U.S. Dream Academy Announces “2013 Power of A Dream Gala” Hosted by Wayne Brady and Sheryl Lee Ralph on June 4, 2013 at the J.W. Marriott in Washington, D.C.

Alexis Herman, Rep. Elijah Cummings, Jr. (MD), and Wes Moore Among Honorees

The U.S. Dream Academy is excited to announce the 2013 “Power of a Dream” Gala, themed “Inspired To Dream” presented by Amway to be held on Tuesday, June 4, 2013 (Reception 5:45pm Dinner 7:00pm) at the J.W. Marriott in Washington, D.C., located at 1331 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20004. This gala will benefit their nationally recognized after-school programs for children. Each year, the Power of a Dream Gala attracts the support of Hollywood celebrities; political figures, corporate executives, community leaders, and VIPs to invest and raise awareness to further help U.S. Dream Academy programs succeed in making a difference in the lives of at-risk youth and children of incarcerated parents.

 

Ms. Patti LaBelle with US Dream Academy founder Wintley Phipps in 2011.  Photo CD Brown.

 

The event will be hosted by the multi-talented improvisational guru and Host of Let’s Make A Deal, Wayne Brady, alongside Award-Winning actress, Sheryl Lee Ralph.  This year’s Honorees, who are committed to making a difference in the lives of young people through their philanthropic efforts include: Alexis Herman (23rd U.S. Secretary of Labor, serving under President Bill Clinton) and Rep. Elijah Cummings, Jr. (U.S. Representative for Maryland's 7th Congressional District) and Wes Moore (businessman, US Army veteran and author of the New York Times bestseller, The Other Wes Moore, and host of "Beyond Belief" on the Oprah Winfrey Network).

The U.S. Dream Academy Gala Presenting Sponsor is Amway, one of the world's largest direct selling businesses. 

The Corporate Gala Chair is Andrew Bertamini (Regional President, Wells Fargo Bank). Wells Fargo is one of the Big Four largest banks of the United States and one of the largest banks in the world. As a top company in the Financial Services industry Wells Fargo specializes in Retail Banking, Insurance, Mortgages, Consumer Finance and Corporate and Investment Banking.

The U.S. Dream Academy Gala Honorary Co-Chairs are Darien C. Grant, J.D. of Turner Construction Company and attorney Michael Melton (President and CEO MEM Enterprises).  

About the U.S. Dream Academy                                                                                                                   

The mission of the U.S. Dream Academy is to empower children who are at risk of future incarceration to maximize their potential by providing them with academic, social and values enrichment through supportive mentoring and the use of technology. The vision is to create an army of young men and women with positive dreams for their lives, equipped with the tools to make those dreams a reality with the core values of Faith, Freedom, Inspiration and Integrity.

The U.S. Dream Academy focuses on impacting the lives of children with incarcerated parents and children falling behind in school.  The program, founded by renowned gospel singer Wintley Phipps, is currently operating in 10 cities nationwide.  Its research-based initiatives challenge over 600 young people daily and engage them in active learning through one-to-one mentoring, strong academics, and technology-driven activities and curricula. www.usdreamacademy.org.

 

In Washington, D.C., the Dream Academy Learning Center is co-located at the Ferebee Hope Elementary School where students have access to after-school academic support, character building and dream building activities along with weekly mentoring by positive adult volunteers.

 

Important Statistics

• One in 40 children in the United States has an incarcerated parent.
• More than 10 million children in the U.S. have had a parent in prison.
• Each year about 400,000 mothers and fathers finish serving prison or jails sentences, and return home.

 

For tickets and sponsorship information: visit www.usdreamacademy.org or contact Angela Bonitto, Director of Development: phone: 410.772.7143, email: abonitto@usdreamacademy.org