On the evening of Saturday, March 17th, local not-for-profit Dreams Do Come True, Inc. will host its second annual Spring Dream Fashion Show at Dallas’ Martin Luther King Recreation Center. An effort of some 100 community members and volunteers, the impact of this unique event will continue to be felt long after the final model walks the stage.   A native of Los Angeles' South Central neighborhood, Dreams Do Come True founder and Executive Director Dontania Bradford is no stranger to the struggles of at-risk youth. Thrust into the role of primary caregiver for her younger brother while still a teen herself, she is intimately aware of the impact that drug abuse and dangerous surroundings can have on a vulnerable young life.   Following a move to Texas in 2001, Bradford established DDCT in 2006, to provide a range of services to inner-city Dallas teens. Some homeless, and all in need of the guidance of a positive role model, Bradford’s kids receive basic necessities, where required, in addition to educational support and life skills training. Grants, community funding, and volunteers make it all possible.  

  Now in its second year, DDCT’s Spring Dream Fashion Show combines the organization’s youth-centered mission with the added goal of bringing a taste of the glitz, glamour, and international influences of the fashion world to the inner-city. Sponsored by JCPenney, Terry Costa, and Men’s Wearhouse, this year’s Bollywood-themed event will feature a red carpet entrance, runway show, refreshments, and live dance performance.   Eight months in the making, Spring Dream started with the selection of an elite group of student models.  

  “We call our models ‘Models of Confidence’,” Bradford explains. All students from local high schools, the young women and men selected to star in the show provided report cards and attendance records to be considered. They were then treated to a months-long series of workshops, covering such topics as poise and professionalism, in addition to perfecting that all-important runway walk.   With the help of a behind-the-scenes team including Austin Robinson of Dallas’ Wade College, who volunteers his time as Show Producer and Associate Director of Events, as well as Public Relations expert Toni Hale, this event is truly a heartfelt effort, by and for the community.   Shown here are photos from last year’s inaugural event, and March 17th promises even more fashion fun for these bright young teens and members of the audience. For more information and to purchase tickets to the Spring Dream Fashion Show (starting at $10), visit DDCTKids.org.     (All photos, credit Alik McIntosh)