Rise United — A Community's Most Trusted Messengers

We identify, train, and grow trusted local voices.

We recruit creators already rooted in their communities and help them turn cultural influence into civic leadership.

Through fellowships, creator networks, and community events, we help everyday storytellers reach audiences traditional institutions cannot.

The results

Built and tested, in real communities.

250+

local creators recruited & activated

1,000+

creators in the Rise United Network

100M+

online interactions reaching communities directly

Across creator-led campaigns, the network has driven 80M+ views and 11M+ engagements — direct reach into communities national media can't touch, through voices people already trust.

A whole generation lives online — and gets its information from people it trusts.

Mainstream institutions struggle to break through. Creators don't. We invest in the missing pieces: civic and media infrastructure grounded in real people using their platforms to educate and engage their peers.

Start here

Start with The Vibe.

The Vibe is our weekly drop for creators — inspiration, opportunities, programs and first access. Subscribe, and qualified creators unlock opportunities in the Rise United Network.

In their words

What creators see differently.

There's a way to talk to my audience about civic engagement without it feeling forced.

I learned how to create better, more personal and emotional content.

The fellowship let me see myself as a creator — and see that there can be impact through these platforms.

Content creation is bigger than I ever imagined. Using my voice to motivate others is something I never pictured doing.

Who we are

Built by people who've done this before.

A leadership team and an advisory network spanning media, movement, and culture.

Leadership

Yolanda Caraway

Cofounder

Jason Llorenz

Co-Founder, Executive Director

Linh Nguyen

Chief of Programs & Impact

Allyn Brooks-LaSure

Board Chair, Education Fund

Board of Directors · Rise United Education Fund (501(c)(3))

Beth Lynk

Brent Johnson

Brittany Packnett Cunningham

Eden Tesfaye

June Jimenez

Karen Richardson

Lorelle Atkinson

Luvvie Ajayi Jones

Meshie Knight

Michael Slaby

Advisory Board

Karen Finney

Cornell Belcher

Debra Lee

Maria Cardona

Jotaka Eaddy

Rashad Robinson

Brandon Neal

Cayana Mackey-Nance

Ian Silverii

Jeff Johnson

Michael Frazier

Nick Taliaferro

Traci Otey-Blunt

Vanessa Williams-Nash

Funders & Partners

Backed by partners who invest in real people.

Rise United is built in partnership with foundations, civic organizations, and media platforms committed to community-rooted storytelling. To partner with us, reach out at media@riseunited.us.

A community's most
trusted messengers
already live there