The Rise Up team gathered in San Francisco, California in October for a fruitful and fulfilling global planning retreat. This year’s retreat theme was “Rise Up, Higher” and our objectives were clear: to deepen relationships across the organization, build on our collective knowledge and skills, and develop a strategic roadmap for the upcoming year. We welcomed colleagues from across the … Read More
Rise Up in the News
We wanted to make sure you saw Rise Up in the local and national news recently. Rise Up was featured in East Bay Magazine in the article entitled, “Women helping women succeed.” The article highlights Rise Up’s work in California, alongside our support for Oakland-based Rise Up Leader Sadia Khan and the organization where she works as a policy advocate, … Read More
Rise Up Leader Wins Ban Ki-moon Award for Women’s Empowerment
On September 25, 2024, Rise Up Leader and male ally Ashwani Tiwari from India received the Ban Ki-moon Award for Women’s Empowerment, a prestigious honor presented by Asia Initiatives to individuals who have made significant contributions to women’s rights. Ashwani received the award for his dedication and contributions to advancing STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and entrepreneurship education for … Read More
RECAP: The Power of Girls’ Education and Leadership
In honor of International Day of the Girl in October, we held a virtual event highlighting why it is critical to support and invest in girls’ education and leadership if we want to make real progress toward gender equality. The event featured visionary leaders from Rise Up and our event co-host, She’s the First, who are transforming girls’ lives in … Read More
Esperanza Cuautle Velazquez
California, United States Co-Director | Detained Organizer, Pangea Legal Services Esperanza is a community organizer who works alongside immigrants detained by ICE, supporting their efforts to expose detention conditions and assert their rights. As an undocumented woman of color who migrated to the U.S., Esperanza is passionate about promoting educational and leadership development opportunities for immigrant community members. She believes … Read More
Ashley Crystal Rojas
California, United States Policy Director, Indigenous Justice Ashley is a community organizer, strategist, and power builder currently serving as Policy Director for Indigenous Justice. She has dedicated her career to addressing systemic injustices impacting Indigenous peoples in the so-called United States. As a survivor of gender-based violence, Ashley has navigated her career finding answers to questions to make better sense … Read More
Daniel Vigil Rodriguez
California, United States Senior Manager, Community Engagement and Partnerships, Integrative Communities Daniel is the Senior Manager of Community Engagement and Partnerships at Integrative Communities DBA The Social Impact Center, where they help build a network in LA County by tailoring intersectional programs through a distinctive LGBTQIA+ restorative justice lens. As a proud queer person of color who was supported by … Read More
Jennifer Roberson
California, United States Program Coordinator, Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater Los Angeles Jennifer is a Program Coordinator and a Certificated Lactation Education Specialist (CLES). She leads BreastfeedLA’s first initiative to provide direct lactation services to Black families in L.A. County, coining the Liberation Lactation Lounge – a free clinic in partnership with Humbled By Motherhood to provide a safe space … Read More
Arien Alana Reed
California, United States Secretary, Trans-E-Motion Arien is an artist and activist whose work centers trans rights. In his current role as Chair of Trans-E-Motion, Arien strives to support and advocate for the well-being of trans people, especially those from marginalized backgrounds. Since joining Trans-E-Motion in 2022, Arien has implemented six new gender-affirming resource programs, and continuously expanded the organization’s efforts … Read More
paradyse oakley
California, United States Program Manager, Parenting for Liberation (P4L) paradyse oakley is a community weaver, cultural worker, and birthworker dedicated to supporting Black families on their intergenerational healing journeys. At P4L, she navigates the balance of loving and protecting children while working towards family unification. Through the Innovation Lab, paradyse resources Black parents to address community issues through liberation, healing, … Read More
