Dream Builders 4 Equity

SAVE THE DATE! Our Book Signing & Fashion Show is set for January 4, 2025! This DB4E event will feature two incredible books filled with poetry and personal reflections from the youth in our program—amplifying their voices as they share their journeys, dreams, and perspectives. Their creativity, passion, and aspirations are truly inspiring. It’s our tradition to pair each book signing with a unique art form, and this time, we’ve chosen fashion! Tickets will be available soon! If you're interested in becoming a sponsor and supporting this special event, please reach out to [email protected]

House of Vision is excited to host its first-ever workshop, just in time for the holidays! As the weather cools and the holiday season picks up, it can be easy to forget about your plants. But no worries! Join us for a special workshop featuring Posie Pots, a patented self-watering pot created by the innovative Kay Wells. Learn how these pots work, explore the 3D printing technology behind them, and take home your own plant and Posie Pot! Don’t miss out—visit our website to register. We can't wait to see you there!

The young people in our leadership group eagerly answered the call to action, taking on the task of clearing overgrown vegetation and regular yard maintenance in the Fairgrounds neighborhood. In partnership with the North Newstead Association, they worked hard to beautify another North City neighborhood they deeply value, striving to ensure it reflects the pride they feel for their community.

Week 8 is always bittersweet for both the students and our team. It marks the end of another successful Summer Academy—another summer full of love, learning, and growth. A summer filled with unforgettable moments and the building of lifelong connections. This week, we took our students to visit Lindenwood University, and Webster University. Some of our students already know where they're headed next, but we wanted to remind them of the incredible opportunities available in the surrounding St. Louis area. Staying close to home doesn't mean limiting your dreams. We also had one of our favorite traditions—our Staff vs. Students basketball game! Our staff and board came ready to show the students that we've still got it! While the students gave us a run for our money, the staff remains undefeated—though not without some good competition, a whole lot of laughs, and a pulled muscle or two. We wrapped up our summer with a celebration at Main Event, bringing all three cohorts together. There was joy, connection, and reflection on everything we've achieved together this summer. The end of the Summer Academy isn't a goodbye—it's a welcoming celebration as a new group of young people officially becomes part of the DB4E family. Our heartfelt thanks go out to each and every one of you-our board, volunteers, staff, and donors. Your support and dedication made this summer possible; we are deeply grateful. Together, we are not just building the future of St. Louis, but also nurturing the dreams of our students.

Week 7 was all about hands-on experience for our students! They kicked things off with mock interviews with our team, giving them a safe space to sharpen their skills and build confidence before stepping into real-world job interviews. Next, they spent the day working with McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. getting an inside look at the life of a general laborer. The students had a blast, starting the day like true professionals with morning stretches and safety briefings, just like the McCarthy team does daily. Then they got to work, drilling, nailing, measuring, using the circular saw, and setting up formwork panels—getting a true feel for what it takes to be in construction! We then headed to Castle, where their team gave our students a tour of their yard and shared insights into their lives as civil contractors. The next day, our students sat side by side with Cushman & Wakefield team, discovering firsthand what their roles entail. They even led an open discussion with the employees, gaining deep insights into the field from a panel of experts. To top off the week, we headed back to McCarthy, where our students explored office roles in construction—understanding the vital behind-the-scenes work that keeps the industry thriving. From the field to the office, our students are discovering that their opportunities are endless, and we’re committed to exposing them to the limitless possibilities ahead!

Week 6, our academy students had the incredible opportunity to learn from some amazing leaders. Koran Bolden started us off by talking to our students about entrepreneurship and diversifying their opportunities. Our students took a trip to the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC), where they met the President & CEO, Neal Richardson. Neal took the time to get to know our new group of students and learn about their interests and aspirations. He shared insights on economic development in St. Louis and discussed how they can leverage their personal talents to create meaningful change. Brad Edwards from Dear Fathers shared his wisdom on mental health and why it’s crucial for us to prioritize it. Then, Charli Cooksey, the Founder & CEO at WePower, spoke about her organization’s role in fostering positive change and the importance of participating in local elections. To wrap up the week, the students participated in a competition where each group came up with a mental health bill or community program. They embraced everything they learned, brainstorming ways to use their voices and ideas to address mental health concerns and support their community. Thank you to all of the leaders who poured into our students this week. This is the kind of knowledge and inspiration our young people need to grow and lead!

Week 6, our leadership group facilitated a community cleanup in the Hyde Park area. Partnering with leaders from U.S. Bank they worked together to clean up three playgrounds, as well as the surrounding neighborhoods and alleys, ensuring that these community spaces are safe and welcoming for everyone. Our students led small groups, showcasing their leadership skills and dedication to making a difference. Seeing them collaborate with US Bank, coordinate efforts, and contribute to the community was inspiring. Their hard work and commitment are a testament to the power of youth leadership. Thank you to US Bank for partnering with us to positively impact our community! Morgan Strong Kaye Nelson, MBA Aisha James Caldwell Tarnaz Greene Leaunna Tyse karen mack

In week 5, our students got a glimpse into the world of urban community development with the Urban Land Institute. Divided into small teams, they stepped into the shoes of urban developers, learning not only about the importance of affordable housing, parks, retail spaces, and public services but also about how to strategically place these elements within a community to create a thriving environment. The week wrapped up with a mock town hall where each team presented their well-thought-out development plans. We couldn’t be prouder of the thoughtful and innovative solutions our students came up with! A special thank you to Julie and Elke of the Saigh Foundation, artist De’joneiro Jones, and Bolanle founder of U&I-RISE for serving as judges and playing the roles of community members in the town hall. Your insights and encouragement made this an invaluable experience for our students!

What an incredible Saturday! House Of Vision hosted B2Fly and TopFinessers as they led an unforgettable back-to-school event. The store was filled with joy as the community came together for backpack giveaways, a bounce house, free food, haircuts, face painting, and so much more—all organized by passionate young people committed to creating a brighter future. The future is truly in great hands!

So proud of our DB4E Black Square Chess team for their outstanding performance at the recent Legacy Institute STL Chess tournament!  Four of our talented young people brought home medals, showcasing their skill. A huge thank you to @LegacyInstituteSTL for inviting us out and creating impactful opportunities for our youth.