Empowered by Elevate

Dear Elevate Family,

Welcome to the March 2026 Edition of Empowered by Elevate!

We are well into another semester of Elevate, and we are excited to share the continued growth and impact of our program.

This past fall semester marked a major milestone, as we enrolled the largest number of students in the 2½ years of our existence. A total of 62 high school students participated in our accredited classes. Although this was a significant undertaking, our Teacher/Mentors remained committed to ensuring every student felt supported and connected through weekly one-on-one mentoring, after-school sessions, and small groups.

With gratitude,
Mr. Mario Cooper
Executive Director

Last year, approximately 90% of our upperclassmen participated in our cross-mentoring program, Little Elevate. Through this initiative, 75 fifth-grade students from University Place Elementary participated weekly.

It continues to be a powerful experience to watch our high school students teach the same character qualities and life skills they are learning from their Teacher/Mentors—creating a full-circle model of leadership and growth.

This semester, we currently have approximately 43 students enrolled, and we are continuing to expand opportunities for innovation and skill development. We are excited to share a new collaboration with the Black Warrior Council of Scouting America, through which Elevate West Alabama has launched a Drone Training Program.

This program:

Has been implemented in both classes
Will continue into our Summer Adventure
Introduces students to drone operation as a pathway to future job opportunities

Currently, we have 20 drones shared between two classes, with a goal of providing each student with their own drone for in-class use.

We are excited about this new initiative and look forward to sharing more as it grows.

Join us for Fiesta de Estrellas, as Elevate West Alabama celebrates 3 years of impacting Tuscaloosa’s youth with an unforgettable Cinco de Mayo experience! Enjoy a vibrant evening of live music featuring Ruben Studdard and the Central High School Choir at the Tuscaloosa River Market. This powerful night of culture, connection, and celebration directly supports Elevate’s summer programming and continued expansion to more local high schools.

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now—secure your seat and be part of the impact.
Link: https://elevatewestal.org/fiesta-de-estrellas/

No One Gets There Alone. ✨

Purchase Event Tickets Today!

Click the button to purchase your tickets today!

None of what we do is possible without supporters like you. Because of your continued contributions:

We have reached nearly 225 high school students
And impacted 150 elementary students in Tuscaloosa

As we grow, the need continues to grow. We encourage you to:

Visit our website and become a monthly donor
Share our story with others who can support this mission

Our goal is to expand Elevate into more schools and communities, and your support helps make that possible.

Invest in Elevate Today!

Click the button to donate to Elevate West Alabama!

Elevate students on the HBCU College Tour!

Elevate students from Central High School had the opportunity to visit Atlanta, GA on March 17th to tour three colleges/universities.

Mr. Lewis at Westlawn Middle School!

Mr. Lewis had the opportunity to speak with 6th Grade students in the House of Success at Westlawn Middle School on March 11th.

Elevate students on the HBCU College Tour!

Elevate students from Central High School had the opportunity to visit Atlanta, GA on March 17th to tour three colleges/universities.

We extend our deepest gratitude for your continued commitment to the work and mission of Elevate West Alabama. Your support allows us to build meaningful relationships, create opportunities, and empower students every day.

— The Elevate West Alabama Team