brianna c bragg, msw, Ihanktonwan Nation, is a Co-Creator at The UPRISE Collective and now is the Director of Programming. brianna is a fat, queer, two-spirit, biracial, Disabled survivor who roots their work in relationship, with liberation and healing as the goal. brianna has over 20 years in professional early childhood education, social services, and advocacy. They were born and grew up on the stolen and occupied lands of the sovereign Salish and Duwamish people. They are the eldest of over 20 first cousins, where they learned early on the value of childhood, education, and community. brianna has worked as a Montessori Teacher, Nanny, Family Advocate/Home Visitor, Sexual Assault Crisis Responder, Early Childhood Policy Advocate, and Therapist for folks that live outside. They have spent their post-graduate experience as a clinician and in community organizing work within the Houseless, Indigenous, and QTPOC communities.

brianna is dedicated to the eradication of oppressive systems utilizing the means of community organizing, civil disobedience, and structural policy shifts. They believe strongly in the need to approach oppressive and inequitable situations with a both/and mindset, looking at these restructure opportunities with a wholist, relational worldview. brianna works to demystify systems and flatten hierarchical structures so they are accessible, and useful to the people while working on the preservation, reclamation, and uplifting of traditional practices and ways of knowing. They have two undergraduate degrees from Portland State University in Social Science (Womxn’s Studies & Sociology) and Child & Family Studies (Early Childhood Education) and a Masters in Social Work (Policy, Leadership, and Community Organizing). Aside from the work at UPRISE, brianna also teaches at Portland State University in the School of Social Work, and practices Macro Social Work in local public health for the Native American/Alaska Native communities, in addition to being one of hosts of the Your Two Spirit Auntie’s podcast. They love to read, write, grow their own food, cook for the community, beading and sewing, crafting of any kind, and a good road trip in the campervan. brianna stays grounded with the help of their partners, little sister, and chosen family.  

Ginia Ngelemau Orakiblai, (Orakiblai Clan of Ngeaur), is a queer Belauan born in Belau and raised in Guahan, occupied lands of the CHamoru people, in a multi-generational home. They are a community-based participatory researcher, popular education facilitator, and data analyst with a focus on community healing, decolonization, and data justice.

Rhea Bryant is a fierce advocate for her community. She has worked in homeless services, resident support, and is a master organizer! Rhea graduated Portland State University with a BA in Political Science and Gender and Sexuality Studies. 

Jennie, Chahta Ohoyo loves community health and wellness. She understands the root cause of health disparities faced by our communities to stem from colonization, and solutions to these disparities to be found in the revitalization and re~remebering of traditional foods, medicines, and access and connection to land and each other. She is a founding member of the NW Indigenous Food Sovereignty Alliance, a collective of Indigenous farmers, hunters, food gatherers, and fishers. 

Asa is a citizen of the Klamath Tribes of Chiloquin, Oregon though he has called Portland home for the last 20+ years. He is a Two Spirit, Trans, parent of a college kiddo and pup Emery.  Asa is also an artist of many mediums including painting, screen printing, graphic design and cultural arts such as beadwork, making cradleboards and regalia. Asa has a Bachelors degree in Public Health from Portland State University and a Masters degree in Collaborative Design from Pacific NW College of Art.