Board Members
Rise Above Academy is a team effort; community members have joined hands for the betterment of our future generations.
Calvin Swan
Founder & President
Calvin Swan, the founder, and president of Rise Above Academy grew up in Chicago as a ward of the state following the tragic death of his grandparents. His parents were never able to care for their children, and as a result, Calvin and his siblings were split throughout the foster care system. Leaving the system at the age of 18, Calvin found himself affiliating with gangs and selling drugs to fill the void in his life and as a way to survive. Throughout his tough childhood and adult life, Calvin’s love for the game of basketball was always present which ultimately lead to the opportunity of playing basketball in college. With hard work and perseverance, Calvin managed to turn his life around. He is now dedicated with full energy to help youngsters avoid the dangers and heartaches that he faced.
Ladawn White
Treasurer
LaDawn is the proud owner of Labor of Love Childcare, LLC, serving the South Bend area, since November of 2018. Labor of Love is a Family Childcare Home that provides childcare services for families with children ages birth to 3 years old. Before her current position, LaDawn had over a decade of experience in the field of Early Childhood Education. During that time, she held positions ranging from Teacher’s Assistant to Director. In addition to her experience, she has earned her Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Western Governors University. She is currently finishing her Master of Arts Degree in Adult and Community Education, from Ball State University. With her credentials and experience, LaDawn plans to offer a comprehensive ‘wrap-around’ childcare program that provides education and activities for the entire family.
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What Our Members Say
We cannot express our happiness when we receive positive feedback from the members of our society. Here are a few of them so we can share our joy with you.