Growing Into Elegance Foundation is a nonprofit organization designed to educate and motivate youth to discover and explore their inner beauty, unique abilities, and underlying talents.
Our trained staff allows the youth to unfold their dreams, imagine, and ascertain their visions.
We build our principles on “optimism”. Life is full of challenges to distract us, but also opportunities to fulfill us. We teach that obstacles do not define us no matter the depth. If we fall, it strengthens us to strive and endure even more. Besides biweekly etiquette training, social skill activities, and mentoring, we engage in elegant and extraordinary social events. We strongly embrace inclusion, diversity, and community services. You are a part of our community, we believe in you.
Executive Director/President,
Colette Pate
About Growing Into Elegance Foundation
Our History
Colette White-Pate is the founder and former Director of Growing Into Elegance LLC, which originated in October 2012. Through her travels and experiences, she saw a lack of manners and respect in the younger generation. So, she developed the etiquette program to try and impact the lives of the youth in an optimistic manner. She has over twenty years of experience dealing with both children and elderly. She was very active in her church while directing several church plays and the Sunbeam Choir. Faith is her strength and she strongly believes to educate is vital.
Our Mission
Empowering young lives to become
motivated, succeed, build character, increase self-esteem, and awareness. We provide etiquette training, academic support, mentoring and leadership skills to enhance their social well-being. We educate boys and girls at an early age on these developmental skills, which are essential parts of a life. As they mature and become young adults, we expose to role play, teas, and cotillions. The final phase is the Grand Ball which provides a memorable experience.
Our Vision
Our vision is to aspire young people to believe, hope, dream, and envision the tools required to achieve and succeed.
Board of Directors
President/executive Director-Colette White-Pate
Vice President- Carl Dennis
Secretary-Sarah Smith
Treasurer-JoAnn Perkins
Board Members
Doris Goins
Sabrina Joseph
Gwendolyn Burns
Mentoring
Growing Into Elegance Foundation strives to develop a personal relationship with each student and assist with their needs as they arise. We try to prioritize their needs and find the best solution to help them become successful.
