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DC Staff
Founder
FREDERICK
NEWELL
Name, Title
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
(319)214-3037
Frederick Newell is a native of Chicago, IL and has lived in the Iowa City area since 2006. After graduating with a BA in Social Work from the University of Iowa in 2010, Frederick founded the Dream City ( formerly known as The Dream Center) a nonprofit organization that began as a response to the growing number of youth affected by absentee and non-involved fathers. Since its founding, the Dream City has developed to providing comprehensive family-focused supports to families in the Corridor Community.
As a youth, father, and community advocate, Frederick's goal is to strengthen families, change lives, and restore hope through advocacy and empowerment. Frederick has proven he has the unique ability to impact the lives of youth and fathers, communicate effectively with families, and create innovative programs that empower family units.
Frederick is the proud father of 8 children and the husband of the most beautiful Tianna Newell. Along with being a father and husband, he is a pastor, coach, mentor to many, counselor to some, community activist, and a servant leader.​
Tianna Newell is a native of Chicago Illinois and moved to Iowa City in 2010 to plant roots in the Fields of Opportunity. Growing up in the inner city sparked her desire to advocate for youth to be empowered to chase their dreams and live life at a high level, with pride, character, and integrity!
Dream City is near and dear to her heart as she has directly seen the impact of youth programming through an overwhelming shift in the life of her own children. Being a part of an organization that inspires change and restores hope in people's lives is directly in line with her life's purpose to serve others.
Tianna studied Psychology at Upper Iowa University and graduated in May of 2020. She works alongside her loving husband, and founder of Dream City, Frederick Newell, and takes great pride in being a mother to her 8 children. In her free time she enjoys creative writing, listening to all genres of music, and shopping!
Executive
Administrative
Assistant
TIANNA
NEWELL
Name, Title
'My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.' - Maya Angelou
(319)214-3037
Jones academy Program
Coordinator
NIKESHA JONES-JENKINS
Name, Title
"I became an artist because I wanted to be an active participant in the conversation about art."
(319)214-3037
Nikesha Jenkins is a native of Chicago, Illinois and relocated to the Iowa City area in 2001. Since then she has played an instrumental role in building up youth in her community through the art of dance and education. Her love for teaching dance and creating youth programs spans over 24 years long, dating back to 1998 in Chicago where she started a dance group with young ladies ages 4 to 23 years old.
Her passion and advocacy for youth and the arts led her to Dream City in 2013, where she became the Performing Arts Coordinator. Nikesha has received many awards and accolades for her contributions to her community including the U of I Performers of the Year, BVP Award for Making A Difference, The MLK Excellence in Community Service Award, and Juneteenth Trailblazer Award for Outstanding Community Leadership.
She continued to dream big and founded the Jones Academy of Performing Arts and in 2021 merged with the Dream City to continue this great work! Nikesha is married to her loving husband, Devaughn Jenkins-McCullough, and they have 6 wonderful children.
Shevonna Norris is a native of Chicago Illinois and has lived in Iowa City since 2008. After graduating Iowa City High School in 2018, she decided to further her education at The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff to major in social work. She recently graduated with her Bachelors in May of 2022.
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Since 2016 Shevonna has volunteered for Dream City and soon became a Youth Life Coach and mentor. Now, she serves in the role of Program Coordinator over our Youth Leadership Academy. Over the years, she has witnessed lives being changed, families strengthened and restoration happen through Dream City's advocacy and empowerment efforts.
Shevonna has 3 sisters and 1 brother. In her free time she likes to bake, go for walks, and hangout with family and friends. She is excited to continue working as part of the Dream City team to make positive changes within our community.
youth Leadership Program Coordinator
Shevonna Norris
Name, Title
“The key to successful leadership today is influence and not authority” -- Kenneth Blanchard
(319)214-3037
Youth Life Coach
Davonte Foster
Name, Title
"Hard work beats talent, if talent fails to work hard." - Tim Notke
(319)214-3037
Davonte Foster was born and raised on the southside of Chicago and is the 3rd oldest of 13 siblings. Davonte has been a part of the Dream City family as a participant beginning back in 2010 before Dream City officially became an organization and became a part of the staff in 2018.
His goal is to help lead the youth by being a reliable resource and role model within the community much like his mentor and "Big Brother", Frederick Newell. He plans to achieve this goal by building meaningful relationships with youth and holding them accountable in and outside of school encouraging them to show up as their best selves in all places and spaces.
Davonte values relationships, holding young men accountable, and helping youth to reach their full potential. He is a hands-on and loving father to his son, Legend ,and fully intends to instill the same core values within him.
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