Hello! My name is Amber Melville and I am on the executive board for the Chicago Nonprofit, Lead with Love. Elizabeth Carroll, Brooklyn Jones, and myself all run a 100% free dance program on the South Side of Chicago. Every Saturday morning from 10-12 we teach a variety of dance styles to our class which currently includes sixteen young ladies. This is our fourth year with this program and we continue to grow in size and support. The joy and confidence that we have seen build in these children has been such a privilege to watch.

As you may know, south side Chicago is an underfunded community, which is why having affordable and free fine arts programs are essential to building a community and strengthening the confidence of children of color.

Every year, our organization matches hundreds of children to generous sponsors who purchase their Christmas lists. This takes an enormous weight off of the parent’s shoulders, and allows every child to experience a Merry Christmas. To accompany this holiday drive, our students perform in a Christmas show. They learn multiple dances of different styles and perform for their loved ones, as well as at the Christmas drive.

Because we are a non profit and run strictly off of donations and volunteers, we need a little help in order to provide our girls with what they need to perform. This is why I am running this fundraiser so that we can purchase holiday dance costumes for their Christmas show. Feeling beautiful and confident in a brand new costume of your own is an experience that every dancer gets to feel as they grow up, but underfunded communities don’t get to experience that, without the generosity of our sponsors. Please consider donating and helping us raise the money to buy costumes for our girls. Uplifting women of color has never been more important. I hope you all have a beautiful holiday season.

Thank you,

Amber, Brooklyn, and Lizzy.