Sahba Rohani, Executive Director
Sahba Rohani serves as the Executive Director of Roots ConnectED (RC), an initiative she co-founded and launched in 2017 that is transforming schools and workplaces. Sahba's passion for her work stems from her foundational belief in the essential oneness of humanity. In her role, Sahba leads RC’s strategy while also supporting the organization in all areas of its programming, growth, and development. Sahba is committed to collaborative decision making and feels grateful to work alongside a team of brilliant, dedicated, supportive, and mission-centered humans.
Sahba’s vision for Roots ConnectED emerged organically after over a decade of experience and learning at Community Roots Charter School in Brooklyn, NY. The school is a pioneer in the intentionally diverse school movement. Sahba began as a founding teacher at Community Roots in 2006 and went on to serve as its Director of Community Development for nine years. Her work focused on engaging staff, students, and families in the community building processes necessary to create intentionally integrated anti-bias school communities through staff development, curriculum support, and innovative family and community programming. This work is featured in detail in the book, A Smarter Charter. Prior to her work at Community Roots, she supported the national offices of Teach for America. Sahba has worked with young people and in the field of community development since 1996.
Sahba holds a MA from Teachers College, Columbia University. She speaks regularly about education and racial justice at national and local conferences across the United States. She serves on the Thirteen/WNET Educational Services Advisory Committee where she advises public television station Thirteen (PBS) on the educational interests and needs of its community.
Sahba's deeply rooted belief in the nobility of each human being is grounded in her upbringing in a supportive Persian-American family and as a member of the Baha’i Faith. She works tirelessly to bring that belief to the forefront of her work each day. Her background and experiences play a large role in her commitment to the work that Roots ConnectED does to create community across lines of difference and ensure that each person sees the humanity in one another.