About RULE

What We Do

  • We inspire teens to imagine their future and prompt them to write an imagination lists.
  • We promote the S.M.A.R.T. method for writing and tracking goals.
  • We facilitate virtual and in-person leadership events for teens to grow their skills.
  • We journey alongside each teen to ensure their plans support and propel their goals.

Who We Are

  • Running a New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofit
  • Uplifting teens in the City of Paterson
  • Leading since December 2018
  • Equipping teens to lead

Our Vision is to unlock teens' imagination to dream big and take small steps every day to fulfill their dreams so that they may be equipped for their next stage in life.

Rising Urban Leaders Enterprise (RULE)
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Our Mission is to rally the community-at-large to support a platform for teenagers to initiate and sustain peer-to-peer interactions while they participate in leadership roles that could create a framework for building social and academic skills.

Open Access

To experience personal growth, we encourage teens to attend a weekly 60-minute team meeting for 12 months.

Our Calendar gives teens access to events, meetings, workshops, and more.  

Teens can catch up with training after submitting an application.

In This Order:

  • To provide a sophisticated student leadership program for high school students.
  • To offer personality type and leadership style assessments to each student member. 
  • To elevate and demonstrate the importance of writing S.M.A.R.T. goals for tracking and reaching success. 
  • To recruit and train volunteer advocates for their assistance and guidance at social events.
  • To coordinate community outreach activities for teens to provide care for our underserved population.
  • To celebrate and reward student leaders and contributors annually at a formal gala that is free and open to the public.

Incentives for Teens

  • Awards
  • Friendships
  • Giveaways
  • Leadership Roles
  • Mentorship
  • Networking
  • Recognition
  • Scholarship Locator
  • Study Skills
  • Wish List Achieved

Our Board

Our board members are professionally diverse.  More importantly, they work strategically to ensure that activities and transactions are advancing RULE's mission.

Although nonprofit organizations in the State of New Jersey have the capacity to seat 10 members on their board, RULE has six members, three of whom are officers.

Our board members oversee the efficient use of program assets.  In addition, they assure the government and the public that the organization is functioning in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Our Board of Trustees

Rising Urban Leaders Enterprise (RULE)

Keith B. Allen, Esq.

Treasurer
Linden, NJ
Rising Urban Leaders Enterprise (RULE)

Linda A. Hicks, M.Ed.

President
Paterson, NJ
Rising Urban Leaders Enterprise (RULE)

 Eric R. Null, B.F.A.

Secretary
High Ridge, MO
Rising Urban Leaders Enterprise (RULE)

Councilman Robert L. Artis


Prospect Park, NJ
Rising Urban Leaders Enterprise (RULE)

Dr. Stephanie D. Taylor, PhD


Annandale, NJ
Rising Urban Leaders Enterprise (RULE)

Edward A. Jones Sr.


Kearny, NJ
Mr. Abdoulaye Sanogo

Abdoulaye Sanogo, M.E.

Executive Director 
Brooklyn, NY
Rising Urban Leaders Enterprise (RULE)

Denise R. Blackwood

Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Paterson, NJ