This February, RYSE celebrated Black Cultures Month with a series of inspiring and engaging events, honoring the rich history, artistry, and contributions of Black communities. This month was a vibrant reflection of the diverse cultures within the African diaspora, showcasing everything from powerful storytelling and visual art to music, dance, and community conversations.

RYSE is thrilled to announce our Youth Power Building Coordinator, Ann Guiam as the recipient of the prestigious Julie Wright Changemaker Award for 2025! This recognition celebrates Ann’s exceptional leadership, dedication, and tireless commitment to creating positive change in her community. She started as an intern at RYSE in Richmond, and now she’s a full-time staff member, serving as a Youth Power Building Coordinator. She also currently serves as a staff representative on the YO! California Steering Committee, where she works to build connections with youth leaders, organizers and funders at both regional and state levels, while centering BIPOC youth in grantmaking and decision making. We are lucky at RYSE to experience Ann’s deep commitment to social justice, healing, community engagement, and creating spaces where youth can thrive and lead.

In December 2024, the Food Justice Cohort came together for a truly special event; their first Community Dinner. This celebration was more than just a meal – it was a reflection of everything the cohort has learned and worked toward throughout the season, bringing together staff, community members, and youth leaders for a night of shared food, stories and connection.

Today we celebrate the life of Angela Davis. Her powerful legacy reminds us that love and rage are two sides of the same coin in the ongoing fight for justice and liberation. Her birthday comes at a time when we reflect on the vision of MLK Jr., whose message of the beloved community continues to inspire us to build a world rooted in justice, equality, and care. As we honor them, we gathered in the spirit of collective action during RYSE’s Youth Up Mobilize: We Take Care of Us Paint N Sip workshop held during the Anti-Police Terror Project’s “Reclaim MLK’s Radical Legacy Week of Action”.  This was a space where our young people’s love and rage could converge, fueling our resistance, our healing, and our creative expression.

RYSE stands in solidarity with the displaced residents of the Southern California communities of Altadena-Pasadena, the Pacific Palisades neighborhood and San Fernando Valley. As the wildfires have entered a fourth day, more than 180,000 residents are under evacuation orders and all LA schools remain closed. As an organization that is committed to racial equity and social justice, we center and uplift the voices of our Black, Latinx and Indigenous communities of color who bear the brunt of environmental destruction and cuts to emergency response resources. We send our grief, care and love to our kin, movement partners, and to young people trying to practice as much physical, mental and emotional safety for themselves and others as possible. This calamity exacerbates the already existing inequities and injustices reflecting the crisis of Capitalism.

On October 18th, RYSE celebrated 16 years of serving young people in Richmond and Contra Costa County. Community partners and staff shared space in the RYSE Village to recognize the journey so far and plan for the road ahead.