VOLUME 4, ISSUE 1 | WINTER 2022
Dreams An Achievable Dream Class Sponsor Newsletter From the President/ CEO Dear Class Sponsors, I must say that 2021 was a remarkable year for An Achievable Dream. Our Dreamers and alumni never cease to amaze me with their many accomplishments. As you will read in these pages, our alumni are some of the strongest, most driven and resilient men and women I have ever had the privilege to meet, and as class sponsors, I know you share my pride in them and all they are achieving. Your commitment to a class sponsorship means that you are determined to see our Dreamers step into bright futures filled with promise. It shows that you are dedicated to strengthening the Dream community and its outreach. Your sponsorship allows our Dreamers to believe in their abilities and achieve success regardless of their socioeconomic background. Thank you for your investment in An Achievable Dream. Because of you, our Dreamers continue to thrive. With all my gratitude, Lee Vreeland, Ed.D. President/CEO, An Achievable Dream
ACHIEVED First a Dreamer, Next an Attorney, Now an Author Shukita Massey, AAD Class of 2001, recently authored and published a children’s book, Oh, Parker! A collection of short stories. She says: “As a child growing up in East End Newport News, I always dreamed of how I could help others and make an impact in my community. After graduating from law school, I returned to my hometown to begin my legal career. Having served as a dedicated and passionate prosecutor in the Hampton Roads area for more than 11 years, I have seized opportunities to assist others, especially children, in their most vulnerable moments in life. My love for children and my pastime of journaling led me to the idea of creating a children’s book that will inspire young readers all over the world.
Continued on page 3
Alumni Statistics
869
Since 2001, Dreamers have graduated from An Achievable Dream in Newport News.
100%
of Dreamers graduated on time
5-10%
of graduates joined the military or entered the workforce
90-95%
of graduates attended college or trade school
60%
of alumni graduated from or currently attending college
Alumni Stories I hope to make a difference by being a positive role model in the community. Calvin Malone, Class of 2006 Calvin Malone graduated from An extends far beyond school walls and Achievable Dream in 2006. After is felt for generations throughout the graduation, he joined the United States community.” Navy. During his years of service, he When reflecting on some of the developed great leadership qualities, lessons he learned at AAD that have backed by the foundational core values, carried him to this point in life, Calvin honor, courage, and commitment. After shared: “Attending AAD meant you were eight years of service, he returned home at school later in the day while most to settle in North Suffolk with his wife of your friends were at home already and five children. He recently obtained playing or enjoying their summer his Master of Business Administration vacation. I didn’t know it then, but that degree at Saint Leo University in March structure created the ability to focus 2021. Two months later, he was recruited on my goals without being distracted by Allstate to become an Exclusive by outside influences. Because of the Agent/Agency Owner. His agency, family-like structure at AAD, I Calvin Malone Insurance Agency “For most young men, their father is never felt like I was missing out LLC, opened its doors for business the first male figure they learn from, on anything. I am certain that on December 1, 2021 in Suffolk. the husband and father I am that figure for me was Mr. Coleman.” today and my future success When he is not behind his desk, — Calvin Malone he is usually spending time with are because I was afforded the his family on vacation, at local sporting events with his opportunity to attend AAD. Etched in my brain are the children, or taking bike rides through his community. many encouraging words, morning handshakes, and Calvin believes AAD provided a fun and safe learning motivational quotes on the banners hanging throughout environment for its students, and as a result, they the halls. AAD gave me so much, and I would not be developed a great camaraderie among each other. “Truly the man I am today had it not been for the structure it a home away from home, AAD’s family-like structure provided and the caring staff.” created lifelong relationships among students and staff. Calvin expressed his excitement about the newly-opened I attribute a lot of my success to my experience at AAD.” Calvin Malone Insurance Agency through Allstate and He is most grateful for the experiences he shared with welcomes the challenges associated with new business. On the teachers and staff at AAD. “The direction I received his decision to open an insurance agency, he shared that he from Marilyn Luter, Richard Coleman, John Hodge, is creating several job opportunities within the community James Hayden, and Lee Vreeland helped shape the very to form a team dedicated to providing quality service. foundation that I stand on today.” He especially credits “I decided to open an insurance agency because it affords Richard Coleman for his leadership and mentorship: me the opportunity to provide security for my family, “For most young men, their father is the first male figure while providing the community with services designed to they learn from, that figure for me was Mr. Coleman.” protect them from life’s uncertainties and prepare them for In his early years at AAD, Calvin frequently visited the future, just as AAD did for me.” He looks forward to a Mr. Coleman’s office and gained nuggets of wisdom to successful and longstanding future with Allstate. prepare him for the future. Calvin is also looking forward to being a community Mr. Hodge and Mr. Hayden were also great male role presence and giving back to the organizations that models who provided life lessons for him both inside helped shape him. “I am proof that exposure to good and outside the classroom. Calvin shared about AAD’s people makes a difference in the lives of our children president and CEO Dr. Lee Vreeland, “Everyone under and much like the staff at AAD did for me, I hope to the tutelage of Dr. Vreeland will agree that the guidance make a difference by being a positive role model in the and nurture she provides feels mother-like. Her support community.” 2
Selected Class Notes
Shamenese Robinson
Kendall Crump
Nasir Curry
Ja’Had Mills
Class of 2009
Class of 2013
Class of 2014
Class of 2014
Shamenese Robinson:
and etiquette.” Shamenese
discover what the future
provides scholarships
Shamenese graduated
shared that AAD turned
holds for her.
