DREAM Academy is a charter school that aims to combine music and the arts into the curriculum. Chairperson Karla Redding-Andrews says the school building on Madison Street still needs work before opening next fall.
Redding-Andrews, a member from the board of directors, says, "There are some renovations that need to be completed as well as some things that we want to have available."
Her son Justin Andrews is the grandson of Otis Redding. He has been around music all of his life, and says students need a school like DREAM Academy.
Andrews says, "They're ripping arts programs out of schools left and right and we just don't think that's fair."
Andrews has been working for years at the Otis Redding Foundation and says the arts programs that it sponsors inspires kids.
Andrews says, "Kids, they love it, they enjoy it, and they become more confident in themselves going forward throughout their whole career."
Tammy Sanders of New Jersey visited the Otis Redding Foundation to pick up some souvenirs. She was sorry to hear that the school was delayed, but says when it does open, the students should benefit from it.
"I think that would be good for the children because they will really understand that music is more than just rap," says Sanders.
Andrews says he doesn't play any instruments, but some of his Otis Redding campers are talented and may even attend the DREAM Academy.
Andrews says, "Try to keep the legacy of Otis Redding alive to the best of our ability and, of course, transfer that on to the younger generation of kids that are coming up today."