Our Journey Together
Who We Are
The Elevate Project is a transformative non-profit dedicated to enriching the lives of underprivileged children through the joy of dance. By providing accessible dance classes, we aim to foster creativity, discipline, and confidence. Our mission is to create opportunities for children to express themselves and gain invaluable life skills through the art of movement. Through our community-driven initiatives, we encourage inclusivity and strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve, promoting both personal and social development.
Vision
Empowering Through Dance
At its core, The Elevate Project is a program designed to provide free and accessible dance classes to underprivileged children in Alabama. However, I hope that it can be more than just a series of dance classes. In 2025, Alabama ranked 43rd in overall child well-being. I believe our state, our people, can do better than that for our children. As a dance teacher, I have taught children from many different demographics, nationalities, and economic levels. None of those factors ever defined the child I taught, nor the ability that they had. Unfortunately, that is the reality thousands of children in Alabama face each and every day. The Elevate Project is about elevating these children’s physical fitness, happiness, and confidence. No child should ever be prevented from pursuing their passion because of a monetary restriction, and The Elevate Project will work to ensure that.
Team
Emily Hughes - Founder
My name is Emily Hughes, and I am the founder of The Elevate Project. I am seventeen years old, and a preliminary winner to Miss Alabama’s Teen. I started the Elevate Project to help the children of the state I love so much, and continue pushing for equal opportunities no matter where you begin. Dance has always been an integral part of my life, and I can not imagine a life without it. I have danced since I was 2 years old, and I am currently a senior in high school. I have taken classes in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, acro, and hip hop styles. My favorite style is definitely contemporary, but I love teaching tap! I started teaching dance three years ago, and I have loved every minute of it. In my time as a dance teacher, I have seen how much children can blossom once someone pours into them, and it breaks my heart to know that not every child in Alabama has that same privilege.
Through the Elevate Project, I plan to help bring joy to the children in Alabama who have been so frequently overlooked. Comprehensive and easily accessible dance classes help promote physical and emotional health in children. Furthermore, I love being someone that shows up for these kids. I meet them where they are, in their space, and use the materials that they can access. The Elevate Project is about more than just teaching kids how to dance, it is about raising their quality of life. I want to teach kids to be confident, content, and to never stop chasing their dreams!
