Malkah Bird, EdS, NCSP
Malkah Bird (she/her), EdS, NCSP, is an Indianapolis-based educator and workshop facilitator. She has extensive experience leading trainings in schools and within the community on topics including De-Escalation, Bystander Intervention and Behavior Interventions. She is certified by the National Council on Behavioral Health as an Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor and is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist. Malkah has considerable experience working with individuals with mental health concerns, as well as, children and families experiencing crisis.
Erin Polley, RYT 500
Erin Polley (she/her) is an organizer and facilitator with over 20 years of experience working with communities to address issues of racism, islamophobia, income inequality and militarism. She has coordinated national tours and programs, training thousands of volunteers in Community Organizing, Bystander Intervention, De-Escalation and Peacebuilding. Erin is also a RYT 500 and specializes in working with individuals to care for themselves through yoga, meditation and breathwork so that they are better equipped to be agents of change in the world.
“Erin and Malkah have exceeded all expectations. We initially hired them to deliver their de-escalation training and it went so well that we asked them to customize an Upstander Training for us. They listened to our request and ran with it – instantly understanding what we were asking and needing. They were incredibly effective at delivering this sensitive material to 12 different multidisciplinary health center teams in a hybrid virtual/in-person setting. They were authentic and honest and role-modeled exceptionally well how to “lean-in” to these difficult and emotional conversations. The feedback from the staff has been overwhelmingly positive. I would hire them again in a second.”
-Dr. Dawn Haut, Eskenazi Health
“I have attended multiple trainings taught by Ms. Bird and Ms. Polley over the course of several years. Their training style evolves to stay relevant to the changing landscape. They have a unique ability to capture the participants’ attention while making them both work hard and feel comfortable. Many people feel the subject areas are sensitive topics and Ms. Bird and Ms. Polley create a space where people are comfortable growing and asking questions. They both have many years of activism experience which allows them to connect with all levels of learners. As a physician, these trainings have helped me take better care of my patients and I would recommend them to everyone.”
-Maria Robles, M.D.
“The foundational skills provided by Malkah and Erin during their Bystander Intervention Training helped us reframe and rethink a number of problems we regularly encounter in the patient care setting. We’ve found that we’ve used the tools we learned to reevaluate how we manage crises and handle microaggressions witnessed by colleagues.”
-Amalia Lehmann and Eric Raynal, IU Pediatric Chief Residents
“I have had the honor and privilege of working with Erin and Malkah for years and facilitate alongside them. It's not just their incredible ability to lead hard discussions; it's the work behind the scenes that I am the most in awe of. They live and breathe this work and it shows. I have no doubt that the Rising Collective will be one of the greatest resources we have because Malkah and Erin are one of the only people I trust to do the work, personally and professionally.”
-Tatjana Rebelle , Resilient Schools Coordinator for Earth Charter Indiana
Our Trainings
Rising Collective is grounded in the long-standing grassroots tradition of safety through solidarity. We believe that, with the right skills and tools, anyone can feel confident to rise to the occasion in moments of conflict or crises when care and safety is needed most.
We offer De-Escalation, Mental Health First Aid, Bystander Intervention and Direct Action training for healthcare workers, educators, service industry & retail workers and any other human who wants to show up in the world fully, ready to assist others.
Connect with Malkah + Erin.
Our trainings are customized to address the unique needs of our clients and their teams. Schedule a time to meet with us and learn about our offerings and pricing.
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