RHYTHM + HUES

Rhythm & Hues and the Children's Rainbow Fund: Cultivating Creativity + Community in West Palm Beach

In the heart of West Palm Beach, Rhythm & Hues stands as a beacon of creativity and community engagement. Founded in 2015 by CJ Valle, a lifelong educator and philanthropist, the center is dedicated to fostering joy, imagination, and values in every child's day. With a mission to inspire creativity, kindness, and individuality in children from birth through age 12, Rhythm & Hues offers a vibrant space where families can connect, learn, and grow together.

A Hub for Childhood Enrichment

Rhythm & Hues provides a diverse array of programs designed to nurture the creative spirit in children. From art and music classes to movement and play sessions, the center offers enrichment opportunities that cater to the developmental needs of young learners. Specialized classes like the Rainbow Circuit, tailored for babies and toddlers, focus on short, engaging activities that promote early learning and socialization. For older children, offerings include preschool readiness programs, Spanish language classes, and private instruction, all aimed at building confidence and curiosity.

Beyond regular classes, Rhythm & Hues hosts a variety of events and activities to keep families engaged. From "Kids Night Out" drop-off sessions to themed parties and seasonal celebrations, there's always something exciting happening at the center. The annual "RAINBOWpalooza" festival, a family-friendly event featuring live music, interactive workshops, and games, exemplifies the center's commitment to community spirit and kindness.

The Children's Rainbow Fund: Giving Back to the Community

At the core of Rhythm & Hues' philanthropic efforts is the Children's Rainbow Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting businesses and initiatives that positively impact the community. Through the fund, Rhythm & Hues provides donations to local organizations and projects that align with their mission to uplift and create positive change. The fund also plays a pivotal role in events like "RAINBOWpalooza," with proceeds benefiting causes such as Nicklaus Children's Hospital, a top-ranked pediatric care facility in South Florida.

A Legacy of Love, Learning, and Laughter

Rhythm & Hues is more than just an enrichment center; it's a community hub where families come together to celebrate creativity and kindness. Through its programs, events, and philanthropic endeavors, the center continues to make a lasting impact on the children and families of West Palm Beach. As CJ Valle aptly puts it, "We believe that joy is essential. Childhood should be full of color, creativity, and celebration."

Let's go behind-the-scenes with a special Q+A Interview with Founder, Courtney Valle:

Q: Can you tell us about the inspiration behind Rhythm & Hues? What sparked the idea and how did it evolve into what it is today?

A: Rhythm & Hues was born from both a lifetime in child development and a deep desire to reimagine what childhood should feel like—joyful, expressive, creative, and safe. After decades as a nanny, teacher, and founder of family-focused businesses, I realized something vital was missing in our communities: a central space where children could be children—free to explore the arts, discover who they are, and be celebrated for their uniqueness. That spark ignited the creation of Rhythm & Hues: a vibrant enrichment center and community impact brand that brings color, values, movement, and magic back into childhood.

Q: Rhythm & Hues offers a variety of programs for children. Which programs are you most passionate about and why?

A: I’m deeply passionate about our Birth to 3 programs and our Royal Within Virtues Collection offerings. Early childhood is a sacred window of development—so much of who a person becomes is shaped in those first few years. We start with supporting moms in pregnancy and welcoming their babies at birth to “Come Be Happy With Us”. Our programs focus on connection, communication, and core developmental milestones. On the other hand, our virtues-based programming—like the “Princess of Kindness” from our Royal Within series—helps children build character, empathy, and emotional literacy through storytelling, music, and movement. These aren’t just classes—they’re transformative moments that shape lifelong values.

Q: How does your background in education and child development influence your approach to the enrichment center's offerings?

A: My career began at 12 as a babysitter, and by 15, I was a weekend nanny. I’ve worked in every room of a preschool, studied education and women’s studies, and helped raise more than a dozen children—including my own. That hands-on, heart-forward background drives everything we offer at Rhythm & Hues. Every activity is developmentally aligned, but also filled with whimsy and magic—because I believe that learning should be both purposeful and playful.

Q: The annual RAINBOWpalooza festival is a standout event—what was your vision behind this celebration, and how has it impacted the local community?

A: RAINBOWpalooza is our love letter to childhood. We didn’t set out for it to be more than our 1st birthday party celebration with the whole city, but magic was made so let’s go! Once we decided to do it again (and again 5 times now!) I wanted to create a festival where every color of the rainbow represented the happiest celebration of the year based on what really matters—kindness, happiness, courage, imagination, love, gratitude, and joy. It’s a full day of music, movement, art, and surprises that families talk about all year long. It is community run and donor funded to provide a free festival in a town where very little is cost effective for families let alone free like our happy day. It’s also a fundraising vehicle for our Children’s Rainbow Fund, helping us bring joy to children who need it most year round. For the community, it’s become a signature moment of connection and celebration—something we all need more of. Even if you’ve never been, chances are you’ve heard about RAINBOWpalooza : The Festival of Kindness I see our festival having the opportunity and maybe even the obligation to become our city’s new Sunfest! A festival rooted in pure childhood joy and community engagement that shines a different light on why art & music matter. This year our “childhood need” is focused on suicide prevention in children. September is Suicide Prevention Month and we intend to make this day stand out in their lives as a memory to never give up and always look forward to the rainbow after the storm. Kids perform, parents smile, community connects and its all pure joy!

Q: Could you share more about the Children’s Rainbow Fund—its mission, its impact, and how it complements the work you do at Rhythm & Hues?

