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When Adults Dream Again: Reflections from SXSW EDU and ASU+GSV
FREE TO DREAM™ has been busy in the world of education, sharing our newest resource: the Dreamkeeper™ Resource Kit. Anchored by a new framework for educators, activists, and caregivers — The Five Practices for Transformative Dreaming — this resource is rooted in a simple but powerful belief: dreams have the ability to transform both individuals and communities. The Dreamkeeper™ Resource Kit offers pathways for Dreamkeepers to help young people connect with their fullest poten
Jun 53 min read


Dreamkeeper™ Spotlight: Ruth Jurgensen
The month of March brings fresh energy, awakening, and a moment to honor the women in our orbit making fierce impacts in their communities. In this Dreamkeeper Spotlight, we have the privilege of doing just that with Ruth Jurgensen, Executive Director of the NBA Foundation. Ruth embodies courage, authenticity, and bold purpose; showing us how hard work, vision, and an audacious approach to life can align us with our higher calling. She invites us into her world of nurturing y
Jun 57 min read


Rebirth of Sound: A Studio for Hope & Healing
The Rebirth of Sound; FREE TO DREAM™’s signature music rehabilitation program, has entered a powerful new chapter, finding a home with a younger generation of participants. The highly acclaimed initiative has officially launched at Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall, bringing creativity, healing, and opportunity to system-impacted youth. On March 18, Scott Budnick, film producer and founder of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, joined Common and a group of dedicated program mentors to
Jun 42 min read


Dreamkeeper™ Spotlight: Erin Offord
Owning your power, claiming your space, and mastering the role — this is what Erin Offord, CEO of Big Thought, brings to the table and conversation. Rooted in a philosophy of abundance and attuned to her intuition, she approaches leadership from a place of community and support, not ego. My conversation with Erin left me feeling empowered to embrace my own unique gifts and challenged the way I perceive life’s obstacles. Her bold ambition, authenticity, and deep commitment to
Jun 45 min read


Dreamkeeper™ Spotlight: Dr. Gholdy Muhammad
Rooted in legacy, building from cultural excellence, and branching toward futures shaped by joy, justice, and genius.. Dr. Gholdy Muhammad is a cultivator of brilliance, with the spirit of an educator and the soul of a historian, her work dares to imagine classrooms not just as spaces of learning, but as sanctuaries of joy, purpose, and profound belonging. " I think it’s okay to live in your own world, in your own joy, even if people don’t understand it yet. You might need to
Mar 245 min read


Building Dreams, Creating Impact: A Look Back at 2025
FREE TO DREAM™ made waves of impact across various cities. As we reflect on the lives we’ve touched, we’re reminded that we all have the freedom to dream—and the power to take action toward what once seemed impossible. Nearly everything we see, touch, and experience began as a dream, brought to life by the courage to act and turn vision into reality. Kicking off 2025, we brought our teachings, dream-fueled activations, and motivation to the Bay Area for All-Star Weekend. Our
Mar 242 min read


Dreamkeeper™ Spotlight: Byron Sanders
Humility, integrity, a commitment to others, leadership, and devotion to family; these are the qualities that define Byron Sanders. As a community leader and the CEO and founder of Arete Health , he places the health and care of people at the forefront, shaping both his life and career around a profound sense of purpose. A former leader in education, Sanders has continually bet on himself to build a legacy, impact society, and create opportunities for others along the way. He
Mar 245 min read


Dreamkeeper™ Spotlight: Shawnee Caruthers
A journey of the unexpected, guided by faith and a strong belief in dreaming boldly, Shawnee Caruthers shared with me how the redirections in her life, moments that once felt like failures, ultimately led to something greater. Like many of us, Shawnee had her path to success carefully planned, but it was the curveballs and the pushes to take a different road that shaped her into the person she is today. Her willingness and passion to pour into others and selflessly give back
Mar 245 min read


The Quiet Power of Gratitude
With everything going on in today’s society, we remind ourselves that it’s important to reflect on the small, yet simple things we are grateful for. Whether it’s the breath in our body, the people who surround us, or our ability to create – we must slow down take the important moments to rest, reflect, and honor ourselves and how far we’ve come. Gratitude is the quiet tool that helps us respond to everything around us. It calls us to notice the pieces of our daily lives that
Mar 242 min read


Dreamkeeper™ Spotlight: Veronne Clark
When you speak with Veronne Clark, one thing becomes instantly clear, you’re in the presence of a passionate, visionary force. A fiery, forward-thinking leader in social impact, Veronne doesn’t just talk about change, she embodies it. Her words spark something deep, a pull toward purpose. The moment you hear her speak about what it truly means to serve others, you feel it: the call to do more, to reach further, and to connect more deeply with your community. “I remember from
Mar 243 min read


Dreamkeeper™ Spotlight: Natalie Tran
An idealist and a trail blazer immediately come to mind when talking to Natalie Tran. As the Executive Director of the CAA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Creative Artists Agency, she’s extended her impact beyond her title. She’s spearheaded the Civic Alliance and the I Am A Voter campaign, putting the importance of civic engagement at the heart of her mission, paving the way for a more inclusive future for the next generation. Natalie is everything that being a Dr
Mar 242 min read
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