De'Ron Smith

White House Recognized Author, Inspirational Speaker, Founder and CEO of “I Dream Academy” (Mentoring and Development) and Intervention Consultant

Mr. De’Ron Smith, first received national attention when he served on a White House Roundtable discussion panel of the Honorable Barbera Bushs’ “Mentoring Initiative Movement”(2008).

From there, his achievements in the field of mentoring, youth development and social and emotional stability, has soared! With countless news paper articles, radio and television interviews, ranging from local to across the country, Mr. Smith’s expertise, experience, and knowledge in this field is being sought after abroad.

President & Chairman

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Professional Credentials

Mr. Smith Was A Recurring Lecturer/Presenter At Northern Kentucky University (MSW Students Department), But Have Honored Requests From Other Esteemed Colleges Such As, College Of Mt. St. Joseph, National College, As Well As Atlanta And Chicago For Youth Violence Conferences. To Accompany His Personally Experienced Memoir, He Possesses An Immeasurable Amount Of Professional Credentials. . . A Few To Note:

  • Six years of advance education
  • CDCA -Board of Chemical Dependency
  • Career Development Practioner – (National Institute of Correction/DOJ
  • Workforce Development Specialist
  • Specializing in youths with Trauma (Certification)

Contract & Partner Agencies

Recognizing his level of expertise and result based outcomes, he has been asked to contract and partner with agencies in his home town of Cincinnati, such as:

  • Hamilton County Juvenile Courts
  • Cincinnati Public School System
  • University of Cincinnati (Research and Criminal Justice Department)
  • Adult Parole Authorities
  • Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections
  • Lighthouse Youth Services
  • Northern Kentucky University

TELISA JONES BS, LCDC III

Site Coordinator

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Telisa Jones Is Currently The CEO/Owner Of Bella The Pink Elephant And Program Manager At Antoinette Nursing Agency. She Graduated From The University Of Cincinnati With An Associate Degree In Criminal Justice 2005, Bachelor Degree In Addiction Studies 2008.

The Pink Elephant Pretty Princess, LLC Specialize In One Of A Kind Kids Birthday Parties! We Can Customize Your Event To Make It Special And Truly Unique With Live Entertainment & Interactive Play.

This Combined Experience Has Allowed Telisa To Be An Excellent Site Coordinator, As Well As A Patient And Detail Oriented Tutor. She Knows How To Keep Things Orderly And How To Keep Youth Focused.

YOLANDA HILL

Parent EngagementSpecialist

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Yolanda Has Over 20 Years Of Community Services In A Wide Array Of Arenas From Educational, Residential, Juvenile Residential, Juvenile Corrections, Adult Corrections, & Mental Health, As Well As A Number Of Years In Customer Service.

Encouraging Others Not To Quit Themselves Is A Challenge She Takes On Willingly. Service Is Not Limited To Children When They Have Families Who Support Them, Providing Families With The Same Encouragement Can Strengthen Their Bond And Shared Growth.

Yolanda Is A God-Fearing, Life-Loving Woman That Enjoys Cooking, Laughter, Poetry, Writing, Reading, Music, And Being Creative.

She Is Also One Who Has A Strong Passion To Empower, Encourage, Inspire, Listen To Youth, Young Adults & Their Parents While Assisting Them By Providing Them With Resources That Are Beneficial To Obtaining & Sustaining Their Independence.

REV. ROBERT BRADLEY BS, M.ED.

Spiritual & Academic Coach/Web Tech

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Robert Bradley Is A Former Adjunct Professor Who Has Taught Courses From Presentation Graphics And Animation To Business Communications To Information Systems And E-Commerce And A Lot Courses In-Between.

Mr. Bradley Was A Martial Arts Instructor And Meditative Movement Coach. He Taught Courses Through The Japanese Karate-Do, Center For Closing The Health Gap, Through Weight Of Faith And I Dream Academy.

For Several Years, He Worked As A Freelance Website Creator, Doing Business Under Name Of SW Graphix. He Has Created Websites Ranging From One Page Business Card Websites To Multi-Layered Websites That Included Ecommerce, Event Registration And Password Protected Forum Areas Within The Website.

Robert Bradley Is The Pastor Of The Church Connected. SW Graphix (Spirit Warrior Graphics) Is A Ministry Of The Online Church, The Church Connected.

GABE FOLMAR

Program Coordinator

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Mr. Gabriel (Gabe) Folmar is a Miami University graduate with a BS Degree in Sociology with a focus on children and families.

With his education, experience, and love for basketball, Mr. Folmar was able to participate with Athletes in Action touring around the Southern part of the United States.

Gabe has also been inducted into the Hamilton Miami University Hall of Fame for his outstanding accomplishments both on and off the court during his time at the university.

He has a long list of experience that includes many roles held at his local community center, substitute teaching, coaching, and many others.

Mr. Folmar is well known in his community and will always say, “You have to know where you come from to know where you are going.”

We Infuse - We Motivate - We Dream!

We Take Pride In Joining With Our Community Partners!

Your Donations Will Go A Long Way. Together, Let's Help Our Youth Achieve Greatness.

I Dream Academy Can Only Be A Success With The Help Of Collaborating Community Partnerships.

PLEASE DONATE

We are a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization

I Dream Academy:

Where The Only Limitations Are Set By You!