dwsa

It’s no revelation to anyone who has stumbled into a local comment section, but San Antonians could use more tolerance for each other’s experiences and perspectives. Diverse cultural summit DreamWeek, which organizes 17 days of inspiring events, might help heal the fractious divide. The inspirational festivities run January 10-26.

Nigerian immigrant Shokare “Sho” Nakpodia first envisioned DreamWeek in the ’90s while working as a New York City taxi driver. Still, it wasn’t until 2013 that the summit became a reality. The idea was to modernize Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s enduring vision through a meaningful exchange of ideas.

The initiative became an almost immediate success. Since its inception, DreamWeek has hosted more than 1,000 events and partnered with hundreds of local organizations. The 2025 edition continues the growth trajectory with panels, symposiums, film screenings, and art shows bookending San Antonio’s annual MLK Day parade.

It’s impossible to soak it all in, but we’ve curated some daily highlights. For a complete list of activities, head here.

Hadestown — January 10
The Tony-winning musical Hadestown opens for a limited run. Majestic Theatre, 7:30 pm.

Voices of Equality: Celebrating Our Neighbor — January 11
The Human Rights Campaign presents an afternoon celebrating diversity and LGBTQ inclusivity through art happenings, presentations, and more. Geekdom, 2-4 pm.

The Quilt: Live in Concert — January 12
Inspired by the award-winning documentary of the same name, this musical showpiece highlights music genres created by Black Americans. San Fernando Cathedral, 7-8 pm.

DreamHour Speaker Series — January 13
Gain insight and inspiration from mental health expert Keely Petty and security consultant Willie Vazquez Ng. Mark’s Outing, 7-8:30 pm.

Dream Big Mixer — January 14
Network with philanthropically minded entrepreneurs and business professionals. Smoke Sky Bar, 5:30-8 pm.

Food System Forum — January 15
Explore the future of the local food system with Gardopia Gardens and the Food Policy Council. Gardopia Gardens, 6-8 pm.

Black Cowboys: An American Story — January 16
The exhibit, running through February 9, tells the story of Black pioneers in the American West. Robert J. & Helen C. Kleberg South Texas Heritage Center, 10 am to 5 pm.

Mental Health Symposium — January 17
This daylong event is designed to build tomorrow’s emotionally intelligent, inclusive, and socially responsible leaders. Launch SA, 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.

L’Afrique Fashion Show — January 18
This fashion show highlights the rich culture of Nigeria. Brick at Blue Star, 2-4 pm.

Dreamweek Comedy Show — January 19
Have a laugh and support the United Healthcare Children’s Foundation. Upstage Comedy Lounge, 7:30 pm.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. March — January 20
This almost three-mile march is one of the largest in the nation. Martin Luther King Jr. Academy, 10 am.

Samurai Spirit: Swords, Accessories, and Paintings — January 21
Learn the history of Japanese samurai through exquisite objects through July 27. San Antonio Museum of Art. 10 am to 8 pm.

We Dream in Drag — January 22
Drag queens of color discuss their lives and perform riveting sets. Heat Night Club, 7-9 pm.

Generations Over Dinner — January 23
This delicious dinner mixes guests from two to five generations for stimulating conversation. San Antonio Area Foundation, 6-8 pm.

SAN ANTONIO – A fresh start brings the thrill of embracing new opportunities and experiences.

Now that 2024 is behind us, there are plenty of things to be excited about in 2025.

Here are some of the biggest events in San Antonio that you’ll want to mark on your new calendars.

January

DreamWeek: The annual city-wide DreamWeek summit takes place from Jan. 10-26 with symposiums, panel discussions, debates, film screenings, concerts and art exhibits at more than 100 locationsthroughout the city.

Calling all filmmakers! The 2025 San Antonio Neighborhood Film Project competition is closer than ever! Take a look to learn more!

From January 10 to 26, 2025, our city will come together to explore the impact of connections within the community at the DreamWeek San Antonio (DWSA) summit. Now in its 13th year, the annual city-wide celebration has grown to become one of the nation’s largest community-curated summit. Next year’s “We Are Neighbor,” theme will herald a triumph of community unity and our shared humanity.

About DreamWeek San Antonio (DWSA)

The city-wide summit, held every January, is a community curated endeavor with an aim to promote the exchange of ideas, inspire discussion and ignite change. The goal is to invite civil open forum participation in which real-world issues are addressed, with the understanding that the truest voices will always prevail. Events can take a variety of forms, from symposiums, panel discussions and debates to film screenings, concerts and art exhibits.

Via is touting it’s latest effort, the VIA Rapid Silver Line as a goal to give people more options when it comes to public transportation.

SAN ANTONIO – If you want to learn more about housing in town tomorrow, Jan.26. is a perfect opportunity.

City leaders are hosting a free affordable housing event at Sam Houston High School with talks about affordable housing programs and resources available to you.

This Dreamweek event will also provide free breakfast tacos, host a resource fair with more than 45 organizations, offer youth activities led by the San Antonio Public Library, and provide free produce bags for the first 150 attendees from the San Antonio food bank.

SAN ANTONIO — According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, gun violence is now the No. 1 cause of death of kids in the United States. Local organizers are calling for change.

“You would think the world would be in an uproar about kids dying,” said Bennie Price.

As a part of San Antonio’s Dreamweek, the city-wide summit to ignite change, Price, the founder of Big Mama’s Safe House, wanted to address gun violence.

