SOAR News

Success often follows those who dare to dream, work hard, and embrace their creativity. Supreme Amos ('17) and Sacred Overstreet-Amos ('10), both proud UM-Dearborn CASL alumni, are living proof that passion can become a fulfilling and profitable career. Together, they own and operate Moon Reflections Photography, a flourishing business that captures life's most meaningful moments while providing clients with a luxury experience.

For Supreme, a SOAR alum, the journey into photography and videography was almost predestined. "I used to film everything when I was younger," he recalls. "My friends still ask if I have old footage from high school. It was something I was always drawn to, but I never saw it as a career option until later in life." His wife, Sacred, who had already established a successful photography business, encouraged him to return to school and finish his degree, a decision that would shape their future in unexpected ways. 

While Sacred brought her deep creative instincts and artistic vision to the business, when Supreme came on board, he initially focused on the management side, helping to organize and expand the company Sacred had already built. With a keen eye for strategy and operations, he strengthened the business side, allowing Sacred to dedicate herself fully to her creative vision. Over time, and with Sacred’s encouragement, Supreme branched out into videography, rediscovering his early passion for filming and expanding Moon Reflections Photography’s offerings. He does a range of videography work, but really enjoys short documentary filming, like this one on Detroit’s Rapid Rehousing Program.

"We balance each other out," Sacred says. "I’m the true creative, always pushing the artistic side, while Supreme is the strategist who makes sure our business thrives. We respect each other’s strengths and have built something that not only supports our family but also brings us joy."

Moon Reflections Photography is more than just a business—it’s an experience. Their services cater to individuals and businesses alike, offering high-quality branding, corporate event coverage, and striking portrait sessions. Supreme and Sacred emphasize the full-service nature of their work. "Our clients don’t have to worry about a thing," says Sacred. "We schedule makeup appointments, scout locations, plan everything meticulously, and ensure the final product is stunning. We take care of it all so our clients can just enjoy the process."

Like many creative professionals, Supreme initially wrestled with societal expectations about traditional career paths. "I grew up believing you had to get a ‘real job’ at a factory or in an office," he admits. "I didn’t know you could actually make a good living doing what you love. But once I was flown to Paris for a project and got paid well for it, I knew this was it. I was all in."

The couple’s success is not just measured in financial gains but also in the fulfillment they find in their work. "It’s deeply satisfying when clients get emotional seeing their photos or when they tell us how our work made them feel seen and celebrated," says Sacred. "That’s when you know you’re making an impact."

Beyond their business, Supreme and Sacred are committed to giving back to the community. Their nonprofit organization, Young Creators Arts & Enrichment (YCAE), provides mentorship and hands-on training in photography and videography for youth in Detroit and beyond. "We want to show young people—especially those from communities where creative careers aren’t always encouraged—that they can do this," Supreme explains. "Cool kids can be photographers, too."

Their vision for the future includes expanding their nonprofit, offering after-school programs, and possibly launching a summer program in collaboration with UM-Dearborn. They also continue to grow Moon Reflections Photography, refining their niche to serve corporate and nonprofit clients, ensuring both creative fulfillment and financial stability.

As entrepreneurs, parents, and creatives, Supreme and Sacred have designed a life that blends passion with purpose. "I need to be happy doing what I do," says Sacred. "Money is great, but my peace, my family, and my creativity come first."

For UM-Dearborn students and alumni dreaming of an unconventional career, Supreme and Sacred offer this advice: "Don’t ignore what you love. If you’re passionate about something, go for it. You can be creative, enjoy your work, and get paid well for it. We’re proof of that."

To learn more about Moon Reflections Photography or explore internship opportunities with Young Creators Arts & Enrichment, visit:

Moon Reflections Photography and Young Creators Arts & Enrichment (YCAE)

Or follow on social media: Instagram and Facebook

UM-Dearborn alumna Robin Wilson (’18) has always embraced learning, creativity, and the power of storytelling. From teaching in a French immersion kindergarten class to becoming a Fulbright Scholar in Brazil, Robin’s journey has taken unexpected turns, each shaping her current path as the founder and owner of Vesey Lane Goods in Detroit’s East Village neighborhood.

