Negative outcomes for students of color and those who are economically disadvantaged are troubling patterns in schools nationwide. Systemic racial disparities are part of the problem. Children who live with poverty, however, also have heightened exposure to adverse experiences. Implementing a culturally responsive trauma-informed whole-school approach can address the impact of disparities, teach resiliency skills, and promote the wellbeing and achievement of all students. This study describes a school-university collaboration to develop such a model. Findings explore school personnel's perceptions about race, trauma, and the stressors their students face in the context of the developing model.