As an organization whose primary audience is black male youth, our hearts and minds are tormented by recent events that have become all too common. Every announcement that alerts us of the death of another black man reminds us first that this could be one of our boys, and second that this is why Dream Academy exists; to be a beacon of light and a safe space for our growing men who will be future community leaders, doctors, entertainers, husbands, politicians, teachers, and so much more. Our daily thoughts and prayers for them center around their safety and sanity and the hope that one day our communities will cease from having to place a hashtag in front of any more names.
We will not be silent.
We will continue to do the work necessary to effectively address the issues, find solutions, and create change in our communities.
–Brandon R. Scarborough | Executive Director, The Executive Board of Dreams Academy
BRIDGES Program
Apply today!
The Bridges Program is an initiative of Dreams Academy to build “Bridges” between high school students of different backgrounds and races. This idea stemmed from conversations held during the Akron Community Foundation’s “On The Table” event, where friends, acquaintances and other invited guests gather to discuss chosen topics, which in 2019, Dreams Academy hosted a conversation on Race.
Our three main focus areas
Etiquette & Image
Our Programs
Dreams academy
for young men ages 10-15
Dreams academy is for young men ages 10-15. Programming is split into 8 week sessions. During the 8 weeks, students will experience and be exposed to activities and thought-provoking dialogue that will holistically encourage and teach soft skills, problem solving, career guidance, and financial literacy.
THE music & media center
music & media lessons
Like What You See? Apply Today!
Excited for our guys to meet Dennis Butts Jr tonight. He is an extraordinary gentleman, extremely driven and successful. I am sure what he will share will be motivational!
Dope moment at Dreams Academy!
Big thanks to our friend Jerome Moss for coming and speaking life lessons and resources into these young Black men.
It didn’t happen on purpose but look closely and see our smallest guy in the middle. There’s symbolism in that.
Congrats to our Founder and Executive Director @mrdreamsacademy for representing @dreamsacademyusa and being acknowledged on the Cleveland’s Own segment of the morning news at @fox8newscleveland with the @kauliggiving foundation. What an honor! We are extremely proud of his leadership and what we continue to do for our young men in our community!! Awesome job!
We ended our winter sessions with @johnmorganjr2 from @liveyourpurposepodcast1. We had a conversation about passion and purpose. It was so interesting that some of young men felt they already knew what their purpose in life is supposed to be and how they can start now developing the tools they need to flourish in it. Big shoutout to all our speakers, parents, volunteers, and most of all, the great young men that attended this session! Have a safe holiday season!
Need a stocking stuffer for a young man?
We created the Dreams Academy Hygiene Kit. We partnered with 2 Black owned businesses, Lacola’s (Olayinka LaCola) and Stevie E’s Place (Steve Evans) to create these for young men to be fresh and feel good about themselves while doing so.
Contents include:
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Mouthwash
Deodorant
Soap
Exfoliation bag
2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner
Hydrating lotion
Dreams Academy Face Mask
1 free haircut at Stevie E’s place
Affirmation and Instruction booklet
The kits are $25 and includes delivery in Akron and surrounding areas just in time for Christmas!
Cash app $dreamsacademy to purchase or go online to www.dreamsacademyakron.org and use the donate button. Supplies are limited so move fast.
Help your young King stay clean!!
Shout out to @lo72580 for stopping by Dreams Academy this week for a conversation concerning emotional and mental health. We started the session asking the guys what their thoughts were on this picture. Their responses were words like awkward, weird, and gay. We also asked when was the last time they hugged their father and the responses ranged from last week to months ago to never. We used this as an opportunity to show them that sharing emotional words and actions among men is not weird or awkward and to move away from those thoughts and put it into practice.
Dads, especially in these trying times, hug your sons and tell them you love them. They need it and it’s nothing wrong with it.
This evening we welcome @lo72580 to @dreamsacademyusa. He is a clinical counselor that will come and share with the guys about emotions, feelings, and positive mental health. This is such an important topic for our young black males. We are excited about this evening!
Last week at Dreams Academy, @andrelessears came and had a very candid conversation with guys concerning race and how black males deal with racism in America, engaging with the police, and commanding respect.
Tonight, @carringtonfinancials is coming to discuss money and principles of finance!
We are so proud of our Founder @mrdreamsacademy on the release of his first book “Talking Points”. This book is a resource for single parents that features guiding questions and talking points for mothers to have difficult conversations with their black male. It tackles subjects like education, image, race, violence, sex, and more. Visit www.talkingpointsbook.com to purchase today!!
