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I Have a Dream Oakland
October 2006
Special Interest
Message from Martha
When our program kicked programs, the scholarships
Articles:
off over 9 years ago, the to private and parochial
• I Have a Dream prospects of college for the
Final Event a
middle school and high
success
third graders at Prescott schools, all made a
Elementary School were significant difference. But
• Message from dim. The high school most importantly your
Martha graduation rates were efforts and your support
• Student spotlight under 25%, and only 8% convinced our students that
graduated with the they could make their
only 90 African Americans).
academic credentials to dreams of college come
Dreamers will also be
attend a four year college. true, and that someone attending UC campuses at
They were enthusiastic (as cared that they did so. We
Davis, Merced, and
the old pictures attest) but are delighted to announce
Riverside. The California
the chances of their going that we have overcome the State University campuses of
to college were not early grim statistics and
Humboldt, Sacramento, San
good. We are happy to eighty of our Dreamer and
Jose, San Francisco, Los
report that with your Gear Up Students are
Angeles, San Diego and Long
support our efforts have going to college! We will
Beach will be seeing
paid off. Our mentoring be sending 9 students to the
Dreamers enroll in the fall.
program, our after school World’s Best University, UC Harvard University has given
tutoring, our summer Berkeley (where two years
one of our Dreamers a “full
academic (and fun) ago the freshman class had
(Cont. on pg. 5)
I Have a Dream Final Celebration
There were tears of joy, program that had been a “Big Screen”, Barry
laughter, full bellies, and part of their lives for the Shabaka Henly, whose film
plenty of home-grown past nine years. credits include “The
entertainers present at the Terminal”, “Collateral”, “Ali”
The evening’s speakers
I Have a Dream End of the and the recently released,
Program Ceremony on were made up of many
“Miami Vice”. Shabaka, as
th faces from IHAD’s history
Saturday, June 10 . he is known, spoke to our
including: one of the original
Dreamers and their students about the
families, past and present Directors, Wanda Stewart;
importance of recognizing
former Director, Tony
staff and volunteers, board how far they’ve come and
Thurmond; and Dreamer
members, and friends of their potential to do great
the Oakland project packed turned Life Skills
things in the future.
Coordinator, Danette
into the Laney College
McCain. Also included in There was also an open mic
student center to show
appreciation and love for a the lineup was a star of the session where students’
(Cont. on pg. 4)
I Have a Dream Page 2 of 1
A word from the students…
“Harvard is absolutely WONDERFUL... Although I miss the Bay Area a
lot, I must admit, I am having a lot of fun here. My roommates are great.
One is from the East Coast (Philadelphia) and the other is from the
Midwest (Wisconsin), so we bring very different experiences to Harvard,
but we are getting along very well so far. I just made up my class
schedule today. It's kind of exciting for me, because I have three
classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and/or Fridays and my Spanish
class meets every day for one hour. That frees up a lot of time for me to
have my work-study job and to work out. I'm loving this schedule!”
--Jocelyn Eastman, Harvard University
Thank you for your support! “I expect to pass through this world
We would like to thank the and financially robust but once; any good thing therefore
many donors and enough to support the that I can do, or any kindness that I
volunteers that have diverse needs of over 200 can show to any fellow creature, let
contributed their time, West Oakland youth and me do it now; let me not defer or
money, skills, and care to their families. WE neglect it, for I shall not pass this
the program over these COULD NOT HAVE DONE way again."
many years. It has taken IT WITHOUT YOU! Thank
the efforts of a countless you! --Etienne de Grellet
number of people to keep
this program academically
Page 3 of 1 I Have a Dream
A word from the students, Continued…
“My college experience has been wonderful. I
have made a lot of friends that I hang with. I
have been up on my homework and I have been
doing great. I have met with my EOP advisors
and I’m doing good. I like it up here and I do not
have any complaints!!!”
--Eddie Lee, CSU Humboldt
“So far college has been what I expected it to be. I am having a lot of fun
meeting new people and learning their so-cal ways. My roommate and I get
a long great. In terms of classes, it’s so different. I'm on my own and the
teacher never reminds us to read this and write that. I don’t know if I like
that yet, but slowly I’m getting used to it. There is so much to do here,
going to the gym to workout, bowling, eating, or sitting outside near a pond
to do your homework. On the weekends I dedicate my time to exploring the
city. So far I've been to the malls and outlets, mission beach, pacific beach,
over the bridge that goes over the water into the island called Coronado,
the Gaslamp Quarter which is stores for shopping, restaurants and music.
I've even been to a concert at night along the marina outdoors! I miss
home though. The weather, my family, the way things used to be with my
friends and my own 'not squeaky bed'. I like the fact I can do what I want
when I want and still be on top of things which basically means school to
me. There's a bit of everything here at San Diego state and it’s great and
I’m so glad I chose to come here.”
