Rising Hearts February Blog Updates
Happy February! Our hearts are heavy at what we are witnessing in this world. However, we are so proud and inspired by community, stepping up for better. Rooted in love, kindness, courage, and to do what’s right. It feels weird at times to keep going and elevating, and celebrating what we are doing as an organization. All we want for community is to be safe, valued, treated with respect, human rights, keep families together, an end to racism that is thriving in this country, and the genocide to end in G@za and for violence to end. We want survivors to be believed. Heard. Respected. And while it may seem like anything we are doing and fundraising for may seem like “what’s the point?” - it is for a purpose. The heart work we do is to support the Athletes, our community, and push for better. It will make a difference. Collectively, many groups and organizations in similar work as us, are doing the same - pushing for better. So let’s not lose hope in each other, and we keep going. And we are so happy you’re part of it with us.
We have a lot planned, conversations being had, exciting proposals, and more grants to apply for! 2025 was a great year but the hardest year so far. We got through it because of YOU! Because of community. Because of the events and opportunities we held in person and virtually, that kept us going. To the many miles ran by our 37 charity runners who raised $36,000 for Rising Hearts. We have a NEW LOOK you can wear with an exciting collaboration! We have some fun events lined up. Our virtual runs and walks will be starting with our Annual Running On Native Lands event - with exciting new beneficiaries we will donate to and the new 2026 RONL shirts! See information below.
2026 is year to take up space, hold the door open for each other, and move into these spaces together. A time for us to not be loud, but proud and confident in the heart work we do, and build relations with those who see us, hear us, and invest in community, meaningfully. If you’re someone that wants to be part of that or someone that works with a brand and wants to collaborate, please reach out! Be sure to check out the rest of our blog for updates, inspiring running reflections and highlights!
Please see below for updates and community. If there is anything you would like to promote please reach out.
NEXT AWARENESS + ACTION EVENTS:
+ DC Premiere of Run In Beauty - stay tuned
+ March 1-8th: 6th Annual Running On Native Lands 5k, 10k, Half Marathon | LINK IS LIVE!
+ March 21st: Team Rising Hearts will be bringing a group to the DC Rock n Roll Half for community, sisterhood, and Boston Marathon prep!
+ April 20th: 4 Boston Marathon Runners - anyone running the Boston Marathon already, wants to run for Rising Hearts? Reach out. We can reimburse you your registration fee and offer a stipend and help us raise funds for the race!
+ April 22-26, 2026: 4th Annual Earth Day 5k and Plogging! | LINK WILL BE LIVE SOON.
+ May 1-6th: 8th Annual Running For Justice 5k, 10k, Half Marathon | Marathon for Justice | LINK WILL BE LIVE SOON.
+ June 20-30th: #LetThemRun Pride 5k
+ July 1-12: Disability Pride 5k
We are up to so much! Wopila tanka, many thanks, to all of you for your support, and we look forward to our hearts moving forward together.
- Rising Hearts
VOTE FOR CAL!!
Let’s make our vote count for Cal! You can vote daily until February 17th.
Wow, what an honor to be nominated for a Queerty in the Sports Hero category. Now, I need YOUR HELP! In a world that's increasingly hostile toward trans people with an unwarranted emphasis on athletics, it's a privilege to be the only trans athlete on this ballot with other queer sports greats.
Please vote for me daily from all devices (link in profile). Your vote will show the world that we are committed to a future where all trans athletes are not only included, but celebrated for their excellence. Together, we can lay the groundwork for future ballots staaaaacked with trans athletes. Nothing I have accomplished would be possible without the rallying support of a community that believes in love and connection over hate and division, and our inherent right to be who we are and do what we love. Y'all are everything.
Please share widely, keep voting, and know how much I love and appreciate you!
WHERE SHOULD WE BEGIN?
RWP Athlete, Jinghuan Liu Tervalon
Should we begin with Alex Pretti’s motionless body, lying motionlessly on the icy ground in Minnesota? This image freezes in my head, taking up the same space as the photo of a college student standing in front of a military tank at Tiananmen Square. Should we begin with the line, the bible and qur’an and bhagavad gita are sliding long hairs behind my ear like mom used to from Renée Nicole Macklin (Renée Good)? In our Brave Writing class with Elvina Scott, we might’ve used the lines “can I let them both be?” or “now I can’t believe” as jump-off points of new writing.
