Dr. Mariama Grimes Appointed Executive Director of The "I Have A Dream" Foundation - New Jersey

NEWARK, N.J. - July 28, 2023 - PRLog -- "I Have A Dream" Foundation-New Jersey (IHDF-New Jersey) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Mariama Grimes as its new Executive Director. Most recently, Dr. Grimes served as the Managing Director of Early Learning at the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. She is an accomplished leader with over 20 years of professional experience in nonprofit management and organizational leadership, with a focus on serving children and families. Dr. Grimes is a graduate of UCLA and the University of Southern California and received her doctorate in education leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

The "I Have A Dream" Foundation – New Jersey (IHDF-NJ) was founded in 2006 to serve youth and their families from underserved communities. With a current focus on Newark, IHDF-NJ has recently launched an innovative strategic partnership with the 13th Avenue School, a partnership focused on pre-K through 3rd grade, while providing additional services throughout the broader school-aged population and the surrounding community. In addition to a flexible, student focused approach, this initial work has provided time to build trust between key stakeholders including Dreamer Scholars, their families, 13th Avenue School, the community, philanthropic donors, and the IHAD-NJ staff and volunteers.

"I am thrilled to join the "I Have A Dream" Foundation during this critical reboot of its mission to provide support to underserved students in Newark and beyond," said Dr. Grimes. "I look forward to working with this new group of young people and fulfilling the organization's vision of 'giving every child equal access to the educational and career opportunities that will ignite their innate potential.'"

After an extensive search for new leadership, Eugene Thomas and Miguel Brito, IHDF-NJ Board Co-Chairs, believe there is no better fit. "We are confident Dr. Grimes brings the skills and experience necessary as we think strategically about growth and expansion to serve young people across Newark and throughout New Jersey. Her passion for the work is palpable and we feel she is the right executive to work with the board, staff and partners to take the organization to the next level."

About the "I Have A Dream" Foundation (https://www.ihaveadreamfoundation.org/):
The "I Have A Dream" Foundation's mission is to empower children from under-resourced communities to succeed in school, college, and career by providing long-term academic, social, and emotional support from elementary school through college, along with the promise of guaranteed post-secondary scholarship assistance. The national organization was founded in 1981 by entrepreneur Eugene Lang (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/i-have-a-dream-college-tuition/) and has impacted the lives of more than 20,000 students in nine states and New Zealand.

https://www.ihdfnj.org/