Our TEAM

Rize Above Ministries ongoing success results from the efforts of our participants, their families, and the network of community support we build together. None of this would be possible without the dedicated efforts of a core group of individuals who have worked on the Rize Above team.

Tamika Ellsworth is a 2006 Silicon Valley Ministry Institute graduate who was named valedictorian of her graduating class. For over 11 years Tamika has served faithfully in such ministries, as The Soul House, X-factor, Freedom Worship Center, Kingdom Advice Center and numerous other outside-the-box evangelistic & prophetic projects. She is currently an officer for God Restores Ministries headed by Freda Garry in San Jose, CA and an active member of the Well Church located in Dublin, CA. She has also served Internationally in such countries as Lagos, Nigeria in Africa.

 

Tamika's 11-year media career started as Technical Director for a KMVT community access show called The Soul Show, produced by Jason Ma. Tamika was also a Production Assistant for the New Outlooks public service announcement completed in 2003 directed by Jonathan Fung. In 2004, Tamika was hired at Soul Publications as an Interviewer and Writer, for a start-up magazine called SoulMag where she was soon promoted to Associate Editor. Rounding out her professional media career is her current position as Production Manger for Anchor Pictures, based out of San Ramon, CA.

 

Tamika is a California Licensed Realtor, licensed since 2006. She is also a journeyman carpenter who has assisted in building ministries hosted by ULBC Casa Builders in Tijuana, Mexico. Tamika has also, led set construction for a theatre production called "Jesus Christ Superstar" and fundraising initiative, "Elements Fashion Show", for 2 seasons. Teaching women carpentry through a women's program sponsored by Peninsula Habitat for Humanity was one of her building career highlights.

 

Tamika attended Howard University in Washington, D.C. and studied Business Management at University of Phoenix, CA.

Founder/President

Scott Ellsworth has 15 years under his belt as a Graphic Designer.  He has a great passion and love for design in the media industry. Scott’s career started in 1996 as a graduate of Los Angeles Trade Technical College in the field of Visual Communications. He was a top designer who was given the honor of designing the Los Angeles Trade-Tech Schedule of Classes. Scott was a member of the Organization of Black Designers (OBD) and also worked contracting for Walt Disney. 

 

Scott’s extensive 10 year career with the Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, CA as a Graphics Specialist allowed him to work in 3D modeling and animation. As lead designer, he also received several letters of commendation and awards for superior performance from Base Commanders, Generals and other high-ranking Military officials.

 

Scott simultaneously, pursued his passion for 3D modeling, and attended Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA and soon after worked for Entertainment Partners and Paramount Pictures. His plethora of experience doing freelance and contracted design projects assisted in introducing him to the world of web design. Scott has recently received industry specific schooling at UC Santa Cruz in Web Design.

 

With enough experience under his belt he took the entrepreneurial rout and started his own graphic design business called, Swank Dezign. With an undying passion for media, Scott is now the Co-Founder/Vice President of Rize Above Ministries and Creative director of Rize Above Media. He is currently a member of The Well Church in Dublin, CA where he serves as a member of the Graphic Design and Publications Ministry.

 

Founder/Vice President

Jeff Friedman has been an educator for 16 years.  He has taught in the East Palo Alto, Redwood City, and San Mateo.  He is currently an elementary school teacher in South San Jose.  He is passionate about equipping his students with the education, morals, and character needed to thrive in the world.  Jeff has a Masters in Education Administration and had the privilege to serve as a summer school principal.  He has studied at the University of Seville in Spain and also has lived in Oaxaca, Mexico.

 

Jeff has received various awards in his career, including: the Oak Grove School District Vision Award for Communication (2009), the Oak Grove School District Vision Award for Quality Instruction, (2007), the Bill Cosby Award for Quality Instruction for Students of Color (2005), the Certificate of Quality Instruction for the Sylvan Learning Center (2003-2004), the Certificate of Appreciation, and graduate of the Parent Institute Program (2001).

 

Jeff also served as a facilitator of the Mountain View Diversity Training Day from 2001-2007.  He is a graduate of Colorado College, where he received the Sigma Delta Pi Honor Society Award for fluency in Spanish (1995) and served as the secretary of Black Student Union (1991-1995).

 

He also works with Kids Club, an after school Bible based program geared to teach students how to pray and foster a intimate relationship with Jesus.  He also is a dedicated member on the Prayer Team at his home church.

 

Jeff's favorite scriptures are Philllipians 4:13 You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.  and Romans 8:28  All things work together for good, for those who are called according to His plans and purposes.

Director of Education