Atlanta-based Dream Big was founded in 2003 by husband and wife team, Michael and Doretha White Dream Big is dedicated to assisting students in grades 8 - 12 as well as college students as they transition into the next phase of independence.

Drawing on over a combined 27 years of first-hand experience in the field of education in the areas of teaching, coaching, mentoring, human resources, professional learning, administration/supervision, and consulting, Michael and Doretha possess a unique, sincere understanding of the needs and complexities of today’s youth. Knowing that exposing students to real life scenarios; challenging them to think outside the box; and encouraging them to make choices based on their future instead of “right now” gratifications, allows students the freedom to discover how resourceful they are and shatter the chains of mediocrity and complacency.

   

As a non-profit organization, Dream Big is at the forefront of educating, empowering, and equipping young people to set extraordinary personal goals, operate with high moral and ethical standards, and perform with unprecedented professional excellence. By partnering with various social and community organizations, Dream Big endeavors to cultivate partnerships to meet the ever-changing needs of today’s youth. Our Programs/Services:

Doretha H. White, co-founder of Dream Big, is an educational consultant and presenter with a strong desire to see young people fulfill their life’s goals and dreams. As a passionate speaker with a no-nonsense approach, she is often described as part teacher, part motivational speaker, and part mentor by her students and their families.

Inspired by her mother, who taught for over 37 years, and watching her persevere as a teacher enduring the hardships of segregation but determined to make a difference in the lives of her students, Doretha became convinced that nothing was impossible. Armed with that same tenacity, an unshakeable commitment to excellence and a heart to serve others, Doretha’s impact as an educational professional is far from over.

After a successful 18-year career in public and private education as a classroom teacher, professional learning trainer, assistant principal, and principal, today Doretha conducts transition workshops and college preparatory seminars to educate, empower, and equip students to experience success in every area of life, college and beyond.

Doretha is a graduate of Virginia Tech (Blacksburg, VA) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. She is also an alumnus of the College of William and Mary (Williamsburg, VA) where she earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership.

Doretha and her husband Michael live in Atlanta, Georgia with their two children.

Teacher. Coach. Mentor. Friend… are all words used to describe Michael L. White, co-founder of Dream Big, Inc. Michael is an educational consultant who is driven by sincere desire to help young people succeed in every area of life.

As a former high school classroom teacher, Michael firmly believes that that a quality education is the beginning of laying a solid foundation for success, Michael also subscribes to the philosophy that education must extend beyond the traditional classroom setting. By encouraging students to think outside the box and to go beyond the traditional status quo he is helping students to become confident leaders and pioneers of excellence unlike what has been seen before.

Michael attended Hampton University and is a graduate of Central State University (Wilberforce, Ohio) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education. In addition to teaching, Michael has also worked in the professional fields of restaurant management and architecture. However both paled in comparison to the level of his enjoyment, fulfillment and satisfaction of helping to shape the world’s future through building strong character in today’s young people.

Today Michael is walking in his destiny by helping students find theirs. Michael is committed to ensuring that every student who desires to attend college has the knowledge and the resources to realize their dream.

Michael and his wife Doretha live in the Atlanta, Georgia area with their two children.