About Us
Our Mission
To elevate the life skills and abilities of student-athletes through mentor-based programs in athletic, academic and social development.
Our Background
ELEVATE New Orleans is a sports-based youth development organization that provides basketball skills training and academic, career, and social programming to youth in the New Orleans Area. Elevate is based at the Kingsley House in the Lower Garden District.
Our after-school Leadership Program serves over 25 middle and high school student-athletes who receive daily training, academic tutoring, and hot meals. Elevate student-athletes also participate in a variety of enrichment activities, including career workshops, volunteer days, and field trips.
ELEVATE also provides other programs such as community basketball tournaments and skills trainings. Collectively, our community programs reach 500 youth in the New Orleans Area each year.
Our Vision
To close the achievement gap by ensuring America’s youth have access to highly-effective afterschool and summer developmental programs, free-of-charge.
Our History
ELEVATE was originally started as PeacePlayers International – New Orleans in 2008 as part of the NBA All Star Game's philanthropic efforts in the city. The next year, ELEVATE New Orleans, Inc. was founded by former UCONN basketball player Sky Hyacinthe in order to better serve the needs of the community with nine initial student-athletes in the after-school program. Since its inception, 21 out of 21 ELEVATE student-athletes who have completed the Leadership Program, have matriculated to college on an academic or athletic scholarship. 83% have been first generation college students.