Morehouse College hosted its third annual Dream Makers Summit, a showcase of student excellence. This dynamic, daylong event highlights the scholarly excellence, creative achievements, and entrepreneurial spirit of Morehouse students.
The Summit engages students as they present their groundbreaking research, innovative projects, and business ventures.
The Dream Makers Summit is a signature event celebrating Morehouse students’ innovation, creativity, and scholarly research.
During this special occasion, students highlighted bold ideas, groundbreaking presentations, and dynamic alumni discussions.
The summit connects forward-thinking industry leaders with the next generation of innovators with lunch-and-learn sessions, industry networking, and research-driven insights.
This year’s keynote speaker is alumnus Dr. Artesius Miller, founder and CEO of the Uptopian Academy of the Arts.
Miller founded The Utopian Academy of the Arts Charter School network in 2009. The idea for the charter school network came when Miller was a graduate student at Columbia University.
The Utopian Academy of the Arts Charter School Network, Miller says, was designed to give students in Atlanta and Clayton County Public Schools, the fifth largest school system in the state of Georgia, access to a high-quality education every single day.
Miller’s development of Utopian Academy for the Arts was in direct response to outweighing the economic and educational disparities that existed within the Clayton County community.
Following the loss of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Clayton County Public Schools District was identified as a community in need of alternative public education solutions, including increased options for parents to have access to charter schools.
Miller said he is “really grateful” to have been at Morehouse College for the Dream Makers Summit.
“Just years ago, I sat in the same seats that you are all in today, and I listened to those that would come back, whether it’s alum of the school, alumni of the school, partners, or supporters in various capacities,” he said. “These were people who wanted to pour into the men of Morehouse.”
He also says those who harness the power of creativity and innovation not only have a competitive advantage in the workplace, but these are people who are often categorized as trailblazers in the different industries in which they stand for.
Miller names people like Issa Rae and Rosalind Brewers as some examples of trailblazers who have used their gifts and talents on their respective platforms to help give back to marginalized communities.
Photo by Isaiah Singleton/The Atlanta Voice
Also, Miller says he gets a chance to see innovation and creativity harnessed in every single student and the beautiful thing about the vision has allowed him to create an impact for students in many ways.
“The beauty of this vision has allowed me to create an impact for students in ways that we’ve seen catapulted where a district that once said the students were academically challenged, and struggling learners grade levels behind, we’ve been able to reshape that narrative,” he said. “Students are also able to discover their artistic talents as well.”
Miller says as innovators, sometimes it’s necessary for students to pursue postgraduate studies to receive the credentials that are necessary for them to be able to have the ability to serve.
“As an educator, it’s not just about being able to say, ‘Hey, there’s an idea I have’, we must put in the work,” he said. “That’s something, as we sit in our seats right now, regardless of what industry or ideas you have, we have to put in the work to receive the necessary satisfaction and credentials, which will, in turn make people say, ‘you can do this work’, so it gives you some level of credibility.”
Another part of innovation he wants students to consider when developing their own ideas is partnerships and how can you stand out to your consumers/stakeholders?
