“Dare to Dream” Gala
Master of Ceremonies: DC's Mr. Bob Madigan our very own "Man About Town" from WTOP News.
Hosted by:
Dyslexic Dreams Foundation http://www.dyslexicdreams.org/
Merritt Dyslexia Education Center(The Friendship School & The Margaret Byrd Rawson Institute) http://www.friendshipschool.org/ & http://www.mbri.org/
Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner Dance
Monday evening the October 6th 2008
Mandarin Oriental (DC)
Grand Ballroom - 1330 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
Washington, District of Columbia
*Black Tie
* Washington Life Magazine Media Sponsored Event* (WTOP) Covered Event
Evenings Festivities:
The 2008 "Dare to Dream Gala" " Dancing and Dining for Dyslexia": will bring together Washington DC's political, business, celebrity, and national leaders in dyslexia education for a one-of a kind signature fundraising event. Recognizing the visionaries of today, and giving hope
to the visionaries of tomorrow.
*Special Guest Michael Bacon (from the Bacon Brothers Band http://www.baconbros.com/ ) will be joining us to celebrate and support our dyslexic children.
Hosted by: Dyslexic Dreams Foundation and the Merritt Dyslexia Education Center (The Friendship School/Margaret Byrd Teacher Training Institute).
5:00-6:30 Corporate Meet and Greet VIP reception
6:30-7:30 cocktail & hors d’oeuvres reception for guests / silent auction (Featuring Portraits of Possibility-both children working hard to reach their dreams, and adult dyslexics who have achieved success thru their struggles and challenges)
7:30-8:30 award ceremony (Keynote speakers)/ Three course dinner prepared by Mandarin Orientals award winning chefs DINNER
8:30 - Live entertainment/dancing (Georgie Swan UK Pop Artist) (MattCusson-currently touring with Brian McKnight)
http://www.mattcussonfans.com/
*Auction Items throughout the night*A portion of contributions are tax deductible according to IRS regulations.
Honorees
Harvey Hubbell V (Captured Time Productions) Producer/Director of “Dislecksia: The Movie" - Mr. Harvey Hubbell V has won the Gold World Medal for Comedy at The New York Festivals and three Emmys for Outstanding Entertainment Program, Individual Achievement for Directing, and Program Writing. Harvey Hubbell V is an “itinerant filmmaker” – he has shot from the high-rise roofs of Warsaw to the banana boats of Peru. His documentaries have won more than 50 film and video festival awards, including four Emmys.
Captured Time production is known to make documentaries that make a difference. http://www.capturedtimeproductions.com/
Billy Blanks (World Martial Arts Champion/Tae-Bo Creator) You had fourteen brothers and sisters and the did not have learning problems. You
had trouble concentrating, you skipped words and read backwards. By seventh grade, you were placed in special education.When you were twelve you built yourself up physically as well as mentally. You worked part-time as a garbage man to pay for karate lessons.
Yourmother and father had always guided you to work hard to make something of yourself. By 1991, you had won seven international karate titles. Then working out to the sound track from “Rocky”. You began kicking, punching, and dancing to the music. And you created this
phenomenon – fusion of boxing, tae kwon do, and dance called Tae-Bo, now the rage of the Western World. You are empowering others to do better, to be better, as you empowered yourself to become a champion. http://www.billyblanks.com/
Georgie Swan (Live performance by UK Pop Artist) - musician Georgie Swan, fought dyslexia at school and triumphed with his voice. Comparisons to George Michael and being hailed in the press as "the voice of an angel". He has performed with National Eisteddfod of Wales and was the first male vocalist to join the Billericay School's 70 piece Studio Orchestra and went on to perform with them at the opening of Euro Disney. Steve Norman fellow musician had this to say “"I saw Georgie perform a song accapella at a recent soccer six charity dinner and you could
have heard a pin drop... In short, Georgie is an immensely charming, talented and likeable guy who has a story to tell regards his dyslexia".
http://www.georgieswan.com/index.htm
The Honorable Congressman Kendrick B. Meek (FL-17)Representative Kendrick B. Meek is Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. A former state trooper and eight-year Florida legislator, Meek waselected to Congress in 2002. He serves as the lone Floridian on the House Ways and Means Committee, and is a member of the House Armed Services Committee. Meek is also a member of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, which sets the overall policy agenda for the House Democratic Caucus, and the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, an inter-parliamentary organization of legislators representing NATO Member and associate countries. He is married to Leslie A. Meek, an administrative law judge for the District of Columbia’s Department of Employment Services and they have two
children, Lauren and Kendrick Jr. http://kendrickmeek.house.gov/index.shtml
Gloria Mayfield Banks - For Gloria Mayfield Banks, failure was never an option. It didn't matter that she grew up in the inner city of Detroit, struggled with dyslexia, suffered through a domestic violence situation, and became the target of scrutiny from her peers and family
for her career decisions. Banks was introduced to the business world through special college courses in high school and was later accepted into Harvard Business School, where she eventually became associate director of admissions. Twenty years ago this month, she started selling Mary Kay, eventually leaving her safe job at her alma mater to sell cosmetics full time. Today, Banks, an independent elite executive national sales director, is one of the company's top revenue producers. Over the last two decades, she's brought in more than $24 million in
cosmetics sales, earnings. Ms. Banks is also considered an expert in the field of Motivation, Self-Esteem and Sales Training. She often works with children, motivating them to get a jump-start in school and in their personal lives. She is known for her dynamic story-telling ability
and uses creative humor to impact her audience. Her enthusiasm is contagious! A communications consultant and one of the founding partners in Charisma Factor. Gloria Mayfield Banks is best described as “Energy in Motion!” Her accomplishments have been recognized in Black Enterprise, Glamour, Working Women an twice in Fortune Magazine. And recently, Ms. Banks was featured on the covers of Turning Point and CYH Magazines. Ms. Banks received a Bachelors degree from Harvard University and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard University.
Please Join us for this one of a kind Dyslexia Signature Event in DC at The Mandarin Oriental Hotel in DC. Helping to raise dyslexia awareness and funding for dyslexic children. More surprises to come, stay tuned...
*proceeds benefiting The Merritt Dyslexia Education Center(housing both The Friendship School & The Margaret Byrd Rawson Institute)
http://www.friendshipschool.org/ & http://www.mbri.org/
Inidivual tickets $350 per person. Tables for 10 can be bought at $3500. Corporate sponsorship avail. Please call Jami Schwartz/President of Dyslexic Dreams Foundation at 301-528-0056 or email jami@dyslexicdreams.org http://www.dyslexicdreams.org/
If you are interested in coming make sure you list yourself on the confirmed list.. This will be a sold out event. We will be sending out 3000 hard copy invites and 5000 online evites. Hope you can join us. Eracing dyslexia illiteracy on a national level, supporting families and children in financial need through the "Power of an Education". Help our children live out their "Dreams".
