Youth
The Young Dreamer section consists of content from Dreamfleur’s youth motivation site www.DreamerENT.com and other posts prevalent to encouraging youth to be creative and enterprising.
On Repeat: Music Pick and Inspiration – Hold Me Video & EP from Jamie Grace Harper
I’ve got the song “Hold Me” from Jamie Grace stuck in my head – it’s so upbeat, unique and catchy. For the past couple of weeks I’ve played it on repeat for the 1st and second grade girls who I teach at church, to get them focused on their art projects (and to stop talking about Justin Bieber:) and they love listening to it too as they sing along and color. Glad they appreciate great music:)…
TobyMac recently signed Jamie Grace to his label Gotee Records and her EP that was released in February is funky, soulful and creative – something I think anyone will enjoy. (You can preview the EP on her Facebook page here.) I got to see her in action at Women of Faith’s event for teens The Revolve Tour Dream On event in January (check out some pictures I took at the event) and her testimony and how focused she is at only 19-years-old is so inspiring. She shared her testimony of how God helped her to deal with a diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome when she was 11-years-old and how she started acting and playing music despite hardships and dealing with discovering who she was. She also shared her song “Hold Me,” and an original song dedicated to Revolve. Despite being her first time being on the Revolve stage she seemed like a seasoned pro and was really inspiring and relatable. She’s an awesome inspiration to me on how God can launch you into your dreams if you trust, practice your craft and give all you do to Him.
I’ve been following Jamie Grace on Youtube since a few years back after I stumbled across one of her videos when I was randomly looking for a review of High School Musical 2 (don’t judge me, I was a bored college student;). I loved her videos talking about dealing with Tourettes and song covers she did with her guitar. Now she’s sharing her story and songs around the country; she’s really come a long way and I know this is only the beginning for the amazing places she’s going!
For more info on Jamie Grace and to order her EP you can visit jamie-grace.com or connect with her on Youtube, Facebook or Twitter: @jamiegraceh
Also check out this cool fan supporter site for Jamie Grace to help spread the word: http://jamiegracefans.blogspot.com
Below check out a clip of a video of Jamie Grace in action at Revolve in TX:
Feathery Fashions: Marlo Adelle Hair Accessories
I originally posted about Marlo Adelle Hair Accessories a handmade and fashionable feathered hairclip line created by a young entrepreneur, on my youth website Dreamer ENT. I love her colorful & intricate plummette designs and how they can liven up an outfit with a cute, whimsical touch.
You can find out more about the business and how to order at www.marloadelle.com
The Story Behind Marlo Adelle Hair Accessories
Marlo started making hair accessories to go with her outfits at age 14. Her friends requested personalized hair clips for themselves. Her mother helped her sew them and eventually they introduced them to local businesses in downtown Austin.
As demand increased, Marlo turned to Craig’s List for potential hairclip helpers. The helpers came to the family home, were trained and Marlo provided them patterns to trace. By the third year, Marlo was selling in 12 boutiques in Austin and in California, as well as online. In 2008 Whole Foods Market ordered her new line of romanticized feather hairclips with a vintage flare.
Giving Back
As Marlo continued to grow her business, she was involved in giving back to her community through volunteer efforts in PALS and teaching art at Laguna Gloria Art School. She traveled to the Dominican Republic to teach art to impoverished children. With three employees, Marlo plans to continue her business while in college and to expand the online business.
Inspiration for a Generation: Youth of Christ Movie
A few months back on Dream in Soul I interviewed Stephanie Rodnez, a young filmmaker I met while we were both students at the University of Miami. She is now using her passion for making movies to inspire other young people through her company Christ Effect Entertainment. Stephanie’s latest project is Youth of Christ, a fun feature length film about a lazy youth group’s struggle to host a youth revival at their church. The message of the movie is that no matter what age you are, you’re never too young to do big things for Jesus Christ. If you are in the South Florida area you are welcome to attend the screening which is open to the public with free admission, Friday, March 4th at 7:30pm in Fort Lauderdale. See below for more details.
Click Here for the Dream in Soul Interview with Stephanie Rodnez
Check out the trailer for the film Youth of Christ below:
More About Youth of Christ & The Upcoming Release Event
South Florida native Stephanie Rodnez is out to build a strong Christian film industry in South Florida, starting with the premiere of her first feature length film created for theatrical release, “Youth of Christ.” The event is taking place on Friday, March 4th, 7:30pm, at the First Baptist Church of Plantation, where she’s been a member since she was four years old.