Or should we begin with the 10 steps to autocracy Stacey Abrams laid out? “Win a free and fair election — and make it the last one; Expand executive power beyond constitutional limits; Weaken competing powers (legislative and judicial); Gut the government and civil service; Install loyalists in key positions; Attack and discredit the media; Scapegoat vulnerable groups; Target civil society and dissenting voices; Normalize violence and intimidation; End meaningful democratic elections.” And the fact that we’re already at Step 9? Or the fact that we’re witnessing the government inching closer to Step 10 by seizing the 2020 ballots in Fulton County?
Or should we begin with The Dual State: A Contribution to the Theory of Dictatorship
by Ernst Fraenkel? Or the idea that authoritarianism is justified by claiming exclusive representation of “the real people”? Or the idea that there is an “enemy within” to be eliminated? Today they’re illegal immigrants and tomorrow they’re journalists?
Or should we begin with a single step out of the door? It’s 5:40am, and I am out the door going for an easy run around my neighborhood in a quiet suburb of Los Angeles. The streets are as sleepy as I am. My head is filled with noises from the news. All I can think about is “how did we even get here?”
The first few steps of a run always feel hard, even on an easy run. My quads are usually sore between a workout and a long run. On this particular day, I ruminate on my decision to immigrate to this country. According to the annual survey by The Asian American Foundation, most Asian Americans don’t feel like they belong in this country. More than 1 in 4 Americans view Chinese Americans as a threat to national security. Just yesterday, ICE was active in Monterey Park, arresting 8 people across the street from a high school. When I think of the data and these ICE arrests, my spine shivers. I not only question my decision to put my roots down in a country that doesn’t love me back… a country that frequently questions my presence and my loyalty. I also question how deep this “purge” will be. I ponder the insidious divisiveness and the quiet complicity many participate in without knowing. How far do we tear each other up before realizing we are supposed to be our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers?
My usual easy run route includes a local park. On most days, I see golfers, walkers and other runners. On some days, there might be peacocks on my route. Just a little over a year ago, I had lost my home to the Eaton Fire. Creating this new route helped me ground myself in a new geography. Now it’s a routine that brings comfort. After the first couple of miles, my body warms up, and my feet start to feel swift. My mind goes to the Cultural Revolution, a period that my parents lived through in China. During the Cultural Revolution, neighbors told on neighbors. Friends turned on each other. It was such a dark time in my home country. My parents didn’t even get to attend high school. To this day, they often recount the sensation of starvation, the terror of a late-night knock on the door, and the habit of keeping quiet in public. Coming to age in this time period forever shaped how my parents interact with the world and how they parent me.
As I loop around a local park, I make my way back to my house. How is today – living under the daily terror of ICE – different from the Cultural Revolution six decades ago?
Does the difference lie in the hundreds and thousands of people’s marches against ICE? Is it the Strava art of FUCK ICE? Is it the national economic black-out day on January 30th? Is it the upcoming No Kings rally?
I hope so. I arrive home, take off my running shoes, and cancel my Amazon Prime.
UPCOMING RUNS
+ When: March 01 - 08, 2026
+ Last Day to Register: March 08, 2026 by 11:59pm EST
+ Where: Virtual + In Person locations to be added
+ Land Acknowledgement: Add the Indigenous lands to your bib!
+ Create or Join a virtual team
+ INCENTIVES: Join virtual team RISING HEARTS for 4 of you to have a chance at winning a pair of On running shoes, and 4 of you to win Rising Hearts merch.
+ Options to JUST donate
+ Move, meditate, walk, swim, bike, run, roll with Rising Hearts!
Beneficiaries:
+ You Belong Outdoors
+ Rising Hearts
+ Moccasin Running
+ The Healthy O’odham Promotion Program
2026 RUNNING ON NATIVE LANDS SHIRTS
We have our new 2026 Running on Native Lands look - available for purchase! 3 different options, all unisex fit. Order yours by 2/15 to receive by March 1st when the event begins. Orders after 2/15, will be printed and shipped as quickly as possible.
TEAM RISING HEARTS
Let’s celebrate these amazing humans! Our community runners, who ran in the Boston Marathon! They have helped promote Rising Hearts and some of them have helped fundraise for the heart work we are grateful to keep doing. This year, Team Rising Hearts has 4 runners we are supporting at the 130th Boston Marathon - Mel Devoney, Ashleigh Thompson, Caroline Sekaquaptewa, and Jordan Whetstone. This team has a fundraising goal of $7,000 for Rising Hearts to keep supporting the heart work.
We have a handful of runners who have helped fundraise for us! No matter large or small, that financial support has it’s place to be and support in the heart work we do!
CALL FOR RUNNERS: If you’re running the Boston Marathon and would like to join our team and help us raise funds, please reach out! info@rising-hearts.org
RUN REFLECTIONS
Every Women’s Marathon Charity Bib Alumni, Caroline Sekaquaptewa, Shaniah Chee, Susie Stephen, and Charlinda Haudley.
