Pamela A. Lewis, All Stars Project’s director of youth programs (seated, far left); Betsi Pendry, founder of DBIC (seated, second from left); U.S. Consul General Steve Coffman (standing, far right) with All Stars and DBIC youth.

This spring, the director of youth programs, Pamela A. Lewis, traveled with three young leaders from the All Stars – Christina Tapia, Al-Tariq Johnson, and Aadanis Dempster – to South Africa to take part in a ground-breaking exchange with the Democracy Begins in Conversation Project (DBIC). After spending a few days in Johannesburg and Sharpville, touring the city and learning about the history and legacy of apartheid from political activists and community leaders, the All Stars team and 60 DBIC youth travelled to a camp an hour and a half outside of the city, where they participated in a series of workshops exploring issues of democracy, leadership and citizen participation. On the last evening of the camp, Pam and the All Stars team produced a talent show, which brought together the entire camp through singing, rap, dance and poetry performances.

Back in New York, the All Stars Talent Show Network (ASTSN) kicked off its spring cycle, in the Bronx. Hundreds of young performers came out for the talent show on May 10 and displayed a wide variety of high-energy performances, from rap to tap, step to spoken word, and musical melodies and memorable dance moves.  And the geographic representations were as diverse as the acts themselves.  Joining the New York groups representing all five of the boroughs, as well as Long Island, Albany and Schenectady, were performers from as far away as, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Florida!

With several returning groups and an outstanding amount of new performers, a real sense of excitement permeated the air at Roosevelt High School. Adding to the excitement was the team of 50 volunteers who kept the day rolling with energy, ease, and smiles. The mixed group of volunteers included seasoned vets, and new faces, all there thanks to stellar organizing by All Stars board member and volunteer coordinator of the ASTSN, Kathy Fiess and the community outreach team.

For more information on how to become involved in the All Stars Talent Show Network, call April Dae Rochon at (212) 356-8447 or email arochon@allstars.org.