“Your enthusiasm and warmth enhanced a very special occasion. You set the tone and made everyone of the over seven hundred attendees feel like an honored guest. The event received raved reviews from teachers and administrators - and you are entitled to a major share of the credit.”

—Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education

“Just a note to let you know it was a pleasure to see you recently at the Power of Parents Conference and to thank you for your support of the Chicago Public Schools...by joining our efforts to encourage parental involvement in our schools, you are helping to provide the youth of Chicago the resources they need to develop their fullest potential”

—Richard M. Daley, Former Mayor of Chicago

“Thank you for being a guest on the show. We appreciate you taking time to share yourself with our viewers and studio audience.”

—Oprah Winfrey

"I highly recommend Dwayne Bryant and his team of Visionaries for any school struggling to reach academic excellence. In the year 2000, Inner Vision partnered with my school, Proctor Academic Preparatory Center (Proctor APC) in order to support changing the overall school climate by decreasing the dropout rate, improving student attendance, and academic achievement. Within one short year of our partnership, Proctor APC's dropout rate decreased from 55% to 27%! Although the reduction of the dropout rate was significant, more important was our students' increase in academic achievement, motivation, and school pride. The link between student achievement and self-esteem was proven. Proctor APC partnered with Inner Vision the next year and our dropout rate continued to decrease while academic achievement excelled. As a result of the success at Proctor APC I was promoted to the position of Director of all seven Academic Preparatory Centers and contracted Inner Vision to work with all seven APC's as well as Visionaries are proven leaders in the areas of academic achievement, self-esteem/student motivation, improving school climate, improving student attendance and dropout prevention."

—Anita L. Andrews, Director, Academic Preparatory Centers, Chicago Public Schools

"This was an invaluable experience for our students. Inner Vision helped to build self-esteem, self-respect and respect for others. This resulted in an improvement in school climate, thus leading to an improvement in attendance and academic success in high school."

—Elizabeth Ester, Manager, NCLB Evening High School Programs

Student Testimonials

• "...my creative learning instructor was cool and she made me feel good about myself."
• "...the tutors really cared about us and knew their stuff."
• "We learned how to hold our heads up and speak clearly."
• "I used to keep things inside, but now I express my feelings in poetry."

"In Matteson School District 162, Inner Vision Joined forces with our teachers to improve school climate. While working together, we saw discipline in our schools dramatically improve, suspensions radically decrease and our District's ISAT scores improve by 29%. Inner Vision was an integral component of our exciting success. We couldn't have done it without them!!! Their commitment to our district's success, strong student relationship building collaborative efforts with our teachers made all the difference in the world."

—Muriel Cuzzi, Assistant Superintendent, Matteson School District 162

"Inner Vision's impact was deeply felt at Indiana School during the 2006/2007 school year. Dwayne had an "in your face", honest relationship with the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade classes. He encouraged students and parents as well, to strive for excellence, always, in academics, in social interactions and in leadership. He met with students in small groups, large groups, and every day individually. He was sensitive to what was happening at the school when he arrived. He made a big difference with each child by giving him/her a "reality check." Dwayne and his team had a powerful impact on parents as they conducted parent workshops and rallies. It was truly a remarkable year in character education. "

—Naomi R.Kilpatrick, Principal, Indiana Elementary School

"Inner Vision has had an explosive impact on our students. Dwayna Bryant and the visionaries have the keen ability to touch hearts and deal with issues that uncover internal and underlying emotions while empowering students to become proactive decision makers. Students feel as if they are participating in a character education program that is worthy of their dedication and commitment. The energy level and enthusiasm of Dwayne Bryant and the Visionaries cannot be matched."

—Janiece Jackson, M.Ed., MS.Ed., Assistant Principal, Indiana Elementary School,

"Inner Vision encourages students to see the best in themselves, celebrate their differences, respect their role as student and value themselves as worthy individuals. The program also encourages students to see others' perspectives. Students who take part in the program seem to gain an added boost of self-esteem. They're enthusiastic and look forward to participating in the program."

—Miss Rajrani Chand, 5th Grade Teacher, Indiana Elementary School

"Inner Vision gives students opportunities for self-reflection in order to foster overall success within their school and community cultures. It creates a necessary connection between school and society that reflects an understanding of the importance for students to become intrinsically motivated and teaches students how that motivation creates a ripple-effect throughout their lives. "

—Therese Carlson, 6th Grade Teacher, Indiana Elementary School

"Dwayne Bryant and his Visionaries are positive role models for our students, which many of them so desperately need. They often break the thick shell of those "hard to reach" kids. They cause them to look deep inside themselves and they show them that they are not alone. The program has an incredibly positive affect on the students both at school and at home."

—Amanda Godin, 4th Grade Gifted Teacher, Indiana Elementary School

Dwayne Bryant and Inner Vision International have been an integral part of the success here at Sauk Elementary School. Mr. Bryant has been a part of the creation of a tradition of excellence from the beginning. With the help of his vision and expertise, the climate here at Sauk improves each day. Due to his impact, the students at Sauk Elementary School have become not only better citizens but better contributors as well. Dwayne Bryant has brought a wealth of experience and knowledge to our school that you do not happen upon very often. Dwayne Bryant not only contributes in vision but dedicates every aspect of himself and his team to the pursuit of excellence for Sauk Elementary School."

—Michael Bauer, Principal, Sauk Elementary School
 

"I have been teaching sixth grade at Sauk Elementary School for 3 years. During that time I have a remarkable improvement in student behavior. There is no more fighting and even arguing between students has been dramatically reduced. Our students have become more and more respectful; back talk is now a rarity. I do not have the statistics for detentions, suspensions, and expels but I do know they have been reduced by a minimum of 75%. My three years at Sauk coincide with Inner Vision's. I have worked with the Inner Vision crew during this time, and I can state, for certain, that Dwayne Bryant and his team have been true catalysts of changes. They have worked with both students and parents. They have used unique and effective techniques to lead both children and parents to reflect on their actions and identify inappropriate and destructive behavior. They provide services that are difficult to recreate by school staff alone. Their work has led to true change in the school's environment. I sincerely hope to continue to work with Mr. Bryant and his team until the end of my career."

