Believe in a Dream

By Tabitha Ervin
Editorial Director

The Believe In A Dream Organization celebrated its 12th year with an inaugural gala, Making Dreams Come True powered by Ruoff Mortgage at the Parkview Mirro Center Saturday, October 22.

The event moderated by Joshua Raines of Star 88.3 hosted many supporters, board members, community members and organizations. This was the organization's first gala and they look to continue their work with youth in the community as they focus on Leadership, Entrepreneurship and the Arts. Believe In A Dream Inc. is an Indiana registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is developing confidence and leadership in youth through immersive experiences in entrepreneurship and the arts along with the vision of inspiring the next generation to believe.

Founder and Fort Wayne native Jamal Robinson told the story of being in college and visiting classrooms throughout Northeast Indiana and encouraging students to believe in their dreams! After he witnessed the impact, he worked with a group of passionate community members and thus the organization was born. On Saturday, he honored three leaders that have supported and mentored him along the way, Joe Jordan, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club, Marshall White, CEO and Founder of Unity Performing Arts Foundation and Chuck Surack, Founder of Sweetwater Sound and CEO of Surack Enterprises.

Each program area was showcased at the event. Colleen Phillips - Arts Program Director, Steve Franks- Entrepreneurship Program Director and Jeff Roberts- Pave the Path Founder and Program Director all graced the stage along with their students to share information, performances and interviews with various student participants.

Peter Dragnev, Executive Director also shared his excitement about the future of the organization and a facility they look to build that will help them engage more young people in our community.

Student Harrison Brooks, participant in Pave the Path and volunteer for the event shared this about his time in the program so far, “my experience in Pave the Path has been great! It’s helped me learn a lot about my brand and how to network. It’s brought me lots of great connections and helped me meet lots of important people. The experience at the gala saturday helped out a lot too because I was able to meet all of the community members who help play a role in my success and help out with the success of Pave the Path and Believe in a Dream”.

The future is bright for the Believe in a Dream Organization!