On Thursday, August 13th, the All Stars Project of Chicago took part in the launch event for the 100,000 Opportunities
Initiative, expected to bring thousands of youth and a wide range of
employers together at McCormick Place.
David Cherry, City Leader of ASP of Chicago, and of the Chicago branch of ASP's Development School for Youth (DSY), issued a call for the need to invest in development, saying: "There is a lot more to successful employment for inner-city kids than being offered an interview, or even a job. It is the path leading to that interview, to that starting job, that is most crucial to turning a job into a transformative experience - both for youth and employers....We must focus on development."
This summer, 23 inner-city youth, ages 14-21 participated in our Youth Onstage! Community Performance School in New York City. Over four weeks, the students worked with volunteer professional actors and directors and participated in classes on acting, voice, movement, improv, and speech. At the end of the four weeks, on July 31st and August 1st, 120 people came out to see the graduates perform in a scene showcase at the award winning off-off-Broadway Castillo Theatre.
On July 7th, Operation Conversation: Cops & Kids took to the stage at Harlem's historic Apollo Theater for a demonstration workshop starring inner city youth and members of the NYPD. The event was directed by All Stars Project co-founder and Operation Conversation: Cops & Kids director Dr. Lenora Fulani for an audience of 925 police officers, including 870 recent graduates of the New York City Police Academy, and 425 members of the community. Run in partnership with the NYPD, the program uses performance, theatre games, improvisation and candid conversation to help teenagers and police officers in New York City's low income neighborhoods build respect for each other and improve their relationship.
After 18 months of growing the All Stars Project in Dallas, our teams have officially launched the Development School for Youth (DSY)! This spring, 19 inner-city youth from South and West Dallas graduated from the first semester of the DSY leadership and business training program. Fourteen went on to complete paid 6-week internships at 10 leading Dallas companies.
Over 200 community members came to All Stars for UX Opening Day on June 20 -- the official start of our summer semester. People signed up for courses, participated in sample workshops, and received Development Coaching. Our summer classes are free, open to all ages, and cover a wide range of topics, including "Memoir Writing," "Public Speaking," "Financial Literacy," and "Playing with Art." We are also debuting a summer film festival with a meaningful political and historical focus during the month of August. This summer has many opportunities for learning, so read on to find out more!
Newark and NJ afterschool leaders and frontliners representing 62 organizations attended the All Stars Project sponsored Afterschool: Growth! conference on June 25. Held at the Scott Flamm Center, the one day event fostered new conversations and connections and added momentum to the growth of the afterschool movement in the Garden State.
Grammy® Award-winning hip-hop artist Lecrae's visit to the 42nd Street headquarters of the All Stars Project last year - to meet and mentor All Stars young people - turned in to so much more than expected. The All Stars Project has released a video of Lecrae's inspiring visit. Produced by Diane Mayer in partnership with MTV, the video can be viewed here.
On Tuesday, June 16, the All Stars Project of Chicago hosted its annual Partners with Youth benefit luncheon at The Standard Club and recognized the continued support of Scott Siegel, R.S. Owens and Bill Barry, Draper and Kramer. The event raised $547,000 for cutting-edge youth development programs and was attended by 430 business professionals and philanthropists, community leaders, young people, and All Stars volunteers.