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Dream Builders 4 Equity

@dreambuilders4equity

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"Building Social Equity through Financial Equity" #DB4E

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Get ready for the most electrifying chess experience of the year. Enjoy a live DJ, food, prizes, and fellowship with more than 100 chess enthusiasts. Come out on November 8th for a fun afternoon! by @dreambuilders4equity

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8 hours ago

Exposure is so important as we prepare our scholars for the next steps in their career journeys. We’re intentional about showing them many paths to success and connecting them with professionals who bring real, lived experience.

On this week, we explored a range of career fields and several developments that are making a positive impact on our region. A huge thank you to Cindy Bambini and Liz DeBold Austin for putting together a star-studded week for our young people!

Our scholars learned a great deal at Powell Symphony Hall, discovering the strategy, design, and collaboration behind the enhancement of this beautiful space, a true jewel of our region. At The Foundry, they gained valuable insight into how developments like this strengthen our region. Next, we spent time with Tarlton, visiting their headquarters and the historic Old Courthouse. The @tarltoncorp team poured wisdom into our scholars and inspired us with important history lessons. We wrapped up the week at @cannondesign_stl, where our scholars competed to design a sustainable, efficient building for a community.

Thank you to Peg Weathers, D’Marco Williams, Bryan King, Steve Dietiker, Jassen Johnson, John Morrissey, and so many others for making this week such a success!
📸 @jay_mo3productions by @dreambuilders4equity

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2 days ago

Our Leaders and Fellows have been in our program for more than two years, and that comes with more responsibility. As they continue with our program, they are pushed to use the skills they’ve been learning and take more ownership of their work.

Our Fellows got hands-on exposure to the development process. Throughout the summer, they met with the founder and architect at @blackarc.design to learn about the relationship between architects and contractors and how both roles work together to take a project from an idea to a finished space.

Working alongside Melisa Sanders, they learned how to properly measure and document the existing space and understand the information an architect and contractor need before work can begin.

The DB4E team will be creating dormitories at our headquarters campus. These dorms will be used for emergency housing for DB4E youth, providing a safe and stable place to stay when they need it most. Our Fellows can now proudly say they were part of the first steps in redeveloping our headquarters and helped shape what comes next.

Our Leadership Scholars were tasked with creating and leading a community event. They chose a car wash and were responsible for figuring out what needed to happen to make it successful. They decided everyone’s roles, made sure they had the materials they needed, and taught each other along the way. Staff was there for moral support, but the scholars were responsible for making it happen.

Owning these projects helps our scholars build confidence in their skills and abilities. Letting them lead, make decisions, solve problems, and see their work come to life helps them see what they are capable of.
📸 @jay_mo3productions by @dreambuilders4equity

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12 days ago

Week 6 was a packed week full of experiences!

We started the week with a trip to @cushwake. It’s important to us that our scholars get opportunities to discover unique jobs and careers that they wouldn’t normally get to see. The Cushman & Wakefield team let our young people shadow their team, then hosted a panel that taught them about different career opportunities, their own career journeys, and how they got to where they are today.

The next day, our resident mathematician switched things up a bit and challenged our scholars to do some math. Math is a skill that a lot of young people shy away from. However, Dr. Ware helped them better understand mathematical concepts using African mathematical methods, bringing in culture and history along the way.

While the Academy students were busy, our Leaders, Fellows, and Apprentices also met with a representative from the NAACP. They gained insight into advocacy and leadership, the continued importance of being engaged in our communities, and why it’s important to learn about your local government.

Julian Gilliam also came out and spoke with our scholars about his journey and the importance of creating opportunities for yourself. He talked about being creative when adversity strikes, knowing when to pivot, and being willing to learn and experience new things to create another path to success.

Wrapping up the week for our Academy scholars, mental health was the topic. @dear.fathers and Brad Edwards led a team-building activity focused on collaboration while creating space for meaningful conversations around mental health.

Thank you to all of our community partners who continue to show up for our young people, open doors, share their knowledge, and create great experiences for them.
📸 @jay_mo3productions by @dreambuilders4equity

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22 days ago

Friday night we celebrated 10 of our scholars at the @walkerswinners Goal Setter 2 Goal Getter Reception, where they were recognized for their hard work, growth, and commitment to their personal journeys.

Our scholars got to meet Jordan Walker, share a special dinner with their families, friends, and the DB4E team, then cap off the night cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals as they took on the Washington Nationals.

We’re grateful to Walker’s Winners for creating a space where young people are celebrated for their consistency, diligence, and commitment to turning their goals into accomplishments.

Congratulations to all 10 of our scholars!
📸 @jay_mo3productions by @dreambuilders4equity

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24 days ago

In Week 5, the @urbanlandinstitute (ULI) joined our Academy cohort and gave scholars a comprehensive introduction to community development. The scholars broke into real estate development teams and were challenged to think beyond building solely for financial gain. They had to identify their stakeholders and consider the many factors that contribute to an equitable and sustainable community. This session gave our new scholars insight into the processes we go through as we develop in the Hyde Park community. We extend our gratitude to Harvey Love, Kaitlyn Kettlekamp, Aaron Williams, and the entire ULI team for their investment in our scholars.

