The RISE story

In 2014 RISE was established to build a real  “neighborhoods first” agenda with residents and community-based organizations – and working in partnership with everyday people at a grassroots level in carrying it out to solve the complex challenges of our urban neighborhoods.

Together
We ALL RISE

Our MISSION is to elevate and advance urban leadership through dialogue-based civic engagement, dynamic nonprofit partnerships, and direct training and support to increase the capacity of urban residents to effect meaningful community change.

Our VISION is thriving, resident-led urban neighborhoods providing safe and healthy opportunities for youth and families to live, work, and play.

Values

Community

Collaboration

Shared Responsibility

Humanity

Reciprocity

Consciousness

Collective Impact

RISE Programs

Group photo of diverse people gathered in a conference room, smiling for the camera, with some seated and others standing, in a professional setting.
A group of people gathered in a classroom setting, some standing and some seated, with a woman in the center speaking or explaining something. The room has posters, certificates, and photos on the walls, and the word 'SCHOLARSHIPS' displayed on a ban
Group of people gathered around a table engaging in a team-building activity with colorful supplies and a wooden structure.
People sitting around multiple tables in a conference room, participating in a meeting or workshop with snacks and beverages, and a bulletin board with documents and a 'SCHOLARSHIPS' banner on the wall.
People gathered around a table with various illustrated cards at an indoor event or workshop.
Group of people examining flashcards with calligraphy or letter designs at a table in an indoor event.
Group of five women standing outdoors, smiling, under a tree with green leaves, with a white building and a fence in the background.
Three people sitting around a table in an office or coworking space, with others working in the background.
Group of seven diverse people smiling and sitting around a conference table in an office setting.
A group of three women sitting around a cluttered office table with papers, laptops, and personal items in a modern office space.
Five people seated at a round table in a classroom or training room, engaging in a discussion or learning activity.
Group of eight diverse people standing in a circle having a discussion in a modern office space.
A diverse group of people participating in a workshop or seminar in a conference room. Some are seated at tables, engaging with materials, while others are standing or walking around. A large screen at the front displays a presentation slide with the
A woman and a man are standing and sitting at a table covered with various boxes of food, engaging in conversation, during what appears to be a health or charity event in a bright, well-lit room with large windows.
A woman and a man are facing each other on stage. The woman is wearing glasses and a white outfit with red and orange floral patterns, and the man is bald with a beard, wearing a dark suit and a colorful striped scarf. They are smiling and holding ha
A group of people gathered for an outdoor event or rally, with multiple flags from various countries displayed on a large banner behind them, and a crowd of attendees in front.
A collage of four photos from an art event or workshop. The first photo shows a group of seven diverse adults and children standing together, smiling at the camera, in front of a cardboard door. The second photo features a panel with five speakers se
Group of diverse people posing for a photo in a conference room.
Group of people celebrating a graduation or achievement, holding certificates, posing for a photo in a formal setting.
Group of people gathered in a conference room, smiling for a group photo, with tables and chairs in the background, and some standing near a buffet table.
A woman stands at the front of a conference room giving a presentation to an audience seated at tables. The room has beige walls, and there is a large screen displaying a blue slide behind her. The audience is engaged, some taking notes or looking at
Group of eight diverse people smiling and posing together in front of a 'Teach for America' branding backdrop at an event in San Diego.
Two women standing close together, smiling, one holding a plaque that says "Tinesia Cornwall" and "2019 MOXIE Award." The woman on the left has short reddish-brown hair, wears a colorful jacket, large earrings, and a layered necklace. The woman on th
Ten people standing together indoors, posing for a photo, with a wooden door, an American flag, and a clock on the wall in the background.
Group of six people, five women and one young girl, standing indoors and holding certificates, smiling for the camera.
Group of five people holding certificates at an indoor event, smiling for the camera.
A large group of people on a stage holding certificates, dressed in formal attire, smiling in a university or conference room with a black curtain background and an American flag to the right.
Group of five people smiling and posing for a photo, two holding certificates, standing indoors with a wooden door behind them.
Group of five adults and two young girls standing together in a hallway, smiling for a photo.
A woman with curly hair and a man in a black suit pose together and smile at a formal event or gathering in an indoor venue.
A group of four people standing in a room with a chandelier, beige walls with wooden trim, and patterned carpet. They are gathered around a table with electronic devices, including Apple MacBooks, a Google Nest speaker, and a smartphone. A whiteboard
A group of people dancing in a large indoor space with carpeted floor and beige walls.
A group of people attending a presentation or lecture in a conference room, with a woman speaking in front of the audience.
