Meet Our Founder
Leroy Palmer, a distinguished native of Chicago, is the visionary Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Dream Big Mentoring and Outreach, a nonprofit organization committed to empowering youth and transforming communities.
With an unwavering dedication to service, Mr. Palmer has built a mission-driven organization that addresses social injustices, advances educational equity, promotes literacy and leadership, and closes achievement gaps for underrepresented youth in marginalized communities.
Rooted in his guiding belief that “to whom much is given, much is required,” Mr. Palmer's work reflects deep gratitude, faith, and a sense of purpose. Raised in the low-income housing developments of Chicago's inner city, he faced profound emotional and environmental challenges. Yet, through resilience and a strong moral foundation instilled by his mother and grandmothers, he transformed adversity into a lifelong commitment to uplift others.
As the second oldest of seven children, Leroy embraced leadership from an early age—mentoring his younger siblings integrity and modeling and perseverance. His experiences growing up in an underserved neighborhood fueled his determination to provide today's youth with the resources, guidance, and opportunities he once longed for. Having risen above the challenges of poverty, violence, and systemic inequities, Mr. Palmer made a promise early in life—to return and empower the very community that shaped him.
With more than two decades of experience in education and youth development, Mr. Palmer has served in numerous leadership roles dedicated to advancing African American achievement, educational access, and mentorship. He formerly served as the Middle School Dean of Students at CICS Avalon, a charter school on Chicago's South Side, where he inspired students to strive for excellence both academically and personally. In addition, he is a licensed Illinois Child Care Consultant, providing professional guidance to support high-quality educational environments across the state.
A proud alumnus of Missouri Valley College and Ashford University, Mr. Palmer continues to advocate for educational innovation, mentorship, and community transformation. Beyond his professional endeavors, he enjoys traveling, roller skating, cooking for his family, and spending quality time with his three beloved children—Kylan, Kree, and Koi.
Rooted in his guiding belief that “to whom much is given, much is required,” Mr. Palmer's work reflects deep gratitude, faith, and a sense of purpose. Raised in the low-income housing developments of Chicago's inner city, he faced profound emotional and environmental challenges. Yet, through resilience and a strong moral foundation instilled by his mother and grandmothers, he transformed adversity into a lifelong commitment to uplift others.
As the second oldest of seven children, Leroy embraced leadership from an early age—mentoring his younger siblings integrity and modeling and perseverance. His experiences growing up in an underserved neighborhood fueled his determination to provide today's youth with the resources, guidance, and opportunities he once longed for. Having risen above the challenges of poverty, violence, and systemic inequities, Mr. Palmer made a promise early in life—to return and empower the very community that shaped him.
With more than two decades of experience in education and youth development, Mr. Palmer has served in numerous leadership roles dedicated to advancing African American achievement, educational access, and mentorship. He formerly served as the Middle School Dean of Students at CICS Avalon, a charter school on Chicago's South Side, where he inspired students to strive for excellence both academically and personally. In addition, he is a licensed Illinois Child Care Consultant, providing professional guidance to support high-quality educational environments across the state.
A proud alumnus of Missouri Valley College and Ashford University, Mr. Palmer continues to advocate for educational innovation, mentorship, and community transformation. Beyond his professional endeavors, he enjoys traveling, roller skating, cooking for his family, and spending quality time with his three beloved children—Kylan, Kree, and Koi.
Our Vision
At Dream Big Mentoring and Outreach, our vision is to empower young people to reach their fullest potential by helping them build strong character, essential life skills, and self-confidence. We believe that every child deserves access to meaningful opportunities — whether through exposure to colleges and universities, the arts, or real-world career experiences — that expand their perspectives and inspire lifelong growth.
Our mentoring approach is rooted in connection, compassion, and consistency. Each mentor becomes part of a dedicated support team that takes personal responsibility for the success of their mentee — serving not just as a guide, but as a trusted adult friend and role model. Through active listening, encouragement, and positive reinforcement, mentors help students set and achieve goals, make informed decisions, and navigate challenges with resilience.
Ultimately, our vision is to create a community where every young person feels seen, supported, and capable of greatness — equipped with the skills, values, and confidence to dream big and lead purposeful lives.
Our Mission
Dream Big Mentoring and Outreach is a proud 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization rooted in the heart of Chicago's Greater Grand Crossing and Englewood communities. Our mission is to empower young people to overcome barriers and unlock their potential through mentorship, education, and holistic support.
We provide consistent you adult guidance, character development, and life-enriching opportunities that inspire youth to dream beyond their circumstances. Through a combination of teaching, training, motivation, and hands-on learning, Dream Big equips students with the skills and confidence needed to lead purposeful, productive lives.
Our programs emphasize leadership, personal responsibility, achievement, and emotional wellness, helping each student build the foundation for lifelong success. By fostering positive relationships between youth, mentors, and families, we aim to nurture not only individual growth but also stronger, more resilient communities.
Community Served
Dream Big was created in response to a pressing need within underserved Chicago neighborhoods — a need for programs that address behavioral challenges, family dynamics, and social-emotional development in a meaningful, sustainable way.
In many local schools, disciplinary issues often lead to suspensions or expulsions rather than support and intervention. This punitive approach leaves students without guidance and strains communication between schools and families. At the same time, parents and caregivers are often unaware of, or reluctant to seek, the assistance of social workers and therapists due to stigma, lack of trust, or limited access to resources.
Dream Big seeks to bridge this gap by providing comprehensive mentorship and family-centered support that encourages collaboration, communication, and compassion. Our mission extends beyond the individual student — we work with entire families to promote healing, understanding, and positive behavioral change.
Through our programs, we strive to replace punishment with prevention, empowerment, and hope, creating pathways for youth to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.