our mission
Building long-term, life-changing relationships with urban youth, equipping them to thrive and contribute to their community.
our history
2018
Jack McGill, Robert Griffith meet in Orlando beginning the discussion of bringing Elevate to Alabama cities of Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and Huntsville.
2020
EBHM board founded with Billy Reiser and Marvin Stewart as co-chairs
2021
Elevate Birmingham launches in Huffman High School as their 13th Affiliate
May 2022
Brent Hutto and Robert Griffith catch a vision for EWA with a trip to Huffman High School to see EBHM in action.
June 2022
Schmidt Moore, Martin Houston, Brent Reilly join Brent Hutto and Robert Griffith as founding board members with Scotty Hollins as Ambassador with guidance from Terrelle Kennedy and Jack McGill
Summer 2022
Board members met with City, School and Community Stakeholders interested in bringing Elevate to Tuscaloosa area
October 2022
Romel Gibson joins the team as Affiliate Developer
April 2023
EWA accepted by EUSA as the 19th Affiliate
May 2023
Mario Cooper hired as Executive Director
June 2023
Jasmine Knox, Roshedra McCradic and Samuel Crawford hired as Teacher Mentors at Central High School
August 9th, 2023
EWA launches with 58 students at Central High
our history
2018
Jack McGill, Robert Griffith meet in Orlando beginning the discussion of bringing Elevate to Alabama cities of Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and Huntsville.
2020
EBHM board founded with Billy Reiser and Marvin Stewart as co-chairs
2021
Elevate Birmingham launches in Huffman High School as their 13th Affiliate
May 2022
Brent Hutto and Robert Griffith catch a vision for EWA with a trip to Huffman High School to see EBHM in action.
June 2022
Schmidt Moore, Martin Houston, Brent Reilly join Brent Hutto and Robert Griffith as founding board members with Scotty Hollins as Ambassador with guidance from Terrelle Kennedy and Jack McGill
Summer 2022
Board members met with City, School and Community Stakeholders interested in bringing Elevate to Tuscaloosa area
October 2022
Romel Gibson joins the team as Affiliate Developer
April 2023
EWA accepted by EUSA as the 19th Affiliate
May 2023
Mario Cooper hired as Executive Director
June 2023
Jasmine Knox, Roshedra McCradic and Samuel Crawford hired as Teacher Mentors at Central High School
August 9th, 2023
EWA launches with 58 students at Central High
help us reach more students
our staff
our board
Regina Harrell
Board Member
Regina Harrell
Regina Harrell is a wife, mom of three, and retired physician. She knows that lifelong education is both important and fun, and she enjoys cheering on Elevate students as they grow and succeed.
Romel Gibson
Board Member
Romel Gibson
[one_third]Romel Gibson is a husband, father, and serves as the Community Outreach Director for Habitat for Humanity of Tuscaloosa.
Julius Peterson
Board Member
Julius Peterson
Husband, Father, and Executive Director of Branch Banking Wells Fargo. Julius is widely recognized as a forward-thinking leader who is committed to empowering his community through innovative strategies and financial wellness education.
Brent Hutto
Board Chair
Brent Hutto
Brent Hutto joined Truck Parking Club in February of 2025 as the Chief Relationship Officer. His responsibilities include growing the Truck Parking Club brand and working with the leading fleets to help them park their trucks legally and efficiently. In his nearly three decades of experience in the freight transportation industry, he has leadership in supply chain data analytics, marketing and media. Hutto speaks broadly within transportation including testifying to the Senate Transportation Committee and is published within supply chain media including the Harvard Business Review. He also dedicates his time to the industry by serving on boards, committees, and has membership with TIA, CSCMP, NASSTRAC, SC&RA, ATA, TCA, NPTC, IANA, NITL, WIT and proudly serves on the board of the American Logistics Aide Network (ALAN). For the past 29 years he has been with Truckstop.com and Randall-Reilly Business Media. Brent is happily married to Teresa, and they have 6 children.
- We believe that EVERY CHILD is of great worth and has the desire and potential to succeed.
- We believe that LONG-TERM, 24/7 RELATIONSHIPS with caring adults have proven positive outcomes in the lives of our urban youth.
- We believe that a HOLISTIC approach is essential for a strong and healthy future for our youth.
- We believe that FULL-TIME, SALARIED TEACHER-MENTORS WHO COME FROM SIMILAR BACKGROUNDS as the students can have a positive influence and make all the difference.
- We believe that the SERVANT LEADERSHIP, creating a culture of selflessness and service, is the foundation for leadership.
- We believe in the intrinsic DIGNITY of every person and act accordingly.
- We believe that COLLABORATION yields the best long-term results, acknowledging that the complex work in our urban centers cannot be done single handedly.