This Week’s DREAM Community Newsletter

We’re delighted to share this latest edition of the DREAM Community Newsletter, part of our commitment to keeping DREAM supporters and neighborhood residents informed, engaged, and inspired.

In this edition, you can look forward to:

• News and Updates: Stay informed about our latest developments.
• Spotlight Stories: Learn about the remarkable leaders and partners making a difference in our community.
• Upcoming Events: Get the scoop on community gatherings, workshops, and activities where you can connect with your neighbors.
• Resources and Opportunities: Discover helpful resources and opportunities for personal and community growth.

Thank you for being a part of the Dream of Detroit family.

Next week is the final of a two-part book club to dig in. Can you join us on Wednesday July 31 at 7pm at Kitab Cafe in Midtown?

In Caste, Wilkerson highlights stories of resilience and resistance, showing how individuals and groups have fought against caste oppression and sought to dismantle the system. This compelling work also explores the historical roots of the American caste system, tracing its origins to slavery and examining how laws and practices over centuries have solidified racial hierarchies.

Join us for a lively discussion on how caste affects individuals’ lives, opportunities, and interactions. We will delve into the psychological and physical toll of living under a caste system, including stress, health disparities, and violence.

We are thrilled to invite you to the DREAM Movie Night, where we will be hosting a free screening of Origin, the latest film by acclaimed director Ava DuVernay, based on the writing of Caste.

About the Film: “Origin” is a deeply moving exploration of the intricate forces that have shaped our society. DuVernay traces Isabel Wilkerson’s process of writing Caste, including her research travels, to delve into the complex and often untold histories that shape our present-day realities. It’s a unique opportunity to engage with a profound narrative that fosters awareness and understanding within our community.

Watching “Origin” as a community allows us to reflect collectively on our past and present, and to better understand the narratives that influence our lives today. Sign up now for the August 14th Movie Night–even, or especially, if you didn’t read the book! 

📚✨ Recap of the DREAM Book Club Meeting!✨📚

Last week, our DREAM book club had an incredible discussion on Isabel Wilkerson’s powerful book, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. The engagement and insights shared by all members made the evening truly special.

Testimonials from Community Members:

“This book opened my eyes to the hidden structures of inequality in our society.”

“The discussion helped me understand how deeply embedded these issues are and the importance of addressing them.”

“I’m grateful for this community where we can have such meaningful conversations.”

What an Amazing “Meet, Greet, and Grill” Celebration!

Last Tuesday, our DREAM Community Association gathered for an unforgettable summer BBQ at the Detroit Repertory Theatre. With the aroma of delicious burgers and hot dogs filling the air, and the vibrant sounds of our DJ creating the perfect atmosphere, the event was a massive success. A huge thank you to our community leaders and neighborhood residents for always turning out!

Insights from the Field

“This event brought the community out and the DREAM Neighborhood Association provided us with a platform for meaningful conversations and networking opportunities.”

“The program was insightful, food was fantastic, and the activities for the kids were a hit! I honestly can say that I can’t wait until the next one.”

“It’s occasions like this that truly represent the richness of our community and when we all come together as neighbors, we can make a real change in our neighborhood.”

The DREAM Team Represents at the 2024 BMPC in Chicago

Big thanks to Dr. Kameelah Mumin Oseguera for hosting DREAM at the enlightening 2024 Black Muslim Psychology Conference in Chicago. Looking forward to the 10th Anniversary in 2025!

Let’s hear the experiences from our DREAM Team:

“BMPC is a transformative safe space for Black Muslims to convene, converse and commune. I am grateful to have been able to attend and eagerly look forward to next year.”

– Malikah Shabazz

“The BMPC was like coming home to my family. Meeting new cousins that I haven’t seen in years. Meeting my nieces and nephews. Sitting on the floor, at the footsteps of my elders. Experiencing family. This was both rewarding and humbling.”

– Dawud Clark

“I absolutely loved attending BMPC in Chicago and learned so much at the different panels and workshops. It was so insightful to be able to learn and listen from so many intellectuals and I look forward to returning inshAllah!”

– Noor Khanafer

“This was my first time attending the Black Muslim Psychology Conference, and I can confidently say I left with a wealth of knowledge. Volunteering with Dr. Kam’s team allowed me to meet many new and intelligent people. I hope to return next year.”

-Rattanna Abdellatif

…A Place Where A Soul Can Rest

Attention Aspiring Entrepreneurs in Detroit, Hamtramck, Highland Park, and Inkster! 

Are you ready to turn your business dreams into reality? The Entrepreneur Training Program by ProsperUs Detroit, in partnership with Dream of Detroit, is here to help you succeed!

📆 Apply by August 4, 2024 📆

Program Benefits:

• Get one-on-one support and accountability
• Formally register your business
• Create budgets and systems for bookkeeping
• Write a solid business plan

By graduation, you will understand:

• Your business model
• Your target market
• Your business financials

This is your chance to receive expert guidance and the tools you need to thrive in the business world. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity!

👉 Apply now

Some of you might be unfamiliar with the DREAM Center, so we wanted to reintroduce it.

The DREAM Center will be a digital literacy lab, co-working studio, community courtyard, and innovation space, all in one. This remarkable space will provide our neighbors with resources to help them thrive.

The DREAM Center will be located in the heart of our neighborhood and is optimally configured for energy efficiency. It is designed to be a hub for creativity, innovation, and community collaboration, all while providing resources to support personal and professional growth.

Take a look at the video clip below:

MEET MARK CRAIN.

Executive Director at Dream of Detroit

Background: Mark has served as the Founding Director at Dream of Detroit for several years now and, alongside many others, had been a volunteer helping guide the organization for years before that. Additionally, Mark is Deputy Director of Economic Development for Wayne County, Michigan. There, he’s a leader in housing, business attraction, community development, and environmental justice and sustainability, serving all 43 of Wayne County’s communities.

Under his leadership, Dream of Detroit, as a community development organization, has scaled up in providing affordable housing, developing an economic corridor, and organizing local residents with folks from throughout Detroit’s metro-area Muslim community in the fight for racial and economic justice in the city.

Fun Fact: Prior to DREAM, Mark worked in digital strategy and community organizing at Chicago’s Inner-City Muslim Action Network, Obama 2012, and most recently, MoveOn, where he built a $5M, 15-person department. Mark also has significant organizational development experience and has recently served on the boards of the Detroit Justice Center, ReThink Media, and Emgage Foundation.

In partnership with DREAM, Detroit Downtown Synagogue, and Triumph Church, connecting to the Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities respectively, this initiative leverages the strengths and outreach capabilities of all partners. Our shared goal is to ensure that reliable information and essential resources reach residents across the city, and that those residents are receiving the news they care about and need.

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