OUR STORY
True Star was founded in 2004 by DeAnna McLeary-Sherman and Na-Tae’ Thompson. Driven by their desire to improve the lives of Chicago youth, and fueled by the tremendous needs of young people living in underserved communities, McLeary-Sherman and Thompson developed a multi-media organization with youth at the helm. The primary goal of the first True Star program was to improve writing skills for young people, and it soon grew to encompass media arts and youth development. Since its formation in 2007, that initial program has transitioned from a newsletter to a magazine and now a digital media company that annually serves over 5,000 young people in under-resourced communities.
True Star has provided quality after school and summer on-the-job training to over 10,000 youth ages 14-24 living primarily in underserved communities on the south and west sides of Chicago. True Star currently provides approximately 250 jobs to Chicago youth per year. True Star instructors are media and business industry professionals who work closely with participating youth teaching in demand skills that are transferable to academics and the workplace. Ultimately, True Star provides young people from these underserved communities with a “Why” that excites, empowers, and employs them – ultimately changing the entire trajectory of their lives.
OUR MISSION
True Star empowers underserved youth to forge their own paths by providing jobs, training and real-world work experience that teaches them how to develop, create, and market digital content on platforms that celebrate their identity and perspective.
OUR PURPOSE
To inspire dreams so that youth can find their voice, discover their path, and prepare for life.
OUR IMPACT
True Star provides Chicago youth a transformative work experience where they learn their voice matters and find the confidence to use it.
WHO WE ARE
We are a media company and digital agency led by underrepresented youth. Our organization offers unique opportunities for youth to create and be the center of their own media. With this, they are put in leadership positions where their ideas are implemented, and they help to run the business, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, feelings of hope and the promise of a rewarding career.
WHO WE HELP
We help majority young underserved black creatives ages 14-24 who aspire to be leaders, have a voice, and make a difference in their communities.
MEET OUR TEAM
DeAnna McLeary Sherman
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Under McLeary-Sherman’s leadership True Star launched a digital agency which provides its clients with unparalleled access to the culture creators and origins of new trends. This social enterprise helps youth gain job skills for the digital age.
Na-Tae' Thompson
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Na-Tae' utilizes her corporate knowledge, community organizing and natural ability to effectively create niche programming for True Star Foundation, ultimately assisting with the growth in youth served and programs offered.
DeShaun Adams
Promotions Manager & Digital Media Instructor
DeShaun has worked as a professional photographer since 2006. Adams has also been in promotion for over 10 years working for top brands like Pepsi Co., KBA Marketing, and Toyota.
Marti Parham
Managing Editor and Content Manager/Program Liaison
In addition to writing for various publications, including the Chicago Tribune, Parham is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago’s magazine publishing program.
Hector “Hex” Danniel
Digital Director
Hex joined True Star in 2018 to spearhead the digital transformation of the organization. Hex has been instrumental in creating True Star’s digital footprint, new branding, and overall digital strategy and process for the organization.
Henry Collins
Social Media & Brand Manager
Henry Collins is a True Star alumni, a digital creative and serial entrepreneur who enjoys implementing marketing strategies and learning new techniques in the ever so changing world of social media.
Sylus Green
Video Production Team Lead
Sylus Green is a certified Adobe trainer and award-winning cinematographer who brings more than two decades of government training and film production expertise to True Star. His former clients include White House Communications, Disney, Columbia NY, Tufts University, the US Army, and the Social Security Administration.
Eunice Shelley
Filmmaking Team Lead
Eunice Smith-Shelley is a writer and producer responsible for the vision of Flip The Script Filmmaking Fellowship™ and The WordSmith Writer’s Lab™. She pivoted from a successful 20+ year career as a global Lean Six-Sigma Operations Manager and now focuses on helping young people develop skills that lead to career opportunities.
Shantel Sharmon Jarmon
Prod. Manager & Podcast Instructor
Sharmon is a True Star alumni who is a multi-disciplinary artist and media curator from Chicago. Sharmon started her radio career as a student in True Star radio program and subsequently spent 10 years in radio broadcasting.
OUR BOARD
Chairman of the Board
LaTonya Wilkens
CEO, Change Coaches
Board Treasurer
Giuseppe Commodaro
VP Business Development
PCNA
Steven Bayley
Brand Strategy
Jeanne Bright
Senior Digital Marketing Specialist
Thomas McLeary
CEO Endow Inc.
Jasmine Neveles
Strategic Marketing Executive
Bhavesh Shah
Director Data Analytics
Motorola
Corey Richardson
VP Cultural Intelligence
Fluent360
Jerry
Stoffl
Consultant
Adobe
David
Nichols
Partner, EY
OUR PARTNERS
We are grateful for the many businesses who invested financially and professionally in 2022
Your support was vital for our students
