Testimonials from Our Community Partners
The Circus Project: The Voice Project
We have been thrilled and inspired to have The Uprise Collective work with our Voice Project participants. In fact, our students asked that they come back the next year. Uprise Collective was able to create a space where people felt they could show up as themselves. Stephanie and Brianna were incredibly supportive of our program goals and intentions and were able to shift gears when the group had new needs arise. We want them back each year for Voice Project!
- Rhen Miles, MSW, CSWA, Pathways Manager
- Rhen Miles, MSW, CSWA, Pathways Manager
Portland State University, School of Social Work
It was such a joy to work with Stephanie Roberson and Brianna Bragg of the UPRISE Collective. I had the opportunity to collaborate with them on a workshop entitled "Decolonizing Self Care: Why Moonwalking Away is Okay" for over 100 social work students, faculty, staff, field instructors, and community members. Their presentation was incredible! People were so grateful for a BIPOC space to explore the topics of self-care and community care, and Stephanie and Brianna brought such wisdom, care, and thoughtfulness to the conversation. They have a strong, bold facilitation style that is so needed. Not only do they create spaces to learn and process, but also to take action. I am grateful to be in community with The UPRISE Collective."
-Marina Barcelo, Student Inclusion Coordinator, PSU School of Social Work
-Marina Barcelo, Student Inclusion Coordinator, PSU School of Social Work
Portland Gay Men's Chorus
The Portland Gay Men’s Chorus partnered with The Uprise Collective in launching our work in addressing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The chorus is committed to understanding and addressing the impediments that limit our ability to attract and retain talented musicians as well as building a diverse and sustainable audience. The Uprise Collective did a tremendous job in not only assisting us in building an equity lens framework but in providing us insightful and challenging educational opportunities allowing us to gain valuable perspective on how a broader more inclusive framework helps to create and sustain DEI work moving forward. The Portland Gay Men’s Chorus is proud of the work we accomplished over the past year and of our partnership with the wonderful team at The Uprise Collective. We look forward to working with you again in the near future.
-Richard Jung, Executive Director
-Richard Jung, Executive Director
Portland State University, School of Social work
The UPRISE Collective is essential now more than ever. Their approach to community power and liberation is rooted in a celebration of a history of resistance that is often erased by the dominant discourse. Their work with me and my students has modeled a deep love of community and a joy in the hard work of social change. The belief that liberation and healing are possible is a powerful, necessary belief and the UPRISE Collective embodies that belief in all of their work. Any time I am able to share space with them is truly an honor and a boon to my spirit.
-Matt Chorpenning, MSW, Associate Professor
-Matt Chorpenning, MSW, Associate Professor