Charlinda Haudley
Each year, I participate in the "Hewed Da.M Ac Wo:Po" half marathon held in Sells, AZ, on the lands of the Tohono O'odham people. I invited Rising Hearts alumni Shaniah to join me for the race, and we shared a car ride together. During the drive, she had the chance to meet my aunt and my close friends. It was truly heartwarming to hear them conversing in the Navajo language as we made our way to the event. I reached out to a total of six friends to join me in running the half marathon. It was a surprise to bump into fellow Rising Hearts alumni, Susie and Caroline, at the starting line! It reminded me of the camaraderie we shared at the 2025 Every Women's Marathon in Scottsdale, Arizona, where we all encouraged one another with phrases like "we got this." Spending time warming up with these incredible women at the start of the day, getting some exercise on tribal lands while watching the sunrise, was a beautiful way to begin my day. At the end of the race, seeing the results, I felt inspired once more by Shaniah, Susie, and Caroline. Their speed is truly impressive! This was a wonderful experience to share, and I look forward to seeing them again at another local run in the area.
Susie Stephen
This was my first time participating in the Jewed Da.M Ac Wo:Po half marathon, and it was such an honor to spend time with and on the Tohono O'odham Lands. It was fun meeting up with Caroline, Shaniah and Charlinda from Rising Hearts at the start, along with seeing Marlinda, one of the event organisers, and Sergio our friend from Renew Earth Running. The start was quiet and gratitude for the peaceful setting was notable. Watching the sunrise as we set off on our thirteen miles felt energising. The course was beautiful and challenging, with sweeping views and good hills to keep you humble. At the end, Marlinda cheered us across the line, placing handmade shell necklaces around our necks. Warm, nourshing bowls of menudo were provided by the local community, who had also set up aid stations along the route. Thanks to everyone involved it was a memorable morning and I hope to run the event again next year.
Melina Devoney
When I got to the start line, I felt like all my running, mental preparation and motivation lined up perfectly for the Avalon 50k.
I finished 2nd place female, 1st in my age group, and 7th overall.
With strong winds, unrelenting climbs, perfect temps, and buffalo sightings, Pimu Island (Catalina) made for a brutal yet beautiful course. I set out vying for a podium finish and to stay happy, confident and intentional the entire race. I refused to let my brain limit my body, and I focused on my intention: for each step to summon strength and belief for my family, friends and strangers who need it in these depressing times.
This race was truly a group effort with the support of my training buddies, Mohawk Wellness Collective, and of course the Rising Hearts fam!
THE NEW LOOK + COLLABORATION
THE GOAL: 400 RISING HEARTS SHIRTS PURCHASED!
With your help, we can raise $2,523 - $5,213 to continue investing in community and the special projects we are currently doing and hope to do!
We also updated color options and varieties for our other RH shirts and hoodies from 2025.
Our campaign via Bonfire is 5 days. Once it ends, it will take up to 20 days to receive your shirt!
2026 Wishlist List:
+ Submit 10 applications and hope we get 5!
+ Looking for sponsorships of our events / runners - please reach out for partnerships / sponsorships!
+ Fund the founder’s position for at least part-time work since the amount of work has increased
+ Create 1 more film - fully funded
+ Create commercial / storytelling opportunities with brands featuring community!
+ Increase representation of Indigenous runners, Charity Runners, and our Running With Purpose Athlete Advocates at more races and events to be part of
+ Send 4 Athletes to the Boston Marathon
+ Send 2 Athletes to the NYC Marathon
+ Send 20 Athletes to the Every Woman’s Marathon
+ 2026 The Running Event in San Antonio, TX - we are seeking sponsorships to send 10 of our athlete advocates to join, RH booth, and host our Kinship Building workshop/panel
+ Host a local running retreat for our Running With Purpose Athlete Advocates in the Fall ‘26
+ Host local running retreat with 2025 Every Woman’s Marathon runner’s in Spring ’26
+ Organize our virtual/in person run/walk/movement events!
+ 10 Charity Bib runners for Rising Hearts with our partner, The Wander Project (see below for more information on how to become one!)
+ 35 charity runners for Rising Hearts for any race of their choosing / dedicating their race to Rising Hearts as a fundraiser with our RH Charity runner GiveLively link that any runner / athlete can use to raise funds for by creating own account - Each runner will receive a Rising Hearts singlet, GUdies, and if needed, free pair of shoes!
RISING HEARTS:
We are an Indigenous led organization, elevating community voices through meaningful kinship, movement, advocacy and storytelling.
