Awards

RISE is an award-winning organization led by award-winning women. We’re proud to be recognized for our work amplifying the voice and power of Muslim women!

Muslim Startup To Watch In 2022

The Center for Global Muslim Life has named Reviving Sisterhood one of 100 Muslim startups to watch in 2022. The fourth annual list brings together a diverse set of sectors, from technology to film, working on issues that can relate to cities, social impact, or spiritual impact. Three of those businesses are Henna & Hijabs, Rabata, and Reviving Sisterhood—all founded and operated by women in the Twin Cities.

The Center for Global Muslim Life is a California-based nonprofit creating long-term narrative change through media production, research, and training focused on social and spiritual impact work in the world’s largest and most diverse faith community.

“It’s important that people understand that there are Muslim communities making an impact around the United States and around the world. That’s the real story of our community, unlike the story that we’ve seen, unfortunately, so much in the media,” said Dustin Craun, the founder and director of the Center for Global Muslim Life. “And so, that’s a lot of this narrative strategy about changing the story by showing Muslims creating impact for a diverse community.”

“We have moved from educating Muslim women about democracy to becoming a powerful collective group that is getting noticed and is being asked for their opinions, their advice, and their endorsement,” said Nausheena Hussain, Executive Director of Reviving Sisterhood. “Receiving this recognition really affirms the work that we are doing. To be a part of a network with all these amazing startups really feels like we are part of a larger ecosystem of change-making work.”

#BlackMuslimGirlFly Film Festival

Nausheena Hussain: Diversity MBA Top 100 Under 50

Diversity MBA has recognized Reviving Sisterhood Executive Director Nausheena Hussain in its annual list of Top 100 under 50. Diversity MBA is a national leadership organization integrating diversity and inclusion with talent management. Its thirteenth annual list of Top 100 emerging and executive leaders with advanced degrees recognizes a group from a broad spectrum of companies with both a domestic and a global reach.

One hundred leaders were selected from a pool of several hundred nominees. This award is uniquely special because candidates must have an advanced degree or certification, and you can only receive the recognition once and be under age 50. The Top 100 honorees represent outstanding achievements in community, leadership, and education.

These honorees go through a screening process before they are selected by Diversity MBA. The process is rigorous because more than 90 percent qualify. Fortune 1000 companies and other organizations take great care in identifying their leaders for submission. The nomination alone represents achievement and distinction for a lifetime. McElvane said this year’s list represents a more comprehensive list of nominees including white males. “All champions and dimensions of diversity are celebrated and recognized through these individuals. We are proud that the business community champions leaders that are unselfishly putting it on the line every day.”

This list is separated into emerging and executive leaders. This allows Diversity MBA to recognize both developing and seasoned leaders and to bridge the gap in the talent pipeline by providing exposure to both groups.

Asma Mohammed: MNCASA Demanding Justice Award

The Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MNCASA) has awarded a 2019 AWARE: Demanding Justice award to Reviving Sisterhood Advocacy Director Asma Mohammed. This award is given to leaders who are committed to preventing and addressing sexual violence in Minnesota.

Asma became a pioneer in the Muslim community when she introduced sexual violence healing work at Reviving Sisterhood. She has been the strongest voice in our community talking about sexual violence, sharing her story, advocating for legislation and helping others heal.

MNCASA is a membership organization that supports the work of sexual assault programs state-wide. MNCASA represents 70 plus agencies throughout Minnesota and tribal lands, most of whom are community-based advocacy agencies providing direct service to victims/survivors within their communities.

For over 40 years, MNCASA has provided leadership and resources for sexual assault agencies and allies to prevent sexual violence while promoting a comprehensive, socially just response for all victims/ survivors.

Asma Mohammed: 2018 Changemaker

Minnesota Women’s Press has awarded a 2018 Changemaker Award to Asma Mohammed, Advocacy Director of Reviving the Islamic Sisterhood for Empowerment.

The annual Changemakers issue honors individuals and organizations in Minnesota whose actions have promoted greater equality, justice, or self-determination for women and girls. 

