We were lucky to catch up with Doris Batson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Doris thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

It all began with the notion to help provide young artists who were passionate about their skills, yet did not have an open door or platform to pursue their gifts. As a former teacher, this is what was witnessed on numerous occasions. I would see young people have ideas and the enjoyment of creating, but because of limited access to perform or the proper nurturing of their talents, I recognized there was something missing to help them excel. Thus, the idea and mission was birthed to start a much needed organization as Kids Aspiring To Dream.

Since forming, our goal has been threefold: to mentor, provide outlets to explore learning, and to provide opportunities to encourage young creatives to use their talents to help inspire others through participation of community service activities. All of these areas have been most rewarding and meaningful in seeing how each individual, in their own way, has developed freedom to be expressive and helpful in using their talents.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am an East Texas native with roots within my hometown of Tyler, Texas. My career started with an interest to pursue the arts, which later led to becoming an educator. I am a poet, author, musician, and playwright, with one of my books entitled “Evolving: A New Attitude, New Direction, New Life in Christ” soon to become a stage play and created to inspire purpose for all dreamers.

Regarding music appreciation, early on my mom gave the nudge and encouragement to pursue music (piano), which in hindsight, was the best investment to have made. Music has been a great pathway to composing, as well as utilizing the skills to serve as a church musician over the years.

Setting challenging goals has always been a personal ambition, mostly because the passion within me is about not only challenging and motivating myself, but also others, especially those who look to discover more of themselves and what they can offer. The venture to start a talent and performing arts organization came with a need of seeing talented individuals who desired a platform to use their gifts, yet who were losing sight of direction, not realizing their full potential. The spark really lit up when a parent once asked if I knew of any organizations who could help mentor their child in Art? This was a confirmation so to speak. Realizing the need, I had to ask myself if I was willing to step out to start such a venture. After much prayer and knowing the challenge was there, it was the motivation I needed to start the adventure. Such encouragement came from other like-minded individuals, community leaders, and professionals who helped to initiate the process through their advice. With such a dedicated team of professionals, this allowed the vision of Kids Aspiring To Dream talent and performing arts organization to become a reality.

Currently, the programs we provide are in areas of outreach and after school mentoring. Youth intermediate through high schools ages have a chance to participate in activities ranging from the visual arts to the performing arts. Steam projects are also interwoven to promote logic and creative fun.

Mostly, the problems we seek to solve as an arts entity are to help kids gain confidence in realizing their gifts and dreams are achievable. So often as an artist, the word misunderstood comes to mind. As a teacher, I have witnessed kids who walk to a different vibe or of their own drumbeat. At times, their voice may not be easy to understand. However, this is what l love about what we do in regards to the Kids Aspiring To Dream organization, KATD, as it is also known. Instead of standing back to see a child lose sight of their gifts because others may not get their vision, and/or who need encouragement to help build their self-confidence to excel, we work as mentors to help build morale, engage, and challenge by setting good examples in a nurturing way and allowing them to know they are unique and their gifts have purpose. It’s just helping them to find the rhythm of confidence to guide them along the way.

Overall, what began as a grassroots idea has grown to allow more programs to enable the embodiment of a talent as well as an educational experience to help build social team building skills. In providing mentoring workshops and field trips the organization seeks to help kids explore other cultures with adventure-filled activities but mostly provide a platform to share their unique God-given talent for others to enjoy and appreciate. This is the essence of our uniqueness and what sets us apart; this way of operation provides a different model of learning and discovery, which focuses on the wholeness of the individual and the many talents that may be birthed from the potential and mind of a child’s creative vision.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

It really started in calling up my cousin, Pat Johnson, with so much excitement to tell her about the idea of KATD. Pat and I had a history of supporting each other’s ideas, especially involving any area that could help creative minds to explore. The general discussion initially centered around having a traveling troupe of kids who could perform for various plays or community events. This created a need for mentoring such youth, which resulted in building an outreach mentoring program. The result of the mentoring programs led to seeing a need to help these kids further their goals so we then formed a staple feature of the organization called, “Light the Dream” Scholarship and Awards program.

Overtime, the KATD adventure has led us to work with others who have played a vital role in the organization. These include a dear poet and friend, Tricia Billington. The friendship and support of this dear sister has been unwavering and has aided in the stabilization of the organization. Sandra Nauls-Mast, a classmate, came on board because of an interest to see young people succeed and flourish. Darren Richardson who directs and oversees the music has also played a part in KATD blossoming from the beginning.

All of these individuals were the base of Kids Aspiring To Dream. The importance of having a strong root of individuals, and them having a great faith, has helped to sustain the vision. Others, including board members, advisors, and donors, have also greatly contributed to the life of the organization

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

There are several areas we feel Kids Aspiring To Dream has become a recognizable brand and non-profit organization. A symbolic reminder is found of its KATD insignia on products and attire. The heart of the program is faith based and also uses the slogan, “Shining with a Light of purpose!” Overall, the most effective way I have found to foster brand loyalty is truly striving to treat people as one would like to be treated. On this journey of starting what was initially a grassroots organization, we have greatly depended on the trust of friends and those whose have and are willingly invested in our vision. Frankly, it’s because of their unwavering support and belief in our mission that KATD is still thriving today. I can remember doing a lot of cold calls to businesses for assistance of activities and scholarship opportunities and some of those same cold calls have resulted in forming some of the most generous partners, long term friendships, and a base of solid support for the organization. The one most important venture that has been shown to our clients was through our 10 year Anniversary. All of our patrons, advisory members, business affiliates and so many others were honored with special recognition plaques and memorabilia relating to KATD to say thank you for their commitment. Their milestone of partnership continues to help us reach a pinnacle of success on delivering solid and creative educational programs and platforms for our youth. Being good to them, our youth and our community in turn builds a beautiful brand loyalty and life-long relationships.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kidsaspiringtodream.org