What happens when a survivor refuses to stay silent? Army Veteran Sumeya Gibril transforms her painful experiences of military sexual trauma into a powerful force for change through her nonprofit, Rise Above, Be Relentless Foundation.
Growing up in East Africa and experiencing childhood trauma before migrating to America, Sumeya faced cultural barriers, language challenges, and eventually military sexual trauma during her Army service. Rather than accepting the status quo where perpetrators often face no consequences while survivors are silenced, she channeled her righteous anger into creating tangible support systems for others walking similar paths.
The foundation operates on powerful principles like "Sustenance comes from the creator, not people" and "Embrace the suck," empowering survivors to recognize their inherent worth while acknowledging life's unfairness. What sets this organization apart is its commitment to helping "people who want to help themselves" – providing civilian lawyers for active-duty women navigating the military justice system, mental health resources, and financial assistance for domestic violence survivors seeking independence.
Unlike many organizations, Rise Above maintains strict credibility standards, carefully vetting cases to ensure legitimate claims are supported without undermining the community's trust. This balanced approach addresses both the need to believe survivors and the importance of due process – a refreshing stance in today's often polarized conversations around trauma.
The foundation is launching with two major fundraising events: a gala on August 20th at the Tower Club in Tysons Corner and a golf tournament on September 29th at Belmont Country Club. These events will support Sumeya's vision of expanding nationally and eventually internationally, recognizing that trauma affects women worldwide regardless of geography.
Join this movement that transforms anger into action and pain into purpose. Whether you attend an event, donate, or simply spread awareness, you become part of a community saying "I don't think so" to the systems and silence that protect abusers rather than survivors.
Website:Rise Above Be Relentless Foundation - CORE Foundation
Hearts of Valor Gala Tickets:Hearts of Valor Gala Tickets, Wed, Aug 20, 2025 at 5:30 PM | Eventbrite
Hearts of Valor Gala- Sponsorship Opportunity: The Hearts of Valor Gala by Rise Above Be Relentless Foundation | BetterWorld
Golf Tournament Registration: Rise Above Golf Tournament by Rise Above Be Relentless Foundation | BetterWorld
LinkedIn: RISE ABOVE BE RELENTLESS FOUNDATION: Company Page Admin | LinkedIn
Instagram: Instagram
Tiktok: (11)Rise Above Be Relentless Fdn (@riseaboveberelentlessfdn) | TikTok
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