True Star Media empowers underserved youth to forge their own paths by providing jobs, training, and real world work experiences that teaches them to create, develop, and market digital content on platforms that celebrate their perspectives and identity.
True Star builds an entrepreneurial mindset that inspires dreams so that young people can find their voice, discover their path, and prepare for life.
EXPLORE OUR YOUTH-LED CONTENT
True Star videos capture original content that focuses on topics that are relevant to today’s young people including sports, teen talk shows, community events, and celebrity interviews. Youth participants work in front and behind the camera to create these unique pieces.
The True Star Media News Room is filled with articles written by teens and young adults covering topics that specifically cater to their peers. Click here to find articles in the categories of entertainment, sports, health, relationships, and more.
Members of True Star’s podcasting team dish out bold, honest, and candid conversations from a teen and young adult perspective. Click here and take a listen to what they have to say.
We have taken an innovative approach to improving the lives of youth with on-the-job training programs enabling students to learn, create, produce and work for a media company and digital agency.
Click on a program below to learn more about our True Star job training opportunities.
Thanks to the support of True Star donors and partners, this past year students in True Star programs gained an education rooted in experience, developed leadership skills, got a foothold into the professional world and a vision for implementing their ideas to solve real-world problems.
True Star Welcomes Kam Buckner and Ebony D. Howard to Headquarters
True Star Co-founders DeAnna Sherman and Na-Tae’ Thompson never turn down a chance to brag about the outstanding work produced by the young content creators of True Star Media. This September, Sherman and Thompson had the pleasure of welcoming Illinois State...
True Star Media Shines Spotlight on Chicago Youth-Produced “From the Go Fest” in Exclusive ABC 7 Interview
The True Star Media team brought their inspiring message to ABC 7 Chicago on July 27, 2023, talking about their exciting youth-produced event, "From the Go Fest." With founders DeAnna McLeary Sherman and Na-Tae Thompson leading the conversation, the interview...
True Star Media Featured in South Side Weekly
When you walk into the True Star Foundation’s office you might think you’re walking into just another after school program for teenagers. As you get closer, you’ll hear the teens laughing, talking amongst themselves, and may think this is pretty standard for an after...
