Dreaming Out Loud, Inc. (DOL) is a non-profit organization that seeks to transform and transcend education and grassroots organizing throughout the African Diaspora. Founded in 2007 by friends Mark Shelton and Chris Bradshaw, Dreaming Out Loud, Inc., was created in response to the educational disparities in the African-American community. With the aim of developing African-American youth by reconnecting them to historical African and African-American traditions, these young men sought to transform the prevailing negative attitudes surrounding education and positive character development.

Since its inception, DOL, Inc. has become the means through which Chris Bradshaw realizes his vision of nurturing young, healthy minds, through strong programs and the enabling of creative expression.

DOL’s benchmark program is Walking the Dream Path, an afterschool program designed to engage youth in activities that are both fun and academically enriching. Walking the Dream Path’s mission is to properly construct decent, ethical, and productive people using a holistic approach; encompassing academics, multi-media and arts, the environment, and more to guide youth’s thoughts and behaviors towards family, friends, community, and the greater world.