On the South Side of Chicago, in the heart of Roseland, a movement is quietly transforming how young people see themselves — and how the world sees them.
At the center of that transformation is Wanakee Trask, founder and executive director of Elevate Greatness, a nonprofit focused on empowering underserved youth through social-emotional learning, career exposure and community-rooted mentorship.
“I am a product of Chicago,” Trask said. “And I know firsthand the strength, resilience and untapped potential in every young person here.”
Founded in 2020, Elevate Greatness began as a bridge between students and entrepreneurs from their own neighborhoods. But Trask — an entrepreneur, former educator, high school basketball coach and military veteran — quickly realized students needed more than opportunity. They needed support to heal, grow and lead.
“We expanded our focus to include Social Emotional Learning because you can’t thrive academically or professionally if you’re struggling personally,” Trask said. “At Elevate Greatness, we believe in holistic education that prepares students to thrive in every aspect of life.”
Elevate Greatness partners with Chicago Public Schools to help students build emotional intelligence, find mentorship, and explore pathways beyond high school, from college to trades to entrepreneurship.
The nonprofit aims to rewrite the narrative around Chicago’s youth by empowering them and the adults who shape their lives.
Through tailored programming, the organization offers mentorship and career exposure while also supporting teachers and parents. Trask leads leadership workshops for educators and hosts emotional development sessions for families — a full-circle strategy she says is vital for lasting impact.
“We’re not just teaching students — we’re equipping entire communities to uplift them,” she said.
The mission is deeply personal.
Trask grew up in Roseland and later earned a degree in English from Northern Illinois University. Her path included service in the military and years in the classroom as an educator — experiences that sharpened her belief that real change happens when students are seen and supported as whole people.
That belief also fuels her second initiative: Don’t Sleep on Chicago Kids (DSOCK), a storytelling movement that amplifies the voices of youth often overlooked or underestimated.
“Too often, society tries to write a narrative about us that limits our possibilities,” Trask said. “DSOCK is about breaking stereotypes. It’s about celebrating the greatness already here.”
Described as “a brand’s brand,” DSOCK spotlights young Chicagoans defying expectations. The stories — shared across social media and community events — are intertwined with Elevate Greatness’s programming.
“Once they see their true potential, there’s no stopping them,” Trask said. “Elevate Greatness gives them tools. DSOCK gives them a microphone.”
Trask said her work is about justice and about leveling the playing field in a city where too many students are told what they can’t be before they ever get a chance to show who they are.
“I want the world to stop underestimating our kids,” she said. “Because our kids are not just surviving. They are leading. They are innovating. And they are rewriting the story of Chicago.”
For more information on Elevate Greatness or to donate visit https://elevategreatnesschi.org.
