In celebration of International Women’s Month, featured below is a poem by RYSE member and the second EVER Youth Poet Laureate of Richmond, Adriana Avalos! Adriana is a Bay Area born Chicana poet, activist, and scholar. A HUGE congratulations to her on her well deserved achievement.

The Richmond Youth Poet Laureate highlights the artistic endeavors and artistry of youth within our community, while bridging the gap between youth and adults. It creates a platform for creative youth voice, community engagement, and performance through the Richmond Arts and Culture Commission. This position will enhance youth leadership, encourage self-advocacy skills, and serve as the ambassador for literary arts and youth expression for Richmond, CA.

Our work at RYSE is to create safe and brave spaces for youth to write, process, and heal through different traumas within their lived experiences. We deeply encourage free speech and creative expression, and do not censor their stories. Their language is their own, reflects their truth, and is not used to oppress or perpetuate discrimination towards any identity or community.

Spring 2022 at RYSE

**CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO RSVP!**
The Grand Opening of RYSE Commons is finally here! Please join us in celebrating our brand-new youth-centered hub. There will be hosted tours of the building, performances, artwork, family fun, delicious food, and more.

Saturday, May 14, 2022 2:00 - 5:30pm 3939 Bissell Avenue, Richmond, CA

**CLICK ON THE PHOTO FOR MORE INFORMATION!**
RYSE is hiring! We are looking to fill multiple positions, including Education Justice Organizer, Clinical Supervisor, Music Production Coordinator, and Performing Arts Coordinator!

RYSE Spring Programming is in full effect! Art, poetry, photography, music, silk screening, organizing: swipe through to see what open programs are available throughout the week for youth ages 13-21. If you or someone you share this with would like to attend, contact the emails listed and we will kick off the enrollment process! Drop ins are not yet accepted. To become a member, contact Dalia (dalia@rysecenter.org) or reach out to (510) 255-1940

A Look Back At Black Culture Month!

‘Mama We Made It’ was a celebration of youth power, spotlighting 6 RYSE youth and all of their recent milestones, accomplishments, and talents! The arts, entrepreneurship, graduation, and job opportunities, RYSE members have had so much to celebrate!

On Turntable Twin Day members and staff were tasked to come into RYSE dressed as their musician twins! Can you guess who is who? Answers on the last slides!

During RYSE’s Black Culture Month Spirit Week (2/21-2/25) we accepted submissions for THREE different Tik Tok challenges for a $50 gift card prize!! Scroll through the Instagram post to reveal the winners!

The rules are were as follows:

THE MIX CHALLENGE: This is a spin on the “twin/triplet challenge,” where you find photos of two celebrity/musical artists you look like, put them in the beginning of the video and reveal yourself at the end.

THE WALK THE RUNWAY CHALLENGE: For this challenge, you have to walk like a model in your own cultural garb or an outfit that makes you feel like a red carpet celebrity or runway model, backed by a song of your choice. This is a challenge to stand out in your fiercest, most extravagant, most extra outfit that you have and be as creative as possible!

THE TALK THAT TALK CHALLENGE: This is a challenge to speak on your passions…lift up what matters to you…and talk that ish. What are you passionate about? What would you like to lift up? It can be big or small, deep or simple. Make it a speech, a poem, a song, or just some thoughts