Now 24, Rodnez is eager to see filmmakers and South Florida churches closely aligned. “Youth of Christ is a movie that inspires teenagers to get out of their pews and do something big for Jesus Christ, and we’re praying that once churches see this film, we’ll see a boom in young adult led ministries here in South Florida,” says Rodnez.
Empowering Girls: Dreams of Gems and Jewels
One of my first blogs that I started back in 2007 was called GEM and was hosted on Blogger. It started with a poem I wrote called Little Brown Girl, inspired by girls I’ve witnessed in the inner-city who seem to be losing hope because they don’t know hope exists.
From seeing girls getting pregnant to dropping out of school, my heart breaks to see any child, whatever the background, fail to realize their purpose and worth. We see how women are objectified in the media and the way positive role models for African American girls are so few on TV. It’s up to us – mothers, sisters, aunts and mentors – to instill confidence in the next generation.
Overtime I started other blogs on my own domain and discontinued the GEM blog, but I recently was inspired to revisit it…
A few months back via the Internet I met an inspiring woman named Kara Norman who co-founded a wonderful organization for girls called GEMS and Jewels Empowerment Group with Adriane Simmons. Kara and I connected and she took the time to encourage me – she is truly a kind-hearted person who is being the change she dreams of seeing in the world.
Learning about the work the GEMS and Jewels Group does to motivate girls, from organizing etiquette classes to college preparation field trips, really made me begin thinking about how I could also mentor girls in my community. Remembering my own childhood and teen years as shy, unconfident girl, her group would have nurtured me so much to grow as it is doing for so many girls today. If every girl had dedicated mentors like Kara and Adriane I’m sure there would be more strong, confident women in the world.
The GEMS and Jewels recently had their Kick-Off Celebration for the year and below is a booklet I had the pleasure to create for them and a poem I’ve written dedicated to their vision and girls:
Dreams of Gems and Jewels
Your eyes glint
With passion for life,
Your dreams sparkle
So very bright.
You have purpose,
Worth, power and gifts
So walk and dream
With confidence…
You are one very special girl,
Who has the power to change the world.
You’re precious, unique, talented,
Intelligent too,
One day your dreams
Can come true!
This is why we celebrate you
Because you are truly
A Gem and Jewel!
More Information About the GEMS and Jewels Empowerment Group for Girls:
Website: http://www.gemsandjewelsgirl.com
Mission: The mission of the G.E.M.S. and Jewels program is to promote self-esteem, self-awareness, self worth and respect within the lives of young girls and teens. Through enrichment workshops/activities, cultural awareness, community service projects, mentorship, leadership/educational programs and social activities G.E.M.S. and Jewels will accomplish these goals and create confident young women who will make a difference in our world!
Beyond Color: How Do Youth Perceive the World?
“We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color…”
“It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.” – Maya Angelou
One of the topics concerning youth I find myself often researching and learning about is identity, especially how young people view themselves and others. One area in particular is relating to race and ethnic background – how do young people see themselves and others? In my college “Women & Minorities in the Media” course I did a final paper on African American girls and how the media and role models in their lives affect the way they grow up and pursue careers.
Are we as adults and educators teaching children to see beyond color? Will the environment’s we live in and experiences we have had always have an effect on our world paradigm? Below are a few pieces and resources on this subject:
Colour Me – The Feature Film
Colour Me is a feature-length documentary film from Red Piano Productions following motivational speaker Anthony McLean and five youth on their journey to discover what it means “to be black”. McLean himself is biracial and talks about the struggles he felt growing up trying to find where he “fit in.” Watch this development reel from the documentary:
“A Girl Like Me” A Short Documentary Film by Kiri Davis
A few years back (then 17-year-old) Harlem student Kiri Davis recreated the famous doll experiment of the 1940’s by psychologist Dr. Kenneth Clark. Children were presented with dolls of different races to see how they responded to them. Kiri received recognition from various outlets for the film and was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show, bringing the subject to the forefront to be discussed – have perceptions changed? Click here to learn more about Kiri Davis on her website.
CNN Report: Black or White: Kids on Race (May 2010 – Click here for the full report)
CNN commissioned a study on children’s racial beliefs, attitudes and preferences that shows black and white children are biased toward lighter skin. The test aimed to re-create the landmark Doll Test from 1940s. The two girls at the end of the video have so much wisdom and see the reality that “you don’t judge someone by the way they look but by the way they act.” Though it was sad to see when some didn’t realize their worth, it’s refreshing to see that some really “get it”.