In November 2017, Mohammed launched the RISE healing circle for Muslim women who have experienced sexual violence and those who aspired to be allies. She expected about 10 attendees at the first meeting; 30 women came.

“This is the only thing of its kind in Minnesota,” says Mohammed. “Knowing that we are providing a safe space in which Muslim women can be themselves, and share their trauma, and also find some healing, is beautiful. It is the most rewarding work I do.” Keep reading the article!

Cultural Jambalaya 2018 Diversity Award

Cultural Jambalaya has awarded a 2018 Diversity Award to Reviving Sisterhood for our Muslim Sheroes of Minnesota storytelling project. The Diversity Awards honor four inspirational Minnesota champions who have made a positive difference by advancing multiculturalism or cultural diversity in their communities.

Alongside Reviving Sisterhood, Indian Education Department at Minneapolis Public Schools; Nathaniel (Nate) Beulah of Northeast Middle School; and Aaisha Said, Ben Herstig, Miranda Shapiro, & Ilham Nur of HHS Responds at Hopkins High School received awards in 2018.

Cultural Jambalaya is a photography-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote understanding and respect for all cultures. Cultural Jambalaya aims to celebrate cultural differences — and similarities — while benefiting nonprofit organizations and schools.

Best Shorts Competition 2018 Award of Merit

The Best Shorts Film Competition has awarded its prestigious Award of Merit to Reviving Sisterhood Filmmaker Ariel Tilson. The award was given for Tilson’s digital short, Muslim Sheroes of Minnesota: Valerie Shirley.

The Best Shorts Competition recognizes film, television, videography and new media professionals who demonstrate exceptional achievement in craft and creativity, and those who produce standout entertainment or contribute to profound social change.

We are honored that Best Shorts recognizes the social change that the Sisterhood is aspiring to create. Our Muslim Sheroes of Minnesota storytelling project provides positive, realistic imagery in order to change negative public narratives about Muslim women.

In winning a Best Shorts Award, Reviving Sisterhood joins the ranks of other high-profile winners of this internationally respected award.

Summer 2018 Roy W. Dean Grant Award Finalist

From the Heart Productions has named Reviving Sisterhood’s Muslim Sheroes of Minnesota storytelling project a finalist for the Summer 2018 Roy W. Dean Grant Award.

Roy W. Dean Film Grants fund independent feature films, documentaries, web series, and short films with small budgets that are unique and make a contribution to society that, without the help of the grant, might otherwise never get made.

There are three Roy W. Dean Film Grants available each year for spring, summer, and fall. Winners receive a cash award as well as goods and discounted services offered by film industry companies and professionals who care about getting good films produced. There are 20 films remaining in competition for the summer 2018 grant.

From the Heart Productions is a nonprofit whose mission is to help indie filmmakers get film funding. Since 1993, the organization has assisted hundreds of documentary, feature, short films, and web series in getting funded through their Roy W. Dean Grant, Fiscal Sponsorship Program, and Intentional Filmmaking Class. From the Heart believes that independent filmmakers, who devote most of their time to the creative process, need help when it comes to raising money.

Nausheena Hussain: 2016 Changemaker

Minnesota Women’s Press has awarded a 2016 Changemaker Award to Nausheena Hussain, Executive Director of Reviving the Islamic Sisterhood for Empowerment.

The annual Changemakers issue honors individuals and organizations in Minnesota whose actions have promoted greater equality, justice, or self-determination for women and girls. 

Nausheena Hussain has a quiet composure, sitting at the back of the Daybreak Bookshop on the University of Minnesota campus, surrounded by books about cultural change through individual empowerment and the female voice. As she explains how she and other Muslim women are becoming connected and engaged, her enthusiasm bubbles over.

"We need to be visible, taking action, in order to have a more significant impact." RISE increases visibility and engagement of Muslim women by empowering them to participate in political caucuses, advocate to their elected representatives, defend themselves, act as delegates and election judges - and gives them the tools to take their own action. Keep reading the article!