10/18/17 Former Youth Members now RYSE Staff blow out the candles on RYSE Center's birthday cake. Pictured on the right, from left to right: Nyabingha Zianni (Creative & Healing Arts Assistant), Destiny Iwuoma (College Access Coordinator), … — **10/18/17 Former Youth Members now RYSE Staff blow out the candles on RYSE Center's birthday cake.** Pictured on the right, from left to right: Nyabingha Zianni (Creative & Healing Arts Assistant), Destiny Iwuoma (College Access Coordinator), Gemikia Henderson (Video Production Coordinator), Alisha Murdock (Youth Justice Program Manager), Mónica Díaz (Administrative Manager), Dalia Ramos (Member Engagement Coordinator), TJ Sykes (Youth Justice Program Assistant), and Jaime Mendoza (Member Engagement Assistant).

My name is Dashia and I am a RYSE youth member, a Public Health intern, and Richmond Air Quality Initiative intern.

Through my Public Health internship, my co-interns and I conducted a Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) project on gender and sexual based violence. We surveyed around 100 local students and held interviews and focus groups to understand how youth experience violence/bullying based on their gender and sexuality, and to create safer spaces. In my Richmond Air Quality Initiative internship, we learned about air quality and environmental health. We will soon plant air monitors around Richmond in order to test the air quality and see how it affects our health.

My favorite part about the RYSE programs I am involved with is just being able to do good for my community. I enjoy doing things that I know will have a direct effect on the community I live in. My favorite experience with the Public Health Internship would have to be speaking at the National Conference of Health and Domestic Violence in San Francisco. I was proud of the fact that I could speak at a national conference with different nurses, doctors, grad students, and service providers. It made me feel special because I was one of the youngest representatives on the panel and I was able to inform everyone on the research I conducted.

To me, youth power is when youth come together to uplift each other and fight for what we believe is right. It is when we learn to recognize our own voices and understand that we can make change in our community. At RYSE, we see youth power in every direction.

RYSE is filled with youth who are passionate and wise. Youth Power in RYSE is knowing that we have a voice and how to use it. Youth power shows up by simply claiming RYSE as their safe place where they are free to express themselves. In the photo galleries below, you can see how RYSE programs are informed and directed by youth speaking our truths through workshops, community events, film festivals, actions and organizing efforts, and more.

Throughout my internships RYSE has helped me find my youth power. RYSE exposed me to something new and allowed me to find my passion in social and environmental justice. They also taught me how to be more confident in my ideas and more comfortable with speaking in front of adults.

October 18th was RYSE’s 9th birthday. My birthday wish for RYSE is for it to continue flourishing and being a positive change in youth lives.

I hope RYSE and our world can grow into a place where while we are all different and come from different backgrounds, we can stick together and shape the world in the way that we want it to be.

Sincerely,

Dashia Wright
RYSE Member & Public Health Intern
De Anza High School Student

RYSE Member Veronica Stevens on KQED's Stepping Up

ICYMI, here's KQED's Stepping Up feature on RYSE youth member Veronica Stevens! KQED's Stepping Up series spotlights high school students making a real different in their communities, taking action on issues they're passionate about. Learn more about Veronica and her work here.

Digital Storytelling at RYSE

Check out this group poem written and performed by RYSE youth members through Digital Storytelling class with RYSE Video Production Coordinator, Gemikia.

#YouthPowerMonth at RYSE

For the month of October, RYSE members organized Know Your Rights workshops, a community gardening event in RYSE Outsyde, actions during Dignity in Schools Week of Action, and more:

#FoodWeek in Richmond

RYSE members celebrate Food Day by coming together to revive their community garden in the RYSE Outsyde space. Soon, we will have new winter crops!

#FoodWeek in Richmond

RYSE members celebrate Food Day by coming together to revive their community garden in the RYSE Outsyde space. Soon, we will have new winter crops!

AspenX 2017

RYSE members attend the 2017 AspenX seminar in Oakland, "Race in America: How Did We Get Here? Where Do We Go Next?' to reflect and engage in conversation about race, equity, and their home.

AspenX 2017

RYSE members attend the 2017 AspenX seminar in Oakland, "Race in America: How Did We Get Here? Where Do We Go Next?' to reflect and engage in conversation about race, equity, and their home.

AspenX 2017

RYSE members attend the 2017 AspenX seminar in Oakland, "Race in America: How Did We Get Here? Where Do We Go Next?' to reflect and engage in conversation about race, equity, and their home.

AspenX 2017

RYSE members attend the 2017 AspenX seminar in Oakland, "Race in America: How Did We Get Here? Where Do We Go Next?' to reflect and engage in conversation about race, equity, and their home.

Youth-Led Workshop on Gender + Race

RYSE youth member Isaiah organized and facilitated a workshop with our youth organizers on the use of oppressive terms and language in relation to identity, race, gender, and how these terms affect us as individuals, as a collective, and as organizers doing social justice work. Isaiah created this workshop with learnings from attending the Free Our Dreams summit last month, incorporating a "privilege walk" activity, discussion, and educational videos.

RYSE AMP Members On Set

Our AMP members take a quick break here from working on the set of "Black Made That" by School Yard Rap.

Supporting the communities affected by the NorCal Fires

RYSE staff, members, and the community came together to gather much needed supplies and funds for the families affected by the NorCal fires. Find out how you can support here.

Supporting the communities affected by the NorCal Fires

RYSE staff, members, and the community came together to gather much needed supplies and funds for the families affected by the NorCal fires. Find out how you can support here.

Bay Area Girls and Womxn Assembly

RYSE youth member Riley speaks on a panel about her experience growing up as a young woman of color in low income communities, and how she uses her voice to make change.

Knowledge is Power

One of two Know Your Rights workshops held this month for our youth members. In partnership with our community partner Project What!

Knowledge is Power

A quick sketch drawn by RYSE youth member Nyree during one of our Know Your Rights workshops.

Tasty Tuesdays

We're still cooking up a storm! Every Tuesday, RYSE members come together to create delicious food. Tasty Tuesday + Thursday's Grill & Build with Member Engagement Coordinator Randy Joseph remain member favorites.

BAYEP Career Summit

RYSE youth members Mozell and Saneyha, and Career Pathways Specialist Mikaela, attend the BAYEP Career Summit for some on-site career resources, interactive workshops, and educational panels.