Renew | Inspire | Support | Empower

A National Mentorship Network
for Women of Color in Ministry

RISE Together Mentorship Network is a female mentorship network that connects women of color seminary students and early to mid-career clergy to experienced women ministers, senior pastors, faculty, and community leaders.

Through mentoring relationships, intergenerational and peer support networks, RISE members experience safe spaces for Renewal, Inspiration, Support and Empowerment.

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About RISE Together Mentorship Network

As the multicultural and gender landscape of our nation rapidly changes, so does the racial/ethnic and gender make-up of theological education. Following these trends, there is a strong and steady call for female mentorship; as well as a need for local and national woman-centered networks of support to connect women of color in ministry. This signals more than just an increased need for professional development;  it speaks to larger issues of justice and equity in the arenas of practical ministry and academic theology.

In March 2018, RISE launched 10 mentorship cohorts in 9 cities. Today, RISE has expanded to 13 cities nationally, continuing its mission of nurturing women of color in ministry. Members of each cohort commit to a two-year cycle of ten monthly, three-hour gatherings each year. Within these regional cohorts, women of color journey together—learning from the wisdom of mentors, peers, an intergenerational female-centered community, and a multidisciplinary network of national experts. Through the lens of race, gender, age, and culture, RISE’s sister-only gatherings create space for deep reflection on women’s ways of knowing and thriving in ministry.

THE RISE TOGETHER MENTEE AND MENTOR APPLICATION WINDOW IS CLOSED AND WILL REOPEN IN 2027!

Mission

RISE Together provides a multicultural mentorship network for female ministers, scholars, and activists to foster interdisciplinary, ecumenical connections and leadership development opportunities designed to overcome the challenges of age, race, and gender inequalities.

Vision

RISE Together envisions a vibrant network of women of color in ministry who are committed to mutually advancing the professional and personal effectiveness of participating mentors and mentees so that they may be Renewed, Inspired, Supported, and Empowered.

“As a young woman in ministry, RISE has been the sacred community I’ve longed for and the protective incubator I never knew I needed.”
-Atlanta Rise Cohort Member, Class of 2020

 

RISE 2024 Conference Recap Video

The RISE 2024 Conference, "The Power of Our Voices and the Telling of Our Stories," was a remarkably well-attended event. Over 200 women from across the nation came together, leaving the conference feeling Renewed, Inspired, Supported, and Empowered!

Photos from the 2020 RISE Together Conference The Power of our Voices: For such a Time as This

