Executive Director,
True Star Foundation
Despite
Deanna McLeary’s corporate background, she’s always wanted to shape the
lives and futures of minority teens in Chicago.
To that end, McLeary established the True Star Foundation, a nonprofit
organization that provides literary and professional development
programs for teens. Thus far, the organization has been a huge success
and McLeary couldn’t be more excited.
“From the time they get into the program until they leave, I get a
chance to see these young people grow,” she says. “They’re inspired —
they feel they can do it. We show them success[es].”
The organization’s major focus is publishing True Star magazine, a free publication created and produced by participants. Developed by McLeary and co-founder J. Na-Tae Thompson, True Star provides
paid after-school apprenticeships where teens learn to develop, write
and edit content, produce graphic designs, sell advertisements, execute
events and market the publication. The program has seven after-school
projects with 135 students participating.
Recently, True Star’s event planning team presented its first “Careers on Deck: Sessions for Your Professions” seminar at Truman College.
“This event was planned by 27 teenagers from Harlan High School. They
planned this event from beginning to end,” McLeary boasted, adding that
the skills the students developed will help them later in life. “We
wanted them to be able to put something on their résumé at a young
age.”
Over 300 students attended the career fair, representing 20 different
schools across the city. The students had an opportunity to learn about
various career options from seasoned professionals. –tbinns
