On Wednesday, September 24th, Penny Lane Centers held its 4th annual Rise Up conference. For months prior, the Rise Up team meticulously planned and coordinated every detail of the day—from issuing requests for proposals to selecting speakers—ensuring a meaningful and values-driven experience. On the 24th, we saw it all come together for a day of reflection, learning, and action. It was a heavy day, but we recognize that addressing the hard issues facing our society is exactly why we gather. We were joined by 225 attendees, eager and ready to participate in Rise Up 2025: What Now—Our Values in Action.
The day began with a Values Mapping exercise, led by Ryan Myvett and Rosie Buenrostro-Gray, where attendees identified the principles they hold most dear. This opening set the tone for a day rooted in values-driven reflection and action, allowing participants to ground themselves in what matters most.
We were honored to hear from Ronnette Ramos, Esq. VP of Operations at Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California, who focused on bringing visibility to the often-overlooked AAPI community. Ronnette’s keynote, Invisible No More: Amplifying the AAPI Immigration Story shared a story that we do not often hear. The room fell silent as she shared statistics related to the immigration crisis affecting this community—news that is rarely reported and conversations that are often ignored. The AAPI community has been targeted, detained, and deported, and AJSOCAL remains steadfast in its commitment to fight for justice and advocate for all.
The morning workshops offered attendees a range of perspectives on values-driven action and inspired meaningful reflection and dialogue:
Each session highlighted the power of staying true to our values, whether through leadership, resilience, community collaboration, or personal exploration.
The afternoon featured our keynote, Mark Shihady, Principal Attorney of Root Law, who drew from his extensive legal expertise and firsthand experiences to illuminate the current realities of the immigration crisis. Mark shared practical strategies for helping clients and communities prepare for ICE encounters and guidance on how to respond when investigations begin. Attentive and responsive, he engaged the audience with questions and discussion, providing real and tangible actions we can take to serve and protect those most vulnerable.
Following the keynote, attendees participated in afternoon workshops that continued to explore how values can guide action and advocacy:
Each session offered practical tools and inspiring approaches to embodying values in action, whether through advocacy, healing, or building inclusive and just communities. Attendees left the afternoon empowered with strategies, insights, and a renewed commitment to put their values into practice in every aspect of their work and lives.
The day concluded with the Beyond the Borders exercise, led by Daisy De Jesus and Marvin Sandoval. Daisy and Marvin presented a series of vignettes, prompting attendees to consider how they might respond to the immigration challenges faced by the individuals in each scenario. Tables engaged in rich discussions, exploring possible approaches and then sharing insights with the larger group.
Daisy then guided participants through a Stand If exercise, where attendees stood if statements about immigration resonated with their experiences. In those moments, the room became a powerful visual reflection of how deeply the immigration crisis touches our communities and our lives. Daisy and Marvin skillfully created a space where participants could both acknowledge the weight of these realities and feel the solidarity of knowing they were not alone.
Rise Up 2025 was a day of learning, reflection, and connection; a reminder that while the challenges we face are immense, grounding ourselves in our values gives us the courage, clarity, and commitment to take meaningful action. Tears were shed, stories were shared, and bonds were strengthened, leaving all who attended inspired to continue advancing justice and uplifting voices in their communities.
We extend a heartfelt thank you to all participants, keynote speakers, and workshop facilitators—the day was truly special because of the passion, insight, and dedication you all brought to the table. As you gave of yourselves, it was our hope that you received in return the same inspiration, connection, and sense of purpose. A big thank you to the amazing Rise Up team of volunteers as well, your behind-the-scenes commitment made the day run smoothly and seamlessly. Rise Up 2025 would not have been possible without each of you.
(use Pin #7575 to access the photos if they ask for it!)
Check out some more photos below!
