Celebrating its 30th anniversary Thursday, April 7 at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, the All Stars Project (ASP) held its national gala benefit entitled, “Give Back, Get Back” and raised $2.27 million for its innovative after-school youth development programs.
Actor Ben Vereen was presented with the ASP’s 2011 Bridge Building Award for Leadership in Community Relations by Lenora B. Fulani, Ph.D., the project’s co-founder, and Howard Teich, Esq., first recipient of the Bridge Building Award and past president of the American Jewish Congress, Metropolitan Region.
The All Stars Project also paid tribute to a cross-section of employees from its national corporate sponsors, D&B, Ernst and Young, Latham and Watkins, MetLife and Tiffany and Co., who have volunteered their time and given their talent to support the growth and development of inner-city youth.
The All Stars Project of New Jersey presented its expansion campaign to open a new facility, The Scott H. Flamm Center for Afterschool Development, in downtown Newark – a thriving hub of cultural activities, giving young people from the poorest communities opportunities to work with the best professionals in theatre, business and education.
Two business leaders from New Jersey were recognized for their efforts to transform the lives of young people in Newark — David Jones, the CEO of CastleOak Securities and Drew Vaden, the CIO of Nomura Holding America.
The ASP gala was hosted by Bill Weir, co-host of ABC-TV’s award-winning news show, Nightline.
The evening featured hip-hop, rap, and dance performances by youth of the All Stars Project.