We empower communities by fostering intersectional collaboration, promoting cultural resilience, joy and creating meaningful change for the next generations. Through our programs, we inspire collective action, elevate Indigenous and community centered narratives, creating safe and supportive spaces, continuously learn and show up how we can, and mobilize support for those in need.
Much of the heart work we prioritize is cultivating kinship with brands, companies and groups, while creating meaningful collaborations with the Rising Hearts athletes, community partners and broader movement community.
Our Programs:
Running On Native Lands Initiative
Running With Purpose Athlete Advocates
Rising Hearts Stories | Filmmaking
Virtual Movement Events | Race Organizing
Charity Runners for Rising Hearts
Workshops / Panels and DEI Consultations
Learn more about our programs we have and what we consult on and collaborate on. We’ve received a few small grants to support our work for which allows us to compensate our teachers and voices we amplify through our programming and supporting our Athlete Advocates.
Wopila tanka, many thanks!
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
Meet DeAndra!
DeAndra Hodge (Dee-On-druh) is an illustrator and designer based in Washington D.C. who graduated with a BA in Fine Art from the University of Montevallo.
She loves projects that showcase the importance of community, culture, history, and education.
She is best known as the illustrator of the That Girl Lay Lay, and Beyond the Game series, as well as Yvonne Clark and Her Engineering Spark (Macmillan) and Tell Me About Juneteenth (Macmillan).
Rising Hearts became friends and connected with DeAndra who is the illustrator of a children’s book about Jordan Marie Whetstone, “Beyond The Game - Athletes Change The Game: Jordan Marie Brings Three White Horses Whetstone.”
What has it been like for you to collaborate with Rising Hearts?
”Collaborating with Rising Hearts has been a wonderful experience! I was so excited when Jordan asked me to work on this project. Not only is it great to work with a client that aligns with my values, it's even better when communication is so clear and concise. Truly, one of the best client experiences I’ve had!”
What was your approach to this special and empowering design?
”For every design, I always like to learn as much as I can about the client, what they like, what they don’t like, and what story they want to tell with the design. I found the phrases “Be A Good Relative” central to creating this design. It helped me stay focused on the overall visual theme so I could create something that felt true to Rising Hearts.”
What does being an illustrator mean to you?
”I love it more than anything! It’s a job I take seriously, since we get to use our skills to represent our real world and the people in it. In order to do that well, we have to be open and learn as much as we can about the world around us. It’s so much fun, and I feel incredibly blessed to be able to do this for a living.”
What are you looking forward to in 2026?
”New opportunities, making new friends and spending time with old ones, and exploring as many new places as I can! “
2026 RISING HEARTS FUNDRAISING THROUGH MOVEMENT!
RUN WITH US!
Currently, we have 25 charity runner’s Rising Hearts with $3,476 raised of the $30,000 2026 goal! We have a SoCal Ragnar Relay team of 12, with 6 of those runner’s raising $2,000 for Rising Hearts! And 4 runners for the Rising Hearts Boston Marathon team raising $7,000!
In 2025, we had 37 runners dedicating their run / race to Rising Hearts! We met our goal of $36,000! And in 2024, we had 5 California International Marathon runners as well, with $2,500 raised!
All of this was possible because we made a new option available since we had a handful of runners reach out to us, asking how can they support us or fundraise for the heart work we do. So, we created the Rising Hearts Charity Runner’s Program, aside from our partnership with The Wander Project (where you select a race from them, with set fundraising limits, then we receive the funds at the end of the year), and through some of our bib entries we receive at the Boston Marathon, New York City Marathon, California International Marathon and Every Woman’s Marathon. So don’t miss your chance to run with Rising Hearts! We help reimburse your registration fees if needed, get you fuel, a singlet, and shoes. And, we have no penalties for not reaching your goal. we’re just grateful you chose us and are supporting us in this way. Thank you!
1.) We had TEAM RISING HEARTS at the Every Woman’s Marathon in Scottsdale, AZ - all 13 women crossed the finish line and raised $7,436 for Rising Hearts!
2.) Rising Hearts had 2 runners at the ‘25 New York City Marathon and raised $4,136.
3.) Rising Heart had 3 runners at The Marathon Project, December 21st in Chandler, AZ, where Hosava Kretzmann (Hopi/Diné) also qualified for the 2028 Marathon Olympic Trials! The 3 runners raised $3,840.
4.) Rising Hearts had 2 runners at the California International Marathon, where Blanca and Carlos raised $1,904, and we donated $700 to NorCal Resist on behalf of Blanca as well!
5.) And 24 runners who collectively raised $18,806 for Rising Hearts!
