About Us
WE ELEVATE CHILDREN. WE EMPOWER FAMILIES. WE BUILD STRONGER COMMUNITIES.
Creating a place where children can learn, move, grow, and discover what's possible.
We Elevate U (ELV8U) is a community-focused organization creating new opportunities for children and families in Franklin County.
In partnership with Gym Skills, ELV8U is developing a new whole-child campus that brings education, movement, family support, and opportunity together under one roof.
Our vision is rooted in a simple belief:
When we invest in children, support families, and connect the right resources, we create stronger communities and greater opportunities for the future.
The ELV8U campus is being designed to become more than a place children attend. It will be a connected ecosystem where children can learn, move, build confidence, develop new skills, form relationships, and discover their potential.
For families, it will create access to programs, resources, and opportunities designed around the realities of everyday life.
For the community, it will create a place where organizations, educators, entrepreneurs, professionals, and families can come together around a shared purpose.
We believe the future starts with how we invest in the next generation.
WHO WE ARE
A COMMUNITY BUILT AROUND THE WHOLE CHILD
We Elevate U was created around the idea that children need more than one type of support to thrive.
Education matters.
Movement matters.
Relationships matter.
Confidence matters.
Family support matters.
Access to opportunity matters.
Yet these pieces are often separated across different programs, organizations, and locations.
ELV8U is taking a different approach.
We are creating an ecosystem that brings these elements together so children and families can access meaningful opportunities in one connected environment.
Our work is focused on creating pathways for children to learn, grow, develop physically and socially, explore their interests, and build the confidence to see themselves as capable of achieving more.
At the same time, we recognize that children do not grow in isolation.
Families need support, resources, relationships, and opportunities too.
That's why our vision extends beyond the child.
We are building around the whole child and the whole family.
THE ELV8U + GYM SKILLS PARTNERSHIP
TWO ORGANIZATIONS. ONE SHARED VISION.
The ELV8U vision is being developed in partnership with Gym Skills.
The partnership brings together complementary areas of experience and expertise to create a broader opportunity for children and families in Franklin County.
ELV8U
ELV8U is focused on building community connections, creating access to resources and opportunities, supporting families, and developing a broader ecosystem around children and their communities.
GYM SKILLS
Gym Skills brings extensive experience in gymnastics, movement, youth development, and creating engaging environments where children can develop physical skills and confidence.
Together, these organizations are combining their strengths to create a campus where education, movement, development, and family support can exist under one roof.
OUR VISION
A PLACE WHERE CHILDREN CAN LEARN, MOVE, GROW, AND THRIVE.
We envision a community where children have access to opportunities that support their development in many ways.
A place where a young child can build foundational skills.
Where a school-age child can receive academic support and discover a new interest.
Where a homeschool family can access structured enrichment and physical education.
Where a child with sensory needs can participate in an environment designed with those needs in mind.
Where parents can find resources and connections.
And where community partners can contribute their expertise to something larger than themselves.
That's the future we are working toward.
BUILT WITH THE COMMUNITY. FOR THE COMMUNITY.
EVERYONE HAS A ROLE TO PLAY.
The future of this vision depends on collaboration.
We welcome parents who want greater opportunities for their children.
We welcome educators who believe learning can happen in many forms.
We welcome entrepreneurs who want to share their expertise.
We welcome organizations that want to create meaningful partnerships.
We welcome community leaders who want to help connect resources.
We welcome donors and sponsors who want to invest in children and families.
And we welcome individuals who simply believe that our communities can do more when we work together.
This is not a vision that belongs to one person or one organization.
It is a vision we want to build with the community.
Meet the Founders
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE VISION
Kenny Crump
Kenny Crump is an entrepreneur, investor, mentor, and business owner whose entrepreneurial journey has been closely connected to youth development and movement.
His experience in gymnastics began as a young athlete and later developed into a career in coaching and entrepreneurship.
In 2005, Kenny created the Mobile Gym, bringing gymnastics programming directly into communities.
That vision eventually led to the opening of Gym Skills in 2008.
Through Gym Skills, Kenny has continued to build opportunities for children to develop physical skills, confidence, discipline, and resilience.
His entrepreneurial experience extends beyond gymnastics and youth development, including investments and involvement in a range of business ventures.
Through ELV8U, Kenny is helping expand that vision beyond movement by creating an ecosystem that connects education, development, family support, and opportunity.
Chris Crump
Chris Crump is an entrepreneur, beauty industry professional, and community-focused leader with more than two decades of experience building businesses and relationships.
In 2009, Chris launched Strand Café, becoming a pioneer in Columbus' Short North Arts District by founding one of the area's first Black-owned full-service salons.
Throughout her entrepreneurial career, Chris has developed relationships with business owners, creatives, community leaders, media personalities, and professionals across Columbus.
Her experience has given her a deep understanding of what it takes to build something from the ground up while creating meaningful connections within a community.
Through ELV8U, Chris brings that entrepreneurial experience and community perspective to a larger vision focused on children, families, and opportunity.
JOIN US
THE FUTURE DOESN'T BUILD ITSELF.
IT TAKES ALL OF US
Whether you are a parent, educator, entrepreneur, community leader, donor, organization, or potential partner, there is a place for you in this vision.
You can help by:
EXPLORING THE VISION
Learn more about the campus and what we are building.
CONNECTING WITH US
Introduce ELV8U to families, community leaders, organizations, and potential partners.
SUPPORTING THE VISION
Provide financial support, professional expertise, resources, or connections that can help move the vision forward.
When we come together around children and families, we create possibilities that extend far beyond one program or one building.
When we elevate children, we elevate everyone.
