help needed for beginner-cropping and color

[Veronica23881684aw9f]

I downloaded AI to make a business logo and have been pouring over articles and Youtubing to no avail. My logo is mostly complete but I need to figure out how to get rid of the white background and how to lighten the purple and cannot figire out how to do either. I have attached a pic of my screen. Any tips or advice would be so appreciated!

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Could you please post a proper screenshot including the Swatches Panel? 

https://www.take-a-screenshot.org

I fail to notice light purple elements in the logo so far. 

If you want to create a new Swatch you can click the »New Swatch«-button in the Swatches Panel. 

If you want a Grid instead of a white »canvas« try View > Show Transparency Grid. 

Where do you want to use the logo after finishing it? 

[Monika Gause]

So you used image trace?

Looks like it is still not expanded.

You need to expand it in order to be able to change anything in it.

You might still fail. Depending on exactly how you traced it.

Building it from scratch using some simple shapes and text would have been better.