We recently connected with Elizabeth Cannon-Washington and have shared our conversation below.

Elizabeth, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

The idea for The Praise Break actually came out of a very real personal need — and I think that’s why it resonated so deeply with others.

I was in a season where I felt caught in between. I loved God, I was growing in my faith, but I also felt disconnected from a lot of the traditional spaces the church offers for young adults. It was either too formal, too quiet, or it didn’t reflect the kind of energy and freedom I knew was possible in worship.

At the same time, I was seeing so many of my peers — people who genuinely love God — feeling like they had to choose between their faith and their social lives. There just didn’t seem to be a space where we could be fully ourselves: loud, joyful, expressive… and still deeply connected to the presence of God.

One night, THE Lord gave me — The Praise Break. And I started imagining a place that felt like a party, but where the Spirit of God could move freely. Where the lights were dim, the music was loud, the sneakers were fresh, and the atmosphere was charged with praise. I shared it with my best friend, Nautica, and without hesitation she said, “Let’s do it.” I didn’t have a big budget — actually the first three Praise Break where literally funded out of the paychecks of Nautica and I paychecks — but we had an assignment. We weren’t just throwing a Christian event — we were building a bridge. A space for people who were often overlooked or misunderstood: young adults who want authenticity, joy, and a relationship with God that feels real, not religious.

And honestly? The response was immediate. People showed up — not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. They danced, they cried, they reconnected with God. That’s when I knew this wasn’t just a good idea — this was a God idea. And it’s only grown from there.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

**For those who may not have heard of me or The Praise Break yet, my name is Elizabeth Cannon-Washington, and I’m the creator of *The Praise Break* — a faith-based nightlife experience that flips the script on what a Christian gathering can look and feel like.**

I like to say *The Praise Break* was born out of a holy frustration — a feeling that something was missing in the faith space, especially for young adults like me. I’ve always loved God, but I’ve also loved music, movement, creativity, and community. And for a long time, I didn’t see a space that let those parts of me co-exist. It was either church… or the club. It was either Bible study… or brunch with mimosas. And I just believed *we shouldn’t have to choose* between our faith and our fun.

That’s when the vision for The Praise Break came to life — a Christian nightclub experience that’s joyful, unfiltered, and unapologetically God-centered. It’s not a concert or a conference. It’s a *vibe*. It’s where lights meet liberty. It’s a space where you can praise, dance, cry, reconnect, and not be boxed in.

Together with my best friend Nautica, we created this movement — and funded the first event straight from our own paychecks. It wasn’t about perfection. It was about obedience and creating what we wish existed.

**What we offer:**
– We curate high-energy, Christ-centered events featuring live DJs, praise breaks, performances, testimonies, and moments of prayer.
– We build community by partnering with local vendors, creatives, and ministries to make each event city-specific and community-driven.
– We pour back into the neighborhoods we serve by doing food drives, supporting local shelters, and creating safe spaces for healing and freedom.

**What sets us apart:**
We’re not trying to entertain people — we’re trying to encounter God *with* people. We’re rooted in the Gospel, but we present it in a way that feels current, inclusive, and culturally relevant. From the music to the visuals to the language we use, it’s all about keeping the message of Jesus alive without making people feel like they need to “perform” to belong.

**What I’m most proud of:**
I’m proud that The Praise Break is *real*. That it’s helping people heal, find community and replace the idea of the fun of the World with fun that wont leave you feeling compromised, And I’m proud we’ve done all of this as a grassroots ministry, funded by faith and passion.

**What I want people to know:**
We’re just getting started. Whether you’re a believer, curious about faith, or just looking for a space and community — *The Praise Break* is for you. This isn’t about religion. It’s about relationship. It’s about revival. And it’s about creating a movement where freedom, fun, and faith live together.

How’d you meet your business partner?

**The story of how I met the co-founder, Nautica, is honestly one of my favorite parts of The Praise Break journey — because it proves that God is intentional about divine connections.**

We actually met years ago in a pretty casual setting — nothing wild or dramatic. We were both in a season where we were serving in different ministry spaces, crossing paths in events and circles that were faith-based, creative, and community-oriented. What started as mutual respect turned into genuine friendship. We didn’t rush into partnership — we just kept showing up in each other’s lives with consistency, encouragement, and support.

Over time, we realized we had very similar hearts: bold faith, a passion for young adults, and this deep desire to create something *new* — something that didn’t look like what we grew up with, but still honored God fully.

The moment I shared the idea of *The Praise Break* with her, she didn’t even blink. No hesitation. She was like, *“Let’s do it.”* That kind of trust, that kind of alignment — it’s rare. And it’s not just about business with us. There’s a sisterhood, a spiritual accountability, and a shared fire for purpose that fuels everything we do.

She’s not just my business partner — she’s my sister, my prayer warrior, and the other half of this vision God gave us. We balance each other out in all the right ways. Where I dream big, she grounds us in the details. Where I move fast, she makes sure we move right.

I truly believe God brought us together for this assignment — and *The Praise Break* wouldn’t be what it is without both of us walking in that together.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

We didn’t have a huge marketing team or a big ad budget — just a deep belief in what The Praise Break stood for and a desire to create content that felt real. We started posting what we had: behind-the-scenes moments, raw worship clips, testimonies, recap videos, and transparent captions that made people feel seen.

We leaned into storytelling — not just promoting events, but sharing the why behind them. And that drew people in. We focused on community over clout, using our page as a space for conversation, encouragement, and inspiration.

What helped us grow:

Consistency — showing up regularly, even when engagement was low.

Reels & video content — that’s where our heart and vibe translated the best.

User-generated content — reposting guests, tagging vendors/artists, and celebrating the people who make Praise Break what it is.

Prayer & encouragement posts — because we’re not just an event; we’re a movement with a message.

Advice for anyone starting out:

Don’t chase trends—chase truth. Your audience will find you when your voice is clear and your mission is strong.

Start messy. Your content doesn’t have to be perfect — just honest.

Engage more than you post. Talk back to your audience. Thank them. Ask questions. Build relationships, not just followers.

Be patient. Virality is cute, but community is what lasts.

We didn’t blow up overnight. But we’ve built a tribe that gets us — and that’s way better than going viral once and disappearing.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepraisebreak.tx/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551715658902