Mays Music Centre of Excellence

12/03/2025

Mays Music Centre of Excellence is honored to be a recipient of this grant!

Thank you to the DuPage Foundation for your support of the Arts and Education.

Funding like this helps make our mission, to provide high-quality, diverse music lessons, programs, and ensembles to the Chicagoland Area that are affordable and accessible, a little bit easier.

Thank you again!

- Mikel
President & Founder, Mays Music Centre of Excellence

News flash! Arts DuPage, in partnership with the DuPage Foundation, just announced the recipients of the 2025 Arts and Culture Grant. Competition was tough, but after several sessions, 23 organizations were selected to receive awards. They will use the funds to support arts programs, operations, and/or educational initiatives across DuPage County. Click the link below to see a list of the grantees:
https://www.dupagefoundation.org/our-grantees/2025-arts-dupage-grantees/

11/25/2025

❤️ 🙏🏽

Santa’s Christmas Charities, the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization behind Santa’s Holly Jolly Sleigh Tour, is proud to announce this year’s designated nonprofit beneficiaries.

The 2025 beneficiaries include: Alive Center, Cal's Angels, Career & Networking Center, GiGi's Playhouse Fox Valley, Grow Wellness Foundation , Inside Out Club, Max's Mission, Mays Music Centre of Excellence, Naperville Police Foundation, Naperville Professional Firefighters for a Cause, Naperville Youth Club, and The Branch Giving Tree.

100% of all funds raised go to these local nonprofits. Our organization is all volunteer, so please donate, even just a few dollars, if you enjoy seeing Santa and Mrs. Claus come through your neighborhood.

DONATE >> https://www.santassleightour.com/sponsorships-IL

https://www.santassleightour.com/santas-holly-jolly-sleigh-tour-announces-12-local-nonprofits-as-the-2025-beneficiaries

The Branch Moms ~ US

11/09/2025

🌟 Thank you for an amazing Beats 2 Business 2025 🌟

This year’s conference brought together entrepreneurs, creatives, and community leaders for a weekend of learning, connection, and growth.

Our speakers shared honest reflections and practical strategies — reminding us that the path to success is rarely straight. They offered real tools to stay motivated, navigate challenges, and lead with purpose, leaving everyone inspired to keep pushing forward.

Each evening closed with unforgettable performances: Mays Music’s Harmony & Soul opened the weekend Friday night, followed by Chakra Da Kyd’s Saturday performance and a moving unplugged session with Chakra Da Kyd and Mikel L. Mays to wrap up the event. 🎶

💡 Save the Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Next year, we’re bringing it all together in one amazing day of business insight, creativity, and live music.

Stay tuned for updates at www.maysmusic.org
🎟️



Thank you Tone Ross for photos of our speakers in action!

10/22/2025

Meet Dr. Kourtney Ross — leading with purpose, equity, and innovation in higher education. 🎓

We’re proud to welcome Dr. Kourtney Ross, Assistant Dean of Students at the University of Chicago, to the Beats 2 Business Conference 2025 stage!

With over a decade of experience in higher education administration and strategic planning, Dr. Ross brings deep insight into the intersection of student success and academic leadership. Her work focuses on removing barriers for students, developing retention strategies, and creating clear pathways to graduation.

Dr. Ross’s passion for student engagement and creative problem-solving continues to shape policies and programs that support diverse learners and empower future leaders.

At Beats 2 Business 2025, she’ll share how leadership rooted in purpose and equity can inspire lasting impact across education, business, and community spaces.

📅 November 7–8 | Naperville NIU Conference Center
🎟️ Register now → https://www.maysmusic.org/event-details/beats-2-business-2025

10/20/2025

Meet Mark Wright — a leader who built success from the ground up. ✈️

We’re honored to welcome Mark Wright, President, CEO, and Founder of Diverse Facility Solutions (DFS), to the Beats 2 Business Conference 2025 stage.

Mark founded DFS in 2002 after an extensive career in airport and aviation operations, where he served as Station Manager for Vanguard Airlines, Director of Operations for ATA Airlines, and later at Midway Airlines Terminal Consortium.

His deep operational expertise and entrepreneurial drive helped him grow DFS into one of the nation’s leading facility management firms — combining precision, safety, and leadership to deliver excellence across industries.

At Beats 2 Business 2025, Mark will share insights on Entrepreneurship, Business Growth, and Education — exploring how mentorship, certification, and community partnerships can drive both strategic and social impact.

📅 November 7–8 | NIU Naperville Conference Center
🎟️ Register now → https://www.maysmusic.org/event-details/beats-2-business-2025

10/17/2025

Meet Taylor Stapleton — bringing leadership, innovation, and strategy to Beats 2 Business 2025!

We’re excited to welcome Taylor Stapleton, Associate Vice President & Deputy Athletics Director at DePaul University, to this year’s Beats 2 Business Conference.

As a member of DePaul’s executive leadership team, Taylor leads strategic and revenue-driving initiatives across athletics — with a focus on innovation, community visibility, brand expansion, and cross-campus collaboration.

He oversees a wide range of areas, including ticket sales, marketing and fan experience, digital strategy, broadcast operations, corporate partnerships, and NIL strategy.

At Beats 2 Business 2025, Taylor will share how strong leadership, creative strategy, and innovation can drive growth both on and off the field.

📅 November 7–8 | Naperville NIU Conference Center
🎟️ Register now → https://www.maysmusic.org/event-details/beats-2-business-2025

10/16/2025

We’re thrilled to welcome Emily Cummings to the Beats 2 Business 2025 stage!

Award-winning photographer and entrepreneur Emily Cummings brings creativity, strategy, and community together through her work as founder of Ten Little Bluebirds Photography, Emily Cummings Photography, and Studio 25 Naperville — all located in the heart of downtown Naperville.

With a background in technology consulting and a master’s in education, Emily transformed her part-time creative pursuit into multiple thriving businesses.

At Beats 2 Business Conference 2025, she’ll share her journey in creative entrepreneurship and community engagement — offering insight into how passion, purpose, and innovation can fuel success.

📅 November 7–8 | NIU Naperville Conference Center
🎟️ Register now → https://www.maysmusic.org/event-details/beats-2-business-2025

10/11/2025

Last year, keynote speaker Dr. Maria Ellis reminded us that “the gift you were given was never just for you — it was meant to inspire someone else.”

This November, step into a space built for dreamers, doers, and difference-makers. Meet entrepreneurs, educators, and innovators who turned ideas into enterprises — and who want to help you do the same.

✨ Two days of inspiration, strategy, and connection await.
📅 November 7–8, 2025
📍 NIU Naperville Conference Center
🎟️ Register now: www.maysmusic.org/event-details/beats-2-business-2025

09/30/2025

🌟 Calling all Young Dreamers! 🌟

Do you sing, play an instrument, or perform spoken word or monologues? This is YOUR chance to shine on stage! 🎤🎶✨

The Young Dreamers Showcase is coming up on Friday, October 24th—and we’re looking for passionate students in grades 6–12 to share their talent with the community.

Audition Details:
- Acts around 3 minutes or less
- Solo or duet performances accepted
- Virtual submissions due by Friday, October 10 at 10 PM
👉 Submit your audition here: https://forms.gle/VkwwPA3VjQZ6oCry8

Don’t just dream it—show it! 🌈💫