A group of diverse people standing in a circle in a large conference room with chandeliers and a blue screen in the background
Two men in business suits talking and smiling at a networking event in a conference room with round tables and people in the background.
Group of nine people standing on stage during an award or recognition ceremony, with a man in the center holding a plaque, in front of a wooden wall and a large screen displaying "George Ibarra".
Group of diverse professionals engaged in conversation at a networking event, with a woman in a white blazer smiling while listening to a man in glasses and a grey blazer.
Four people smiling pose in front of a presentation screen at an indoor event, with other attendees mingling in the background.
Four people standing together inside a room, smiling at the camera. They are close to each other, and appear to be at a social event or gathering.
Audience attending a presentation or seminar in a conference room with chandeliers and wooden paneling.
Three people engaged in conversation at an indoor event, with background figures and tables, one woman is holding a brochure and wearing an orange dress, the other two individuals are an older man and woman, dressed formally.
Four people are talking in a conference room with tables set for a meal. Two men and two women, dressed in business attire, appear engaged in conversation and smiling.
A panel discussion or presentation at an indoor event with four people on stage. The man at the microphone is speaking or presenting; the others are sitting or standing nearby. Two screens behind display a welcome message and event information.
Group of adults gathered in a conference room, with some standing around a large tower model made of colorful paper and cardboard. A woman is speaking to the group, and there are some tables with papers and supplies.
Two women smiling and standing close together indoors, with a presentation screen behind them displaying photos of various women and the title "Motion & Emotions: A Break Out." There are plants and informational signs on a table in the foreground.
People browsing artworks or prints on display at an indoor art market or gallery with a brick wall in the background and decorative string lights overhead.
Three women smiling and standing together at an indoor event with people in the background, artwork on the wall, and decorative plants nearby.
A group of seven people, including a person in a wheelchair, standing outdoors at a social gathering during the evening. They are smiling and holding drinks, with a tent and people mingling in the background.
A group of seven people, including a man in a wheelchair with a mobility scooter, pose together outdoors between two buildings. They are smiling and holding drinks, with some wearing sunglasses. The background shows a building with artwork on the wal
Two women are conversing at an indoor event with tables displaying colorful fabrics or artwork. In the background, there are other attendees, a sign that says 'Gracias a la Vida!', and hanging string lights.
Artistic display on a white wall featuring photographs, small sculptures of hands, and written descriptions. The scene appears to be in a gallery with purple lighting.
Two women hugging each other on a dark night, one holding a microphone and a piece of paper. One woman wears a black top and red pants, the other wears a yellow dress with black patterns. A lit sign in the background reads "Gracias a la Vida!" in Spa
A man with a beard, wearing a black hat and a blue denim shirt, holding a microphone and gesturing with his left hand while standing on a stage with a black background. There are string lights hanging from the ceiling, and a neon sign that says 'Grac
Group of people posing for a photo on a stage with a black background and a sign that reads 'Gracias a la Vida!'
Two smiling men standing together in a well-lit indoor space, one wearing glasses and a black shirt, the other with a beard and wearing a light blue shirt.
Group of four women standing together indoors at celebration event, with balloon decorations and white wooden wall background.
A woman with short red hair, glasses, and hoop earrings, wearing a black dress with decorative detailing, is smiling while reading from a booklet in front of a microphone. She appears to be at an indoor event.
A man and a woman standing together outdoors, smiling at the camera, each holding a clear plastic cup with a drink, in a sunny setting with some trees, buildings, and tables in the background.
A man wearing a straw hat and a white button-up shirt with a small floral pattern is speaking into a microphone at an indoor event.
Two women smiling and embracing outdoors, with a brick building and greenery in the background.
A woman holding a microphone and smiling during a presentation or speech in a room with black walls and a wooden ceiling. There are flower arrangements in glass vases on the stage, and large golden letters spelling 'RISE' on the floor. A colorful tab
A large group of diverse people posing together in a spacious indoor setting with a black wall behind them and a TV screen showing a similar group photo.
Group of six women standing together inside a brick-walled building, smiling at the camera, with plants and art decorating the background.

RISE Team

  • A woman smiling with long dark hair, wearing a black dress with a colorful floral pattern, standing against a yellow background.

    Karina Barahona

    PROGRAM COORDINATOR

  • Portrait of a woman with dark hair in a bun, wearing a blue dress, smiling against a gray background.

    Mauri Hamilton

    CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

  • A woman with long, curly dark hair, wearing earrings and a black shirt, smiling in front of an orange wall.

