The UPRISE Collective envisions shared liberation led by community voice
“We don’t need anyone to save us, because we’ve always known how to save ourselves.”
Meet The UPRISE Collective, a nonprofit organization that serves BIPOC, Queer/Trans and Disabled community members by centering intrinsic community knowledge, power and survivance.
Founded in 2018, UPRISE was dreamed into existence by two Disabled, Queer, BIPOC social workers who were frustrated by always being an addendum to curriculum, systems, policy and programming. Because of this, UPRISE arose from the need to do something radically different to support the communities the founders love and are part of: BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+, Sick/Disabled, Poor, and more.
UPRISE is committed to community-based leadership. They are a member-based organization with members plugged into programming, governance and organizational goals. Members provide collaborative input in decision making and are directly responsible for voting in a board of directors each year. They also provide feedback on UPRISE’s programming, training content, and their strategic plan. Furthermore, UPRISE’s staff team has a flattened hierarchy with the goal of forefronting liberatory practices from the inside out.
From hosting a quarterly book club to planning an accessible community garden, UPRISE is dedicated to opening spaces and providing support for people with targeted identities to engage in social uplift within their own communities. They do their work both inside and outside of systems and believe deeply in contributing to collective survival today, while supporting spaces in which community members are dismantling and reimagining systems.
These are just a few examples of their programs:
In partnership with several community partners, the Feed our People Project provides accessible BIPOC growing space. Over the course of a year, and with the feedback of over 200 individuals UPRISE developed a tool to support accessible growing spaces called The Wellspring Framework. An more food-related programming is coming for sick/Disabled BIPOC folks to participate in growing their own food, curating traditional medicines and more.
The quarterly Demystifying Disability Speaker Series “demystifies” the systems that help keep Disabled bodyminds surviving under capitalism. Examples include support with SSI/SSD, accommodations while renting, psilocybin programs, how to plan for climate crisis using assistive technology, preparing for entering psychiatric hospital systems, and self-advocacy with primary care providers. Check out their YouTube page to view the recordings!
Nothing About Us Without Us is a civic engagement series that supports community members to build change system literacy skills. Every year there is a new theme based on current events. For example, in 2024 they focused on the Boycott, Divest, Sanction (BDS) movement, amplifying organizations who are doing the work (with a particular focus on Gaza) and providing opportunities to plug in.Follow their socialsto hear about their May series first!
KidsRise is their annual youth art showcase, providing supplies and artist mentorship for youth who are interested in engaging in liberation work or having their stories of liberation and movement building told through art. Event is April 18, register today!
Their monthly DJ Coffee Hour supports community building and decreases isolation. Folks can join virtually, receive a gift card for a treat, and have access to ASL, CART, and visual descriptions. This space is closed and just for Sick/Disabled community members.
UPRISE is holding so much, it is impossible to describe it all in a single blog. Please visit their website to learn more and support their work: https://www.theuprisecollective.org/
In 2025, Northwest Health Foundation awarded UPRISE a general operating grant through our Advancing Disability Justice program.