“I remember when dying was an old man’s sport, not anymore,” said youth gang expert Lloyd Patterson-Cantero.

They’re having candid conversations about guns impact on Black and Brown communities.

“The only thing there is drugs, violence, gangs — and that’s what they are attracted to,” said Hubert Brown, owner of Ball Hoggs BBQ.

Families of gun violence victims are crying out for more investments in troubled neighborhoods.

“That’s money we can put into the community, the families,” said Terrie Dixon, who’s related to gun violence victims. “To help parents understand how to better raise their children so you can stop it at this age. Because once they get a certain age, it’s no stopping it.”

Advocates want to help kids understand that gangs and guns aren’t the answer.

“We got to do better at teaching our children that violence does not work,” Patterson-Cantero said.

According to the Gun Violence Archive, last year more than 43,000 people were killed across the country. That includes more than 1,500 kids.

“Firearm-related death and disability is, from my point of view as a trauma surgeon, the greatest pandemic of our children and young adults,” said Dr. Ronald Stewart, who’s worked in hospitals over 30 years.

Dr. Ronald Stewart says over the years, seeing gun violence victims has become a daily occurrence. He says we all need to work together to give youth hope for their futures.

“It’s going to take investments into the community and into the people who know exactly what the change that is needed is,” said Christina Delgado with the Community Justice Action Fund.

In 2022, Price shared with us how he witnessed gun violence growing up on San Antonio’s Eastside during the crack cocaine era.

“I grew up just a few blocks from here, called the Wheatley courts housing projects,” Price said.

As a teen, pulling the trigger landed him in prison for 20 years.

“It corrupted my young mind at an early age,” Price said. “And before I could really make an adult decision, I was sitting in prison thinking I would never get out.”

Price got out in 2016 with a desire to change his community. Starting the nonprofit Big Mama’s Safe House, committing to end senseless gang and gun violence.

“We’re trying to reach the people before they get those guns,” Price said. “Because after they get to those guns, it’s kind of hard to take them from them.”

Price says he’ll continue working to stop shootings in our community as a violence interrupter. Showing kids there is another way.

“We should be living the dream,” Price said. “We should have the opportunity to have a safe community.”

WE WERE CHILDREN TOO – STORIES OF POUR CHILDHOOD TOLD BY TRANS ADULTS

This DreamWeek, listen to Trans Adults as they tell stories of their childhood, both the good and the bad. This conversation will also allow them to share how they coped, survived, and thrived in adulthood.

This event will be moderated by Kimiya Factory, founder of Black Freedom Factory. Panelists include Leo Castillo (community advocate), Joan Simoncelli (comedienne and advocate), Lyn-Z (performer and advocate), Rain Garcia (founder of Unfiltered Wings and HIV advocate), and Jaycee Clark (artist and advocate).

When: Friday, January 19, 2024, 6 pm
Where: ​​Esperanza Peace and Justice Center, 922 San Pedro Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212
How much: Free

SAN ANTONIO — For over 50 years, Tommy “TC” Calvert Sr. has been an activist in his community of San Antonio and beyond.

“San Antonio is my home,” said Calvert Sr. “It’s my roots. It’s where I grew up.”

He says his activism all started in the 1960s when he went to a restaurant and got his first taste of racism. Calvert Sr. attempted to order lunch but was turned away.

“She said, ‘Little n***** boy. We don’t serve Blacks in here,’” he said. “I was so hurt. I was about 7 years old, so I experienced that at a very young age.”

Calvert Sr. says his calling was ignited that day. As a teen, he helped to organize Black student unions at colleges across Texas. Today, Calvert Sr. in the president of a nationwide nonprofit, the Neighborhoods First Alliance.

“We’re responsible for over $400-500 million worth of street and drainage projects throughout the city,” said Calvert Sr. “Primarily on the East, South and West Side.”

But his work goes beyond local projects.

“That was in 1984 when he first ran. I was Jesse Jackson’s South Texas campaign coordinator,” Calvert Sr. said.

Calvert Sr. said he is proud to make an impact both locally and across the nation. He helped with the federal Community Reinvestment Act, which passed Congress in 1977. The act encouraged banks to make loans to all borrowers, including low-income, minority neighborhoods.

As a part of San Antonio’s DreamWeek 2024, Calvert Sr. is being honored at the San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum’s (SAAACAM) Legacy Awards Ball.

“A lot of deep history in San Antonio,” said Calvert Sr. “I stand on the shoulders of many people who come before me. G.J. Sutton, Rev. Claude Black, the list goes on and on.”

The ball is SAAACAM’s inaugural fundraiser to help with their renovations on the newly acquired Kress Building, located just two blocks away from the Alamo in downtown San Antonio. The group hopes to revamp the building, which is estimated to be a $35 million project, and open the largest Black history museum in Texas.

“They are going to be telling the story that doesn’t get told,” said Calvert Sr. “A lot of famous African Americans and Hispanics have done great things and been trailblazers in the city.”

Calvert Sr. has laid the groundwork. Now, his legacy continues through his son, Tommy Calvert Jr., who was elected as the first Black county commissioner in Bexar County.

“I just tell him, Tommy, never forget where you come from,” said Calvert Sr. “And always be the voice for those who don’t have a voice. Because you’re very privileged to be in that position.”

DreamWeek San Antonio comprises over 200 events that started Jan. 12 and finish Jan. 28. The mission of the summit is to “celebrate our humanity by creating environments for civil and civic engagement to embrace ideas and dreams for the common good,” according to its website.