RISE San Diego

We’re kicking off our RISE Arts Talks for 2026 at The Block Club in Encanto with a conversation on The Arts As… Community Connector, moderated by fronteriza artist, curator, and educator Yvette Roman.

RISE Arts Talks is a community dialogue series offering community members, artists, cultural practitioners, arts organizations and administrators, advocates, and others working within San Diego’s often overlooked and under-resourced art and culture communities and audiences a dedicated platform for critical dialogue and action towards greater equity in the arts.

Admission is free. Register online and let us know we’ll see you there. https://givebutter.com/ratalk260408

We are excited to invite you to RISE Now for the first session in a four-part series designed to strengthen democratic participation through education, collaboration, and action.

Session 1: "From Registration to Representation: Making Every Vote Count"
Focus: Voters’ Rights & Participation

Saturday, March 28, 2026
9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Chula Vista, 91910

This important conversation will provide an opportunity to deepen your understanding of voting rights and the civic process, including practical guidance on voter registration, election information, and how to arrive at the polls informed and prepared for November 2026. You’ll also have the chance to connect with community leaders, advocates, and fellow residents committed to strengthening local democracy.

Please visit our event page (https://givebutter.com/risenow20260328) to learn more and register for the session.We look forward to seeing you there!

Our friends at Our Time To Act will celebrate another year of youth-led work towards a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future in San Diego! Organizing and solidarity work have never been easy, but they have always been natural to the community. At this year’s gala, they'll honor nature and our historical and deep ties to one another.

On Saturday, March 21st from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., dance, eat, and make space for joy at San Diego Made Factory (2031 Commercial St). Local youth artists' work will also be up for auction! Bring your friends and break out your best party fits. We can’t wait to see you soon! Visit OurTimeToAct.org/gala for more information.

"History is often taught as a series of dramatic moments: a march, a speech, a bill signed into law. What gets erased are the decades of organizing that made those moments possible. When people expect immediate transformation without understanding the long arc of struggle, disappointment is inevitable."

Eric Morrison-Smith, Executive Director of Alliance for Boys and Men of Color and Former RISE Fellow

Black history isn't just in the past—it’s being written every day in our streets and community centers. We’re building a "neighborhoods first" agenda that will last for the next 100 years. Ready to RISE with us? 📈

This Black History Month, the leaders of the past can teach real resistance | Eric Morrison-Smith Movements are not born fully formed – they begin when ordinary people decide to act

What does true leadership look like? For us at RISE Resilience & Renewal, it starts with pausing, reflecting, and reconnecting with purpose. This work transforms how we lead, making healing and wholeness central to the change process. If you or someone you know is experiencing 'burnout' in the nonprofit space, learn more about this program and sign up to receive updates for when the 2026 cohort application opens. https://bit.ly/RISE-resilience

Real change starts by bringing people to the table. Here’s a look inside our latest RISE Fellows Technical Session, where we’re tackling the challenges facing our urban centers. Here, the fellows learn skills and techniques to refine the work they are doing in our communities. The work isn't always flashy, but it’s how we RISE.

A century ago, the seeds for Black History Month were planted to ensure our stories weren’t just told, but preserved. Today, we’re still here, architecting the future of our neighborhoods. On Saturday, February 28, 2026 from 5:00pm-7:30pm the San Diego African American Museum of Fine Art will honor it’s 2026 Keepers of the Culture recipients. Along with the San Diego History Center, they’ll honor true cultural icons. Please RSVP at sdaamfa.org. This event is free but space is limited.
Who’s a Black leader in your community who’s building that legacy right now? Tag ‘em below.

A century ago, the seeds for Black History Month were planted to ensure our stories weren't just told, but preserved. Today, we’re still here, architecting the future of our neighborhoods. On Saturday, February 28, 2026 from 5:00pm-7:30pm the San Diego African American Museum of Fine Art will honor it's 2026 Keepers of the Culture recipients. Along with the San Diego History Center, they'll honor true cultural icons. Please RSVP at sdaamfa.org. This event is free but space is limited.

Who’s a Black leader in your community who’s building that legacy right now? Tag 'em below.

Happy Birthday to a trailblazer and Black History icon – Rosa Parks

Her pivotal act of refusal to move to the back of the bus for a white person was a tipping point that led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Because of that courageous act, the Civil Rights Movement spread and forever changed our country. We are thankful for her and honor her on her birthday.

Today, we celebrate the birthday of Rosa Parks, a beacon of courage and resilience who dared to challenge the status quo! Her bold act of defiance shed light on the systemic injustices faced by Black people in the country every day, sparking a movement that illuminated the path to equality and justice for generations to come. As we honor her legacy, we're reminded that even the smallest acts of bravery can ignite a fire of transformation, inspiring us to strive for a brighter future.

The application deadline for the 2026–2027 San Diego Community Scholars Fellowship at the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, University of San Diego, has been extended to February 28.

This fellowship is a fully funded tuition scholarship for nonprofit and social impact leaders across San Diego County who are advancing community-centered change. Fellows pursue either the Master’s in Social Innovation (MASI) or the Master’s in Conflict Management and Resolution (MS-CMR) while continuing their professional work through flexible learning formats, mentorship, and applied learning opportunities.

https://www.sandiego.edu/community-fellows

Applications for Cohort 12 of the RISE Urban Leadership Fellows Program will be available this spring. To learn more about the program and eligibility, please visit our website. Be sure to follow us on social media (LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Threads) for updates and application announcements.

"As we enter winter and close out the year, we draw strength from the collective power of purpose over hubris; however, we acknowledge that much work remains as we navigate ongoing complexities and rising challenges. In 2026, we aim to do even more, in concert with our tremendous partners, to serve our region with unwavering humanity, dignity, service, community, and empathy at our core. We will pause briefly and return in January with renewed energy, new updates, and projects.

Wishing you a peaceful, rejuvenating holiday season. Thank you for standing with us through every moment of this journey."

This is an excerpt from our Executive Director's message in our December email. Subscribe to our email list and never miss an update! https://bit.ly/rsd-email

See you all in 2026!