We’re on the right path towards liberation.
— Our Education for Liberation interns on RYSE Commons
Join us THIS FRIDAY for our
Groundbreaking Ceremony
for RYSE Commons.
On September 6th, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, we’re gathering with youth and adult leaders, community members, families, and elected officials in celebration of this vision dreamt and led by Richmond’s youth.
Join us for youth performances and speeches by our youth members and interns including Isaiah Grant, Ann Guiam, Azaria Kates, Nyree McDaniels, and Kylaa Prejean.
This event is FREE and open to all. Light refreshments and small bites will be provided.
Kylaa and Azaria at the 2019 Black Joy Parade. Kylaa and Azaria will be performing an original choreographed dance at the event this Friday.
Poet and youth organizing intern Ann reciting a poem at our 2019 multimedia showcase, “Youthtopia: In the Face of Gentrification. On Friday, Ann will be sharing about what the new RYSE Commons means to her.
RYSE Video Fellow Isaiah opens our Summer 2019 Youth Institute with a cultural offering. Isaiah will be performing a poem with fellow youth member Nyree at the groundbreaking ceremony.
“I am Me.” Illustrator, voice actor, and poet Nyree will be performing a piece alongside fellow youth member Isaiah at the event.
RYSE Commons in the News
We’ve been sharing updates about the construction in progress, as well as reflections from our youth internship cohorts on how RYSE Commons will grow and deepen their work.
Check out our past updates here:
In the News
August at RYSE
RYSE kicked off the month with our annual Night Out for Safety and Liberation, a community event that seeks to reclaim safety and look beyond fear, punishment, policing, and incarceration. Youth and adult leaders worked to build community solutions through community storytelling, sharing, music, performance and more.
Youth leaders organized and participated in our summer youth leadership institute, facilitating workshops for each other on restorative justice, non-violent communication, and more. In addition to workshops, they came together for cultural offerings, fun team building exercises, art and self care activities, and more. We closed the institute with a trip to Arlington Park, to spend an afternoon in the sunshine grilling and playing volleyball.
RYSE also held a Restoration Week this month in order for staff to rest, reflect, grieve, and recharge. Read our full statement and letter about staff restoration here.
Last Friday, youth artists celebrated at the closing night of their “Expressions of Youth Power” art gallery at Kaleidoscope Coffee in Point Richmond. This art gallery and event showcased youth stories and experiences through visual and performing arts.
Check out some of the photos from the programs and events above, and more!
4th Annual La Feria de Septiembre
Join RYSE for a FREE community event celebrating Chicanx, Latinx and Afro-Latinx Heritage Month. We will honor the hxstory, legacy, and resistance of the indigenous and Latin American community; our ancestry, cultural practices, and traditions.
Free food, art activities, live performances, photo booth, and more!
WHEN: Friday, September 13 from 4 - 8 PM
WHERE: RYSE Center