‘26 Charity Runners | SoCal Ragnar Relay
What led to this team for Ragnar Relay?
The shared values of Good Day Run Club and Mohawk Wellness Collective are to foster a truly welcoming, accepting and uplifting community for athletes of all levels. When we signed up for the Ragnar relay, our goals were to 1) have the best girl's trip ever, and 2) demonstrate what our club stands for.
Why fundraise for Rising Hearts?
It was a no-brainer to partner with Rising Hearts, since it aligns with our values around physical, mental and social wellness. We are a diverse group of ladies that elevate and empower each other, and we want to do the same for the broader Rising Hearts community.
How excited are you about this opportunity?
So stoked! This is the first Ragnar relay for many of us, and our first race as a team. We can't wait to see how powerful we are together!
Running mantra?
"On good days and bad days, every day is a good day to run with your girls!"
Let’s cheer this team at the SoCal Ragnar Relay!
Race: SoCal Ragnar Relay | April
Fundraising goal: $2,000
Funds Raised: $0
CALL FOR CHARITY RUNNERS FOR 2026
Reach out to us via email, info@rising-hearts.org. Share with us your plans, then we’ll set you up with the link!
Want to run for Rising Hearts?
This is more new for us! We have a givelively link specifically for runners/individuals, who want to raise funds for the heart work we do! If it’s not through our partnership with The Wander Project, or our other partners at CIM or Boston, you can run for Rising Hearts at any race you choose and bring more fun and purpose to your why and the run.
Perks: RH Singlet, merch, stickers, fuel, and if shoes are needed, we can help you! We are excited to learn from you and support you. We are here to amplify your efforts through our platforms and help you reach your goal! Email us at info@rising-hearts.org if you’re interested in dedicating a run and raising funds for Rising Hearts.
GOALS FOR 2026:
We hope to get 15 more Rising Hearts runners for 2026 and raise $30,000, collectively ! And we have 20 runners now, confirmed :)
Suggested fundraising limits:
RH Athletes / Community = $600
Open to Community = minimum $800
Perks: RH Singlet, merch, stickers, fuel, and if shoes are needed, we can help you!
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
You Belong Outdoors - Establish June 2025 - About US
We've seen firsthand how powerful nature can be in helping people grow, heal, connect, and find belonging. But, as a queer and trans people, we have also experienced how these same spaces can often feel unwelcoming or unsafe for those of us who don’t fit into traditional norms.
That’s why we started You Belong Outdoors. We are a grassroots organization dedicated to bridging the gap between the LGBTQIA2S+ community and having access to safe, inclusive, and affirming outdoor spaces & programs. We believe nature should be a place where everyone feels they belong. Our priority is in creating environments where LGBTQIA2S+ individuals and all their intersecting identities feel a profound sense of belonging to each other, to nature, and to the diverse ecosystems that sustain us. We are committed to learning and actively applying environmental justice stewardship, trauma-informed practices, and intersectional inclusion in all aspects of our work.
By creating a space where queer individuals can belong to nature and to each other, we contribute to so much more than the sense of belonging; we are improving mental health, lowering suicide risk, building community and fostering resiliency among our most vulnerable populations.
Core Offerings:
Host & Co-Host free and inclusive queer specific nature based programs in Orange County, CA and surrounding areas.
Beginner Friendly Nature Based Programming
Free Outdoor Gear Swaps & Introduction to the Outdoors Workshops
Additional Services:
FREE TOOLKIT on Building Belonging in Outdoor Programs for the LGBTQIA2S+ Community
Transgender Support Plan for Staff & Participants in outdoor programs and beyond
Consulting, Training, and Tailored Workshops sessions designed to improve your active allyship
Site Visits
Additional services available! Schedule a "coffee chat" with me to discuss
Campground Campaign:
We've seen firsthand how powerful nature can be in helping people grow, heal, connect, and find belonging. We are working towards purchasing a property to invite outdoor enthusiasts of all skill levels, ages, identities, and abilities to start our own campground and retreat space in California.
PODCASTS TO LISTEN TO:
Mangonada
A podcast on how joy, sport, and culture keep us grounded and free. And available on Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts. Be sure to listen, share, and review!
IG: @mangonadapod
Hosted by Vanesa Chavarriaga and Carolina Rubio-MacWright
The Origin Story:
Vanesa and Carolina have teamed up to create a culturally responsive podcast on all things Latinidad, immigrant joy, and resistance, and outdoor sports.
This is more than a podcast. It’s a declaration to activate community. We belong in every space, from snowy peaks to mountain trails, from the city to the fruit stand. Mangonada is community, movement, resistance, and culture, en una sola mordida.