About

How It Started

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The I Have a Dream program was launched in 1981, when founder Eugene Lang returned to his alma mater, PS. 121 in East Harlem, to address the graduating sixth grade class. When he learned that three-quarters of the school’s students would probably drop out of school, Lang promised college tuition to every sixth grader who graduated from high school.

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The results were truly amazing. 90% of those sixth graders graduated from high school and 60% went to college. This remarkable accomplishment led to the creation of the I Have a Dream Foundation, which consists of 200 affiliates across the United Sates, and one in New Zealand. Within those 200 affiliates, there are 65 current cohorts serving more than 18,000 Dreamers in 30 U.S. cities.

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The Miami chapter was founded in 1995 by Stephanie and Jules Trump (no relation to Donald Trump). The foundation adopted the entire second grade class (97 Dreamers) at the Charles R. Drew School in Liberty City. 95 Dreamers reached the twelfth grade, 83 of them graduated in 2005 on time and, 54 graduated college and several are currently enrolled in higher education. In a community where the average income is $11,000, 1 out of 4 children is arrested by the age of 16, teenage pregnancy is prevalent and the graduation rate of less than 25%, the “ I Have a Dream” Miami program has helped defy these odds. These Dreamers have proven that just because one is born into poverty, does not mean that one cannot succeed, if only given the opportunity to.

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Where We Are Now

 

That chosen 2nd grade class from Charles R. Drew Elementary School has now graduated from college, started thriving businesses, furthered their education into Doctoral programs, become community leaders and activist and so much more.

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In February of 2023, the Program Coordinator for the Class of 2005, Ricky Wiggins, transitioned. In his passing, through pain and grieving, a passion filled movement was created for the Alumni to step up and serve within the community and Dreamer network.

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To date, the Miami Alumni Council has secured partnerships with the Miami Heat and community businesses that will allow them the opportunities to create experiences that encourage growth on both personal and professional levels. 

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The Alumni Council, in their inaugural year, are jump starting the initiatives "The Power to Empower" (mentorship) and their very own scholarship in honor of their coordinator,  "The Ricky Wiggins Scholarship".

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Through mission, motivation and mentorship, the Alumni plan to show the true return on investment which extends far beyond any dollar amount.