Two young men who overcame significant challenges and continue to thrive after completing the City of Danville’s Project Imagine program were honored recently with the first-ever “Dare to Dream” award. The award recognizes former participants who have been out of the program and continue to make strides in their personal and professional lives.
The recipients, Kemori Dixon and Shakavion Keen, were celebrated during a ceremony that also marked the graduation of the 35th Project Imagine cohort. The event honored eight new graduates and spotlighted the transformative power of the program, which has now served 210 youth since its launch in 2018.
“We’re doing something new with the ‘Dare to Dream’ award,” said Robert David, the City’s violence prevention manager and founder of Project Imagine. “We’re celebrating people who didn’t give up—people who dared to think beyond the northside or the southside, beyond their neighborhood, and even beyond Danville. These young men are proof that if you don’t give up, you can’t lose.”
Kemori Dixon: Dream chaser and scholar-athlete
Dixon entered Project Imagine in May 2023 and, under the mentorship of Will Thompson, who serves as an outreach worker for Project Imagine, transformed from a struggling student into a high school graduate with 24 football scholarship offers. He now attends Boston College, where he is entering his sophomore year and aiming to become a starting linebacker.
“Will had been training me in football, but when he introduced me to Project Imagine, I saw it as a way to turn things around,” Dixon said. “Now I’m in college, on my own, and I still use what I learned in the program every day.”
Dixon, who is majoring in psychology with a minor in communications, has big goals: play in the NFL, or serve as a counselor for youth. His message to others is clear: Success starts with a vision — it’s about changing your mindset and deciding you want more for your life.
Shakavion Keen: Focused on family and the future
Keen joined Project Imagine in November 2024 as part of the 30th graduating class. With support from the program and encouragement from Curtis Artis, assistant violence prevention manager, Keen made dramatic improvements in the classroom—earning A’s and B’s during his senior year—and graduated from George Washington High School. He now works and contributes to his household while planning for ways to mentor youth.
“This program helped me control my anger and get back on the right track,” said Keen. “I want to keep working, help my mom, and mentor others to stay in school and out of trouble.”
Keen is passionate about sports, especially basketball, football, and golf, and he hopes to use his experience to inspire other young people facing similar challenges.
New graduates join growing roster of success stories
In addition to the “Dare to Dream” award presentations, eight teens were recognized for completing orientation for the Project Imagine program. Each graduate took part in intensive life skills training and goal-setting sessions designed to equip them for long-term success. Participants receive mentorship, complete strength-based assessments through Casey Life Skills and Clifton Strengths, and establish key goals like finishing school, avoiding legal trouble, and gaining employment.
The teens were Kaylin Averett, Deanthony Coles Jr., Le’Areyonna Graham, Roy Green, Dayana Smith, Quinton Stokes Jr., Essence Stone, and Beonka Whitehead.
Since its inception, Project Imagine has graduated 210 youth. Each participant is assigned an outreach worker who provides ongoing mentorship for at least one year.
“We are proud of every young person who chooses to take a new path,” said David. “Programs like this remind us that transformation is possible when you combine opportunity, mentorship, and determination.”
About Project Imagine
Project Imagine has become a cornerstone of Danville’s youth violence prevention efforts, drawing attention and praise across the Virginia and nationally for its effectiveness in transforming lives and strengthening communities.
For more information about Project Imagine, contact its office at (434) 857-3354 or visit its website.