In just a few hours, meet us on FB Live for an Hour of Inspiration with some of the city’s finest singers and musicians. This is part of my 40th birthday celebration and supporting @dreamsacademyusa. Meet us on the @cojlec page at 7 PM!
Dreams Academy Online begins Monday, July 6th featuring daily, exclusive content, live presentations, interactive work, and so much more for our black boys 7-15. We are offering the first week FREE just so you can see what all is there for our guys. Each young man will get their very own Dreams Academy email address to log in and stay connected with us and the other guys. Register today!
Thank you for supporting the mission and movement of @dreamsacademyusa
Extremely grateful to the Akron Community Foundation for their gracious grant gift to Dreams Academy that will allow us to create a virtual platform for mentoring and music production this summer. We realize during these times, we have to expand our creative minds to meet the needs of our young men in ways that are different, yet innovative. Thank you for believing in us to do so. Can’t wait to get our guys going again!!!
We just want to live....praying for our nation, our people, and our black boys and men!
#Repost @charlesjenkins with @get_repost
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Special Moment. Thk U Young Princes @keedronbryant & @aronthebassist #PositiveAir
Wishing all of our Dreams Moms and mother’s all over the world, a Happy Mother’s Day. We celebrate you for your sacrifices, care, and the love you show to those that you have the awesome responsibility of raising! We love you!
Dreams Academy traditionally does the Mother’s Day surprises but due to current conditions, we have Gift Boxes available this year. Limited quantity available. Must have orders in by Wednesday at 8 pm.
You are able to get one word customized on the wine glass. Gift box will be completed Saturday, May 9th. $32 if using cashapp or PayPal. $dreamsacademy
Call/Text 330-422-8332 to order.
@dreamsacademyusa and @cojlec coming together for “Refuel Live” tomorrow evening at 7 PM. Meet us on City of Joy’s FB page to hear some of the city’s best singers and musicians bring you an hour of musical inspiration during these interesting times. We also know Easter will look a bit different than what we are used to this year, so we getting a head start celebrating Christ’s Death and Resurrection in a creative way. The fun part is it will be interactive. We want to play and sing what you want to hear. We will be watching the comments and taking requests from the viewers. Matter of fact, let’s get a head start and drop some good gospel music you would like to hear in the comments below and we will do our best to make it happen! See you there!!
During these stressful times, we at Dreams Academy want to be sure you are informed of the resources and information available to you and your family: COVID-19 Resources available for Akron Residents
United Way of Summit County resources home page or call or text 211 - Food assistance, medical information services, utility disconnection protection, etc.
Greater Akron Chamber's Resource Page - Financial Relief, SBA Econonmic Injury Disaster Loans, Unemployment Assistance, Etc.
To Donate: Akron Summit County COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund
Will post more resources as they come. Stay safe.
Four years ago, I started Dreams Academy in hopes of serving a population that our society often writes off and are often treated as less than the Kings that they really are. I needed our young black men to be reassured that we see the greatness in them as they will be future husbands, fathers, businessmen, athletes, entrepreneurs, and next in line to assume the roles that will lead our communities.
What was supposed to be a one time summer program in a small church on Akron’s west side started with 11 young men and has blossomed into an organization that currently serves through our own independent programming, as well as in 8 schools between Akron and Cleveland, Ohio, having made impact on over 300 young men.
In 2018, we added the music and media center in the Kenmore neighborhood and offer a place where our kids can hone their musical gifts and talents, and have had over 50 students there since opening. The pride in randomly seeing someone out in a Dreams Academy t shirt or having people I’ve never met speak to and encourage us to keep doing what we are doing is an incomparable joy.
Watching our guys grow into phenomenal young leaders knowing that we were able to leave an imprint on them and play a part in their development assured me of my current assignment and purpose. In the midst of the current climate of chaos, today I am grateful and thankful for God’s provision, every speaker, facilitator, financial supporter, prayer partner, volunteer, school, grant writer, advice giver, the Dreams Moms Squad, board member, and lastly, the families and the young men that make up the fabric of Dreams Academy.
𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐲!
- Brandon R. Scarborough
Wake Up 2020 Summer Experience
Register today for the Dreams Academy 2020 Summer Experience, Wake Up! All sessions will be held Monday – Thursday starting June 15th at Main Preparatory School. Young men ages 7-15 can apply today. Cost of summer tuition is $300 per student. Don’t miss out on the summer of a lifetime. Apply Today!
