Dreaming Elephants Tutoring

Tuesday, April 14th, marks 129 years since Voorhees University was founded. Elizabeth Evelyn Wright began with only $1.50 and a vision that persevered through doubt, tragedy, and oppression. HBCUs have always represented more than education; they stand as evidence of Black excellence, created in response to exclusion and inequity.

That spirit is alive in every Dreaming Elephants session. We carry forward the legacy of Voorhees and every HBCU that dared to believe in our brilliance. Every lesson, every service project, every conversation with a parent is rooted in the same commitment to education and community: to build, to believe, and to achieve.

Today is World Autism Acceptance Day. 🧠

At Dreaming Elephants Tutoring, we don't believe in one-size-fits-all learning — because it doesn't exist. Every student we work with brings a different brain, a different story, and a different kind of genius.

Meeting students where they are isn't just a teaching style. It's a commitment.

If your child learns differently and you're looking for a tutor who gets that — we'd love to connect. 📚 Call or text: 267-417-6921

Today is Harriet Tubman Day. 🐘

She escaped slavery in 1849 — and then went back 13 times to bring approximately 70 people to freedom. She later led a Civil War military operation that freed 700 people in a single night. She never lost a single passenger.

Courage is part of the story. Brilliance is the rest of it.

At Dreaming Elephants, we believe every child in our community carries that same combination.

Tag someone who reminds you of her spirit. 👇

Happy National Grammar Day! 📝😄

Fun fact: March 4 is National Grammar Day and also literally a complete sentence ("March forth!"). We love a holiday that's also a pep talk.

Whether your student struggles with run-on sentences, comma placement, or the eternal "its vs. it's" battle, our tutors have got them covered.

Share this if you've ever texted "your" instead of "you're" and immediately regretted it. 😂 No judgment here!

Philadelphia has given us many great talents, and Joe Wilder is truly one of the best.

Joe Wilder was born in 1922 and became one of jazz’s most respected and versatile trumpet players. He played with the legendary Count Basie Orchestra and was one of the first Black musicians to work full-time in Broadway studios. Through his talent and steady determination, Wilder broke barriers.

He never looked for attention.
His playing was always precise.
He brought discipline to everything he did.
His skill was truly masterful.

In a segregated America, keeping up that level of excellence was its own form of resistance.

Wilder’s tone was warm, controlled, and full of feeling. He didn’t rely on showy tricks; his musicianship spoke for itself. He moved easily between big bands, studio sessions, film scores, and classical music, showing just how much a Black jazz artist could achieve in the 20th century.

Philadelphia has a rich jazz tradition, from John Coltrane to today’s new artists, and Joe Wilder is a key part of that story.

Today, we celebrate:

* 🎺 Technical mastery
* 🎼 Cultural contribution
* ✊🏾 Quiet, barrier-breaking excellence
* 🖤 Black artistic discipline and longevity

Add some Joe Wilder to your playlist today. Listen for his tone, his consistency, and his discipline.

That’s what legacy looks like.

Fifty-four years ago today (February 8, 1971), NASDAQ was launched as the first electronic stock market. This innovation transformed investment practices, yet it also underscores an often-overlooked topic during Black History Month: ownership and access to capital.

Even today, only a limited number of companies are widely recognized as Black-owned and publicly traded:

Urban One (UONE/UONEK), Carver (CARV), Broadway Financial (BYFC), RLJ (RLJ), Axsome (AXSM), and Citizens Bancshares (CZBS).

This limited representation does not reflect a lack of talent; rather, it highlights persistent barriers to access. Financial literacy combined with entrepreneurship education fosters empowerment.

On February 8th, 66 years ago, the Hollywood Walk of Fame officially opened.

Here’s a fun fact: Out of the 2,834 stars on the Walk of Fame, dozens are connected to Philadelphia or its nearby suburbs.

This group includes many stars, with some estimates saying over 50, who were born, raised, educated, or spent part of their lives in Philadelphia or the surrounding suburbs.

It just goes to show that Philly doesn’t only raise great students—it also raises icons in entertainment.

February 8 marks the anniversary of the Orangeburg Massacre, a pivotal yet often overlooked moment in American history. In 1968, students at South Carolina State University) protested segregation and were met with deadly force—three young Black men lost their lives, and dozens were injured. (A Remembrance of the Orangeburg Massacre, 2024)

Among the wounded was Dr. Cleveland Sellers, a prominent civil rights leader, who was unjustly the only person convicted for the tragedy. No police officers were ever held accountable. (New Orangeburg Massacre memorial dedicated, 2026)

Although the Orangeburg Massacre (1968) is often viewed in isolation, it was part of a broader pattern of state violence against student protests in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Similar incidents occurred at Jackson State (1970) and Kent State (1970), where police or the National Guard also killed students. The Kent State shootings, however, received immediate national attention and extensive media coverage, which significantly influenced public opinion about the Vietnam War.

More than 55 years later, the trauma continues to echo in the community. Families and advocates, including efforts to clear Dr. Sellers’ name, have fought for recognition, justice, and education. South Carolina State University now teaches about the massacre, and work is underway for a permanent campus memorial.

The Orangeburg Massacre reminds us that the struggle for racial justice and police accountability is not just history, but a challenge we still face today. As we reflect on this day, let’s honor the victims, recognize Dr. Sellers’ resilience, and recommit to building a more just future.

Black History Month exists because Black history was intentionally erased from classrooms. Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the Father of Black History, understood that education is power — and denial of education is control.

At Dreaming Elephants Tutoring, we believe every child deserves to see themselves as thinkers, builders, and scholars — not exceptions. We also believe every student deserves to see themselves reflected in history and learning.

We’re the elephants in the classroom for a reason. 🐘📚

As we enjoy this extra foot of snow across the Philadelphia region, let’s keep our most vulnerable neighbors in mind.

Please take a moment to check on elderly neighbors and residents, especially those who may live alone or need help during extreme cold.

If you encounter unhoused individuals or communities who need warmth, food, or shelter, please contact the City’s incredible Homeless Outreach Coordination Teams at (215) 232-1984. One call can truly make a difference.

Stay safe, stay warm, and let’s continue to look out for one another. 🤍❄️💙🐘