    Annamarie Montecina Till

    PROGRAM DIRECTOR

  • A smiling man with a beard wearing a dark suit, white shirt, and a colorful patterned tie, standing against a yellow background.

    Dominic Porter

    CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

  • Smiling woman with short, dark red hair, wearing a black and white patterned blazer, maroon top, and a silver spiral jewelry set, posing against a white background.

    Leah Goodwin

    RISE ARTS PROGRAM MANAGER

  • Professional headshot of a man with short black hair, a beard, and mustache, wearing a black suit, red and white checkered shirt, and maroon tie, against a gray background.

    Ferchil Ramos

    SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

  • A woman with long, wavy brown hair and a braided front, wearing a colorful embroidered blouse, standing outdoors with a blurred green background.

    Alexandra Uzarraga

    PROGRAM DIRECTOR

RISE Board of Directors

  • Close-up portrait of a woman with dark, wavy hair, wearing a red sleeveless top and a silver necklace, smiling against a neutral background.

    Aliya L. Frederick, MD, PhD

    DIRECTOR

  • A young man in a business suit smiling at the camera against a white background.

    Jesús Martín Gallegos-Muñoz

    DIRECTOR

  • A smiling woman with long, blonde and brown braided hair, wearing a black shirt, standing in front of a yellow background.

    Tamara Muhammad

    DIRECTOR

  • A woman with long black hair smiling at the camera, wearing a light pink lace top.

    Melinda Nickleberry

    TREASURER

  • Professional headshot of a smiling man in a dark suit, white shirt, and a striped tie, standing outdoors with a blurred background.

    Frederick K. Taylor

    SECRETARY

  • A woman with short dark hair wearing a gray blazer, black top, and silver jewelry, smiling at the camera against a light gray background.

    Salina Villegas

    CHAIR

  • A woman with long dark hair and hoop earrings standing in a brightly lit corridor with arched openings and windows, wearing a dark blazer and red blouse.

    Rocio Zamora

    DIRECTOR

Faculty, Facilitators & Collaborators

  • Julius Alejandro

    Julius Alejandro

  • A man with dark hair, wearing a blue suit and white shirt, smiling outdoors with trees in the background.

    Steve Askar

  • Grace Bagunu, PhD

    Grace Bagunu, PhD

  • A young woman with curly dark hair, wearing a dark blouse with green leaf patterns, smiling in an indoor setting.

    Krystal Carrillo

  • Tinesia Conwright

    Tinesia Conwright

  • A woman with black hair, wearing earrings and a blue sleeveless dress, standing outdoors in front of a building with palm trees.

    Azadeh Davari, PhD

  • Jessica Denise Dickson

    Jessica Denise Dickson

  • Blake Dye

    Blake Dye

  • Portrait of a woman with long brown hair wearing a floral dress, standing outdoors in front of a blurred background of colorful flowers.

    Azucena Garcia

  • A smiling woman with short, reddish-brown hair, wearing a black and white patterned jacket, a burgundy top, and matching jewelry, against a plain white background.

    Leah Goodwin

  • Professional man with a bald head and a friendly smile, wearing a striped dress shirt and tie, indoors with a window and plants in the background.

    Kristopher Hall, PhD

  • Tanissha Harrell

    Tanissha Harrell

  • Roxanne Kymaani, PhD

    Roxanne Kymaani, PhD

  • Gabriella Layne-Avery

    Gabriella Layne-Avery

  • Andrei Lucas

    Andrei Lucas

  • Anjanette Maraya-Ramey

    Anjanette Maraya-Ramey

  • Natache Muschette

    Natache Muschette

  • A woman sitting outdoors with red flowers in the background, smiling with long dark hair and wearing a white top and yellow skirt.

    Courtney Ochi

  • A man dressed in a dark suit with a red bow tie, sitting with his hands clasped in front of him, against a plain light background.

    Ronald Preston Clark

  • Ferchil Ramos

    Ferchil Ramos

  • A smiling woman with dark hair in a peach-colored dress standing in front of a brick wall.

    Anne Rios, Esq

  • Nic Roc

    Nic Roc

  • Andrew Simmerman

    Andrew Simmerman

  • Taryell Simmons

    Taryell Simmons

  • A woman with glasses and curly hair smiling at sunset on a city sidewalk, wearing a pink patterned top and a black openwork cardigan.

    Wilnisha Sutton

  • A woman with long wavy brown hair, brown eyes, wearing pink lipstick, and a colorful embroidered dress, standing outdoors with a blurred green park background.

    Ale Uzarraga

  • Close-up of a smiling man wearing a blue striped shirt, outdoors with blurred green trees in the background.

    Jonathan Villafuerte