Two women smiling and posing for a photo at an indoor event. The woman on the left is wearing a white one-shoulder dress, and the woman on the right is wearing a black outfit with colorful embroidery. Other attendees are seen blurred in the background.
A speaker stands at a podium addressing a seated audience at a conference room. Above the stage is a banner that reads
A woman with short gray hair and glasses speaks into a microphone on stage. She wears a black dress and gestures with her hand. In the background, a banner reads
A woman with short hair and glasses speaks into a microphone on a stage, wearing a red textured shawl. Behind her is a banner that reads
A group of women wearing white outfits are gathered in a conference room. One woman in the foreground is smiling at the camera, while others in the background are engaged and smiling. The atmosphere appears friendly and professional.
A group of thirteen individuals, predominantly women, are standing in a room, each holding a certificate. They are smiling at the camera. The room has patterned carpet, and the wall is painted in neutral tones.
Three women stand together and smile at the camera, posing in front of a banner that reads
Two women smiling at a social event. One wears glasses, large beaded necklaces, and a name tag. The other woman, with curly hair, holds a badge while wearing a lanyard. Several people in the background are slightly out of focus.
A woman stands at a podium with a microphone, speaking at a conference. Behind her is a colorful banner that reads,
A group of eleven women dressed in formal black attire stands on a stage under a banner that reads
A woman speaks into a microphone while standing at a podium in a conference room. She is wearing glasses and a blazer, and appears engaged in her speech. Attendees are seated in the background, and the room is well-lit with a chandelier visible on the ceiling.
A person with short hair and glasses is speaking into a microphone at an event. They are wearing a patterned red and black outfit and are smiling. The background features a colorful banner with text that includes
Eight women stand together, smiling at a mentoring and leadership development conference. The event banner reads,
A speaker stands at a podium addressing a diverse audience seated at round tables in a conference room. The attendees are engaged, some taking notes and others listening attentively. The room features modern decor with chandeliers and a carpeted floor.
Four women stand smiling on stage dressed in black attire. Behind them, a banner reads
A group of eight women wearing formal black dresses and colorful accessories pose together in a room with patterned carpet. They are standing in a line with some touching shoulders and smiling. The atmosphere appears joyful and celebratory.
A large group of people are seated at round tables in a banquet hall, engaging in a discussion or presentation. Many are wearing white attire. The room is well-lit with modern chandeliers, and the tables are covered with colorful tablecloths.
Three smiling women pose together for a photo. The woman in the center wears a black outfit with a red and blue beaded necklace, while the two women on either side wear white dresses. They stand in front of a neutral-colored background.
A person speaks into a microphone at a podium in a conference room, addressing an audience. The audience members, seated and standing, appear engaged, with some raising their hands. The room is well-lit, featuring large chandeliers and modern decor.
Four women stand in a row, smiling at the camera. Three women are holding certificates of completion. They are dressed in formal attire and are standing in a carpeted room with beige walls.
Two women are seated at a formal event. The woman on the left, wearing glasses and a black dress, is smiling while the woman on the right, also in a black dress and wearing large earrings, is touching her shoulder, appearing cheerful. People are seated at tables in the background.
A large conference room is filled with people seated at round tables, attentively facing a stage with a podium. The room is well-lit with chandeliers and has a formal atmosphere. Tables are set with glasses and drinks, indicating a formal event or gathering.
Two women smiling at the camera in a well-lit indoor setting. The woman on the left has curly hair and wears a light-colored top, while the woman on the right has braided hair and wears a dark-colored outfit with a red and blue rope necklace. People and lights are in the background.
A woman stands on a stage addressing a group of people, all wearing black, in a conference room with chandeliers. Many audience members have their hands raised. The atmosphere appears enthusiastic and engaged.
Three women smile while standing close together in what appears to be a formal or celebratory event. One woman wears a black blouse, another has a pink and blue patterned top, and the third is dressed in a colorful outfit with glasses and a name tag.
A woman with gray hair and glasses speaks at a podium labeled
A confident woman walks across a stage, addressing an enthusiastic audience in a well-lit conference room. Audience members, many wearing similar lanyards, are clapping and raising their hands in support and engagement. A projector screen is visible in the background.
A diverse group of people dressed in white attire are standing and sitting around tables in a conference room. Some individuals are clapping and raising their hands, appearing to be in a lively, celebratory mood. The room is brightly lit with a patterned carpet.
A group of individuals stands indoors in a semi-circle, each holding a certificate. They are dressed in formal attire, smiling at the camera, and appear to be at some kind of ceremony or event in a room with patterned carpet and grey walls.
Three women stand together smiling at an event. One woman on the left wears a black robe, the woman in the center holds a certificate and wears traditional attire, and the woman on the right wears a black dress. A banner in the background mentions mentoring and leadership.
A group of people stands in a conference room, some with their hands raised. The session appears to be interactive or involving participation. The attendees are dressed in a mix of attire, with some wearing traditional clothing and others in white outfits. Tables are set with drinks and papers.
Two older women are smiling at the camera. The woman on the left has braided hair, wears glasses, and is dressed in white. The woman on the right has short grey hair, wears glasses, and a dark outfit with a pearl necklace. Others are seen smiling in the background.
A diverse group of people, predominantly women, are in a conference room with round tables. Some attendees are sitting while others are standing and clapping, creating an atmosphere of engagement and enthusiasm. The room is well-lit and decorated with chandeliers.
A speaker in a patterned red jacket addresses an audience from a podium at the Grand Hyatt in Atlanta. A nearby banner reads,
Two women smiling for a photo at an indoor event. The woman on the left wears a white dress, while the woman on the right dons dark attire with a beaded necklace. Both have name tags, and another person is slightly visible in the background.
Two women stand smiling side-by-side in front of a conference banner that reads,
Two women are pictured in a brightly lit room. The woman on the left, wearing white, has her head bowed slightly. The woman on the right, wearing black, appears to be fastening a pin or medal on the other woman's top. A third person is visible in the background.
Two women stand smiling at an event. The woman on the left wears a gray blazer with a black top and layered necklaces. The woman on the right wears a white dress and pearl necklace. Several people in light-colored clothing are in the blurred background.
A speaker stands at a podium on a stage, addressing an enthusiastic audience in a conference room. People in the audience are clapping and standing. The stage backdrop displays the event's theme,
Two individuals are engaged in a warm conversation at an event. An older person, with braided hair and glasses, places their hands on the shoulders of a younger person with curly hair, who is smiling and dressed in a white outfit. People in the background are socializing.
A large group of people, primarily women, dressed in formal attire, gather in a conference room decorated with a chandelier. Some individuals stand and chat while others smile and pose for pictures. The atmosphere appears lively and celebratory.
A speaker stands at a podium with a microphone, gesturing energetically. Behind the speaker is a banner for
Four women stand side by side, smiling and holding certificates of completion. They are dressed in a variety of outfits and are in a room with a carpeted floor. The background has a muted color scheme with a sign partially visible.
A woman with gray hair and glasses speaks into a microphone on a stage. She is wearing a dark top and a pin. Behind her, there is a banner that reads
A woman speaks at a podium with a microphone, gesturing with her hand. Behind her is a banner that reads
A group of eleven people posing indoors, most dressed in black attire, holding certificates and rolled documents. They are smiling and standing together on a patterned carpet in front of a neutral-colored wall. One person on the end holds a camera tripod.
A group of people are gathered in a conference room. Most are sitting at round tables with papers, drinks, and notebooks. Some individuals standing in the back are dressed in white. One person is addressing the room with an outstretched arm. The atmosphere appears professional.
A diverse group of people dressed in white are seated at tables during an indoor event. Many are focused on the speaker out of frame. The room is well-lit with modern decor and a chandelier overhead. The tables are set with glasses of iced tea and plates.
A group of six women dressed in formal black attire stand together indoors. Five of them hold framed certificates and wear honors cords. They are smiling and appear to be at a celebratory event or ceremony. The sixth person stands beside them in a leather skirt and lace top.

To view photos from the RISE Together Inaugural Conference and Launch in 2018, click here.

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