who we are
Rhiza is a women-led collective that uses storytelling, healing,
organizing, and research to support social transformation
and environmental justice.
who we are
Rhiza is a women-led collective that uses storytelling, healing,
organizing, and research to support social transformation
and environmental justice.
In the natural world, roots are key to protection, regeneration, and longevity. At Rhiza (from the Greek “ῥίζα” meaning “to root”), we believe that building the new roots and shoots to effectively shift our environment and society requires beginning with cultivation from within.
We use a collaborative, narrative-based process that combines the power of research, storytelling, and organizing. Our integrated model allows us to work closely with partners to design interventions at four strategic levels: healing and community transformation, organizational development, movement-building across networks, and power-shifting in larger society.
What we do
What we do
Collaborative RESEARCH
Drawing upon ethnographic, feminist, and participatory methodologies, our research is rooted in a process of collaborative inquiry and translating vision into informed action.
OUR RESEARCH ASKS:
“How can we build on our successes and strengths? How can we tackle existing challenges? How can we engage and mobilize key stakeholders through research?”
Narrative/Visual storytelling
We use narrative and visual storytelling as a powerful tool to catalyze internal transformation and spark imagination and knowledge within our communities and beyond.
OUR STORYTELLING WORK ASKS:
“How can we build powerful personal and collective identities? How can we align our internal practices with our vision? How can we use narrative and visual media to engage and transform perspectives and power?”
organizing & movement-building
Our organizing strategies heal and empower local leaders, build a powerful grassroots base, and cultivate long-term visions to build strong movements.
OUR ORGANIZING WORK ASKS:
“How do we shift power? How do we transform mindsets? How do we build and sustain grassroots leadership? How do we connect across issues and experiences within movements?”
About US
Our collective members hold deep expertise in storytelling, research, organizing and campaign strategy, and non-profit governance.
About US
Our collective members hold deep expertise in storytelling, research, organizing and campaign strategy, and non-profit governance.
With extensive training in peace & conflict studies, human rights, social work, trauma studies, public health, cultural anthropology, and visual arts, we have worked as professional trainers, facilitators, oral historians, organizers, healers, and media-makers.
Our paths first crossed in work supporting grassroots and movement-based organizations on the Thailand-Burma border, and our close collaboration has continued for almost a decade.
Our individual and collective work has overlapped in areas of human rights, labor, corporate accountability, indigenous rights, environmental justice, and refugee issues.
Our collective members have worked in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe, and we can communicate in the following languages: Spanish, French, Thai, Burmese, and Korean.
more about The Team →
More About Our experience →
our core values
Individual & collective transformation
Collaboration & facilitation
Intersectional movement-based social change
Cultural work & the healing arts
our core values
Individual & collective transformation
Collaboration & facilitation
Intersectional movement-based social change
Cultural work & the healing arts