Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dr. Dawnette Banks. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Dr. Dawnette, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
My purpose to advance equitable educational opportunities and outcomes for marginalized populations can be traced back to my childhood. My lifelong dedication to uplifting and empowering vulnerable communities, and championing their voices, is deeply rooted in an exponential gratitude I have for my now, deceased parents. My parents never had the opportunity to complete high school, yet they made extraordinary sacrifices, often with meager wages, to nurture and educate their six children. As a result, my siblings and I graduated from high school and had the opportunity to pursue higher education.
Thanks to providential connections with educators and influential figures within our community, my parents received invaluable guidance in navigating the complexities of the education system. These “Divinely-orchestrated” relationships paved the way for my siblings and me to engage in enriching academic and social programs, positioning us for success and enabling us to secure scholarships. Consequently, my brother honed his skills in music and vocal performance, one sister pursued a career in nursing, another is an economist, and yet another became an accomplished attorney. My academic and professional journey led me to earn a Ph.D. degree in Education Policy & Evaluation, amass two decades of experience in higher education administration, and become the Founder/CEO of an educational consulting company.
The essence of my purpose is grounded in a profound sense of personal conviction and responsibility—to be a voice for those silenced by circumstances and to provide opportunities, just as others did for my family, for those in need. As my parents were once given a voice by generous individuals, I am driven to create similar, if not greater, opportunities for future generations.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am the Founder/CEO of Dreamcast Educational Consulting, LLC. I also serve as an educational equity strategist and consultant. Historically we’ve seen that marginalized communities characteristically have “nightmare” educational experiences due to gross inequities in resources and achievement outcomes. For this reason, Dreamcast Educational Consulting, LLC is committed to leveling the playing field and promoting educational equity, whereby these communities will be equipped to “DREAM” again by having the necessary resources and support to achieve greater academic successes. In turn, these underserved communities will be positioned to thrive educationally and holistically.
The Dreamcast Educational Consulting Team consistently brings passion and dedication to our work to offer a robust range of educational consulting services. Our educational consulting services advance equitable educational opportunities and outcomes through vehicles of training, research, evaluation, development, and inspiration.
Dreamcast is thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of our transformative initiative, the “Dreamcasting Bright Futures” campaign. This ambitious endeavor is set to ignite a global movement for educational equity, emphasizing the power of solidarity in purpose and mission across the educational spectrum. With a steadfast commitment to leveling the playing field for all learners, we aim to foster a brighter, more equitable future for students worldwide by harnessing the collective strength of educational communities. Join us in this inspiring journey towards a more inclusive and empowering educational system.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back and forging ahead on my entrepreneurial journey, three key qualities, skills, and areas of knowledge that remain impactful for me are: 1. Innovation; 2. Stewardship; and 3. Industry Knowledge. I believe these are essential for anyone starting, maintaining, and growing a business.
Innovation is the ability to create new ideas, products, processes, or services that solve problems or meet unmet needs. I believe creativity is an integral part of innovation because it involves thinking outside the box, coming up with unique solutions, and challenging the status quo. To develop and improve innovation skills, early-stage entrepreneurs should cultivate a curious mindset by asking questions and exploring diverse perspectives. Fostering innovation will also require one to embrace failure, as failure is often a stepping stone to innovation.
Stewardship is the responsible management and allocation of resources, including finances, time, and human capital. To develop and improve stewardship skills, early-stage entrepreneurs should: create and maintain a clear budget and financial plan; prioritize tasks and time management; and build a strong team that can contribute to your business’s success.
Industry knowledge is critical in any entrepreneurial journey. Having a deep understanding of the industry you’re entering is crucial. It allows you to identify market trends, customer needs, and potential competitors. To develop and improve industry knowledge, it is necessary to conduct research; continuously gather information about your industry; and seek mentorship from experienced individuals in your industry who can offer insights and guidance. The game changing caveat is that industry knowledge must be applied strategically to make informed decisions, identify opportunities, and stay ahead of the competition.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
We are actively seeking partnerships and collaborations with organizations and individuals who share our commitment to educational equity. We are interested in partnering with schools, educational institutions, non-profits, for-profits, government agencies, community groups, and passionate individuals who are committed to creating a positive impact in education. Dreamcast offers a robust range of educational consulting services which include: coordinating research projects, program evaluations, equity training, developing learning communities, developing team-based accountability systems, grant writing, system analysis, policy analysis, curriculum development, customized learning plans, tutoring, parent engagement training, resource delivery, and public speaking for youth groups.
If you are reading this and wish to collaborate with us in our pursuit of equitable education, we welcome you to reach out to us through our website https://www.dreamcastedu.com/ or via email (dreamcastedconsulting@gmail.com. Let’s work together to make a difference in the lives of students and communities by fostering inclusive and equitable educational environments.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dreamcastedu.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnette-yvette-banks-ph-d-b286275?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app
- Other:dreamcastedconsulting@gmail.
com
Image Credits
Towanda Davis Photography, LLC Shutterstock (purchased images) Canstock (purchased images)
