April 14th: Today’s Feature

April

RISE

Established in 2013, Rise is a non-profit social enterprise founded by Sandra Gordon and Lynn Mareno with the aim of addressing the underrepresentation of black businesses on the high street.

After crossing paths in a green room during a TV show where they were both working as extras, the duo embarked on a mission to highlight the existing creativity and excellence within a significantly marginalised segment of the urban population.

Their joint initiative led to the establishment of an annual ceremony known as the Rise awards, which aims to celebrate the achievements and dedication of individuals from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities in a manner that had not been done previously.

United by their shared commitment to social activism, ethical values, and entrepreneurial backgrounds, these women quickly recognised the glaring lack of representation for black-owned businesses and black women specifically in mainstream platforms.

The organisation focuses on creating platforms for these businesses to showcase their products and services to a broader audience through various initiatives such as events, exhibitions, and a weekly radio program on Ujima 98fm, an acclaimed radio station.

The name 'RISE' stands for 'Recognising Individuals Success and Efforts' and draws inspiration from the empowering words of Maya Angelou's poem 'I Rise' and Marcus Garvey's call to action in his speech 'Up you mighty people’.

The vision is to:

• Create and showcase a platform for Business entrepreneurs from within the BME community

• Support and facilitate personal development and self-realisation

• Address social and economic inequalities within the BME community

• Act as a catalyst towards the integration of the BME community into the broader social and economics’ of Bristol

• To provide facilities for continuous learning in business & creativity

Sandra Gordon and Lynn Mareno aimed to establish a shared objective of accomplishing goals through personal and professional aspirations. To achieve this, they devised various strategies, one of which involved promoting the recognition of role models within their community. By organising an annual awards event, they were able to foster aspirational beliefs among individuals.

In 2014, their efforts were further supported when they received lottery funding, enabling them to conduct business and personal development workshops for numerous women. These workshops equipped the participants with valuable skills that they subsequently utilised to expand their businesses and enhance their personal lives.

Building on their success, Sandra and Lynn ventured into the realm of media in 2015 by joining the esteemed community radio station Ujima 98fm. They launched their own weekly radio program, which not only provided a platform for entrepreneurs and businesses to promote themselves but also facilitated discussions and debates on important issues within the community.

By participating in the Rise2 inspire mentoring program, individuals will have access to a network of accomplished professionals who are dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders within the Black community.

The mentorship provided through this program goes beyond just offering guidance; it also serves as a platform for mentees to build meaningful connections, gain exposure to new opportunities, and receive ongoing support as they work towards their aspirations. Through the Rise2 inspire mentoring program, mentees can expect to receive the necessary resources and encouragement to turn their dreams into reality.