Chicago Emerging Stars

Five weeks later, these photos still tell a story we are proud to carry. On August 22nd, Chicago Emerging Stars welcomed 4,428 youth, families, volunteers, partners, sponsors, vendors, and community members to Cole Park for our 4th Annual Back-to-School Bash & Work and Wellness Fair. Together, we distributed 1,800 backpacks and school supplies, served 3,500 meals, and created a day rooted in preparation, joy, support, and community care.

But beyond the numbers, these photos show what made the day meaningful: young people leading, families being supported, volunteers showing up with love, partners sharing resources, and a community coming together around one shared belief our youth deserve to be seen, supported, and celebrated.

To every family who attended, every volunteer who served, every sponsor who believed, every partner who showed up, and every young person who helped bring this vision to life: thank you. This day was possible because people chose to care.

If you were part of this moment, we would love to hear what the day meant to you. Together, we are shaping tomorrow, one star at a time.

Tomorrow is the BIG DAY! ⭐️💙

We’re bringing our families, our young people, our neighbors, and our community together for a day rooted in joy, opportunity, connection, and celebration.

This is more than an event it’s a community coming together to pour into our youth, celebrate our families, and make sure our young people know they are seen, supported, and valued.

Come Ready for a Day of Fun, Resources & Community!

Families can look forward to:

⭐️ Backpacks & school supplies
⭐️ Carnival rides
⭐️ Bouncy houses
⭐️ Rock climbing wall
⭐️ Trackless train
⭐️ Face painting
⭐️ Games & giveaways
⭐️ Free haircuts & hairstyles
⭐️ Performances & entertainment
⭐️ Free food from Uncle Remus, Joey’s Red Hots, BBQ, ice cream & more
⭐️ Wellness, workforce & community resources
⭐️ Family fun, connection & community building

And we’re excited to welcome special guest Jayvenfunny On All Platforms🌟 viral Chicago content creator, comedian, dancer, and creator of a virtual dance trend along with an incredible lineup of performers and special guests throughout the day! 🔥

Young people, this day is for YOU. Families, this day is for YOU. Community, this day is for ALL OF US. So bring the kids, bring your neighbors, bring your energy, and COME OUT! 🙌🏾

Let’s show up. Let’s connect. Let’s celebrate. Let’s build. Because when we invest in our youth, we strengthen our entire community. 💙✊🏾

Our youth summer program has ended but the impact created during our time together remains. As we close off this chapter, we celebrate all the work our youth accomplished in our final week. We spent time looking back on memories, planning out the future, and finishing this program as one family.

This program gave youth the space they needed to grow and become stronger than ever. Now, they are ready to become leaders.

Last week our young people focused on the topic of leadership following a theme of: “One Team. One Community. One Mission.” They spent time practicing leadership through their actions and voices. One great example was our Big Brother / Big Sister event where our young people curated questions to ask older youth about future endeavors such as high school and college.

Later that day, they practiced leadership in action and service by participating in a community cleanup. At the end of the week, we celebrated our youth and the growth they have accomplished in themselves.

We at Chicago Emerging Stars are proud to announce our Star Youths of the Week 6: La’Kya Green and Kajuan Lewis! ⭐️

These two had shown great acts of growth and leadership during the program last week!

Yesterday was a very special day for one of our summer programs. It was our Big Brother/Big Sister day where we brought in high school seniors, college freshman, and sophomores. These older students acted as mentors with our youth as they engaged in mutual conversations of topics such as how to prepare for high school and college, navigating relationships, priorities to keep them on track, and overall life experiences.

At the end of the day, we finished our program with a community park clean-up to connect our youth further with their mentors and to give back to our communities.

Last Friday, we hosted our 6th District Peace Rally in partnership with the 6th District Police Department, welcoming more than 200 youth for an incredible day of community, connection, and peace.
We are amazed and grateful for everyone who was able to attend and stand alongside youth and families as we focused on a common goal of peace, unity, and positive change. This event helped remind us that any goal is achievable when a community comes together as one.

We at Chicago Emerging Stars are proud to announce our Star Youths of the Week: Mason McGhee and Taylor Johnson! ⭐️

These two have shown great acts of leadership and commitment to growth during the program this week!