Keyshia Cole Dreams Do Come True!
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dreamA publication of the U.S. Dream Academy, Inc. MAKERSBreaking the Cycle, Bridging the Divide, Changing Lives VOLUME 6, ISSUE 2 FALL 2008 Her mother’s drug addiction led to her becoming a foster child and adopted by Yvonne Cole at 2 years old. She learned that she was adopted at the age of 7. During the reality show she reconnected with her mother who was still in prison when the show began. “My childhood was not easy,” said Cole. “I went through a lot of trials and tribulations, so it was important for me to share my struggles—open up my life to my fans. I wanted this show to inspire young kids and let them know that no matter what their situation is, no matter where they come from, no matter where they are, no matter who they are—with faith, you can always accomplish your goals. I did it and survived, and so can they.” Even as her star was rising, her life played out on television as she tried to weave together the missing pieces. Cole has dealt with her Keyshia Cole mother’s incarceration and drug use, as well as reconnecting with siblings who were all impacted differently. Despite that, she continues to break records in the music and television industries. Dreams Do Come True! Cole did her first recording with MC Hammer at the age of 12. In 2004, Don’t let her petite stature fool you. Keyshia Cole is a force to be she attracted the attention of A&M Records. The following year, her reckoned with. After a public journey of discovery and reconnection Platinum-debut album “The Way It Is” was released, featuring the hit with an incarcerated mother on BET’s reality show, “The Way It Is”— singles, “I Changed My Mind,” and “I Should Have Cheated,” and it wasn’t surprising that she had a special fondness for the U.S. Dream “Love.” The album debuted at #6 on the U.S. charts and sold 89,000 Academy and its mission. copies in the first week of release. During the 7th Annual Power of a Dream “Dreams in Motion” Gala held at the Ritz Carlton in Washington, DC, in May, U.S. Dream Academy IN THIS ISSUE students couldn’t take their eyes off of her. “I wouldn’t have missed it. I want to let you know that anything is possible,” Cole told the audience Dream Center Updates 3 after taking the stage with her birth mother, Frankie, and adopted Grant Announcement 7 mother, Yvonne Cole. Many of the students and audience present have Mentor-of-the-Year Profile 8 watched the evolution of the previously strained relationship on the reality show. Today the women stand together and take pride in knowing that Intro to Gala / Oprah Giving Challenge 9 they each played a role in who she has become. Dream Gala Photo Montage 10 Cole reminded students not to use their life circumstances as an excuse, Dream Academy Center Locations 12 using her challenging childhood growing up in Oakland as an example. www.usdreamacademy.org 1 VOLUME 6, ISSUE 2 FALL 2008 Founder & CEO Wintley Phipps Message From the Founder & CEO Executive Director C. Diane Wallace Booker BOARD OF DIRECTORS It has been 10 years since we Delbert W. Baker, Ph.D. Lynn Parris President, Oakwood University Licensed Instructor, began this journey of turning Chaplain Barry C. Black, Ph.D. Northeastern Conference Chaplain, United States Senate of the Seventh Day Adventist Church Donna C. Bozarth a vision into a reality of the Chairman, Board of Directors Wintley Phipps Miss America’s Outstanding Founder & CEO U.S. Dream Academy. Teen, Inc. U.S. Dream Academy Cynthia Powell-Hicks, Ph.D. Benjamin S. Carson, M.D. For the children we serve, the prism through Director of the Division of CEO, Psych Med, Inc. Pediatric Neurosurgery L’Tanya Sloan, Ed.D. which they view life has been narrowed. It is a Johns Hopkins Hospital President & Founder Tim Farrell The ED-TECH Group morning without breakfast, a school day too CEO & Co-Chairman Colonel John H. Squire short, and too often a “goodnight” without a FutureSoft, Inc. U. S. Army (Ret.) (Treasurer, U.S. Dream Commissioner, M-NCPPC, hug from mom or dad. This is the reason for Academy Board of Directors) Prince George’s County, the U.S. Dream Academy. Our mission has been Gino Isaac Maryland Managing Director/ Partner Jody Victor to change the future for a group of children Galen Capital Corporation President & CEO whose lives, without effective intervention, George Johnson MarkerNET, Inc. Founder David R. Williams, Ph.D. could spell the difference between a life of Johnson Products, Inc. Norman Professor of productivity or one behind bars. After 10 years, James E. Lyons, Sr., Ph.D. Public Health and African Secretary, Maryland Higher and African American Studies it remains a challenge that cannot be overcome Wintley Phipps Harvard University Education Commission