--Gabriella G. Sanchez, CSU San Diego
“Being at CSULB has been a
“Put yourself in a state of mind
wonderful experience. I have enjoyed
where you say to yourself, ‘Here
is an opportunity for me to all my classes and the people are
celebrate like never before, my great. I just finished rush week for an
own power, my own ability to Asian interest sorority called Chi Delta
get myself to do whatever is Theta. The campus is great and I'm
necessary.’"
just loving southern California.”
--Jannie Lam, CSU Long Beach
Martin Luther King, Jr.
I Have a Dream Page 4 of 1
A word from the students, continued…
The “I Have a Dream” program has played an important role in my life. From
the very beginning they set out one goal for us which was to go to college.
But it was definitely much more than just going to college. They taught me
and showed me things I would have never learned or seen on my own. They
taught me about the importance of staying in school and going to college. I
know that without this advice I wouldn’t be where I am today. I wouldn’t even
think about going to college. The IHAD foundation was not a typical after-
school program that helped me with my homework; it was like a second home
to me. They also had the best summer programs. I remember the first
couple of summers were the most fun summers I had when I was younger.
Classes ranged in different subjects, but I personally enjoyed the field trips
since I had not been to a lot of places before. One of the experiences that I
will never forget was my first trip to Lake Tahoe where I saw and touched
snow for the first time. I just want to thank everyone in the program who has
helped me or taught me something, But I want to thank them on behalf of my
family and myself for helping me to be the first in my family to attend college.
--Linda Men, CSU East Bay
Celebration Cont’d…
voices were heard. All of Dreamers, including songs
the Dreamers who spoke by: Lance Moore, Sierra
credited the program and McKinney and the
the wonderful people who multitalented James Vinson,
were a part of it for helping who accompanied the
them become the pieces not only with vocals
successful young adults that but keyboard as well.
they are. It was definitely a Additionally, Angelina
heartwarming moment that Johnson took the stage and
brought tears to the eyes of fired everybody up with a
many. dance performance that
combined hot urban moves
To help the Dreamers get
and traditional West African
off on the right track, “I
dance to an eclectic mix of Sergio Larios, Nubuia Agulara, and Diana Baires with their mentor at the St.
Have a Dream” put together
today’s grooves. Elizabeth graduation.
gift baskets for each student
laugh and reminisce about
in attendance. Some To round out the ceremony, Even though the night ended
times past.
included sheet sets and there was a special moment with an amazing photo
comforters for dorm rooms of appreciation for The history of the program-- It was a powerful ending to
and others had back packs Cooks, Martha and John, by complete with “now and a program that affected the
and school supplies. the board members and the then” comparison pictures lives of many in a very
California Student Aid and a wonderfully positive way.♦
Sprinkled throughout the
Commission for their inspirational soundtrack--
program were performances
dedication and commitment many families and staff
by many of our talented members hung around to
to the program’s success.
Page 5 of 6 I Have a Dream
A partial list of students and their schools:
Nubia Aguilera, CSU San Jose Elisha Heron, Dillard University Britney Parnell, CSU San Jose
Diana Baires, UC Berkeley Tony Hicks, CSU Sacramento Dominique Pate, UC Berkeley
Javonae Bilbo, Dillard University Derrick Hill, UC Berkeley T'keyia Penick-Goodwin, UC Riverside
Bethlehem Biru, Western Career College Jeremy H'oard, CSU East Bay Nancy Polio, UC Berkeley
James Brown, Laney College Antoine Howard, UN Las Vegas Catarra Richmond-Mathis, Vista Community College
Krystal Brown, Heald College Cameron Island, CSU San Jose Tamara Robertson, Job Corps
Jennifer Carroll, CSU San Francisco Jasmine Jackson, CSU San Francisco Demarco Robinson, EBCC
Lena Chhit, CSU San Jose Kevin Jennings, Dillard University Demetrius Robinson, Morehouse
Michael Collins, Laney College Vanessa Jennings, UC Berkeley Joya Rodgers, UC Berkeley
Brittany Cunningham, CSU Humboldt Angelina Johnson, CSU Sacramento Chanmakara San, CSU San Francisco
Kierre Dodds, Dillard University Jannie Lam, CSU Long Beach Madaga Sarr, Florida A&M University
Datonja Drake, Laney College Sergio Larios, Diablo Valley College Ruby Scott, Job Corps
Fabiola Duran, Western Career College Eddie Lee, CSU Humboldt Charles Simms, UC Berkeley
Amy Ear, Bryman Career College Shawnica Lewis, CSU Sacramento Alexandria Simpson, Disney Work Program
Jocelyn Eastman, Harvard University Dyamond Littlefield, Mills College Tynesha Staten, Merritt College
Rosalyn Eastman, Laney College Michelle Mack, CSU San Francisco Marquis Stevenson, CSU Los Angeles
Derrick Engram, Job Corps Edwin Maldonado, College of Alameda Stephon Taylor, San Francisco City College
