong relationships with regional agricultural ecosystem providers, community members, and local chefs

Teacher, 9th & 11th Grade English, Honors, Seminar leader, “Outsiders, Rebels, and Exiles in Contemporary Literature and Social Movements,” Crystal Springs Uplands School, Fall 2007–Spring 2009

Collaborated with colleagues to select materials for year-long survey courses in world and American literature

Instructed students in grammar, close reading, research, academic writing, and historical interpretation of literary texts

Maintained website for students and parents to keep abreast of course materials

Served as 9th Grade advisor

Senior Essay Advisor, Department of American Studies, Yale University, Fall 2004–Spring 2005

Nominated for position by American Studies department faculty

Met individually with students to help select and refine senior essay topics; devise research strategies; and draft and edit essays

Led group tutorials on brainstorming, information literacy strategies, writing and revision process, and bibliographic instruction

Tutor and Summer Program Instructor, Central Falls Public Schools, Rhode Island, December 2004–March 2006

Assisted 9th-12th grade students with varied class assignments and helped to build study habits and writing skills

Wrote grant to secure funds from Central Falls School Department to lead summer course for “at-risk” middle school students

Created and led month-long program to build literacy and math skills

Research Assistant to African American Studies Department Chair, Yale University, January 2001–May 2006

Assisted Department Chair with personal and institutional research, preparation and editing of conference papers and journal articles, and creation of course syllabi

Planned “African American Studies and Yale: Revisiting Origins, Imagining Futures,” held in May 2002; organized conference panels, designed publicity materials and commemorative brochure; wrote and published historical and photographic essay documenting the history of Yale’s African American Studies department

Teaching Fellow, “Formation of Modern American Culture,” Yale University, Spring 2003, 2004

Led weekly undergraduate student discussion sections on 20th century American cultural history

Graded weekly response papers and 2 longer essays

Collaborated with fellow instructors to present multimedia materials and other dynamic learning opportunities to students

Pioneered co-teaching model to provide students with broader base of expertise

Teaching Fellow, “Modern African American Literature,” Yale University, Spring 2003, Fall 2002

Worked with Professor and co-fellow to draft syllabus and to select notable writers to serve as guest lecturers

Led weekly discussion sections exploring new voices in African American literature

Graded close reading exercises and research papers

Instructor, “Black Literature and the Urban Environment,” Yale University, Fall 2003

Designed new interdisciplinary course for African American Studies Department based on dissertation research and teaching interests

Intensive writing and discussion focused on identifying patterns, divergences, and narratives to illuminate the diverse migrations and communities that fueled the United States’ urbanization

Met weekly to present and discuss course materials

Facilitated and led students on historical walking tour of Harlem

Afro-American Studies Teaching Fellow and Writing Advisor, Wesleyan University, Fall 2002–Fall 2003

Met individually with 60 students on a weekly basis to discuss course materials, devise paper topics, and refine drafts

Lead Organizer, “Langston Hughes and His World” International Conference, Yale University, March 2001–October 2002

Drafted grant proposal and budget narrative to Ford Foundation outlining plans for international conference to celebrate centenary of Hughes’s birth

Secured $100,000 from Ford Foundation and $15,000 from Yale’s Kempf Memorial Fund

Tracked expenses and prepared budget reports for grantmaking institutions

Liaised with Yale’s Office of Printing and Publishing Services, the President’s Office, Beinecke Rare Books & Manuscripts Library, Grants & Contracts, and multiple academic departments to facilitate collaboration and communication

Prepared website content and all publicity materials, brochures, and souvenirs for event

Helped plan and execute all conference activities, including: library exhibition, film screening, panel discussions, meals, book signings, music, and theatrical performance

Coordinated travel plans and lodging arrangements for conference speakers and honored invitees

Partnered with publishers and performed outreach to New Haven public schools to organize reading, musical performance, and large book donation to local school libraries and classrooms

Development Associate, Providence Public Schools, September 1998–June 1999

Researched and identified potential funding sources and helped to compose and edit grant proposals

Met with local nonprofits, corporations, and other grant-making and grant-seeking entities to identity priorities, share strategies, and cultivate partnerships

Major projects include grants to provide the following: literacy resources and instruction, expanded afterschool programs, and technological innovation

SELECTED FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS

PB Seeds Program

National Parks Arts Residency, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Finalist, May 2019

Alameda County Library Lit Contest: Winner, “Souls of My Feet”, February 2019

John F. Enders Fund Summer Fellowship for Dissertation Writing and Research, 2005

University Dissertation Fellowship, Susan Rhoda Cutler Fellowship Fund, 2004-2005

John Perry Miller Fellowship, Summer 2003

Mellon Fellowship in Gender History, Harvard University, Summer 2002

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Implementing Guaranteed Income in Contra Costa: A Primer and Roadmap to Strengthen Our County’s Safety Net. Commissioned by Ensuring Opportunity. Prepared for the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, October 22, 2024.

