2008: The Motivational Edge Founded
ME was born in 2008, Founded by Mr. Ian Welsch, who saw the future of this community and its children slipping away through the crevices of a deteriorating educational system and systematic recoil of the arts in the classroom.
Early 2011: First Programming Launched & First Grant
In early 2011, The Motivational Edge launched its first reading camps aligned with the Miami Dade County Public Schools. Later on in April we received our first health and literacy grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield!
Summer 2011: His House Partnership & More Programming
In July 2011, we began our relationship with His House. Today the partnership is almost a decade old and has helped thousands of children. Additionally The Motivational Edge launched academic, music and physical education programming for over 150 foster youth.
September 2011: First Audio Recordings
Towards the end of 2011, the first audio recordings were created and performed live on stage by The Motivational Edge youth.
June 2012: Allapattah Music & Literacy Center Opens
The Allapattah Music & Literacy Center opens to provide a safe learning environment for at risk youth after almost a year of building and staffing by The Motivational Edge.
September 2013: Major Grants Awarded
Both The Target Foundation and Dollar General Literacy Foundation become the first major retail sponsor of The Motivational Edge. Their grant money funded innovative programs for youth living in Miami Florida.
December 2013: ME and Lil’ Wayne
Lil Wayne partners with ME for an Indiegogo campaign to serve hundreds of youth in Phoenix, Arizona.
March 2014: The Motivational Edge is awarded a $50,000 Knight Arts Challenge grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation for their Lyrical Expression and Audio Recording program.
September 2014: Allapattah Music & Literacy Center / Irie Foundation Partnership
Miami, FL., July 22, 2014 (Newswire.com) – The Motivational Edge’s Allapattah Music and Literacy Center will be renamed Irie Foundation – Allapattah Music and Literacy Center. A generous donation of $75,000 gives Irie Foundation exclusive naming rights to this center for the length of one-year. The funding will directly support the ever-growing music, arts and academic based programming offered to the under-resourced youth from Allapattah and the surrounding areas of Brownsville and Liberty City.
Fall 2015: Homeless Youth Partnership
An alliance between ME and Chapman Partnership is announced. ME serves hundreds of youth through their partnership.
Fall 2015: Berklee College of Music Partnership
The Motivational Edge is announced as one of Berklee College of Music’s City Music Partners. As one of the 46 full members of the Berklee City Music Network, The Edge leverages their partnership to receive valuable guidance and support from world-renowned musicians and professionally trained instructors, exposing them to unique experiences, including providing scholarship opportunities to our youth.
Dec 2015: KIND Snacks Partnership
The Edge holds an Art Basel student showcase in Wynwood in conjunction with KIND snacks.
January 2016: Lyrical Expression Launched
The Motivational Edge’s most renowned and impactful program launches with teenagers at Kinloch Park after partnering with Commissioner Wifredo Willy Gort.
May 2016: The Edge participates in Techversify
Spring 2016: Programming Expansion
The Motivational Edge expands it’s musical programming in partnership with Irie Foundation and physical education with Yoga Gangsters.
July 2016: City of Miami Proclamation
ME was presented with a City of Miami Proclamation declaring July 29th The Motivational Edge Day by Mayor Tomas Regalado
Summer 2016: Tampa Expansion
February 2017: UM Partnership
A qualitative research study conducted by the Department of Educational and Psychological Studies at the University of Miami that revealed that out of a cohort of 10 juvenile offenders we worked with during the study: 100% of youth participants who completed The Edge’s lyrical expression program experienced an improvement in their abilities to express both positive and negative emotions.
Fall 2017: ME awarded 5 year funding from The Children’s Trust.
October 2017: Envelopes of Safety
In 2017, we formed a partnership with Miami Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) and City Commissioners to launch an initiative to lower the violence rates in undeserved neighborhoods. The initiative, which was called “Envelopes of Safety” (EOS) focused on keeping youth off the streets. The Edge in collaboration with City Mayor Francis Suarez and the City Commission launched the EOS initiative across 13 MDCPS schools during the 2017-18 school year.
September 2018: Launched Allapattah Campus
10 years in the making, The Campus features a state-of-the-art recording studio & multipurpose creative space, where students can explore audio production/recording, visual arts, instrumentation, and dance. The campus in Allapattah is open! Come visit us Monday-Friday from 2-6 or schedule a tour.
December 2018: Major Grant
Awarded $90,000 from Commissioner Willy Gort City of Miami.
March 2019: Reading Corner
Launch of our Willy Gort Reading Corner at The Campus.
April 2019: BVI
A team of 6 head to the BVI (British Virgin Islands) to work with kids on various islands as The Edge seeks to re-launch Foxy’s School of Music on Jost Van Dyke with support from other organizations.
August 2019: Relaunch of Foxy’s School of Music.
December 2019: True Colors Teaching Artists’ showcase.
January & February 2020: Create your Beat Student showcases.
March 2020: Essential Services
The Edge is deemed an essential service as COVID hits. The team pivoted to provide emergency day sheltering, hot meals, academic assistance, and other essential services to dozens of youth in foster care and within the community.
December 2020: Adulthood Program Launches
Launch of the TAP (Transition to Adulthood Program) and fundraising campaign on Classy
Feb 2021: Local Leader Visit
D1 City of Miami Commissioner De La Portilla visits the Allapattah Campus
July 2021: Partnership with Elma Music Foundation
The Elma Music Foundation committed to 2 years of support to improve outcomes for our most challenging youth by leveraging music and as a transformational tool
August 2021: Community Performance with Miami-Dade Police Department
The Edge participates in the National Night Out event in conjunction with Miami-Dade Police Department. The annual community-building campaign promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie.
Fall 2021: Brevard County, FL Expansion
The Motivational Edge re-launches workshops with Eckerd Connects in Brevard County Florida
Spring 2022: Miami Heat Partnership
The Allapattah Campus was renamed a Miami Heat Learn and Play Center presented by Florida Blue. Resources, including a technology upgrade and a major facelift to the interior space have helped add even more positive energy into our one-of-a-kind space to move young lives forward
August 2022: DCF + FYLA Performance
The Motivational Edge and Alexander Star worked with FYLA (Florida Youth Leadership Academy) throughout the year leading up to a culminating event at the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Annual Summit in Orlando Florida.
August 2022: St Lucie County Launch
Partnered with Flying Pig Ranch in St Lucie County to Offer Arts with Animals Programming
September 2022: New Program in Melbourne, FL
Partnership with the DOCK (Dorcas Outreach Center for Kids) is formed to bring The Edge’s solutions-focused programs to high risk teens in Melbourne, Florida.
November 2022: Programs Launch in Treasure Coast, FL
Entered into a contract with Communities Connected for Kids to work with you in foster care in the Treasure Coast Region.
March 2023: Teaching Artist Supports Florida School
Partnered with Sebastian Elementary School of the Arts, providing an Edge Teaching Artist to collaborate with the school and students on their end-of-year showcase production.