Elevate Indianapolis Alumni Spotlight: Te’Niah Evans on Perseverance and Thriving

In this Elevate Indianapolis alumni podcast, President and CEO Aaron Story and co-host Calvin Washington speak with Te’Niah Evans as the organization marks its 10th anniversary. Evans, a 2022 graduate now studying business at Indiana Wesleyan, reflects on her journey from North Carolina to Indianapolis, her experiences with IPS and township schools, and how Elevate mentors like Ms. Garza and Ms. Banks shaped her path. She shares candid insights about bullying, resilience, motherhood, college, and her vision for financial freedom. Watch to hear Te’Niah's story of overcoming challenges, finding community support, and defining what it means to thrive as a young adult in Indianapolis. 00:00 Sacrifice for Your Goals 00:22 Welcome to Elevate Indianapolis 10-Year Series 00:55 Meet the Host and Calvin Washington 02:30 Introducing Our Guest: Tania Evans (T) 03:40 Growing Up and Moving to Indianapolis 04:28 Adjusting to New Schools and Fitting In 05:25 Overcoming Childhood Challenges 06:30 School Experiences Across the City 07:52 Early Days with Elevate and Getting Involved 09:05 Elevate: High School Reflections and Support 10:35 Mentors Who Made a Difference 12:17 Core Memories and Elevate Impact 13:08 Overcoming Adversity with Mentor Support 17:00 Post-High School Struggles and Sacrifices 18:32 Balancing Goals, Parenting, and Adult Life 19:50 Big Dreams: Education, Work, and Financial Freedom 20:44 Finding Fulfillment and Thriving as a Young Adult 21:17 Advice for the Next Generation 22:34 Reflections on Growing Up with Elevate 24:11 Challenges Facing Indianapolis Youth Today 26:25 What Needs to Change for the Next Generation? 27:49 Celebrating 10 Years of Elevate and Alumni Stories