Mid-Year Update

July 2025

To our incredible donors,

At the halfway mark of this year, I find myself both reflective and fired up.

Since we first launched on October 27, 2020, EverGreen Dreams has been rooted in a bold, unwavering belief: that young Black women deserve access, opportunity, and support—not just to survive but to shine. In 2025, as attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion escalate across the country, our mission is more urgent than ever. We don’t just fund scholarships—we fight for possibility. We cultivate endless opportunities. And we keep showing up.

Thanks to your support, we awarded two new $2,000 B.O.S.S. Scholarships this year—bringing us to 10 total recipients in five years (we will officially be 5 in October!). This milestone reflects not just our commitment, but your belief in what’s possible when the community shows up for Black women.

As we look ahead, we are laser-focused on continuing the work we started: awarding $2,000 scholarships to outstanding young Black women through the B.O.S.S. Scholarship.

While we’ve dreamed about expanding into graduate or hardship scholarships, we’re taking a strategic pause to focus our energy on sustaining and strengthening what we’ve already built.

And this fall, we’ll gather in person to celebrate our fifth anniversary and honor our donors at our first annual Donor Recognition and Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, September 27, 2025. I hope you’ll join us—it will be a chance to reflect, reconnect, and recommit to the work that matters.

Finally, I want to take a moment to thank someone who has been by my side since the very beginning: my sister, Alysia Green. As she prepares to step down from the board at the end of June, I want to acknowledge the heart, hustle, and wisdom she’s poured into this organization. EverGreen Dreams would not be what it is without her.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Melissa “Mel” Green
Executive Director

Click Jada’s picture to watch her short (less than 90 seconds!) video where she shares how she plans to use her B.O.S.S. Scholarship, what’s ahead this summer, and her goals for her first year at MIT.

Q. In what ways will receiving the B.O.S.S. Scholarship enable you to focus more on your studies and academic goals?

“As a Math and Actuarial Science major, I know the classes will be difficult. Though, understanding math concepts come easy for me, math is still difficult. For example, my first semester in B.C. Calculus I spent 4 days a week in the student center or my teachers room going over homework and failed tests to understand what I did wrong and how to change my mindset to understand how to look at problems in the right way. If I had to work while in school, it would take away from the time needed to truly excel in a subject I love.”

Q. What are your academic and personal goals for your first year of college and how do you plan to achieve them?

“My academic goals for the first year is to maintain an A-average with all of my classes. My personal goal is to “find my people”. Like-minded academics who also like to do community service, are supportive, engaging, and fun.”

Q. How will you be spending summer 2025 in advance of starting college?

“For the summer of 2025, I am working at Mathnasium, working with kids who struggle with math, as well as the community center food court and taking an English class online for college.”

Inaugural B.O.S.S. Scholarship Recipient
We are so proud to celebrate Merom Arthur, one of our very first B.O.S.S. Scholarship recipients, who graduated from Emory University this May with a degree in Human Health and a minor in Film and Media.

Merom’s journey through Emory was marked by deep academic curiosity, meaningful service, and a drive to merge science and storytelling. From co-authoring research publications and presenting at national conferences, to leading campus organizations and lifting her voice in VOIS Gospel Choir, Merom fully embraced the spirit of impact and excellence that EverGreen Dreams seeks to support.

We had the joy of celebrating her graduation with a special lunch in Atlanta, where she shared her gratitude, growth, and goals with us in person. Now, as she prepares to work as a Medical Assistant at The McCuiston Group Pediatrics & Lactation while applying to medical school, we are reminded exactly why we do this work.

Merom is the future of medicine—and the kind of leader our world needs. Supporting her was not just a donation. It was an investment in brilliance, purpose, and possibility.

EverGreen Dreams kicked off our 2025 fundraising efforts with a dynamic virtual event: the Bid Like a BOSS Auction, held from March 10–14, 2025. This fun and fast-paced online auction gave our supporters the chance to competitively bid on an incredible selection of items—all from the comfort of their homes. From designer handbags and exclusive gift cards to original artwork, elegant jewelry, and once-in-a-lifetime travel and sports experiences, there was something for everyone.

Thanks to your generosity and enthusiastic participation, the Bid Like a BOSS Auction raised $2,472.84 in support of our Building Opportunities for Sistas to Shine (B.O.S.S.) Scholarship Program. These funds directly contribute to easing the financial burdens faced by our scholarship recipients as they pursue their academic and professional goals.

While fundraising events like this one play a crucial role in sustaining our work, EverGreen Dreams accepts donations to our general fund year-round, with the option to give as a recurring donor. Please feel free to donate at any time on the website (www.evergreendreams.org) or by using a QR Code (see below).

If you missed this event, don’t worry—we have more ways for you to get involved! Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @evergreendreams10272020 and on Facebook at EverGreen Dreams to stay up-to-date on future opportunities to support our mission.

As always, we are deeply grateful to you—our community of donors, champions, and advocates—for believing in our vision. Together, we are cultivating endless opportunities for Black women to thrive, shine, and lead.

There are people who give—and then there are people who give their all. Brian David Vandenberg was one of those rare souls who did both, always and without hesitation.

Brian was a passionate champion of equity, education, and opportunity. When EverGreen Dreams launched our first virtual auction this March, Brian didn’t just donate—he gave three times. First, by contributing two donation items: an exclusive wine package and two coveted tickets to a Packers game at Lambeau Field. Then, by giving a monetary donation. And then again, by quietly placing a bid on his own donation of the Packers tickets, hoping to drum up interest. When I texted him in mock exasperation—“Did you donate and buy your own tickets?”—he confessed with a laugh: “Maybe…did a little shill bidding to try and generate some activity haha.” I told him not to pay for his own donation. “Yes I will!” he said. I replied the day before he passed, “I will fly down to Jackson Hole and kick your ass! You already donated. I am removing you from the list of winning bidders. I love you to pieces.” He hit “haha.”

That was our final exchange. Brian passed away unexpectedly on March 20, 2025.

Brian had a heart that never stopped giving. He believed in showing up and in seeing people. He would tell me all the time, “Go break glass.” This was his way of telling me and others to go out there and shake things up. He supported EverGreen Dreams not for recognition, but because he believed in cultivating endless opportunities for those who are too often overlooked.

He was, simply, the best of us.

We honor Brian’s legacy with profound gratitude and enduring love. His impact will forever be a part of our story—and the lives of every scholar his generosity helped uplift.

This fall, we’re gathering in gratitude—and you’re invited.

Join us for a special afternoon as we celebrate five powerful years of EverGreen Dreams and the powerful community that has helped us cultivate endless opportunities for young Black women. Whether you’ve donated, cheered us on, or simply believed in the mission—you’re part of our story, and we can’t wait to honor you.

Feel free to bring a friend or two—this event is open to all who believe in equity, education, and empowerment. We’ll reflect, connect, and look ahead—together.

Additional details and RSVP to come. For now, save the date—we’d love to see you there.

October 27, 2025

Give $20 for ’20 Day

December 2, 2025

Giving Tuesday

December 16, 2025

EVERGREEN DREAMS End of Year Newsletter