The Dream in Color Foundation, Inc. has been formed as a 501(c)3 nonprofit entity organized to provide cultural enrichment opportunities for the economically disadvantaged youth in the Northern Virginia area. Our primary mission is to facilitate an after school dance program that is geographically accessible as well as affordable to the underprivileged and underserved population. In an effort to diversify participation and enhance appreciation of the Performing Arts, this program is poised to reach the frequently excluded but not disinterested clientele.
We offer children of all ages top quality dance instruction in a nurturing environment, emphasizing self-esteem, cultural pride, artistic growth and commitment to one's self. The Foundation also intends to provide its students with scholarship assistance, transportation assistance, academic support and nutritional guidance, on an as-needed/income eligible basis.
DICF has extended its services to reach the students in the Alexandria Public School District where the statistics show that of the 43.2% minority population within the City of Alexandria, 65.6% rent their homes. These figures suggest an economic struggle to sustain family needs, leaving little or no disposable income for their children to participate in extra-curricular activities. Further, over 52.23% of the 10,602 Alexandria school age children were eligible for the free and reduced lunch program for the 2004-05 school year again supporting the need for programs such as ours. As recently noted in The Washington Post, only 9% of Northern Virginia area students participate in after school programs, leaving the remainder to fend for themselves primarily as latch-key kids, thus increasing their vulnerability to self-destructive behavior. We are excited about the possibility of providing a safe haven as well as an inspirational environment to these children through participation in our program.
Understanding that convenience and accessibility are key in reaching our target population, DICF offers classes at both the Dr. Oswald Durant Memorial Recreation Center and the Nannie J. Lee Recreation Center in the City of Alexandria. Through a partnership with The Campagna Kids Program, we also teach dance classes at 10 Alexandria Public Elementary School SACC Programs.
Mrs. Kimberly J. James, Founder & President of the Board, Program Director, is a graduate of Hampton University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communication and Theatre Arts and she has more than 20 years of dance training and both instructional as well as professional dance experience. Kim danced as well as served the St. Louis, Missouri community as a St. Louis Rams Cheerleader. Over the years, she has organized and directed several local school-aged dance programs and has lead the Lake Braddock Secondary School Dance Team to national titles. She is presently the Assistant Director of a private school in Northern Virginia.
Terry Summerson, Board of Directors Treasurer, is a business banking specialist, working for SunTrust Bank, who has been in the banking industry for the past 14 years. He works closely with small businesses by advising them on what products and services best fit their business as well as personal needs in order for their business and personal portfolio to grow and be successful.
Tammie Harris, Board of Directors Secretary, received her Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Physics from Prairie View A&M University. Tammie is currently a System Engineer and Testing Manager at the Raytheon Company in Northern Virginia but has also worked as an engineer for such companies as Lockheed Martin and NASA. She enjoys volunteering with youth programs and worked as a counselor at Camp Periwinkle (a camp for child cancer patients) , and has served as a Trustee and Treasurer of the New Generation Missionary Baptist Bible Church for two years. She currently resides in Fairfax, Virginia, with her husband and daughter.
Mr. Elmo Green, III, Vice President of Marketing, is a special education teacher in the Prince William County Public School System and is presently working towards a master's degree in Special Education. He has 10 years of professional experience in business to business sales and marketing.
Mr. Jurmell L. James, Esq., General Counsel, is an attorney who presently works as a labor & employee relations specialist for a Federal Agency. He has a wealth of legal experience in the areas of sports, entertainment, labor, and employment law, as well as contract negotiations and human resources management. He received his juris doctorate from Washington University in St. Louis and his Bachelor of Science in Commerce from the University of Virginia.
Mrs. Danielle Garcia, Board of Directors, received a performing arts degree at Oklahoma City University with extensive training in Classical Ballet/Pointe, Jazz, Tap and Musical Theatre, as well as training in Dance History and Dance Anatomy & Physiology. She also studied the Horton Technique, Dunham, Flamenco, Ballet and Jazz at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. She has taught all areas of dance for over eight years at the Alwin School of Dance, the Dance Place and Dance Etc. School for the Arts, but most importantly, Danielle is a passionate dancer with the ability to motivate young people in appreciating the arts and achieving their full potential. She currently teaches high school in Prince William County Public Schools and is presently working on obtaining a Masters degree in Special Education.
Lorri Cobbins, MD, Board of Directors, has more than 20 years of professional dance experience. Lorri worked as a Saint Louis Rams cheerleader for 3 years while attending Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Throughout the years she has performed in various theater productions and appeared in television commercials. Among her many community service projects, she volunteered her time teaching dance classes to students at the Boys and Girls Club of St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Cobbins now practices plastic surgery in Chevy Chase, Maryland at the Cobbins Center of Cosmetic Enhancement, LLC.
Dream in Color Foundation
Tax ID: 20-2359446
Dream in Color Dance & Music Studios
7373 McWhorter Place
Annandale, VA 22003
703-642-1711 Ph
703-642-1713 Fax