to socioeconomically
from An Achievable Dream
her dreams into reality,
in 2009. After graduating
providing funding for
from AAD, she received
educational advancement
her bachelor’s degree, two
and physical and moral
master’s degrees, and she
support.
is completing her Ph.D. in clinical psychology. She currently works for AAD as the student and program success coordinator in Henrico County. Shamenese believes the social, academic, moral, and educational components grounded in the principles of AAD prepared her for success outside of the classroom. “In addition to the traditional educational curriculum, An Achievable Dream teaches life skills, such as financial literacy
Nasir Curry: Nasir
disadvantaged youth.
graduated from An
Ja’Had Mills: After
Achievable Dream in 2014,
graduating from An
and went on to pursue
Achievable Dream in 2014,
a bachelor’s degree in
Ja’Had attended Virginia
Kendall Crump: Kendall
human development at
Tech where he graduated
is a 2013 graduate of An
Virginia Tech. He shared,
with a bachelor’s degree
Achievable Dream. She
“The strong partnership
in philosophy with a
graduated in June of 2019
between An Achievable
concentration in critical
with a master’s degree in
Dream and Virginia Tech
thinking and problem
business administration,
made it possible for me
solving in 2018. Upon
and worked as an assistant
to attend college and
his degree conferral,
manager at the Finish Line
overcome my guardianship
Ja’Had worked a part-time
shoe company. In October
setbacks.” Nasir currently
management position with
of 2020, she began
attends Radford University,
UPS for three years, and
working at Langley Federal
where he is pursuing
he became a full-time UPS
Credit Union, and she
a master’s degree in
driver in 2021. Ja’Had
recently started working
social work. He hopes to
has a son who was born
as a consumer loan officer
become a medical social
in August. Ja’Had gives
for OneMain Financial.
worker or a licensed
all credit and thanks to
Kendall thoroughly enjoys
clinical social worker after
An Achievable Dream for
her position with OneMain
graduation, and eventually
making him the young
Financial and is excited to
open a nonprofit that
man he is today.
Shukita Massey, continued from page 1
“Oh, Parker! is a collection of short stories that provides impactful life lessons about thankfulness, friendship, determination, and kindness. My desire is that young 3
readers will be able to relate to the main character, Parker, and after reading the book, they will walk away feeling happy, empowered, and selfconfident.”
An Achievable Dream Alumna Speaks on Community Impact with Riverside Health System Kayla Jarman, a Class of 2014 alumna, had the opportunity to speak to the value and lifechanging nature of An Achievable Dream in a recent Riverside Health System partnership video. Kayla shared, “Attending AAD from kindergarten, it offered positive affirmations, and every morning we would shake hands with military personnel and soldiers. To have such positive role models is something that I appreciate so much. We were exposed to Speaking Green and etiquette classes, and we participated in different activities in school, and that was an opportunity that many people weren’t given, so that exposure definitely gave something back to me.” She also shared, “AAD means a peace of mind to my family and me, knowing that we attended a school that provided us with fair chances and safety.” She believes the faculty and staff truly invested in her and her education, and that means so much to her.
An Achievable Dream Virginia Beach Class Sponsors 2025: The Copeland/ Klebanoff Family
La’Keia Brown, Class of 2006 La’Keia Brown is a Class of 2006 alumna of An Achievable Dream. She is currently pursuing her doctorate degree at the University of Phoenix. La’Keia will graduate in the fall of 2022 with a degree in healthcare administration. She is minoring in data analytics and research. In June of 2020, La’Keia completed an internship with the VA Medical Center. She currently works as a data analyst at the VISN 5 Network Office in Maryland. While working and pursuing her doctorate degree, La’Keia is also developing business plans and proposals to open up transitional housing for veterans in Maryland once she graduates. While speaking of the impact that AAD had on her life and accomplishments, La’Keia stated that she wouldn’t be who she is without the program. La’Keia expressed, “They have laid the foundation in so many areas of my life that I still use today. AAD was one of the best things that happened to me and I am forever grateful.”
An Achievable Dream Newport News Class Sponsors 2001: The Frank and Marie Blechman Foundation 2002, 2012: Mary Hughes, Owner, Hampton Roads Harley-Davidson 2003: Michelle Jacobs, former President, Lee Group 2004: Chesapeake Bay Seafood House Restaurants, in honor of Alan* and Beverly Diamonstein 2005: Caleb and Virginia* West and Dollar Tree Stores
Be sure to connect with us online on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
An Achievable Dream was one of the best things that happened to me and I am forever grateful.
2006, 2015: Smithfield Foods 2007: W.M. Jordan Company 2008: Ferguson Enterprises 2009, 2010: N.C.* and Linda Hardee 2011: Bay Electric Company and the Biagas Family 2013: Aubrey and Peggy Layne 2014: Mike and Nancy Petters 2016: Charlie and Mari Ann Banks and Ferguson Enterprises
2017: Ferguson Enterprises and the Fass Family 2018: The Levin and Friedberg Families 2019: Charlie and Mari Ann Banks 2020: Newport News Shipbuilding Executive Leadership Team 2021: PBMares, LLP, in honor of Alan S. Witt *Denotes Deceased
An Achievable Dream, Inc. | www.AchievableDream.org 10858 Warwick Blvd., Suite A, Newport News, VA 23601 (757) 599-9472 | information@AchievableDream.org