Dreamscape Scholars Program

Dreamscape Scholars Program

Overview: A scholarship program dedicated to ensuring Black representation within the most important tech startups and companies. Dreamscape Scholars are changemakers who receive mentorship, financial support, and networking opportunities.

Geographic Scope: Northern California, Southern California, and New York City

Funding Partner: Daversa Partners (technology's premier executive search firm)

Award Details:

Number of Scholars: 3 scholars selected

Financial Support:

- $12,500/year in stipends for critical expenses and/or last dollar tuition and room & board support
- Total: $50,000 over four years ($8,333.33/year critical expenses + $4,166.67/year approximate summer internship earnings)

Support Provided:

Annual paid summer internship with Dreamscape Team or partners every summer during college

One-on-one mentor from Dreamscape team supporting educational and professional pathways

Invitation to KIPP's Alumni Summit (registration and travel expenses covered)

Professional development and networking

Focus Areas:

Black representation in technology

Diversity in tech leadership

Community development and social impact

Ideal Candidate Qualities:

Academic Perseverance: Demonstrated growth in academic progress and investment in own learning

Personal Resilience: Ability to tell "victory" story and persevere despite odds

Leading Through Inspiration: School and extracurricular involvement showing compassion and service to communities

Bold Thinking & Innovative Problem-solving: Demonstrated through application exercises

Changemaker: Consistent desire to see their communities thrive

Status: Currently paused for 2022-23 school year

Background: Daversa Partners launched Dreamscape in 2020 to address the lack of Black representation on boards and executive teams in technology. The program is built on the premise that the tech community has an access problem, not a pipeline problem, with a commitment to creating industry-wide equity and transformation.

Eligibility:

Current KIPP High School seniors from Northern California, Southern California, or New York City

KIPP Middle School alumni in their high school senior year from the specified regions

Must be able to demonstrate the five ideal candidate qualities above