I am DOPE

03/28/2026

Hi everyone! The student athletes of our Bull City Bruins is fundraising to help cover gym time and keep our club costs as low as possible for familiesin the Durham, NC community.

If you’d like to support, you can shop using our link below.

Not a popcorn fan but still want to help? Click “Shop to Support” and select “Donation” to contribute directly to our team.

Thank you so much for your support!

Click here to buy our delicious popcorn and 50% of your purchase benefits this fundraiser.

03/26/2026

I Am DOPE family and supporters -

Our Bull City Bruins is fundraising to help keep our club costs as low as possible for families.
If you’d like to support, you can shop using our link below.

Not a popcorn fan but still want to help? Click “Shop to Support” and select “Donation” to contribute directly to our team.

Thank you so much for your support!

Click here to buy our delicious popcorn and 50% of your purchase benefits this fundraiser.

03/15/2026

A huge thank you to Eric Puckett and Lainey Haigler from CMC / Hometown Heating & Air for joining our EmpowerU Academy workshop this Saturday.

Through our partnership with Riverside High School in Durham, students had the opportunity to hear Mr. Puckett give our young learners a powerful look into his personal career journey in the skilled trades. Mr. Puckett showed how hands-on skills, dedication, and continuous learning can lead to meaningful career opportunities and leadership roles. His advice about hard work and staying open to different career pathways gave our students a lot to think about as they begin planning their futures.

We are grateful for community partners like Riverside High School and CMC / Hometown Heating & Air who help us connect students with real-world career experiences and guidance for the future.

03/11/2026

Do you know what opportunities are available after high school graduation — or are you still trying to figure out your next step?

Our upcoming EmpowerU Academy Career Exploration Workshop is designed for students who want to better understand all pathways to career success — including high-demand skilled trades that offer strong earning potential, hands-on learning, and leadership opportunities.

Join local industry professional Mr. Eric Puckett, Controls Team Operations Manager at Comfort Mechanical Contractors, as he shares his personal career journey and introduces students to alternative pathways that can complement or serve as an alternative to traditional college routes.

Students will learn:
✅ Career opportunities available right here in our community
✅ Training, certification, and apprenticeship pathways
✅ How to explore careers aligned with their strengths and interests
✅ Real-world options for building a stable and successful future

👥 Ages 13–18
💰 Free to attend
📍 Durham, NC + Virtual Option Available
Free breakfast provided!

Help your teen explore possibilities and make informed decisions about their future.

Reserve your spot today: https://calendly.com/ddmcdonald/empoweru-workshops-2026

03/02/2026

Do you know what opportunities are available after high school graduation — or are you still trying to figure out your next step?

Our upcoming EmpowerU Academy Career Exploration Workshop is designed for students who want to better understand all pathways to career success — including high-demand skilled trades that offer strong earning potential, hands-on learning, and leadership opportunities.

Join local industry professional Mr. Eric Puckett, Controls Team Operations Manager at Comfort Mechanical Contractors, as he shares his personal career journey and introduces students to alternative pathways that can complement or serve as an alternative to traditional college routes.

Students will learn:
✅ Career opportunities available right here in our community
✅ Training, certification, and apprenticeship pathways
✅ How to explore careers aligned with their strengths and interests
✅ Real-world options for building a stable and successful future

👥 Ages 13–18
💰 Free to attend
📍Saturday, March 14 @ 10:00 AM
📍 Riverside High School + Virtual Option Available
Free breakfast provided!

Help your teen explore possibilities and make informed decisions about their future.

Reserve your spot today: https://calendly.com/ddmcdonald/empoweru-workshops-2026

01/30/2026

A huge thanks to Gene Banks, Bianca Banks, Robert Brickey, Kevin G. Graves, Dr. Daniel MolliethielI, and the Riverside Pirates for hosting and making this a SUPER great event for young teens! I am DOPE. Be Anything, Change Everything!

I Am DOPE, proposes a Student-Athlete Symposium exclusively at Riverside High School (RHS) themed for student athletes. This event will bring together studen...

01/17/2026

JANUARY 17 Skills Training Session is canceled. Please check back for the Jan 31st session.

01/16/2026

3DAWGS Athletics is hosting FREE skills training for teens ages 13–18 on Saturday, January 17 and Saturday, January 31, from 12:30–2:30 PM. This weekend’s focus will be agility, footwork, and ball handling, with station-based training designed to maximize reps and coaching attention.

📍 Location details will be shared after registration
🗓️ Sign up now to reserve your spot:
👉 https://calendly.com/ddmcdonald/3-dawgs-basketball-skills-training-sessions

Come ready to work, sharpen your game, and keep developing.

01/13/2026

We are incredibly grateful to Ms. Sadé Smith-Tillman, owner of Next Generation Career Coaching, for leading such an impactful Resume Building workshop with our EmpowerU Academy young learners.

Through her guidance, students learned how to recognize their skills, advocate for themselves, and understand how a resume opens doors to jobs, programs, and future opportunities. Her ability to break down resume readiness in a way that was relatable, confidence-building, and actionable made a lasting impression, and we appreciate her continued commitment to preparing the next generation for success.

We also extend our sincere thanks to Riverside High School and the RHS Athletics Department for partnering with I Am DOPE to make impactful educational programming available—at no cost—to the youth in our community.

01/08/2026

Only 2 days left to reserve your seat! Take an early step toward college, career, and leadership readiness.

You’ll learn how to:
✔️Build your first resume step-by-step
✔️Show your skills even without job experience
✔️Talk about yourself with confidence
✔️Get ready for jobs, internships, and future opportunities

📅 Saturday, Jan 10, 2026
⏰ 10 AM – 12 PM
📍 In-person or virtual
💸 FREE | 🍳 Breakfast included
👉 Register now — seats are limited!

Link:
https://calendly.com/ddmcdonald/empoweru-workshops-2025_26

01/08/2026

Only 2 days left to reserve your seat! Take an early step toward college, career, and leadership readiness.

You’ll learn how to:
✔️Build your first resume step-by-step
✔️Show your skills even without job experience
✔️Talk about yourself with confidence
✔️Get ready for jobs, internships, and future opportunities

📅 Saturday, Jan 10, 2026
⏰ 10 AM – 12 PM
📍 In-person or virtual
💸 FREE | 🍳 Breakfast included
👉 Register now — seats are limited!

Link:
https://calendly.com/ddmcdonald/empoweru-workshops-2025_26

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