A: The Children’s Rainbow Fund (CRF) is our 501(c)(3) foundation and the heartbeat of our give-back efforts. Its mission is simple: Joyfully Experiencing Childhood. Through CRF, we provide R&H services at cost or free to daycare, libraries, incoming foster care children, instrument scholarships, camps at cost, fund community events, and support families and children facing hardships of any kind. Whether it's sending a Princess of Courage to visit a child battling illness, or hosting free play days in underserved parks, CRF ensures that every child has access to moments of joy, wonder, and enrichment. It amplifies everything we do at Rhythm & Hues by making joy accessible. Little known fact is that we give away to more children and families than we charge so the cost to operate out ways the income, CRF creates the bridge.

Q: What challenges have you encountered while running a creative children's center, and how have you overcome them?

A: I have built, scaled and sold multiple companies over 25 years of entrepreneurship, this has been the hardest “thing” I have ever “sold”. Balancing creativity with business operations is always a dance. More often than not I am left standing pretty much alone in the belief that a child’s enrichment matters more that a handbag or a latte when parents and municipalities don’t support what we do. That is why its more effective for the children if WE give it away so the parents aren’t left to choose. Add in a global pandemic, a head injury, and building something completely original from scratch—and the path hasn’t always been easy. BUT ALWAYS REWARDING! I’ve learned to lead with vision and surround myself with people who believe in our mission. Our greatest wins have come from community collaboration, resilience, and sheer determination to make magic happen—especially when children are counting on us.

Q: How do you see the role of arts, movement, and play in shaping children’s emotional and social development?

A: They’re everything. Art helps children express what they don’t have words for. Movement regulates the body and mind. Play is where imagination becomes reality and friendships are formed. These aren’t just “extras”—they’re foundational to developing confident, empathetic, emotionally intelligent humans. When we nurture the whole child through creative expression, we build happier futures. When my mindset was that of a child while recovering from a traumatic brain injury I didn’t want to deal with anything that didn’t bring me joy or make me sing & dance. By making the decision to embrace that new childlike mindset I was able to heal, evolve and truly understand that HAPPINESS IS HEALTH and HEALTH IS WEALTH. Children need us to teach them that, emulate that, and encourage that way of life.

Q: Community appears to be at the heart of your organization. How do you engage with local families and partners to amplify your mission?

A: We started our business in the community giving away art, music, and joy at every city event 4 days a week before our doors even opened. Its that grassroots authentic family time that people got to know us and trust us with their happiest memories and milestones. My kids were there every step of the way and families saw me being not just “Ms Courtney” but I was a real life “doing all at once” mom. We don’t just serve the community—we build with them and for them. From our creativity, custom parties, family music classes, or festivals, we’re constantly finding ways to blend joy with impact. We work with daycares, libraries, hospitals, real estate developers, small businesses, and even wedding planners to integrate our message of joyful childhood into every corner of the community. We are known for our colorful rainbow branding as much as we are known for spreading joy and that at home “CHEERS” feeling.

Q: Looking ahead, what are your hopes or upcoming goals for both Rhythm & Hues and the Children’s Rainbow Fund?

A: We are preparing to expand Rhythm & Hues into affiliate-owned centers across the country—each one a hub of creativity, connection, and care. Our long-term goal is to open 100 “Happy Place in Town” locations in five years, with CRF funding those who need support. Our first grand scale impact center, located in the heart of West Palm Beach, to be known as “The Sandbox Social House” is in site development right now with capital funding initiatives starting this summer! We will be building the all in one family hub that our community ( and the world!) is so desperately in need of. I have been developing it since 2022 while I was recovering, because hoping for a brighter and whole tomorrow for us all is all I could do. We’re also building digital tools like NuDai, a platform that unites business and family management in one enchanted experience. My hope? That no matter where a child lives, happiness & rainbows finds them and supports their childhood the way they need us the most.

Q: What advice would you give someone aspiring to step into a similar mission?

A: You have to work for purpose and not money. I teach all that encounter us this is not a business, this is a way of life. You can only do the right thing by a child if you are there for THE CHILD not the check. Don’t wait to be ready—start with what you know in your heart is needed. Our building wasn’t ready for two years, so we started outside. Then with a TBI I couldn’t remember anything about business but I could remember the freeze dance- just start where you are! Lead with love, listen to your community, and remember: there is power in play, purpose in passion, and strength in softness. And if your journey feels messy, magical, or both—you’re probably doing it right.

Q: If you could change one thing about this world, what would it be + why?

A: I would make joy a priority in every policy, institution, and family. Joy isn’t frivolous—it’s foundational. A joyful child becomes a kind adult. A joyful community becomes a thriving one. If we could all shift our values to protect and prioritize joy, the world would heal in ways we can’t yet imagine. Joyfully Expressing Creativity isn’t just our tagline line. It’s my whisper to the world for how to live the best life.

Q: Lastly, how can our audience support your work or get involved in your programs and events?

A: COME BE HAPPY WITH US for yourself first and foremost. We need a village to put the child back in childhood with us! You can always support us by sharing our mission, donating to the Children’s Rainbow Fund, or booking a Rhythm & Hues experience in your home, school, or neighborhood. Follow us on social media, join us at RAINBOWpalooza, or help sponsor a local “Happy Place in Town.” We are currently seeking a sponsor for our SoSo location as we are ready to expand to the north end and build what’s next while maintaining the “Happy Place In Town” impact we have in the south end of West Palm Beach. Every dollar, every voice, every smile helps us spread the joy a little further.

We hope you've enjoyed learning more about these spectacular initiatives and the mission behind this beautiful vision. This is what Inspired Living is all about!

For more information about Rhythm & Hues and the Children's Rainbow Fund, please visit rhythmandhues.com

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