March 12, 2026 — Atlanta — Pre-conference sessions for the RISE 2026 Conference: Mentorship and Leadership Development for Women of Color in Ministry began March 11 at 1 p.m. at the Hilton Atlanta (255 Courtland Street NE), hosted by the RISE Together Mentorship Network affiliated with Union Theological Seminary. The event targets women of color in ministry for spiritual renewal, leadership training, and networking under the theme “The Power of Our Voices and The Telling of Our Stories… With Prophetic Whispers,” drawn from Luke 4:18–19.
The main RISE 2026 Conference: Mentorship and Leadership Development for Women of Color in Ministry programming starts today at 3 p.m. with registration and vendor showcases, followed by the opening session at 6 p.m. featuring a welcome, Womanist Wine Down on authentic sisterhood, networking reception, and Whispers After Dark, according to the conference agenda.
Pre-Conference Training
Pre-conference sessions on March 11–12 include sold-out trainings: “Leading in the Public Square” at Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church and “Trauma-Informed Ministry” certification at the Hilton Atlanta. These conclude today before main events.
Key Highlights and Ceremonies
The RISE 2026 Conference: Mentorship and Leadership Development for Women of Color in Ministry features worship services, plenaries, empowerment workshops, and celebrations including the graduation of the 2026 RISE Sojourners class, induction of the 2028 class, and Alumnae Cords of Sisterhood ceremony at Ebenezer Baptist Church.
Through networking, inspirational worship, dynamic panels, and empowerment sessions, participants will be Renewed, Inspired, Supported, and Empowered to navigate difficult spaces and embrace the fullness of God’s call on their lives.
Friday includes a Prophetic Preaching Master Class with Rev. Teresa L. Fry Brown, Ph.D., and an Awards Dinner. Saturday wraps with worship led by Rev. Dr. Gina M. Stewart and a charge by Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Hale.
Speakers
Prominent speakers at the RISE 2026 Conference: Mentorship and Leadership Development for Women of Color in Ministry include Rev. Dr. Gina M. Stewart, Rev. Traci Blackmon, Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Hale, Rev. Teresa L. Fry Brown, Ph.D., Rev. Maisha Handy, Ph.D., Rev. Neichelle R. Guidry, Ph.D., Rev. Teresa L. Smallwood, Ph.D., Rev. Mia M. McClain, Rev. Dr. Patricia Gould-Champ, Rev. Natosha Reid Rice, Rev. Jocelyn J. Jones, and Rev. Dr. Karen Anderson.
Background on RISE Together
The RISE Together Mentorship Network, launched in 2018, connects women of color seminary students and clergy through cohorts in 13 cities for intergenerational support. Its mission fosters leadership amid challenges of race, gender, and age.
As a young woman in ministry, RISE has been the sacred community I’ve longed for and the protective incubator I never knew I needed.
Registration for the RISE 2026 Conference: Mentorship and Leadership Development for Women of Color in Ministry is closed; contact rise@utsnyc.edu for inquiries. The event has been promoted on Instagram and Facebook.