After experiencing health challenges, including an ischemic stroke, Robin had to reevaluate her career and personal aspirations. "Having a stroke changed me," she explains. "Even though I was able to return to teaching, I realized I needed a different pace. My stamina was not the same, and I had to listen to my body. That’s when I started exploring my entrepreneurial passions more seriously."

Robin’s passion for art and storytelling, which had been present since her early twenties, began to take center stage. Encouraged by her husband, Khari, and supported by her family, she launched Vesey Lane Goods, a specialty store offering handcrafted greeting cards, art prints, home decor, and unique gifts. The shop is named in honor of her maternal grandparents, Narvell and Burl Henry Vesey, reflecting her deep connection to family legacy and history.

"Khari has been my rock through all of this," Robin says. "When I told him I needed to step away from teaching full-time, he fully supported me. That kind of backing gave me the confidence to take the leap into business ownership."

Robin’s journey also includes notable accomplishments as a children’s book author. She wrote "Mama Got Rhythm, Daddy Got Rhyme," republished in 2021, and "Jazz-A-Bet: An Original Jazz Alphabet," a bilingual English-Portuguese book released in 2024. "Storytelling has always been a huge part of my life, whether through books, greeting cards, or conversations with customers in the shop," she shares.

Vesey Lane Goods is more than just a retail space—it’s a hub for art, culture, and community engagement. Robin curates an eclectic mix of products from various artists, many of whom are showcasing their work in a retail space for the first time. She also hosts workshops, events, and discussions that celebrate creativity and heritage. It as a place where people can connect, learn, and share in the creative process. The store regularly hosts artist meet-ups, book signings, and hands-on workshops, offering a welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds to come together. "Our store is about more than selling goods—it’s about storytelling, connection, and honoring artistry," Robin explains. "I listen to my customers, and I love helping them find the perfect gift or piece of art that resonates with them. But I also want them to feel at home here, to see this as a space where they can gather, exchange ideas, and be inspired."

Her journey underscores the idea that it’s never too late to pursue new dreams. "We can have many dreams throughout our lives," she says. "Just because one path changes doesn’t mean we’ve lost our way. Sometimes, we’re just finding new ways to express who we are."

For those interested in visiting Vesey Lane Goods, the shop is located at 9920 Kercheval Ave in Detroit’s East Village. Robin is also exploring ways to collaborate with UM-Dearborn, including mentorship opportunities for students interested in entrepreneurship, the arts, and retail management.

To learn more about Robin’s work and Vesey Lane Goods, visit veseylanegoods.com or follow the store on Instagram at @veseylanegoods.

When Paris Freeman began working at SHAR House as a therapist, it was a full circle moment for the CASL alum (Behavioral Sciences, ’19). Years earlier Paris was employed at SHAR in a variety of office positions, but her goal was always to become a licensed clinical social worker. She realized that goal in August of 2022 when she graduated from the University of Michigan School of Social Work with her MSW after completing an intensive 12 month accelerated program with an emphasis in clinical social work. “I went to school so I could do what I want to do,” says Paris, “I’m at a stage of life where I need to know I will thrive in my workplace, not just survive.”

In 2014, Paris made the decision to return to school and complete her bachelor’s degree because she felt she wasn’t living up to her potential and she always dreamed of graduating with a Michigan degree. At UM-Dearborn, Paris sought out opportunities to grow as a researcher and future clinician. She was involved in numerous research projects with her professors, most notably with sociologist Paul Draus and economist Juliette Roddy sharing, “I valued those relationships as I learned to do research. I was invested in them and their research, but what mattered is that they were equally invested in me. Over time my confidence grew along with my interests.” Her experiences as a research assistant led to a position at the Institute for Social Research, primarily working out of the UM Detroit Center, where she is still engaged in research studying the effects of the pandemic on the community of IV drug users in the metro Detroit area.

Recognizing a need for greater cultural competency in social work education, Paris plans to pursue a doctorate in social work so that she can teach in addition to developing her clinical practice.

Paris offers this advice to current SOAR students, “The challenges and heaviness you’ve faced in your lifetime have not been in vain. It’s gotten you here. Unless you’ve been through the fire, you cannot come out as gold. Welcome the challenges. They are making you a better person, more well-rounded, and able to handle the good that’s to come.”