Julian Ford, Laney College Nicole Martin, Laney College Victoria Taylor, Arizona State
Shawn Ford, EBCC Sierra McKinney, Dillard University Rico Thomas, Laney College
Shamelca Generette, CSU San Francisco Linda Men, CSU East Bay Antanisha Thompson, Merritt Community College
Gabriella G Sanchez, CSU San Diego Curtis Miller, Santa Rosa College Roosevelt Thompson, Laney College
Melissa Goodwin, CSU Long Beach Khadra Mohamed, CSU San Francisco Michael Tuttle, Art Institute of SF
Briana Grayson, Job Corps Alicia Moncrease, Laney College Shawn Vasquez, Diablo Valley College
Taja Harrington, Diablo Valley College Lance Moore, CSU Los Angeles David Watson, College of Alameda
Ashley Hayes, CSU Long Beach Devon Murphy, Laney College Tamara Wilhite, Job Corps
Paul Haymon, UC Berkeley Christine Nguyen, UC Davis Hershal Willingham, Missouri State
Jackie Haynes, Laney College David Nguyen, CSU San Francisco Samuel Wilson, Oregon State
Jimmy Haynes, Laney College Dominique Olison, Dillard University Jessica Works, Laney College
Message from Martha (cont from pg 1)
ride” scholarship to attend. Gates Millennium scholarship,
Another is going to the Ronald McDonald
Morehouse, and a third to Charities House Scholarship,
Mills College. West Oakland the Harvard Faculty
Dreamers are seeing the Scholarship, California
country as well. Arizona Scholarship Federation,
State University, Oregon Second Honors, and the
State, Missouri State, the Academic Competitiveness
University of Georgia, Dillard Grant.
College in New Orleans and
We are pleased, but not about
the University of Nevada Las
to rest! Some Dreamers were
Vegas have each accepted
held back along the way and
one or more Dreamers into th Mr. and Mrs. Cook at Nancy Polio’s Graduation Ceremony
are in 11 grade—we intend
the College class of 2010!
to get them into college next Tesia Johnson, who will tell However, the joy of
We have a large number of
year. Others dropped out, you her plans elsewhere in attending multiple
students who have opted to
and for them we are our newsletter. graduations and watching all
attend the Community
encouraging either a trade of those responsible young
Colleges of California, For me the last nine years
marketable training or the adults walk the stage to get
including Merritt, Laney, have been an adventure
“bridge program” which allows diplomas, and hearing the
Chabot, Santa Rosa, which, like all true adventures,
them to go into the community pride in their voices when
Alameda and Los Angeles. has had its highs and its lows.
college system to earn their they announced that they
Our students have been We could not do it all. The
GED and their degree. We had been accepted to the
honored with well deserved same night I learned that
realize, as well, that getting in college of their choice made
scholarships. Some of the Jocelyn Eastman was
to college is not the end of the it all worth while. Thank you
awards received by IHAD accepted to Harvard, I learned
effort—we will support them to all for allowing me this
students are The East Bay that another Dreamer had
stay in and graduate! For this privilege. ♦
Consortium Scholarship, the been charged with murder.
we are fortunate to have
. . . But don’t worry! We’re still here for you!
"I Have a Dream" Even though the I Have a Dream summer. Why not come in and talk to
Foundation - Oakland Program-Oakland will cease to exist as Tesia about what your options are??
Contact Info: you know it, we are still here to answer She has tons of information on
Office Address any of your questions and give you vocational programs, GED programs
959 12th St emotional support when you need it… and Community Colleges.
Second floor not to mention send out the Dreamer Assistance in your job search—for
Oakland, CA 94607 Scholarships to those who qualify!! those of you who are planning to go
directly to work, she can help you
Mailing Address Tesia Johnson, our College and Career create a top notch resume, discuss
PO Box 23244 Coordinator, will hold regular office interviewing techniques and how to go
Oakland, Ca. 94623 hours at the Bethlehem Lutheran about searching for a job.
th
Office Phone: Church, 959 12 Street (second Anything else!!—If you have an issue
(510)663-3331 floor). She will be there to support all and are not sure where to go or who
of our students, regardless of their to talk to…CALL HER!! If she can’t
Toll Free: current situation. Some of the things help you she can definitely give you
1-888-IHAD-655 you can come to her for are: advice on who to ask or how to get
(1-888-4423-655) Assistance passing the CAHSEE— your issue solved…or even just be the
E-mail: we have many CAHSEE books supportive ear to listen.
info@ihad-oakland.org and practice tests- she can also Tesia will also be the contact for
tutor you (or help you find a tutor) if Dreamer Scholarships so make
We’re on the Web! necessary! sure to get in touch with her to
See us at: Assistance figuring out a plan— complete your paperwork NOW!!!
www.ihad-oakland.org some folks don’t have a plan for
what they are going to do after the
"I HAVE A DREAM"
OAKLAND
PO Box 23244
Oakland, Ca. 94623
