When David Cherry arrived in Chicago, he didn’t come with a savior complex or a press tour in tow. He went with a mission — to build bridges, not barriers. Originally from Harlem and the South Bronx, Cherry had spent years volunteering with the All Stars Project (ASP) in New York. But in 2007, he saw an opportunity to plant those same roots of performance-based development on Chicago soil. Eighteen years later, the All Stars Project of Chicago has impacted over 40,000 young lives across the South and West Sides.
“I see in young people in Chicago so much potential,” Cherry said in a recent interview. “They deserve the best. They deserve opportunities, not punishment.”
The All Stars Project operates differently from a traditional after-school program. There are no tests, no grades, no rigid curricula. Instead, it uses performance, theater, dance, spoken word, and professional development to help young people grow. From neighborhood talent shows to corporate internships, youth are given the tools not only to perform on stage but also to perform in life.
Cherry’s belief in Chicago’s youth is unwavering.
David Cherry, founder of the All Stars Project of Chicago, stands proud at the very stage where over 40,000 youth found their voice. For nearly two decades, his leadership helped transform talent shows into transformative experiences.
“We can begin to move to better and safer streets in the city of Chicago,” he said. “There’s so much optimism, so much love… and we have to highlight the people who are doing good things.”
One of those efforts was Community Action Day, an initiative born from tragedy. After a record number of homicides in January 2013, the All Stars Project mobilized with over two dozen other organizations to canvas neighborhoods, asking residents what they needed to feel safe. Volunteers knocked on doors from Uptown to Englewood. They didn’t come with lectures—they came to listen.
Minister Andrea Hood, who partnered with ASP through her I Can Outreach program, echoed the power of local collaboration:
“I can, you can, we can together. That’s where action comes in. We can do this together.”
That kind of block-by-block, boots-on-the-ground organizing left a lasting impact. Hood’s voice, featured in a 2013 ABC 7 News segment, still resonates with families across Chicago’s West and South Sides. Her presence in ASP’s outreach added depth, urgency, and faith to a movement built on inclusion.
The flagship programs under Cherry’s leadership include the All Stars Talent Show Network and the Development School for Youth, which places teens into paid summer internships with major firms, including law offices, financial institutions, and architectural firms. Students attend workshops on résumé building, public speaking, and professional etiquette. It’s not just about building a résumé. It’s about building confidence.
“We’ve created something for people of all ages,” Cherry said. “In our After School Development Working Group, we’ve got people from 18 to over 80 years old coming together. The goal is to make Chicago a bigger, better, and brighter city.”
These moments built legacy. From singing to rapping to dancing, Chicago’s youth showed they were more than statistics—they were stars.
That intergenerational collaboration sets ASP apart. It’s not just youth-focused — it’s community-rooted.
In a city often overshadowed by headlines of violence and despair, the All Stars Project is offering an alternative narrative: one of resilience, artistry, and connection. Its downtown hub on Printer’s Row was built thanks to an $11 million campaign and now serves as a beacon for students who’ve never stepped foot in a corporate office, let alone imagined themselves working in one.
As Cherry puts it,
“They deserve to be in quality talent shows with air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter. They deserve sound systems that work and adults who make them feel like this is their stage.”
His approach doesn’t ignore the challenges of the city. It just chooses to respond differently. Instead of curfews, he advocates for creativity. Instead of blame, he offers belief.
And in 2025, as Chicago continues to grapple with violence, displacement, and disconnection, Cherry’s message is clear: performance can bring healing. The community can grow. And transformation is possible — one mic, one stage, one life at a time.
A-Love, singer-rapper and one of the unforgettable performers of the All Stars Talent Show, using her gift to heal and uplift the community. Now a mother of two, her voice still echoes through the city.
