Our Story

Co-founders Michelle and Congo have shared a life and partnership for over 30 years. With Michelle’s 25+ years of expertise in early childhood education and Congo’s passion for performing and teaching world beat percussion, they decided to bring their unique skills together to create a truly one-of-a-kind learning experience for children. United Hearts was born in 2021, amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, from their vision to create a preschool where children take the lead in learning.

They imagined a vibrant, play-based environment enriched with musical instruments from African and Latin diasporas, offering children the chance to explore art in diverse forms and connect with nature through living soil gardening. For two years, Michelle and Congo dedicated themselves to planning and perfecting this vision, awaiting the ideal space to bring it to life. In 2023, the Westside Community Center became available in Colorado Springs, providing the perfect home for United Hearts Community School.

From its humble beginnings, United Hearts has quickly become a beloved part of the Westside Community, providing children a joyful, exploratory education rooted in culture, creativity, and community.