Dreamscape Scholars Program

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

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

Application Process

Two-Part Application:

Part 1: Initial Application

• Required essay (150-200 words max): "Tell us about a time you experienced a personal win. What is your story of personal resilience and perseverance?"
• Resume
• Transcript
• Recommendation letters (required)
• Accepted file types: doc, docx, pdf

Part 2: Semi-Finalist Stage (if selected)

• Virtual pitch presentation and presentation
• Scholars present how they would use $150,000 to solve a current problem in their own communities
• Semi-finalists notified via email during the week of March 14 (2022 timeline)
• Pitch presentations held virtually

Selection Timeline:

• Semi-finalist notification: Week of March 14 (2022)
• Final selection following pitch presentations

Application Status: Currently paused (2022-23 school year)

Note: The 2022 application is closed. Contact Jose Mazariegos at jmazariegos@kipp.org for questions about future application cycles.