On Aug. 2, Dreamz Youth Foundation of Chicago preps to Swag the runway, hosting their fifth annual fashion show, “Creativity on the Runway,” to showcase the talents of young people, ages 6-19, through music, art, and, of course, fashion.
This year’s special guests will be the Iona Calhoun School of Ballet and there will also be a creativity competition from the Empire Beauty School Students.
Dreamz Youth Foundation, formerly known as the Malak Wal Malika Model Talent Troupe, began over a decade ago on Chicago’s south side. The foundation’s goal is to empower and enrich the lives of young people by providing quality academic, art, financial and image building programs. Created and developed by the mother-daughter team, Sa’Rah Valentine (former model and mentor) and Queen Mitchell (retired Chicago Public Schools’ teacher of 32 years), the two saw a need to highlight and showcase the positive choices of young men and women in the city, despite the violence plaguing it. It’s about time to shift the perception of Chicago, focusing on the good and community involvement that uplifts its youth, instead of criticizing and reprimanding them.
For more information about Saturday’s fashion show, check out any of Dreamz Youth Foundation’s social media sites at @SwagTheRunway. Feel free to check out the website at www.swagtherunway.com or call the office directly: (312) 221-8782.