—Jim Wheeler, 6th Grade Teacher, Sauk Elementary School

"The direction from you and your visionaries has reinforced the behavior we are trying to implement here at Sauk, provided incentives beyond anything we had to offer, and best of all, created the most positive African American role models one could imagine. They lend a degree of relevance within the community, I simply could have never accomplished due to the limitations perceived of me by students. I cannot thank all of you enough, as you don't know the difference you have made and the energy you have inspired!!! Many thanks! "

—Chuck Lawrence, 4th Grade Teacher, Sauk Elementary School

"I thank God for the assistance of Dwayne Bryant, and for extending help unto my family, specifically with regards to my two sons Reginald Brantley and Jermaine Bivens Jr. My children have assiduously progressed academically as well as behaviorally. They have become more responsible young adults. Dwayne continues to be an inspiration to my children and me. I encourage all parents to seek the positive reinforcement and guidance that Dwayne Bryant has to offer our youth."

—Regina Brantley, Parent, Sauk Elementary School

Comments from Ron Jones, the Principal of Huth Middle School, regarding Dwayne Bryant and Inner Vision:

• Children listen to him, love him, and respect him
• He reinforces all administrative initiatives
• He serves as a positive role model for staff/students
• He conveys strong/meaningful messages to students
• He has great people skills and a gregarious personality
• His presence is a breath of fresh air felt throughout the building
• He has assembled a great support staff (Visionaries)
• He is well organized
• Kids love his incentives
• He has a knack for saying the right thing at the right time
• Children are disappointed when his program is cut short or interrupted

"Inner Vision is an extremely powerful program that addresses many of the concerns that I experience with students in the classroom. With each new topic, there is an underlying message that stresses the importance of making good choices, having a positive attitude, and a good education. Mr. Bryant's commitment to our students is evident. It is not unusual to see him and his staff interacting with our students in the hallways and the cafeteria on days that are not set aside for the Inner Vision Program. These relationship with the students are priceless"

—Brenda Calvin, 7th Grade Teacher, Huth Middle School

"Dwayne Bryant's contagious enthusiasm and energy allows him to deliver important information and address difficult topics in a very palatable manner. Students respond with motivation and a willingness to receiving his messages."

—Audrey Grammas, 8th grade gifted Teacher, Huth Middle School

"Inner Vision is a dynamic program that introduces, teaches, and reinforces tools that students need. These tools enable the students to achieve at their highest level in the classroom and life."

—Michael Rogawski, 7th Grade Teacher, Huth Middle School

"From a shy, timid person who hated talking to anyone associated with any form of academic success, to a well spoken, well respected 14 year old with a passion for success and teaching others to have that same passion-that is the effect that Inner Vision's Visionary team has had on me. Their hospitality has helped me through a truly difficult state. I am deeply and forever grateful. For years I was afraid to share my unique gifts in writing, reading, and speaking with anyone, for I was afraid of what people would say. But the Visionaries have taught me to blend out and be myself. Thank you, Visionaries!"

—Jack Johnson, 8th Grade Student, Huth Middle School

"After going to Inner Vision, I noticed that I was changing my life in a few ways: 1. I suddenly had the urge to try and finish my homework 2. I became more sociable. 3. I thought more about what I did everyday and 4. I changed my lifestyle so that I have enough time for everything. Now I know I'm on the right track. "

—Michael Druszkowski, 7th Grade Student, Huth Middle School (Began working with Inner Vision in 5th grade)

"Dwayne Bryant has a phenomenal gift for connecting with our students. Because he is such a strong and effective leader, he is able to inspire others to set extremely high goals and work diligently to attain them. In a world where there are so many questionable leaders, it is refreshing to have Mr. Bryant and his Visionaries support, motivate, and guide our students through their educational journey."

—Patricia Fears, Principal Matteson Elementary School

"Our students look forward to Inner Vision's presentations. Students talk about, look forward to and anticipate their interactive workshops. Mr. Bryant has hired the best of the best. These individuals motivate students to achieve more than they can dream of achieving at such a young age. Mr. Bryant.s teams programs are well developed and combine motivation with encouragement to build positive social skills they can use throughout their entire life."

—David Rupert, Ed.D., Assistant Principal, Matteson Elementary School

"Inner Vision provides students with positive role models that they can really look up to."

—Kisha Houston, Third Grade Teacher, Matteson Elementary School

"Mr. Bryant has been a positive influence on my students. The life lessons he has introduced to them are extremely helpful. I have a number of young men in my classroom who do not have a male influence at home. Small things like making eye contact, how to shake hands, and making a positive first impression are all lessons that our African American males need. That is a great time to this discussion with them. My only desire is to have more contact with Mr. Bryant."

—Rebecca Pugh, Third Grade Teacher, Matteson Elementary School

"Dwayne Bryant is a positive role model for the males in my classroom. He is able to capture the attention of students by speaking their language and providing examples of everyday life situations that they can relate to."

—April Tucker, Third Grade Teacher, Matteson Elementary School

“You did it.

Because of you, Byron Pickett is on his way to Berklee College of Music.

In less than two weeks, readers of this column raised $18,521 in cash and $2,000 in pledges to close the $14,000 gap between the $30,000 in scholarships, grants and financial aid Pickett received, and the tuition and housing costs needed for him to attend the prestigious school.”

—Sun-Times