For our Leadership Cohort, this week was also about learning and understanding community development, but from a different perspective. Scholars began the week canvassing the Hyde Park neighborhood, engaging directly with residents to identify priorities for community improvement and help determine recipients for our next round of free home repairs for senior residents. 
They then visited the Mill Creek exhibit at the Missouri History Museum, learning about a once-thriving community and the impact that decisions around development and investment can have when the voices and needs of residents are not included in the process. The experience gave scholars an opportunity to connect what they had previously learned about community development to the history of St. Louis and think more deeply about what it means to develop communities equitably and why it is important to go out and talk to residents, build relationships, and understand the needs of a community before making decisions that will impact it. 
Last but certainly not least, we are grateful to Leslie Hughes, Founder of @frizzfest, for joining the group and sharing her leadership journey and entrepreneurial insights with our scholars. The conversation was a meaningful way to close out a week centered on leadership, community, and understanding the responsibility that comes with having a role in shaping a community.
📸 @jay_mo3productions by @dreambuilders4equity

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a month ago

So much action in Week 4! The entire crew went to @junior_achievement_stl and was exposed to a full gamut of construction training, an immersive experience that highlighted many options in the construction industry.

The week didn’t stop there. Our Fellows cohort was tasked with prep support for the “Yeah I Built That” event with Construction Forum. The scholars not only supported the event but also connected with many construction professionals.

Wednesday was our Neighborhood Clean Up Day, and nothing beats seeing the community come together to create impact. Our Leadership cohort led the clean-up activities, partnering with both @usbank and @gatewayglobalayba

Also during this busy week, our Apprentice cohort worked with Dr. Cierra Wourman and Rachel Carpenter from UMSL Honors College. They guided our scholars in developing strong personal statements and using their personal stories and experiences to strengthen their scholarship applications and potentially secure additional scholarship dollars.
📸 @jay_mo3productions by @dreambuilders4equity

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2 months ago

It would not be a DB4E Summer Academy without Poetry Week with the amazing @yourwordsstl. The great @paciaelaine spent the week sharpening our scholars’ poetry skills. When you think of a workforce organization, you probably wouldn’t think poetry would be a main component. However, there’s a method to our madness, we know poetry has a way of allowing our scholars to be vulnerable and push through their nerves when speaking publicly. During Poetry Week, we learn so much from each other. This is usually the week we truly become family.

Following tradition, we visited one of our favorite places, the @gatewayarchpark, where scholars wrote and practiced their pieces in preparation for Friday’s poetry performances.

The scholars performed their poems at @wildfruitprojects, and we were completely blown away by the vulnerability and creativity of the young people. Major shoutout to our Lead Academy Facilitator and poetry master of ceremonies, Gerald Burton, for creating an atmosphere that encouraged every scholar to be their authentic self. Each year, our scholars’ writings are compiled and published in a book of their work, reinforcing the belief that you can own your story, own your narrative, and earn revenue simply by being your authentic self.
📸 @jay_mo3productions by @dreambuilders4equity

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2 months ago

Sneak peek into a jam packed week 4!
🎥 @ekcend .
🎶 LaMarr Paige by @dreambuilders4equity

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2 months ago

Huge congratulations to Dr. Ware, DB4E’s Director of Programs, for being honored at the House of Soul Juneteenth Festival!

This recognition is so well-deserved. Dr. Ware pours heart and expertise into every program at Dream Builders Summer Academy, helping shape the next generation of skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders here in St. Louis. It was inspiring seeing that work celebrated on a stage.

🎥 @ekcend .
🎶 LaMarr Paige by @dreambuilders4equity

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2 months ago

Sometimes the best way to learn is by doing!

Week 3: Our board member and owner of @buysellhybrid, Mark Butler, spent a full week with our youth, leading a hands on experience that allowed scholars to see themselves as real estate agents, brokers, and developers.

They learned the value of preserving the beautiful homes in our community. They explored the importance of comps, what draws people into a neighborhood, and the real impact development has. Most importantly, they learned how to approach development as a value add with neighbors and community in mind.

The week ended with a competition built around those exact lessons.

Thank you to Amanda Walker, West End Neighborhood real estate investor, for exposing our scholars to great properties. And thank you to Maggie Farrell and Toni Stovall for serving as our guest judges for the week.
📸 @jay_mo3productions by @dreambuilders4equity

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2 months ago

We have big news from Dream Builders Academy! We are officially @nccer certified!

For years, we’ve given our young people real exposure and hands-on training at job sites, working diligently to build relationships with employers. We’ve watched scholars grow and build great careers, and now we’re taking this commitment to the next level.

Now, they’re earning NCCER certifications, putting them ahead before they even enter the workforce. NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) is the gold standard in skilled trades training, recognized by employers nationwide. Our scholars now leave our program with credentials that open real doors in construction, electrical, HVAC, and more.

North St. Louis is building its future, one certified scholar at a time.
📸 @jay_mo3productions by @dreambuilders4equity

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3 months ago