CTB Welcomes Two Additional Board Members: MarChelle McKizzie & Paris Lumb
Celebrate the Beat (CTB) persevered during the challenges 2020 brought, and the 21-year-old nonprofit didn’t just pivot, it swiveled, adapted, and thrives today! The joy of children in the CTB program is inspiring and continually draws more individuals to want to get involved. MarChelle McKizzie and Paris Lumb are the latest two examples of exceptional people who choose to dedicate their time, expertise, and passion to enhance the positive impact CTB is making.
MarChelle McKizzie has been working with TIAA for over 13 years as a quality analyst. She is also the National Communications Co-Chair of EMPOWERED African American Business Resource Group (BRG) and is a member of the Young Professionals BRG. In addition, MarChelle possesses a strong passion for the arts. She is a singer/songwriter, an active leader in the Denver arts community, and a member of several arts and music organizations.
MarChelle knew she wanted to get involved when she learned about CTB through her associate, Mariah Gayheart, who is also a CTB board member. What MarChelle was struck by most was the deep impact the programming has on the participants through the unique teaching methodology.
“Art is everywhere. You have to welcome it in yourself,” said MarChelle, “You have to be open to finding it and welcoming it in new ways, and CTB helps children discover that.”
When asked what change she would like to see in the world, MarChelle answered, the importance of seeing and recognizing others for who they are, welcoming differences, and then creating more room for everyone to have a seat at the table. MarChelle strives to aid this change by continuing to be a light and bring others along. She is delighted to share her skills, perspective, and passion to CTB, and the members of CTB are immensely grateful that MarChelle has joined the team.
Paris Lumb is a licensed real estate broker and attorney in the State of Colorado. She is a full-time real estate agent, focusing on achieving unparalleled client outcomes in the Denver Area.
While Paris works full-time, she also teaches morning Jazzercise classes. She was introduced to CTB by one of her Jazzercise students, Liz Barclay, who is currently serving as CTB’s Vice President of the Board. Liz invited Paris to a CTB fundraiser in the fall of 2019, and when the children started dancing, Paris said it reminded her of a program she participated in that truly changed her life. When Paris was a child, she didn’t feel like she found her purpose until she found art and dance camp.
Last spring, Paris held an online fundraiser for CTB with her friends and even delivered homemade treats to her friends that purchased tickets. While Paris doesn’t have kids of her own, she feels a personal connection to Celebrate the Beat because of her own childhood experience.
When asked what change she would like to see in the world, Paris said, she would like more kindness and generosity with each other as humans. She shared that this is the reason she wanted to become more involved with the organization, because CTB helps children find their beat.
“When we can find out what we like to do and what makes us tick,” shared Paris. “And when we find who we are and our path, we can learn how to express ourselves, we can do so much. CTB is there for kids who do not have access to formal dance classes.”
Paris can’t wait to begin working more closely with CTB.
Celebrate the Beat’s staff and board are proud MarChelle and Paris are joining in supporting the mission of CTB. Together, through the power of dance, CTB is improving children’s physical health and well-being, inspiring them to believe in themselves, and establishing a standard of excellence that impacts all aspects of their lives! The sky's the limit with these remarkable additions to CTB’s board.
If you’d like more information on how you can join Celebrate the Beat’s board of directors or to volunteer on a board committee, please contact Mikayla Houser at mikayla@ctbeat.org.