We had the good fortune of connecting with Preston Dillingham and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Preston, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
Being born in south LA and raised in Lancaster CA , I grew up as a skinny kid with a speech impediment. Being bullied all my life because of it really took a toll on my mental health. Playing sports and dancing for my church were the outlets that helped me gain confidence. Attending UCLA really helped me find my passion and purpose in life. At UCLA, I was serving in various positions for the UCLA Women’s Basketball team such as Scout Player, Basketball Camp Coach, Video Coordinator Intern, etc. Additionally, after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, I completed a year-long internship with the L.A. Sparks’ Youth Basketball Operations department. This inspired me to start my own non-profit in 2020 called D.R.E.A.M. Academy LA.

What should our readers know about your business?
Dream Academy LA mission is to inspire youth to overcome obstacles of self-doubt and teach them how to develop the skill set and mentality to actualize their biggest dreams through enrichment programs such as sports programs and performance art camps. I begin hosting basketball camps and clinics and performing arts camps throughout the summer. This year, we were able to serve approximately 60 teen boys in our first mentorship basketball league. It was a successful program in which mental and physical fitness were emphasized as youth gained tools to apply on and off the court. I have had a slow start trying to figure out how I wanted to make an impact on our youth through sports. and other enrichment programs. We didn’t want to be like the common sports programs. We wanted to offer something different that would allow us to connect with our youth and create a positive shift in the state of our communities.

We are most proud of our recently new program called YMBL (Youth Mentorship Basketball League). The program goal is to “decrease stigma and discrimination associated with mental health and accessing mental health services through culturally congruent social marketing messaging and community engagement.” We de-stigmatize mental health through offering mental health support in an unconventional manner. While youth might initially be drawn into the opportunity to gain athletic experience, our holistic focus provides more than the typical sports organization. The culture of our basketball league is one that prioritizes individual and collective wellness. We present mental health as a necessary component to athletic success and therefore, train youth in physical and mental fitness. Our goal is to encourage our kids to be confident, disciplined, team oriented and self aware so that they may apply these skills to be successful on and off the court.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would first take them to the coffee company, that have really delicious breakfast with a nice LA vibe. Then make our way to the Santa Monica Pier to relax at the beach. Lastly would end the day spending a time at Top golf, where we could golf and enjoy some good wings.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Having a strong relationship and faith background with my Lord Jesus Christ helped me tremendously. I also have been fortunate to be able to play basketball at a high level and have amazing mentors in my life that assisted me with finding my passion and dreams. I will like to give a shoutout to my parents Perry Sr and Patrice Dillingham who instilled core qualities and values that made me the person I am today. Lastly I would like to shoutout my wife Signora Dillingham. She has been my backbone for everything I do.

Website: dreamacademyla.com

Instagram: dreamacademy_la

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ preston-dillingham

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dreamacademyLA

Image Credits
Ashley Bryd

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