CASL alum Courtney Grove-Dyer says the resiliency she developed while raising two children on her own impacted her approach to her education at both the UM-Dearborn campus where she earned a B.A. in Integrative Studies and on the UM-Ann Arbor campus where she completed a Master of Arts in Social Work with an emphasis in community change. “With kids, there’s always something to be done, whether you like it or not. You can’t waste time thinking about what you want to do. You just do what’s in front of you. Better to just do it and get it done.”

Courtney relied on that resiliency while starting the MSW program at the University of Michigan during the height of the pandemic when the program was all online. It was challenging and she felt isolated at times, but Courtney persisted, made connections and got involved. She became the field director of the student organization Black Radical Healing Pathways a group focused on radical social justice efforts to bring about transformative change on campus and in the community. After her first year in the program, she completed her field placement internship through Community Movement Builders Detroit at the Mama Akua Community House, a thriving community center in Detroit’s Zone 8 neighborhood founded by UM-Dearborn alum Yusef Shakur, who also earned his MSW from UM-Ann Arbor.

Courtney came to UM-Dearborn to complete her undergraduate degree because she wanted to start a non-profit to empower single Black mothers and others from historically oppressed communities.  To be successful she knew she needed coursework in grant writing and organizational leadership, along with a degree. Courtney participated in several undergraduate showcases highlighting her research into African American women’s leadership. She was the Office of Metropolitan Impact’s intern of the year in 2018 and was selected to be the 2018 commencement speaker. Courtney was particularly inspired by her experiences in SOAR, “I would not be in the position I am today without the support and existence of SOAR. Because of SOAR, I was inspired to take the necessary steps to start my non-profit Detroit Power Detroit to help eliminate racial disparities among African Americans to create upward mobility.” Courtney is developing the non-profit while also working in the social work field and raising her children.

Through Detroit Power Detroit, Courtney offers free financial literacy training, youth sports development, and other programs. Her advice to SOAR students is “Never give up on your dreams. They are achievable no matter what your circumstances were or are now.”

Benita Robinson started her master’s degree journey at Wayne State University in 2018 while working full time at Avalon Healing Center (formerly Wayne County SAFE), a nonprofit offering trauma informed care to sexual assault survivors. Prior to beginning graduate school and launching her career, Benita was a SOAR participant and student at UM-Dearborn double majoring in Women’s and Gender Studies and Sociology. She started her undergraduate studies at UM-Dearborn in 2010 as a computer science major but found herself increasingly drawn to courses and faculty engaged in social justice teaching and practice. “The entry point for me was getting involved in WILL (Women in Learning and Leadership) and taking the Intro to Women’s and Gender Studies with Dr. Bergeron,” said Benita, “It was such an awakening for me. I had no idea there was a field of study addressing issues that mattered to me.” Through WILL she became involved in Take Back the Night and numerous campus and community initiatives that focused on empowering others. Benita was a founding member of UM-Dearborn’s American Association of University Women’s (AAUW) chapter where she organized and helped facilitate AAUW’s Start Smart salary negotiation workshops and served on the AAUW National Student Advisory Council.

Benita’s experiences at UM-Dearborn influenced her decision to pursue a career in social work. “Once I started seeing the impact my involvement and work on campus had on students and others in the community, my interest in community development and organizing to impact policy change grew. I knew then that at some point an MSW was in my future.” She earned her MSW from Wayne State in 2021 with an emphasis in community and leadership and credits the program with teaching the theoretical knowledge that informed the work she was already doing at Avalon.

At Avalon, in her role as Director of Crisis Services and Education, Benita develops a wide range of programs and trainings for sexual assault service providers to improve their skill sets, become more empathic, and provide more culturally competent care for survivors of sexual violence. In addition to growing in her current career, Benita plans to teach social work in the future, hoping to bring a different lens to share with students to help them understand how policies are created that can intentionally or unintentionally marginalize communities. Her advice to SOAR students is to “Own your voice. Don’t let others shape your narrative or silence you. That’s harmful to you and keeps you from living to your full potential. Despite anything you’ve experienced, you can still fulfill your dreams.”