Educator, musician, and author Chantee Williams El Jean Francois is transforming the lives of underserved youth in Maryland through her innovative program, Dream Big Academy. DBA intertwines financial literacy education with cultural pride and entrepreneurship.
With over 15 years of experience working in juvenile detention centers across Washington, D.C., and Maryland, Williams has witnessed firsthand the challenges at-risk youth face. This motivated her to create a curriculum that integrates essential financial skills with Black history, ultimately leading to the launch of her own business and a series of children’s books, including
“What’s an HBCU?”
One of Williams’ many obstacles is educating communities about the importance of learning financial literacy from an early age. “Many of us weren’t taught about money, entrepreneurship, or credit growing up, so convincing schools, parents, and communities that these lessons are just as important as traditional subjects has been a battle,” Williams said.
To combat this, she tailors her teaching methods to make learning about finance fun, relatable, and applicable. She breaks down complex concepts into manageable lessons that resonate with students and families alike.
What Makes Dream Big Academy Unique
DBA is more than just a program. It is a holistic approach to equip students with the entrepreneurial skills necessary to build businesses while fostering emotional resilience. Unlike traditional educational frameworks, DBA emphasizes mental wellness alongside real-world financial experience, ensuring participants learn how to manage money and develop critical life skills.
Despite challenges in scaling her businesses and balancing numerous creative pursuits, including managing her clothing line and band, Williams remains committed to her mission. “The real impact hit me when I saw students reading them, applying the lessons, and getting excited about money, books, and business,” she shared. “A teacher told me that one of their students read my book and said, ‘I never knew I could start my own business this young. I want to be an entrepreneur just like the people in the book.” That moment confirmed why I do this.”
Williams is working toward integrating her financial literacy and entrepreneurship books into school curricula throughout her district. “Entrepreneurship education is the future,” she emphasizes. Students need to learn how to create opportunities, build wealth, and think like innovators.”
Williams did not attend an HBCU, but she is dedicated to spreading awareness about the impact and legacy of these institutions. “I actually didn’t even know they existed until I was already in college,” Williams said. “This is another reason why I wrote the book, ‘What’s An HBCU?’ because I still feel a lot of kids still do not know about HBCUs or their history.”.
Through her work, Williams aims to leave a legacy that inspires the next generation by planting seeds for future leaders and innovators. For more information about Dream Big Academy and Chantel Williams’ work, click here.
