Authored by: DeOndra Parker

DeOndra is the Senior Program Manager of Fund Development & Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Neighborhood Allies. Get to know her a little better in this Get To Know Your Allies segment.

RISE HIGH: Resilient and Inclusive Solutions for Equity, Healing, Impact, Growth, and Health

My time spent on the RISE HIGH team has been nothing short of amazing. I’ve gained so much knowledge, but I’ve also been able to share my expertise to advance equity at Neighborhood Allies in meaningful ways. 

Advocating for Change: A Personal Beginning

In 2019, while navigating the challenges of pregnancy and maintaining my workload, I began preparing for maternity leave. Reviewing our policies and procedures, I realized that to take the full 12 weeks of maternity leave, I’d have to use all my vacation days in addition to the leave provided or take unpaid time off. But I wanted to keep my vacation days to use throughout the year for some much-needed “me time” to recharge and to prepare for Leona’s arrival. I knew maternity leave wouldn’t be a walk in the park. (Who else has been up with a baby cluster feeding at 3 a.m.? Lol!) I just wanted the ability to take the full 12 weeks without added stress, time to focus on my baby and myself without sacrificing my finances or the days off I needed throughout the year. 

• I asked leadership: “Is there an opportunity to take a deeper look at our maternity leave policy so it’s truly beneficial for any parent who needs it?” 

• After months of conversations and planning, our executive team and board approved 12 weeks of fully paid maternity leave. 

• That moment reinforced my belief in advocating for change that directly impacts employees’ lives—it’s the difference between just getting by and building a culture where everyone feels valued. 

The Birth of RISE HIGH: A Call to Action

Shortly after returning from leave, the world changed. The COVID-19 pandemic struck, and systemic racism remained an unrelenting force in our communities. In response, RISE HIGH was born—an employee-led initiative focused on advancing equity, inclusion, and cultural competence within Neighborhood Allies. 

• Led by Shad Henderson, who rallied us like we were the X-Men united against two pandemics: COVID-19 and systemic racism. 

• Our mission was clear: ensure Neighborhood Allies became a true pillar of equity, both internally and externally. 

Impact in Action: From Policies to Partnerships

Through RISE HIGH, we tackled major initiatives to drive meaningful change: 

• Reviewed our employee handbook to ensure policies were fair and equitable. 

• Conducted a compensation analysis to address pay equity. 

• Advocated for Juneteenth to become a paid holiday. 

• Normalized pronoun use across the organization. 

• Initiated equity and mental health trainings. 

• Launched community support days and half-day Fridays in the summer. 

• Increased vendor spending with minority- and women-owned businesses. 

• Restructured grantmaking to create the RISE HIGH Grant Partnership program, funding organizations committed to advancing equity. 

This program has also achieved key milestones: 

• Successfully awarded 40 grants totaling $1,103,451.00, supporting initiatives working towards measurable equity and inclusion results in the Pittsburgh area. 

• Held 6 equity training sessions and 7 mental health training sessions. 

• Participated in 6 community support days. 

• Increased vendor spending to over 55% with minority- and women-owned vendors.  

Honestly, reading this back feels like that viral Thanksgiving video where the woman proudly calls out every dish on the table—because every initiative we’ve “cooked up” has added something meaningful. 

A Culture of Inclusion: Where People Come First

This work has been transformative—not just for Neighborhood Allies, but for me personally. We set out to create a culture where: 

• Fun and restoration are prioritized. 

• Mental health matters. 

• People come first. 

The RISE HIGH team has shown unmatched commitment and love for this work, and I’m deeply grateful for every person who has been part of this journey.  Equity isn’t a destination; it’s a continuous process of listening, learning, and acting boldly. The seeds we’ve planted through RISE HIGH will continue to grow, helping create a more inclusive workplace where every employee feels supported and able to do their best work. 

Looking Ahead: Equity as a Lifelong Commitment

As I reflect on this journey, I’m filled with gratitude: 

• For leadership that believed in our vision. 

• For teammates who showed up with passion and persistence. 

• For opportunities to advocate for meaningful change. 

To the RISE HIGH team: thank you. Thank you for your dedication, your brilliance, and your hearts. Together, we’ve built something extraordinary, and I can’t wait to see how it continues to grow.  Learn more about RISE HIGH’s impact and how you can join us in advancing equity in Pittsburgh.  This article was written as a reflection of my personal journey with RISE HIGH and the collective impact of our team.