Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara Wright.
Hi Barbara, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I am Dr. Barbara Wright, commonly known as the Certified Dream Builder. I was raised in Arkansas but visited KC every summer and finally moved here in my late teens. My reason for coming to Kansas City was that even though I had a scholarship to Arkansas State University, I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to support myself with the competition for jobs in the small town of Jonesboro. My mom was a single parent still raising my younger brother and sister, and I didn’t want to call her for anything. I started at Penn Valley, met my husband, married, and had two sons, resulting in me taking 8 years to finish a two-year degree. After finishing, I went to UMKC and completed my BA in Business and my MA in Education. And more recently, my Ph.D. in Religious Education. Those degrees lead us to start multiple businesses, including child care and a retail store. Subsequently, while pursuing degrees and businesses, I continued a childhood passion for writing poems, plays, books, and songs. I had no idea I would use that talent to write articles, books, and curriculums to teach grant writing and business readiness at UMKC Communiveristy, Johnson County Community College, nationally., and internationally to fund development professionals and entrepreneurs. I’ve been blessed to use my skills in grant writing and business development locally for organizations like the Housing Authority of Kansas City, Hogan Preparatory Academy, Grace United Community Ministries, and most notably, Kansas City Public Schools until I retired 2021. I am currently working as the founder and President of Certified Dream Builder, Inc. Over my tenure locally and nationally. I have assisted businesses and nonprofits in raising over 100,000 million dollars in funding through grants, contracts, and loans. Additionally, as a national & international speaker, one of my greatest joys has become using my life stories of trials and triumphs to inspire others to realize and develop their skills. My success is when I’ve helped someone develop a clear plan to share their gifts and talents to help themselves and others.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I was Born to a teen parent in Forrest City, Arkansas, and my father was never officially named. If that wasn’t bad enough, the town and my high school were named after Nathan Bedford Forrest, the first Grand Wizard of the KKK. I faced the dual sword of poverty and inequality with no supportive services except a few commodities. It was a tough road.
When my mom left and married into better circumstances (for which I don’t blame her), I was left with my grandmother. I was used to it, and it was fine until my grandfather left. We were left in those woods, forcing me to sit in a 1st-grade class with my aunt, uncle, and a third time myself. That third time in 1st grade, my teacher realized I had a gift of memorizing long strands of poetry & gave me my first opportunity. Unfortunately, schools were integrated that following year, and I was placed in the one teacher’s room who wanted to avoid integration. She called me a little black monkey & said I’d never be anything. I must have had a competitive spirit then because I thought in my head that I would be a better teacher than you ever were.
Fate had it that my grandmother lost the house we were renting, which left us homeless, but one of the neighbors decided we could live in her old house she used as a barn. That didn’t last long because a relative heard about our plight and paid the down payment on a house for my grandmother. As much as we thought it was a blessing, it became an immediate nightmare for me. The girls didn’t like me at the new school and chased me home daily. I was a good runner, and they couldn’t catch me, but I got tired of running one day. Suddenly I stopped, drew a line in the dirt, and told the ring leader to step across this line. When she did, I started fighting like a windmill. I never had that problem again.
As an adult, I can go on from business issues to miscarriages, to a marriage with seemingly irreconcilable differences, to a head injury that left me having seizures. It seemed like one thing after another. However, with the help of God, we overcame them all and are still standing.
As you know, we’re big fans of Certified Dream Builder, Inc. What can you tell our readers who might need to be more familiar with the brand?
I wrote and won over 100 grants, business plans, proposals, and contracts and have helped organizations win over $100 million nationally. My most recent win will result in $1.2 million, with applications out already for 2023 for $14,000,000. With wins, there are always some losses, but we do our best to provide every client with a quality proposal they can use in their funding pursuits in the future.
We love to hear about your fond memories from growing up.
One of my favorite childhood memories was being selected for a talent show with BB King because of my community service. I recited the poem “When Malindy Sings.” I won a scholarship to Arkansas State University at the event.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.certifieddreambuilder.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starturbiz/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bwrightnow/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-barbara-babbi-wright-06b65710/
Image Credits
Precious Jewels Photography
