Dear Friend,

Throughout this incredibly challenging year, our Rise Up Leaders have continually inspired me and filled me with hope. Rise Up Leaders like Anuradha, who has protected her community from COVID-19 in India; Eyleen and Lucy, who continue to raise their voices for gender equity and girls’ rights in Guatemala and Kenya; and Nakita, who is standing for racial and reproductive justice in Louisiana.

As Nakita shared with us during Rise Up’s Annual Breakfast Gala, pictured below, she created GIRLS NOLA when she became a Rise Up Youth Champion in 2014. GIRLS NOLA is a mentorship and leadership program that enables Black girls in New Orleans to become leaders and achieve their goals. When the pandemic began, Nakita quickly adapted to launch a new virtual cohort of GIRLS NOLA leaders with ongoing support from Rise Up. As Nakita shared, she has always been a leader, Rise Up just gave her the tools and training to expand her impact.