Gloria Strickland (front, 3rd from left), Director of the All Stars Project New Jersey, with the 2004 Phat Friend awardees and All Stars Youth Committee members.

On Wednesday, November 3, the ASP NJ held its third annual Phat Friend Awards at the Newark Club in downtown Newark, New Jersey.  The event, which was featured in the Star Ledger, honored eleven adults and raised $115,000 for the All Stars Talent Show Network and Development School for Youth programs that now reach more than 1,000 Newark-area youth a year. The Phat Friend Awards are presented by All Stars youth to their community heroes – adults – who demonstrate their support for kids and youth concerns. Over many months, young people taking part in All Stars-sponsored youth events, nominate deserving adults. An All Stars youth committee interviews the nominees and the awardees are chosen from those nominees. It is the only such award in New Jersey – given to adults by young people.

Gloria Strickland, (front, center-right) with All Stars youth leaders and adult supporters at the Phat Friend Awards.

The great turnout included distinguished public officials, such as New Jersey Congressman Donald M. Payne, who came to honor the Phat Friend Award recipients, the young people of the All Stars, and to thank the more than 170 supporters who bought tickets or contributed to the event. 

KISS-FM’s Bob Pickett and All Stars youth leader Stephanie Gidigbi did a dynamite job hosting the ceremony.  Members of the Phat Friend youth committee gave inspiring and very personal testimonials as they presented awards to the eleven recipients.  The awardees were visibly touched, and their acceptance speeches reflected their very deep commitment and passion for helping and supporting young people. 

Other fall program highlights include: the Newark All Stars Talent Show Network, which held its 11th talent show, Saturday, November 20, at Barringer High School. The show featured 45 young performers and boasted a volunteer staff of 37 youth and adults and an audience of over 350. The NJ Development School for Youth graduated its tenth class on December 7 and the second annual NJ Young Leaders for Change ceremony, honoring Stepanie Gidigbi, Abiose Gale and Roberto Baez for their contributions to building the All Stars programs for the young people of New Jersey, was held December 11th.

Irvington, NJ youth dance groups "Blazin" (l.) and "Skilzmatic" (r.) performed in the August 2004 New Jersey All Stars Talent Show Network one-day event in Irvington, NJ.