alone and we have been blessed on this journey with partners who have come along side our Diane Ming C. Diane Wallace Booker, J.D. V.Pres. of Administration Executive Director work with fervor commitment, and generous support for the children we serve. Kalorama Partners U.S. Dream Academy (Ex-officio) William C. Nelsen, Ph.D. As new centers open and interaction with new stakeholders and supporters increase, we are President (Retired) of Scholarship America encouraged by the growing population we are able to impact on a daily basis. The overwhelming (Chairman joy as we witness the children of prisoners and those struggling in school succeed is deeply U.S. Dream Academy Board of Directors) gratifying. The benefit is incalculable to those children served and their families. To see the ADVISORY BOARD dim light in the eyes of a child begin to brighten with hope for tomorrow has made all of our Sen. (Ret.) Connie Mack Carol H. Williams efforts worthwhile. King & Spalding, LLP Carol H. Williams Melvin Ming Advertising Agency During the summer of 2008 DreamKids engaged in a host of socio-cultural activities that were Exec. V.P. & COO, Willie Woods Sesame Workshop Founder/CEO (Ret.) designed to broaden their world and encourage expansion beyond their comfort zones. From Benjamin Reaves, D. Min. Software Networks college tours to trips to businesses and museums, our children were given blueprints to dream big V. P. of Min. Adventist Health System and pathway opportunities to achieve a life greater than their neighborhood experience. U.S. Dream Academy Inc. Plans are underway for the national replication of our Dream Academy program. This means that 10400 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 300 Columbia, MD 21044 more children will be able to benefit from our work and the Dream Academy will continue to play 410-772-7143 office a significant role in addressing the exploding national crisis facing today’s youth. 410-772-7146 fax www.usdreamacademy.org On behalf of the U.S. Dream Academy Board of Directors, Staff and Family, I want to express our U.S. Dream Academy is a 501(c)3 organization Editor/Director of Development profound gratitude for your generosity of spirit and resources and commitment to help us build an Angela Hunt Bonitto army of young men and women with positive dreams for their lives, equipped with the tools to make BDA Design Graphic Design their dreams a reality. The driving force behind the U.S. Dream Academy is a passionate belief that Publication Management “a child is inspired to dream when caring people express, in tangible ways, their belief that the child Hayes & Associates Media Services Copyright 2008 is able and capable.” We encourage your continued support in helping to make dreams come true. In His Service, MISSION STATEMENT The mission of U.S. Dream Academy is to empower children who are at risk of incarceration to maximize their potential by providing them with academic, social and values enrichment through supportive mentoring and the use of technology. 2 www.usdreamacademy.org U.S. Dream Academy Learning Centers (DALC) Summer 2008 LOS ANGELES DALC have never been to a fine restaurant, an Student Achievement Recognition Dinner opportunity to dress up and treat their Every semester DreamKids are selected based on parents to a lovely evening. The parents demonstrated academic excellence, to attend the comment that they look forward to their Bi-Annual Student Achievement Recognition students’ good grades even more now, Dinner. The honorees and a guest are invited to knowing they will receive another invitation a banquet to celebrate their success. The evening to the next semester’s dinner. DALC student begins with a keynote address, followed by an Niani Finalyson’s father said, “Niani is award ceremony, dinner and live music. This gaining so much exposure in this program, special evening allows students, many of whom but so are we. She comes home and she shares what she is learning and we get to celebrate with her at the banquet each semester. I have never been to a restaurant like this and I am so happy that we got to share this experience as a family. We could never thank the U.S. Dream Academy enough for what they do.” Los Angeles Zoo Field Trip The Watts DreamKids recently took a trip to the Los Angeles Zoo, where they were thrilled to see wild animals up close and personal. Although the zoo is only 30 minutes from Watts, many students had never been. Their faces were aglow at the sight of lions, giraffes, tigers, hippos, gorillas, bears and much more. www.usdreamacademy.org 3 U.S. Dream Academy Learning Centers (DALC) Summer 2008 Hollywood Field Trip This past summer the DreamKids took a field trip in their own backyard to visit the Disney El Capitan Theatre on Hollywood Blvd.