The ‘I have a dream’ foundation was formed to empower children from the low-income communities to achieve higher education and fulfill their leadership potential by providing them with guaranteed tuition support and equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and habits they need to gain entry to higher education and succeed in college. The foundation was started in New York but it was soon adopted by other regions. The foundation came to Dallas in September 1986. It was brought by Bill and the late Elaine Farrell, with the help of Eugene Lang, the founder of the ‘I have a dream’ foundation.
The I Have a Dream Foundation has provided financial assistance to more than 750 students that enrolled in institutions of higher learning throughout Texas and the nation. Colleges and universities attended by "Dreamers" have included Southern Methodist University, Dallas Baptist University, The University of Dallas, University of North Texas, Texas Woman's University, Grambling State University, University of Houston, Prairie View A&M University, Texas Southern University, Rice University, Langston University, California School of the Arts, Julliard College, Dillard University, Texas A&M-Commerce, Navarro College, Sarah Lawrence, George Washington University, the University of Texas and many more.
Although the institution has experienced great success, it is still dependent on corporations and organizations in the Dallas Community who commit time, energy and resources toward the mission of the ‘I Have a Dream’ Foundation, for its survival. The board members of the foundation include
David Disiere of the Deep South Surplus of Texas, Helen M. Dorsey, Dr. Pepper/Seven Up Inc., James W. Loose Galloway-James Inc., Nora Ramzy, Treasurer, 7 Eleven Inc. IHAD-Dallas aims at preventing dropouts and providing long term mentoring to promoting higher education for inner city youth
