She Elevates Academy for girls celebrates five years
CANTON − When DeLores Pressley turned 60, she pursued a lifelong dream by taking ballet lessons.
It's an outward expression of her belief that women of all ages should be encouraged to achieve their goals.
"Dreams do not come with age limits," she said. "The point is, I did it."
Such passion is the foundation of the She Elevates Academy, a nonprofit mentoring program that Pressley founded five years ago for girls and young women 13 to 18.
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"My motto is 'Elevate as you climb,'" she said
She Elevates Academy will celebrate its fifth year during its annual Awards Gala, from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 6 at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel at 320 Market Ave. N.
Former WEWS Channel 5 anchor Courtney Gousman will be the guest speaker.
The dinner will honor academy participants Micayla McCarter, owner of a custom T-shirt company in Toledo; artists Dae'Sani Reeves and Journey Stokes of Canton; and Khloe Williams of Massillon, an 8-year-old pageant contestant and advocate for the homeless.
Pressley describes She Elevates Academy as a multifaceted program that address such topics as bullying, entrepreneurship, money management, decision-making and self-confidence.
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Girls' self-esteem is a top priority
"Self-esteem is No. 1," she said. "Bullying has been a challenge, and peer pressure. Some of the girls are doing the caregiving for their younger siblings. That's why we do so much to empower girls. They talk about their feelings and their challenges and what they're going through in their personal lives. If they have a business, we talk about 'What's going on with your business?' They really seem to like it."
Activities include journaling, a quarterly Think Tank Circle, a Confidence Club, business start-up and STEM projects, and regional field trips.
Pressley said she's even addressed the issue of human trafficking, against the advice of some adults, but she argues that girls often are a key target of traffickers.
The entire academy meets once a year in person, which includes a ceremony for girls who complete the curriculum.
"It's not a camp," Pressley said. "We have a complete curriculum, swag bags, and 'bank boxes' to encourage saving."
Pressley estimates that an estimated 800 to 1,000 girls have participated in She Elevates over the past five years. She noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the group's online sessions drew girls from across Northeast Ohio and even as far away as Atlanta and England.
"Our focus is Stark County and Northeast Ohio but I do eventually want to see She Elevates in at least five states. That's my ultimate goal," she said. "It doesn't matter where you live, where you come from, you can live your dreams."
Akisha McCarter lauds what She Elevates has done for her daughter.
"She Elevates has helped Micayla beyond measure," she said. " In addition to learning entrepreneurial skills, her confidence level has increased tremendously. The lessons that she's learned and the 'Sheroes' that she's had the privilege of listening to, has provided insight into the business world that can't be matched in any classroom. Not only has She Elevates helped with life skills and business lessons, they also provided emotional encouragement during a very difficult time of family loss. Micayla is very grateful to be a part of She Elevates."
A retired Canton City Schools teacher, Pressley launched a second career as an author, inspirational and corporate speaker and professional development consultant. She has been featured on "Oprah" and "Entertainment Tonight."
In 2016, she was given a lifetime achievement award by the Obama administration.
"A little girl who was poor − though I didn't realize it at the time − but has had the opportunity to do some amazing things" she said. "I knew I had to give back."
Pressley said the academy needs more volunteers and mentors.
"We have women who speak to them, whom we call 'Sheroes,'" she said. "We're looking for people for our advisory council which meets four times a year, and we have an executive board."
Jennifer Dyer, vice president of operations at the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank, served on the She Elevates advisory board for two years. She recently transitioned to the executive committee.
Dyer said the decision to serve was an easy one.
"I am a former elementary school student of DeLores Pressley," she said. "We reunited as class participants in Leadership Stark County’s 34th class. Just a few months after graduating from the program, DeLores contacted me to discuss my interest in supporting She Elevates by joining the Advisory Council. It was an easy yes because as a young girl I struggled with confidence and had no programs like this to shape my future self. I am blessed to be a part of this foundational work that truly is transformational for our She Elevates girls and honestly for all of us, as well."
"Girl power!"
Pressley said her drive to empower girls began in childhood.
"My mother said I came out of womb shouting 'Girl Power!'" she said with a laugh.
She noted that her participation as a student in an entrepreneurial program at the former Lathrop School was an early spark for She Elevates.
"I met the owner of the (former) Ohio Theater," she recalled. "I've never forgotten that they took us to dinner at the Town & Country. It took me 30 years to really develop She Elevates. I said 'I'm going to start a program where girls can learn about being confident.'"
She also noted that the academy is in the process of compiling a book of "love letters" that the girls have written to themselves.
Pressley said her own experiences inspire her to introduce academy participants to business leaders such as Ramona Hood, president and CEO of Fed Ex Custom Critical, one of just 43 Black women leading Fortune 500 companies.
Pressley said she hopes to organize a She Elevates Academy Summit in 2025.
"We're just trying to make sure the girls have a powerful voice; that they're confident leaders and entrepreneurs and CEOs," she said. "We teach them that 'You are amazing. You are powerful.'"
Dinner tickets are $85 each. For more information, call 877-550-1751 or visit www.SheElevates.org.
Reach Charita at 330-580-8313 or charita.goshay@cantonrep.com. On Twitter: @cgoshayREP
This article originally appeared on The Repository: She Elevates Academy for girls celebrates five years
