D.R.E.A.M. Conference-the Age of Millennial Service, Dare to Dream
The D.R.E.A.M. Team held its first annual conference in September an inclusive 4 day event. The event centered around the recognition of dreamers and entrepreneurs from all walks of life. The conference was a cultural melting pot of innovation, pursuits and ideas. The conference was very much about people and changing the world we live in, in the pursuit of happiness.
The journey of an entrepreneur is largely glamorized with materialistic accoutrements. It is dressed up packaged nicely and presented to the world as the most amazing journey focusing solely on the rewards. Here is where the buck stops. The D.R.E.A.M conference absolutely and deservingly gives recognition to the achievements of dedicated hard work. It differs by also painting the real life picture that entrepreneurship is just that “hard work.” It however champions that the payoff of sacrifice is well worth the wait.
The conference hosted notable business owners from a bevy of fields and industries from fashion, real estate, media, music, shipping, and mental health just to name a few. The conference highlights include the
D. R. E. A. M. pitch that placed emerging entrepreneurs in the face of investors and those with access to networks with capital such as John Rendenbo best known for creative financing solutions who has a reputation for funding the impossible. Among those entrepreneurs one of the upstarts that stood out in my memory is Garcia’z Ink . Garcia’z Ink is changing the mindset and connotation of the tattoo industry. The goal is to build and support families in order to give back to the community.
There were paneled talks on the subject matter of mental health, the importance of self care, healthy coping mechanisms with exuberant Psychotherapist Andrea Wise-Brown. Brown spoke with thought leaders in their perspective industries. Brown was able to ask questions that framed the process of entrepreneurship, painted realistic captures of the struggle and how to move forward. Brown assisted speakers in giving a real insider’s view on building a business and ways to ensure mental security on the road to success.
Leaders and panel speakers included CEO of Guns and Roses Boutique, Princess Pope, owner of PCH Los Angeles, Larry Singleton Jr., motivational speaker, Victor Johnson, founder of Cosign, Shamar Atlas , CEO of Entertainment 258 Agency, Marquis Trill, Social media mogul, Ashley Ann, CEO of the Powerstrip consulting Agency, April Sha’lil.
Final Day of the D.R.E.A.M. Conference concluded with a Fashion Show and Gala held at the reputable Lofty Spaces where the cuisine was prepared by skilled chefs. The food was presented to fulfill the expectations of a culinary artistry with an array of selections.
The most memorable moments of the D.R.E.A.M. Conference were the people. Special thanks to some of the key players Corey “Flex” Artis, Bailey Herbert and Bionca Sanders.
[pictured below behind the scenes footage from various days]