Rachael DeCruz
Associate Director, Advocacy Office
Rachael DeCruz is the Associate Director of Advocacy at Boston University’s Center for Antiracist Research. She has over a decade of experience in both the nonprofit sector and philanthropy, and is passionate about racial justice. Previously, Rachael was the Chief of Staff at Race Forward—the country’s largest multiracial, racial justice nonprofit—where she focused on aligning the organization’s values with their strategy, culture, and systems.
She comes to this position with a background in multiracial coalition building, policy, and communications. Rachael served on the Executive Committee of the Seattle King County NAACP for over five years, where she elevated and amplified the branch’s efforts in local and national media. Her work as a writer and opinionist has been published in outlets like the Huffington Post, The Stranger, and The Seattle Times. She was featured in a video series by the Seattle Times in 2016 called “Under Our Skin,” examining the ways that structural and institutional racism impact people’s lives. Rachael is currently directing and producing her first feature documentary following Gerald Hankerson, a Black community leader, as he fights to get his former cellmate out of prison and to pass legislation that would provide a chance for others to regain their freedom. She is also working with Gerald on writing his memoir. Rachael grew up in the Boston area and is committed to forging partnerships with the local community.