“Making Our Words Matter: Reawakening the Radical Imagination, unpublished. 2019.

A History of African Americans in Oakland, California: an Annotated Bibliography, prepared for the African American Museum and Library at Oakland, AY 2016-2017

“Data Retrieval, Information Literacy, and Knowledge Synthesis in the Age of Wikipedia: a Framework for Partnership and Progression.” Wiki site: Summer 2016

“Using a Compass without a Map: the Journey of a Mother-Educator.” Hybrid Pedagogy, 10 May 2016, http://www.digitalpedagogylab.com/hybridped/

using-a-compass-without-a-map/

Nourishing our Children and our World through Stories: a Book List that Promotes Awareness and Affirmation of Self, Others, and the Natural World, January 2016

Review of Selling the Race: Culture, Community, and Black Chicago, 1940-1955, by Adam Green, Economic History Review, 60 (November 2007): 862-864.

WORKS IN PROGRESS

Libraries Make Great Partners: A Multimedia, Resource-Rich, Interactive Guide to Public Library-Community Partnerships and Initiatives

Fierce Illumination: Elemental Revelations and Unravelings

“Ain’t Nothin’ Wrong with the Way She Moves”: The Experience and Influence of Women in the Grateful Dead

Flight of the Beautiful Days: A Chronicle of the Radical Women Who Ignited Bay Area Social and Cultural Movements

An Apprentice to Words: Why I Write, Why I Teach

Ivy Grows in the Garden of Eden: A Branch Leaves a Family Tree

SELECTED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, PUBLIC SERVICE & PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Member, Abolitionist Library Association

Advisor, College & graduate school admissions and persistence and career guidance for first generation, low socioeconomic status, and under-resourced individuals

Member-at-large and Coordinator-Elect, Action Council, American Library Association Social Responsibilities Round Table

Member, Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE)

Member, American Copyediting Society

Member, American Library Association, Social Responsibilities Round Table, Ethnic & Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table, and Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table

Member, Art & Justice National Collective

Co-Facilitator, Abolitionist Futures Quarterly Discussion Series

Member, Association for the Study of African American Life and History

Member, Association of Writers & Writing Programs

Member, Bay Area Editors Forum

Member, Bay Area Justice Funders Network

Member, Black Caucus of the American Library Association

Member, California Racial Equity Coalition

Member, Coalition for Reentry Cash

Member, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights

Literary Awards Task Force Member, Ethnic & Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table, American Library Association

Book Awards Judge, Independent Publishers of New England (IPNE)

Steering Committee member, Budget Justice Coalition of Contra Costa

Member, California Library Association

California Public Library Advocates

Member, California Reentry Roundtable

Committee Member, Herb Biblo Outstanding Leadership Award for Social Justice & Equality, Social Responsibilities Round Table, American Library Association

Member, Community Advisory Council, Berkeley Farmers’ Markets, Berkeley, CA

Commissioner, Contra Costa County Library, Supervisorial District 1, CA

Member, Democracy & Belonging Forum, University of California, Berkeley Othering & Belonging Institute

CorrespondARTS participant, providing creative feedback and affirmation to currently incarcerated individuals

Consultant, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice for educational institutions, nonprofits, and organizations with authentic intent and limited capacity

Member, National & Bay Area Chapter, Editorial Freelancers Association

Equity Committee, Health, Housing and Homeless Services, Contra Costa County, CA

Grants Panelist, California Arts Council, Creative Youth Development

Grants Panelist, California Arts Council, Arts & Cultural Organizations General Operating Support

Selection Committee Member, Best Graphic Novels for Adults, American Library Association Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table

Member, Guaranteed Income Community of Practice

Housing Justice Workgroup, San Francisco Coalition on Homelessness

pARTner, correspondence program connecting artists inside and outside of prison, Justice Arts Coalition

Member, Contra Costa Guaranteed Income Coalition

Transcriber, Artwork created by incarcerated individuals, Justice Arts Coalition

Vice Chair, Measure X Community Advisory Board, (District 1 Appointee), Contra Costa County

Mentor, currently and formerly incarcerated artists

Evaluator, Measure X- Funded Mental Health Services for Priority Populations, Contra Costa County Health Department, Behavioral Health Services