Statements

Mission

To plant a seed for individuals to grow within the arts through Creative & Professional Development, Artistic Expression, Education, Scholarship and Mentorships. While offering opportunities to be exposed, to experience And restore justice, enhance education and foster an appreciation for the Arts.

Background

Founded in 2016 in Memphis, Tennessee, Dare 2 Dream Foundation has a unique history. Throughout founder JC Gordon's studies at the University of Memphis, he focused on Dance Education with a minor in nonprofit management. While studying and completing a directive dance study, which he had to tie his major of Dance Education and Nonprofit Management minor together. While doing research Mr.Gordon felt there should be a way to bring education outside of the classroom. He found an article on the Lost Generation which just so happened to be famous choreographers , actors, dancers, that we as America lost to what we didn't know then as the Aids Epidemic. The Code Red dance competition was the final product of this Directive Dance Study. Code Red was created on paper and brought to life December 2016. During this time as a University of Memphis there is something called High School Day of Dance. This is a recruitment tool that the Dance Department uses to seek out juniors and seniors from local schools and studios. Gordon, was a mentor to Leanthony Douglas while at High School Day of Dance. While bonding Leanthony shared that we was a Senior a Melrose High School grew up in Orange Mound , which is considered the low-income or the hood, played basketball and football , he also danced at New Ballet Ensemble. Leanthony shared that he loved to dance and wanted to become a dance teacher if he didn't dance professionally or play sports. The wheels started spinning in my head on how he could help this young man who sounded just like him...… Thus the Dare 2 Dream Foundation was born to meet the increasing need for scholarship funds and mentorship for students pursuing the performing arts. With a mission of promoting dance and providing a safe place and opportunity for students to be exposed to the arts, Dare 2 Dream Foundation now provides scholarships for male and female high school students in Tennessee whose interests lie in pursuing dance, theatre, or visual performing arts and uniquely pairs these recipients with a mentor whose background is similar to assist them as they navigate the college admissions process. D.R.E.A.M. is an acyronum for Dance Really Expands Artistic Minds.

Impact

Dare 2 Dream Foundation believes that arts education is critical to student success and that scholarship funds and college opportunities should be readily available for these students. By providing scholarships and mentorships to students pursuing the arts, Dare 2 Dream Foundation opens doors to reintroducing the arts in our education system that has been systematically eliminating it for decades. Students who receive our scholarship are residents of Tennessee who are juniors or seniors in high school with a minimum 2.0 grade point average who are pursuing college programs in dance or performing arts. Dancing Amongst the Star Awards program allows the Community to uplift and highlight those that are doing things for the arts, arts education, youth development, culture and humanitarian. The Stars Soars Program, allows us to foster a relationship with students, parents and teachers to build a Galaxy that are working together to help the star soar in the right direction academically through tutoring and test prep to reach their dream post secondary education. Rising Star Workshop is a dance workshop that you students get to participate in a different genres of dance from various choreographers from all walks life. Dare 2 Dream Jr & Jr Miss program allows students to travel to various colleges, opportunities to host events, be guest speakers, lead workshops and spears head community service projects. Bridging the Gap has been a great addition to the Dare 2 Dream Jr side being its a way to break down stereotypes behind boy and men in dance.

Needs

With the current national emphasis on STEM education (science, technology, engineering, and math), finding ways to incorporate the arts into education, particularly post-secondary is critical to the overall success of our students. Combine this with a lack of access for minorities, arts are almost unattainable for some students in our country. Americans for the Arts found that access to arts is not equal for all. In 2008, the organization determined that Hispanic and Black students had less than half of the access to arts education than their White counterparts. This statistic has remained the same for the last three decades. The worst part of this data is that these are the students that could benefit the most from arts education throughout their education and beyond. Dare 2 Dream Foundation exists to ensure high school students in Tennessee who have financial need who seek to pursue the arts in college and as a career are never hindered from this aspiration due to monetary concerns. We strive to provide funds for these students through annual scholarships and to ensure their rate of success is improved through mentorships with men and women who have experience in the arts as a profession.

CEO Statement

I believe that our work will influence and impact various decisions and actions on an individual, family and community level; to bring about positive change. Our G's to Gents program empowers youth in the Juvenile Justice system to overcome the struggles and challenges by providing them with life skills training through dance. Our Scholarship program provides some financial aid to reward students who are likely to succeed in college and in the working world. Our Stars Soar program allows us to helps students reach their dreams of being accepted into the post-secondary school of their dreams. Our Bridging The Gap program sheds light on topics of discussions that aren't happening that need to be discussed about our boys and men that dance and the sham, bullying and harm not talking about them does.
The arts are critical to our culture, our economy, and our future. They allow us to be creative, to express ourselves, to connect with each other. The arts keep our traditions alive from generation to generation and allow us to share experiences unique to our place and time in history. Arts empower us, unify our communities, and improve individual wellbeing. At Dare 2 Dream Foundation, we envision a future in which the arts are embraced again as a valuable part of our society, our children are encouraged to explore their creativity, and funds are readily available to support and promote the arts. Our ultimate vision is that no student that seeks to pursue the arts as a career is prevented from doing so due to financial restrictions. With the current focus on STEM educational and career paths, this challenge is more relevant and present than it has been in generations. Without support from like-minded partners, volunteers or donors we cannot continue the important work of promoting and support students interested in pursuing the arts. On behalf of our Board, our volunteers, and our scholarship recipients, we are grateful for your donations and support to continue to Push the envelope, Reach for the Stars but most of all...... Dare 2 D.R.E.A.M. ( Dance Really Expands Artistic Minds) !

Board Chair Statement

We here at the Dare 2 DREAM Foundation, believe that anything you put your heart into an be achieved. We hope that whatever DREAMS, you have chase them. There is more to ART than your everyday color pallet. Be the brush and paint a master piece. D.R.E.A.M. is an acyronum for Dance Really Expands Artistic Minds. When you think or hear about dance many think its just something for fun! We are here to "push the envelope" be the ones that will continue to make a difference for the Performing Arts, Arts Education and the topics and discussions that need to be brought to the table. "Reach for the Stars" continue to help aid young scholars that to matter how high you aim your bound to hit something with a little guidance you can shine brighter than the rest if given the opportunities and "most off all Dare 2 DREAM". Like most I can't say I found dance. Dance found me and if it had not, I wouldn't be the person I am today. With dance as a vehicle, I have been exposed, experienced and witness things that I wouldn't have if it wasn't for the outlets that dance , well the Arts created for me. I want to create those outlets and opportunities for someone else. With your help when can make a Galaxy shine bright to light up the world.

Which is why the Dare 2 Dream Foundations Core Values are Dream, Believe & Inspire!

Dare to be You! Recognize your Power, Embrace your Creativity, Accept the Challenge, and Make a choice to inspire change! #Dare2DREAM #DrivenbyDoing

Service Categories
Primary Category:	Arts, Culture & Humanities  - Arts & Culture
Secondary Category:	-
Tertiary Category:	-